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• PHOTOGRAPH: HÅKON SATAØENS

Summer in Berlin is a sacred time in the city – a time when parks jolt back into life, lake waters warm and everyone spills out onto the streets for aperitivo in the sun.

Whether you prefer strolls by the canal, pensive wanders around art galleries or you’d rather get lost in the haze of all-night-long clubbing – there is something for everyone here.

Consider this your essential guide to Berlin’s hotspots, courtesy of FLANNELS.

Larb Koi

This charming northeastern Thai restaurant in Berlin’s Friedrichshain district ticks all the boxes: flavourful, authentic food, warm and personalised service, and polished yet no-frills interiors. It’s no wonder that Larb Koi has found its way to the Michelin guide (but without the eye-watering prices, so book that date night). Here, heat is king, and their robust regional spicing really does pack a punch, so wash your meal down with a crisp glass of orange wine from their neighbours, the natural wine shop Weinladen, and prepare for your taste buds to be blown away.

Gazzo

This beloved pizzeria is the beating heart of Neukölln. Quirky, cosy and undeniably delicious, Gazzo specialises in fermented sourdough pizzas centred around sustainability and quality ingredients, sourcing all their toppings from local butchers and artisanal farmers. At Gazzo, the music is always thumping, the vibes are high, and its home to one of the borough’s best-kept summer secrets: their mozzarella and olive oil soft-serve ice cream.

Taquería El Oso

Tucked within the vibrant and colourful surroundings of Prenzlauer Berg’s Markthalle Pfefferberg is El Oso, the city’s best taco spot. Not only do they serve the bset al pastor tacos straight from the trompo, but their varied selection of hot sauces – of all calibres – and fresh horchata can be enjoyed to the sounds of cumbia, corridos and salsa.

Refuge Worldwide/Oona Bar

Refuge Worldwide started off as a grassroots platform working in solidarity with non-profits organisations. In 2021, they launched their radio station-slash-bar space in Neukölln’s lively Weserstrasse, offering a range of tasty cocktails and natural wines and a steady stream of live radio. A community space that brings the party for a good cause.

Palabra Bar

Boasting the biggest offering of agave spirits in the city, visiting this sleek and modern mezcal bar is a no-brainer. Inside, you’ll be treated to a diverse menu of cocktails while sitting among a display of indigenous Mexican art and sculptures, set to the bubbling tunes of Palabra’s handpicked DJs every night.

Sameheads

Sameheads combines the best of both worlds: a bar and a club. Not just either one, this beloved Neukölln haunt offers up a more chilled-out upstairs bar – complete with eccentric decor of vintage fashion mannequins and computers – and a small subterranean dancefloor that pops off every night. No matter your mood, tastes or persuasions, everyone’s welcome.

Boxhagener Platz

Where else can you find DDR-era ceramic vases, vintage Burberry coats and mid-century art in one go? Every Sunday, Boxhagener Platz gets taken over by rows of independent stalls that showcase Berlin’s most unique antique and second-hand finds, from clothes, jewellery and trinkets to furniture, paintings and vinyl. Hot tip: this flea market is only a stone’s throw away from Larb Koi.

Rosa Wolf Magazines

Boasting an incredible selection of magazines from all over the world, Rosa Wolf is your one-stop-shop for media culture. From high fashion editorials to DIY punk zines, from architectural digests to travel-focused journals, this beautifully styled shop has you covered.

Sound Metaphors

Situated on Kreuzberg’s long and bustling Reichenberger Strasse, Sound Metaphors is an expertly curated record shop and label. Here, you’ll find original pressings of your favourite classics and uncover obscure gems that you didn’t know you needed in your collection – from experimental funk and techno to scuzzy garage and post-punk. If you’re lucky, you may even stumble upon one of their much-fêted summer parties, which bring DJs from all over the world for a shakedown in the sun.

KW Institute

This contemporary art gallery approaches the pressing questions of our times through exhibitions that move, challenge and delight in equal measure. Located in Berlin’s Mitte district, KW’s dynamic and progressive shows are a staple among the city’s art enthusiasts. The fact you can enjoy a spritz in the quaint courtyard outside is just the cherry on top.

Hasenheide

Take a leisurely summer stroll through this lush and verdant park in the heart of the city. Inside its whopping 50 hectares you’ll find an open-air cinema, animal enclosure, mini golf course, rose garden and a German ‘50s-style kiosk where you can soak it all in, local-style, with a bratwurst and a cold one.

Orania Berlin

A grand piano-wielding rooftop bar, pet-friendly rooms and a sense of calm in the spirited centre of Kreuzberg – what more could you need from a hotel? Orania Berlin not only delivers on the vibes, but also its excellent Breakfast Club and old-school cocktail menu.

Hotel Oderberger

It’s not every day your hotel is situated within one of Berlin’s most gorgeous historic pools, but Hotel Oderberger is not your average stayery. Modern, neutral rooms sit atop a recently refurbished spa and sauna, allowing you to carve out your own special oasis in the city centre.