7 Hidden Gems In Berlin's Kreuzberg

Berlin is actually home to a surprising number of cozy little Italian eateries, serving up authentic dishes and phenomenal wines. One of the lesser known establishments in Kreuzberg is the bistro Restaurant Brio. Opened in 2013 by two young chefs from Rome, Andrea and Giulia, Italian style tapas and Tuscan dishes are served. On Sunday, they also put on an excellent brunch. They offer the perfect blend between gourmet haute cuisine and folk culinary tradition for affordable prices in a laid-back atmosphere, blending the best parts of both Italy and Berlin. While this place is still a relatively hidden gem, its popularity is growing, so don’t wait to check it out! http://instagram.com/p/BCC98ArIDI-/

One of the most fascinating aspects of Berlin is that not so long ago, half of it was under communist control for decades. While the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park tends to get all the attention, along with the Berlin Wall of course, there are subtler traces of this era interspersed throughout the city, even in Kreuzberg. On Köpenicker Strasse, not far from popular hubs like Markthalle Neun, is a larger-than-life stone statue of the socialist hero, Vladimir Lenin, anachronistically situated right in front of the Zapf Removal Company. It is just like Berlin to interweave its industrial fixtures with astounding remnants of history.

While places like Soho House in Mitte tend to get a lot of attention for their high-rise terraces, which present excellent city vistas, Kreuzberg has its own trendy setups to boast about. Solar Bar, for instance, is the perfect place in the neighborhood to watch the sunset. Hop on the glass lift at the exterior of a demure office building to access this glam lounge in the sky, which is home to a bar and a restaurant with an eclectic menu featuring elevated German fare and Argentinian dishes with Iberian influences. The sultry ambiance of the dimly lit venue is completed with the smooth musical stylings of guest DJs who lull patrons deep into the night. http://instagram.com/p/9W6NKqIGst/?taken-at=516556606

The Victoria Versicherung building has an astonishingly beautiful hidden courtyard, complete with stunning early 20th-century-period architecture and dense thickets of climbing vines. Somehow, much of this space avoided destruction during World War II, so the courtyard offers people a rare opportunity to step back in time and catch a glimpse of what Berlin looked like before the war altered it forever. Those who take the time to appreciate the detailing on the building’s façade will be rewarded, as it is replete with impressive ornamentation. Be sure to scope out the astronomical clock, made of verdigris copper. http://instagram.com/p/0Lrqn8HkgX/?tagged=victoriaversicherung

While Babylon Kino near Kotti in Kreuzberg tends to get overshadowed by the theater of the same name in Mitte, this indie cinema and its surrounding little kiez are easy to miss. Tucked away on Dresdener Strasse, a quiet reprieve from the chaos that is Kottbusser Tor, this tiny vintage kino shows independent films of high-brow quality. To access it, one must head down a discrete pedestrian street just off of Adalbertstrasse. Taking the time to search it out is worth it, however, because Dresedener Strasse is also home to plenty of other intriguing bars and shops. http://instagram.com/p/BJNsMZ2gHaI/?taken-at=237341108

We all love a good Korean dining experience, and Berlin has some pretty iconic establishments in this regard. Yet, we’re always happy to discover more of them, and Core Korean Food and Delicatessen near Kottbusser Tor certainly fits the bill. It is the lesser known cousin of Core in Prenzlauer Berg, but that just means it could be yours for the taking. It is small but the atmosphere is cheerful and cozy. They do an excellent bibimbop for lunch, and there are daily specials and hot pot items to boot. Core makes for a great little lunch spot that is hidden in plain sight. http://instagram.com/p/7gLstntMSM/?taken-at=256821860

Multlayerladen is one of those intriguing multipurpose spaces that seem so at home in Berlin. Part bar, part atelier, Multilayerladen is a great place to escape the bustle around Kotti in the evenings for an intimate setting ideal for a memorable date night or even a solo evening. With eclectic décor and a fairly tight squeeze for space this place packs an extra punch of quirk. Plus, they host live music on the regular. On Adalberstrasse, not far from Babylon Kino, come here to drink, dance, and hang out from Monday through Saturday. http://instagram.com/p/uGoA2Pj5VB/?taken-at=2905829