The diversity of Berlin Mitte mirrors the diversity of the city. When I moved here, I discovered the city by neighborhoods. After Tiergarten, now I wrote down some moments spend in Mitte, considered today the city downtown, but for almost 30 years was divided between East and West.

Sightseeing

Berlin has an important heritage from the Prussian Empire, and many cultural monuments are located in Mitte: Brandenburg Gate, hidden backyards, Museum island, Bebelplatz with Humboldt University, just to name a few (since the list is very long).

First, Reichstag building is the seat of German Parliament (Bundestag) and it can be visited for free, only registration is required at least a day in advance online. Near Tiergarden. Best to spend the afternoon or evening visiting the building with its famous glass dome, where I took the below picture at sunset.

I start my Berlin Mitte tour always in Hackescher Markt, one of Berlin’s oldest areas. Hackescher Höfe is a complex of 8 interconnected courtyards, designed in Art Nouveau and filled with small boutiques, galleries and even a theater and a cinema. Events as Art Week Berlin and Galleries Weekend have a cluster in the many spaces nearby on Auguststrasse that are favorites.

Next, Museumsinsel is an UNESCO World Heritage with 5 world class museums – where we find the Old Museum (Altes Museum), the Old National Gallery (Alte Nationalgalerie), New Museum (Neues Museum), Pergamon Museum and Bode-Museum. Worth a stop – even just for sightseeing

Just two minutes away from the museum island, in Bebelplatz we can admire Hedwig Cathedral and the Humboldt University, attend a concert at State Opera Unter den Linden, go the rooftop of the Hotel de Rome, or reach Berlin Dom.

Lastly, Berlin concert hall (Konzerthaus) is located at the historic square called Gendarmenmarkt and is flanked in perfect symmetry by the French Cathedral (Französischer Dom) and the German Cathedral (Deutscher Dom).

Kaufhaus

An important word, Kaufhaus means “department store”, that could include libraries, fashion shops, furniture, restaurants and so on. Only 5 minutes away from Konzerthaus, is Galleries Lafayette Berlin in Friedrichstrasse, from Paris with love, and part of Quartier 207, a complex interconnected though galleries. I personally like the “Gastronomie” floor with restaurants, macaroons, coffee and a French bookstore not far.

Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus “culture house” has a café, an English bookstore, more books, spontaneous concerts and “the largest classical music department in the world”, but also jazz and international music. If you are in doubt where to start for sightseeing or shopping, Friedrichstrasse and Unter den Linden boulevard are the answer.

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Let’s talk about food & coffee

I have been living for almost a year in Berlin, but I think I would need years to become an expert in the food scene and third wave coffee places in this huge & cool city.

My favorite restaurant in Mitte is KUCHI 📌 Gipsstr. 3, the best Japanese, sushi and Asian fusion restaurant in Berlin, next to Cocolo Ramen. I think I have tried almost everything on the menu and I am still ordering each time as dessert their Mango tapioca. To try German food would be legendary Clärchens Ballhaus, 📌 Auguststr. 24, also with live music and dancing classes in the legendary “Spiegel Saal/Mirror room”. Plus, my first choice for burgers is Peter Pane and for Italian is Capvin pizza.

Also, to be in Berlin is to be well-caffeinated. My top, in no order, only my amateur impression:

1. Röststätte Berlin – award winning specialty coffee, that offers also barista workshop and classes 📌Ackerstraße 173 and 2nd location in Hackescher Markt

2. Five Elephant in Mitte is a smaller venue of the Roastery in Kreuzberg. The coffee is excellent. The online shop is also available 📌Alte Schönhauser 14

3. The Barn Coffee Roasters is famous in Berlin (for a reason), with a minimalistic interior and with coffee environentally sourced. I remembered they organized interesting events during the Coffee Festival last year 📌Auguststraße 58, 10119 and also Neue Schönhauser Strasse 12

4. Father Carpenter – is hidden in a beautiful courtyard, typical for Berlin 📌Münzstraße 21, 2. Hinterhof

Something sweet

1. Zeit für Brot is the place where I had my first breakfast and coffee in Berlin. Smells of fresh bread, coffee and cinnamon. I wanted to move in. There is plenty of variety, but when in doubt, the cinnamon buns and brownies are a good choice 📌Alte Schönhauser 4.

2. Next favorite place is SOFI – the Bakery, tucked away in another Berlin courtyard in Sophienstraße. Opened by Copenhagen Danish famous chef and restaurateur Frederik Bille Brahe. My go-to are the Sourdough breads and chocolate cake.

3. Brammibal’s near Potsdamer Platz – for plant based donuts, what people outside of Berlin would call it a berliner. I am not vegan and donuts are not my favorite dessert, and still, I always return to the Banoffee, Esspresso and Lemon Curd ones.

Lastly, I ate most gelato from Cuore di Vetro (📌Max-Beer-Strasse 33), Canal Artisanal inside Hackeschen Höfe and many sorbets from Eismanufaktur Berlin (📌Auguststrasse 63).

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Instead of conclusion

It’s not really until you live here, that you realize just how fast paced the city is and how things can change so quickly.