It's not you, it's me. I'm leaving you. Berlin. Temporarily.

I thought i'd jot down some the places i've been and generally like in Berlin. I got here in October last year and although working like a maniac for a start-up, I did get out and about a little bit. Berlin is one of those places were there are a million great things to do. I'm not as adventurous as some but definitely enjoyed finding a few gems in the city. I thank all my friends here for showing me a good time. Sadly I have to move to Frankfurt but I know i'll be back!

Check it out below :::::::::::::::


Tours:
- Free walking tour.
There is a free walking tour starting at the Starbucks in Pariser Platz at the Brandenburg Gate. They start at  11am and 1pm each day. It's a great starter tour to see some of the main attractions around the city. Afterwards you have oriented yourself a little and might have some ideas on where to go later.

- Underworld tour
A lot of Berlin's history is underground. During the many wars that have ravaged the city, underground bunkers, storage and transport facilities were built. You can check them out via these tours. Most of the tours start at the Brunnenstr S-Bahn (http://berliner-unterwelten.de/)

Eats:
- Gianni Gillone (Schoenhauser Allee)
A great Italian joint where you can grab a great Ciabatta or Pasta dish. Quick and delicious.

- Du Forni (Schoenhauser Allee)
A Berlin institution where great pizza is pumped out to a rowdy and fun crowd. On weekends there's a band stumming outside. Friday is fish day.

- Good Morning Vietnam (Alte Schoenhauser Allee)
We like "301" the rice noodles that wrap mince meat. Others asian restaurants along Alte Schoenhauser are good too eg Yam Yam and Monsieur Vuong...

- Weinerei Forum (Veteranen Str)
A new concept in payment. There is a 2e entry fee for which you get a glass to try all types of great wines. Usually around 9pm food is served. It's a solid rustic feast. Take as much as you can because it runs out quickly. At the end you simple pay what you think it was worth.

- Akito Sushi
In Reinhardt Str is a great sushi bar. The big platter for two will fill you up.

- Altes Europa (Gipsstrasse)
A great example of contemporary German cooking in a very cool atmosphere.

- Rosenthaler Pizza (Cnr Rosenthaler Str and Tor Str)
For 2e you get a big square slice of freshly made pizza. Take two to stuff yourself.

- Schwarze Pumpe (Choriner Str)
Another example of a corner bar where wine is flowing, beer is good and the simple menu will warm you up on a cold evening.

- The Bird (Am Falkplatz, Prenzlauer Berg)
An awesome New York style burger bar. The cheesecake is also awesome...

- White Trash (Schoenhauser Alle 6/7)
An ex- chinese restaurant, now burger and beer spot for fun tatoo'd people.

- Volver (Luisenstr) an Yosoy (Rosenthaler)
Both have great tapas and a busy spanish atmosphere.

Brunch:
- Nolas
In Weinbergpark, it's large pavilion style building overlooking the park. Brunch on Sunday's is always busy but well worth getting there early, getting a table outside and feasting up.

- Bar Gagarin
Another example of a brunch bar in Prenzlauer Berg. Similar bars are based in Simon-Dach Strasse in Friedrichshein


Coffee:
- Antipodes (Fehrbelliner Str)
My home away from home. Jane and Paul not only make a super coffee, they make you feel at home.

- Marketta (Linienstrasse)
The Austrian's do a superb coffee. The "big brown" will kick start the engine when necessary.

- Zimt und Zucker
On the Schiffbauerdamm along the Spree in the city, it's a nice place to sit in old comfort and drink coffee and eat waffles.

- Bateau Ivre (Oranienstr.)
- An institution in Kreuzberg, you'll get a french influenced breakfast experience. At night it's pumping also.


Drinks
- Spaeti
The 24 / 7 kiosks are call "Spaet Verkauf" (late selling). Here you can get beers for under 1e and anything else you need. Most streets will have a spaeti and a bench out the front where you can enjoy your purchases.

- Haus Am See (Brunnenstrasse)
Open as long as you are awake, Haus am See is an eclectic place with good service and an easy going view on life. Park yourself on the stadium seating for a spot of people watching.

- Trust (Tor Str)
Where it's all about image. Press the door bell and see if you'll be let in...trust the drinks inside.

- Kingsize
A cool bar on Friedrichstrasse. It doesn't get going til later but once you find a spot at the bar, you won't be disappointed. Good drinks and fun vibe all night long.

- Lining Bar
Set on the corner of Auguststr in Mitte, try to get on the couch on the sides to relax and smash cocktails.

- Club de Visionaire
Am Flutgraben in Neukoelln, you'll be sitting on the side of a canal. It's a great place to spend the afternoon and welcome the evening.
- Lerchen und Eulen (Pueckler Str)
If you like drinking lots of Vodka without realising it, head here for heavy handed bar men and ask for Moscow Mules.

- Newton Bar (Gendamenmarkt)
It's how it used to be. For a bespoke bar experience. Think leather couches, tall glasses and waiters in waist coats.

- Madame Claudes (Luebbener Str)
An upside down place where the band plays in the cellar and the drinks are pouring upstairs.

Kooky Berlin
- Kjosk (Oranienstr)
It reminds me of "The Garden of Unearthly Delights" at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Buy your beers in and then find a seat on a log somewhere.

- Kiki Blofeld (Koepenicker Str)
A camping playground behind a power station. At the end of the garden and down stairs is a shed where the DJ is rocking at the water front.

- Claerchens Ballhouse (August Str)
You never know what will be happening at Claerchens but you are in for a good time. It could be 50's swing dancing, a DJ or an oompa band. The pizza is also pretty good.


Open space
One thing that sets Berlin apart from other big capital cities is the town planning. When walking around Berlin you don't realise you are walking past huge buildings. The space between the buildings however, doesn't allow you any reference points to measure the size. The open spaces around the city give that space and provide for an uncluttered cityscape.

- Goerlitzer Park
A cool park with a few cafe's and bars inside. Check out Das Edelweiss for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late...

- Schloss Charlottenburg
Out of town, along the Spree, it's a lovely old castle with a well manicured garden.

- Treptower Park
A huge park with a soviet monument in the middle, as well as an old fun park. Great for bbq's or a run.

- Tempelhof Airport
The old airport in the southern suburbs, it was the home of the famous allied airlift. Now closed as an airport, it means its open for people to walk the runway and hangout in the open space.

- Kreuzberg Ufer's
I like water, so anytime there's a water way, i'm there. On a sunny day there are people everywhere with their picnics and their spaeti beers.

- East Side Gallery
Take a walk along the old wall...

Late night eats
- Burgermeister ((Oberbaumstraße)
A great burger worth the line up. It's under the overhead subway line in an old toilet block.

- Huehnerhaus (Goerlitzer Park)
Great half chicken and chips. The chilli paste sauce is brilliant
For more goto "unlike.net" or just walk the streets and see what you can find....have fun kids!

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