LENE KOENIG
OCCUPATION: Designer and owner of bubble.kid.berlin
MY STYLE: Urban, eclectic, and brightly colored. For the home, I love Danish designs.
I LOVE BERLIN BECAUSE: It has an international atmosphere with playgrounds, parks, art, and culture.
Alpenstueck
Don’t be fooled by the stag head on the wall; Alpenstueck’s south German and Austrian cuisine is nothing if not sophisticated. Many come to this gleaming gold-walled restaurant for the Wiener Schnitzel, which comes with cucumber salad, and kids will adore the apple strudel. “The pastries are delicious and unique,” says Lene Koenig. “They’re made south German-style instead of Berlin-style.”
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King Size
The name of this bar should not be taken literally, but do check it out if you like to party—and don’t mind close quarters. King Size is so dancing-oriented that there are only a few bar stools, yet the cocktails are delicious and there are plenty of kitschy details to admire. Be sure to try the Moscow Mule, a fruity cocktail made with ginger beer.
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Meilenwerk Berlin
Whether you’re in the market for a new car or just want to ogle antique Bentleys, this vehicle showroom is sure to keep you entertained for hours. With expansive displays and even a “jazz brunch” on Sunday afternoons, Meilenwerk offers plenty of excuses to bask in the presence of some top-notch rides.
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Bearpit Karaoke
So much for a quiet afternoon in the park! Bearpit Karaoke, a weekly event held in the amphitheater at Mauerpark, attracts at least 1,500 people on any given Sunday. “The place is rocking with locals and tourists alike,” says Lene Koenig. Anyone is welcome to sing, but some performers have more clout than others. “Look out for Dieter,” says Koenig. “He’s known for his German translations of Sinatra classics.”
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Bubble Kid Berlin
There’s something about bubbles in Berlin. The famous “bubble men” can be found on Kollwitzplatz every Sunday (come rain or come shine)—perhaps inspiration for Lene Koenig’s versatile and whimsical line of children’s clothing. Bubble.kid.berlin emphasizes functionality (most garments are adjustable and all zippers are sturdy), and prides itself on not including too many ruffles!
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Hachkesche Höfe Kino
This cinema shows mostly contemporary movies, but its red velvet curtains uphold an air of the old-fashioned. The snack bar prides itself on serving all drinks in glass bottles, and espresso is pulled directly from an old-school Gaggia machine. "The movies here are always shown in the original language with subtitles, whereas most German theaters only offer dubbed versions," says Lene Koenig.
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Sarah Wiener's
Sharing a wall with Germany's premiere collection of contemporary art (think Roy Lichtenstein and Cy Twombly), this bustling restaurant specializes in Austrian cuisine with an innovative, Mediterranean twist. In addition to running four restaurants and starring her own TV show, The Culinary Adventures of Sarah Wiener, this jack-of-all-culinary-trades is also a philanthropist, as the Sarah Wiener Foundation aims to enlighten students and teachers about nutrition.
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Gartenstrasse Pool
Heinrich Tessenow designed this bathhouse to be a relaxing haven, but the pool is also great for laps and training. While you're swimming the length of the 50m pool, be sure to do some backstroke so you can enjoy the gorgeous glass ceiling. What's more, the Gartenstrasse pool offers ongoing lifeguard supervision, so parents can relax while the little ones play.
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Engelberg Café
Sweet and savory collide beautifully at this organic café. Cakes are featured most prominently in the display case, but Engelberg also offers a wide selection of sausage, bread, egg dishes, and cheeses imported from Switzerland. The stammer max (fresh bread with thinly sliced ham and fried eggs) is especially popular, but Silke Wichert comes for the müesli. "I'll even come here for a second breakfast!" she says.
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