Just until recently this place used to be one big old Aphoteke (Pharmacy). They have kept the Apotheke's dark wood Art Deco charm to use in benefit of great coffee and fantastic brunch (try the french toast and you'll see I'm not lying).
The central ‘Mitte’ area of Berlin is packed tight with galleries and museums, which means you can cram a lot into a short amount of time, if that’s what you want.
The best of the lot is the Me Collectors Room, which shows off large chunks of the Thomas Olbricht collection alongside other contemporary private artworks. The permanent ‘Wunderkammer’ display offers over 200 pieces from the Renaissance and the Baroque periods, with a solid focus on the strange and macabre. There’s even a Mark Ryden original that fits in nicely.
This café is where I go when I want to feel at home and spoil myself with food
prepared with passion and care.
I spend hours between a coffee and a carrot cake while working on my computer
On a leafy street in Kreuzberg is Kuratiert, a contemporary illustration gallery and shop selling prints, ceramics, textiles and more by some of the best creators from Berlin and the world. It also hosts regular dedicated exhibitions, and is a great place to browse for gifts, or just inspiration.
While strolling around Mitte, check out the flagship store of Berlin´s cult women fashion brand. (And try a delicious cinnamon bun at Zeit für Brot next door.)