One of my favorite sophisticated-but-casual places in Berlin. Everything is delicious and the restaurant is cozy and minimal at the same time. It is the right place to have a wonderful dinner with somebody special without being too anxious about the dress code :)

Flughafen Tempelhof was once the symbol of nazi-pride when Hitler notoriously comissioned construction of the smallest duty free shop in the world (and a beautiful example of fascist architecture). After the war, Tempelhof became one of the frontiers of the cold war with the U.S. battling the communists (who undoubtedly wanted to get rid of the small duty free shop altogether) via the Berlin Airlift. It turned out to be a huge succes, and enabled the allied forces to remain their presence in Berlin and save the small duty free shop. The real free-market victory will come in about two years though, when project developers will take over and start building houses, blocking my view onto the airfield.

Art bookstore for the more off-the-grid publications.

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.)

It's an indoor market, which makes it a great option in winter if you are looking for anything from kitsch to classy. I like it because you find lots of old objects that transport you to the past.