5 places to enjoy a perfect lunch

In need of a break after a shopping spree in the fancy Alte Schönhauser Strasse? How about a Vietnamese lunch? Monsieur Vuong is a safe bet: always hip, always authentic and yes, also always crowded. Bright colours and friendly service have been its trademark since 1999.

This legendary institution also houses the exquisite bookstore Kohlhaas & Company. It’s a fantastic place to go to after a day of shopping or to have afternoon tea – when the weather is nice, you can enjoy your tea in the spacious garden. They also organise walking tours.

Malakeh Jazmati, born in Damascus, came to Berlin in 2015 after living in exile in Jordan, where she had her own cooking show on TV. She started a catering business in Berlin that was so good that she was soon asked by none other than Angela Merkel to serve Syrian food at a reception. Not much later, she opened Malakeh – a real gem of a Syrian restaurant.

If you’re craving hearty Mexican food in Berlin, look no further. Maria Bonita is a small cantina that serves tasty Frozen Mezcal Margaritas and excellent homemade chilaquiles. It’s not exactly light fare, but it will get you going. Explore the neighbourhood (with the famous Kulturbrauerei around the corner) until it’s time for dinner.

It is a little-known Berlin fact that many local organisations have canteens that are open to the public. Often they serve decent food at a decent price. Universal’s cantina in Friedrichshain is a good example. Fans of Nordic architecture can try the canteen of the Felleshus – a cultural space run by five Nordic institutions.