kauf dich glucklich | berlin

Part of a string of mellow sidewalk cafés filled with vibrant crowds, this place would blend right in if it weren’t for the aroma of fresh homemade waffles. Yet I was led in confidence by my brother, who had been brought here before, by his good friend who had been studying in Berlin.  Lucky for me, the guy knows his way.  I’m always excited to find local hangouts, and more so when I can have waffles and ice cream to start off my day.  This is our first stop for food, before hitting the nearby flea market.  The outdoor seats are filled with fellow flea-market goers, a relaxed and cheerful weekend crowd.  Despite all signs pointing toward a good brunch, this place only serves waffles and ice cream with simple drinks.  But a specialized menu usually tells me how confident a place is at what’s left on the menu.  

Standing in the long line that snaked out of the entrance, I feel pressured to decide in time before I get to the counter.  But I attempted in vain, the entire menu was in German. 

A friendly staff behind the counter recommended homemade cherry sauce over the waffles, and I chose a scoop of cookies ‘n cream, a strange combination in hind thought, but the flavors worked beautifully.

The waffles here are square and falling off the plate, but they are delicious!  There is a large selection of homemade ice cream flavors, but the drink menu is a bit limited.  Apparently iced coffee here means hot coffee with a scoop of ice cream, so I went with a regular cup of brewed coffee instead.  You’ll be able to find European staples such as Ovaltine, a hot-chocolate-like drink made by adding hot water to its original powder form.  It is also a childhood favorite of mine, and of many who had grown up in Southeast Asia.  My grandpa would make it for me when I behaved, and he’d make a cup for himself to drink with me. 

This place took the down home spirit to extreme, with kitsch decor and tableware.  Eating here is like sitting at a friend’s living room or patio.

baustelle bar/café 

at the michelberger hotel | berlin

The Michelberger had started with the dream of a little boy, Tom, who wanted to live with all of his friends in a big apartment.  With the help of his closest friends who shared the same passion to create and some love from the sponsors, his dreams eventually took shape, in the form of the Michelberger hotel.

The Baustelle bar/café serves as the hotel’s hangout and feeding area.  Tucked amidst crates and cages of books and magazines, you can sip from a cup of espresso while your friend enjoys a bottle of Rothaus or a bowl of Gulash soup.  

The airy space is filled with self-designed elements, repurposed chairs, and classic lamps. Garden-picked flowers dotting the tables add a feel of ease.  Although the fully-equipped liquor bar seem like a mismatch, the delicately-foamed cappuccino confirms that I'm in a serious coffeehouse.

I adore the illustrations on these menus, the printing-on-wood idea, and the whole nonchalant, spontaneous creativity that surrounds the space.  Utilizing both sides of the board, the menu is whimsically designed with coffeehouse items on one side, and bar drinks on the reverse.

I can hang out here all day.  

Just as you think this place is as versatile as it gets, it transforms again by nightfall, turning into a venue for live concerts, dinner parties, and at times, disco galore.

If you’re lucky to be in town on Fridays, be sure to attend the “disco dinner.” The restaurant serves a 3-course dinner for just 25 euros, including drinks like wine and beer.  After dinner you can move to the bar where the DJs are playing their favorite records.  I guess this is not just Tom’s dream after all!