Places to see, things to do, places to eat in Berlin?

[BiddyPop]

Hi all,

I'm hoping for some hints and tips from the collective MN knowledge banks about Berlin.

I was there in 1991 on school tour and remember the telecoms tower and Brandenburg gate.

As DH wants to go for his birthday next month, I'm looking for suggestions of things to do and see, and also any ideas for eating.

We'll be staying near the Zoological Gardens and happy to do a lot of moving around on public transport.

I'd like one nice meal and I know we had a lovely one in a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in the Netherlands - not full star price but really nice food - so any suggestions for that, and just generally nice places for lunches and dinners would be great. We mostly eat anything (I can't take too much spice but a bit is good) and are open to adventures.

And DH is very interested in history generally and in transport - we've done the transport museum in Brussels and imperial war museum in London for example. But we also like art, boat and gentle bike trips, a bit of shopping and a relaxing beer on a pavement in the afternoon.

So do you have any suggestions of things that would be good to do or itineraries for a morning or a day? Great restaurants to visit? And any secret gems or tips (do some places need booking ahead of time etc)?

Thanks so much,
Biddy

If you can, sign up for a Reichstag tour before you go. They let you go in the dome afterwards

Forgot to say you have to book online in advance but if I remember rightly it was free

Thank you for that, sounds right up our street! And good to know to prebook.

The espionage museum was suprisingly good, its by potsdamer platz u-bahn. Also the old town around Nikolai kirche, between the river and alexanderplatz, is nice for a walk around and has some good local options for lunch, also a nice Vietnamese restaurant there.

NENI - Excellent food and a great view over the Zoo and over Berlin. It’s rather difficult to find, so if you make a reservation (you should, it’s popular!) ask for directions. You can have a drink first (or a coffee afterwards) in the beautiful Monkeybar on the same floor. Neni also serves a small but very affordable and delicious lunch.
We also enjoyed the restaurant on the top floor of the Bundestag. You need to make a reservation at least 24h beforehand and don’t forget to bring your passport as they will be check at the door. A fantastic location and good food at a price that’s not even that exaggerated.
House of Small Wonder - quirky decor and definitely not standard food. It’s more like Japanese fusion. Would highly recommend for brunch.

Don't stay in the old East Berlin part. There's still lots that needs doing there and lots of building work going on. The Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour is worth trying.

Definitely do this, it's fascinating.

Maximillians is a traditional Bavarian restaurant - I know Berlin isn't in Bavaria but we loved the food there. Very simple but quite an experience. if you like the look of it, worth booking as it can get busy

We went in a bike tour. Was largely about WW2 and was brilliant.

I was going to recommend booking the Reichstag.
I'd also recommend a walking tour (or bike tour). So much to absorb from street level.
Checkpoint Charlie museum is fascinating.

DH and I went to Berlin in 2016. We enjoyed the Spy museum and the checkpoint Charlie museum has some interesting stories about escapes over the wall etc.

We also went to The humboldthain flak tower which was a great tour. And after we got currywurst which I was assured is a local delicacy 😂.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu (that had the enormous aquarium that smashed) and there’s a place up the street called Block House that did a great steak. Not Michelin level fine dining but a good dinner all the same. Turning the other way out of the hotel there were a few bars with views over the river and the cathedral (the Dom) which were nice of an evening.