From Issue Three of the Gear Patrol Magazine.
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Six million residents from over 180 nations make for a pleasant cacophony of cuisines and languages; even weeks in Germany’s capital city would not be sufficient to satisfy every curiosity. But if you’re only able to stay for a couple days, you’ll want to focus on Mitte and its adjacent boroughs, where Berlin’s finest shops, museums and restaurants form a dense mix.
Where to Eat & Drink
Nouveau Berlin
Kantine Kohlmann
Located under the elevated train tracks, sitting outside is almost mandatory if weather permits. The dishes are clever — Duroc pork ribs sous vide or black tagliatelle with fermented cherries — and beautifully plated.
Location: Skalitzer Str. 64 ⇱ | Learn More: kantine-kohlmann.de
Industry Standard
Based in Neukölln, Industry Standard is a casual spot combining French and Mediterranean style with an effort to bring whole-animal cooking techniques to the German capital.
Location: Sonnenallee 83 ⇱ | Learn More: industry-standard.de
Tier
A natural extension of a dinner at Industry Standard, Tier is an excellent cocktail bar in Neukölln that refrains from using exotic ingredients and suspenders by simply offering solid variations on the classics.
Location: Weserstraße 42 ⇱ | Learn More: tier.bar
The Barn Coffee Roasters
Opened in 2010, The Barn is a roastery and coffee shop that places a massive emphasis on creating the perfect product and space. No wi-fi, no syrups. Just great coffee.
Location: Schönhauser Allee 8 ⇱ | Learn More: barn.bigcartel.com
What to Do
A Well Designed City
The Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design
Berlin and supreme design prowess go hand in hand, and the Bauhaus portion of the city’s design museum is a dense representation of the best of that world. It boasts the largest collection of Bauhaus materials and examples in the world.
Location: Klingelhöferstraße 14 ⇱ | Learn More: bauhaus.de
Philharmonie
Home to the Berliner Philharmoniker, this acoustical and architectural masterpiece is a necessity for classical music fans. Opened in 1963, the building was designed by Hans Scharoun, who worked mainly in expressionist and organic architecture.
Location: Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1 ⇱ | Learn More: berliner-philharmoniker.de
Voo Store
Berlin’s equivalent of Dover Street Market, Voo offers a well-curated selection of brands such as Acne Studios, Raf Simons and more at their Kreuzberg hub.
Location: Oranienstraße 24 ⇱ | Learn More: vooberlin.com
Do You Read Me?!
Even though it’s a fairly small store on the west side of Mitte, it’s not hard to lose track of time fanning through magazines that are all but impossible to find anywhere else.
Location: Auguststraße 28 ⇱ | Learn More: doyoureadme.de
A Kind of Guise
Despite being officially based in Munich, the brand’s Berlin outpost is an essential visit for beautifully minimal apparel and accessories.
Location: Mulackstraße 23 ⇱ | Learn More: akindofguise.com
Soto
Soto biases a little harder towards streetwear than your average concept store (think OAMC and Aimé Leon Dore), but manages to curate a solid mix in their space on Torstrasse.
Location: Torstraße 72 ⇱ | Learn More: sotostore.com
A.D. Deertz
This Berlin-based menswear label eschews seasonal, trend-centric clothing for timeless (and beautiful) staples released all through the year.
Location: Torstraße 106 ⇱ | Learn More: addeertz.com
Where to Stay
Boutique Hotels
Michelberger Hotel
There’s a communal, active feel to the Michelberger. The bar is lively, and the courtyard is full of loungers and laptops. It’s also located close to public transit and moments from a remaining section of the Wall.
Location: Warschauer Str. 39-40 ⇱ | Learn More: michelbergerhotel.com
SOHO House Berlin
SOHO House is now a cornerstone of the Mitte district, offering a variety of room styles and sizes based around classic decor.
Location: Torstraße 1 ⇱ | Learn More: sohohouseberlin.com
Read More in Our Magazine
A version of this story appears in Issue Three of the Gear Patrol Magazine, 320 pages of stories, reports, interviews and original photography from five distinct locations around the world. Subscribe Now: $39
