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Berlin

I Due Forni

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I Due Forni is a lively, cheap-and-cheerful pizzeria on Schönhauser Allee in Prenzlauer Berg, part of a small trio (with Il Casolare and Il Ritrovo) started by Italian regulars decades ago. The dining room gets loud and packed on weekend nights, with thin-crust pizzas fired fast and carried out by brisk Italian waiters. Order a classic like the Diavola and a carafe of house red — it’s cash-friendly prices for the portion size. Tip: go early or expect a wait, as they don’t take reservations for small groups.

Wohnzimmerbar

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Wohnzimmerbar (literally “living room bar”) on Letteplatz in Prenzlauer Berg lives up to its name: mismatched velvet sofas, floral armchairs, and 1960s-style cabinets stand in for the usual barstools. It’s a relaxed spot for a cocktail or glass of wine any night of the week, and it doubles as a daytime cafe with coffee and breakfast. Doors open daily at 4pm and the crowd settles in for the long haul, so it’s a good pick after dinner when you’d rather sit than stand. The window sofas go first on weekends, so get there early if you want one.

Il Casolare

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Tucked beside the Landwehrkanal in Kreuzberg, Il Casolare turns out some of the city’s most talked-about wood-fired pizza — thin, blistered crusts loaded with quality toppings, best enjoyed on the canalside terrace when the weather’s good. The menu also runs deep on classic pastas, plus a proper tiramisu to finish. Service gets stretched on weekend nights, so book ahead or arrive right at opening to snag an outdoor table near the Admiralsbrücke.

Uber den Tellerrand

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A heart-warming social project born in Berlin where refugees and locals cook and eat together – cooking classes led by newcomers, shared meals and events that build friendships across cultures. Book a class for a delicious, genuinely connecting evening.

Refugio Cafe

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A warm, colourful non-profit cafe on the ground floor of a house where refugees and locals live together in Neukolln. Every cent funds the wider Refugio community project – come for coffee, a small lovingly-made menu and a genuinely welcoming space.

Generator Berlin Mitte

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A design hostel on lively Oranienburger Strasse with dorms, privates and a sociable bar – the affordable, meet-people base right in the middle of Mitte’s nightlife.

Soho House Berlin

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A Bauhaus-era former department store turned members’ club and hotel, with handsome rooms, a rooftop pool and a see-and-be-seen crowd. Rooms are open to non-members – a stylish Mitte stay.

Kreuzberger Himmel

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An award-winning restaurant serving beautiful Syrian and Levantine food, run by refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan through the Be an Angel integration project. Delicious mezze and grills, and a chance to give back the hospitality they received.

Sir Savigny

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A handsome, library-lounge boutique on Kantstrasse in the elegant west of the city, with a great in-house restaurant and a warm, residential feel. A refined base away from the tourist churn.

The Circus Hotel

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A smart, sustainability-minded boutique on Rosenthaler Platz with bright rooms, a good cafe and its own brewery and apartments – excellent value in the thick of Mitte’s bars and galleries.

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