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Everything we share, we share for one reason above all: because we truly believe these places offer the best experiences in Berlin. They are welcoming, inclusive and special. When people ask me where I’ve experienced that perfect combination — where everything felt just right — I think back to unforgettable evenings at Torikabin. In the summer of 2023, Stoke brought their vision to life with a temporary rooftop installation above Kreuzberg, where they mastered the art of cooking over a wood fire. Guests gathered in the intimate wooden cabin to watch the team grill yakitori skewers, rounding off their evenings with refreshing highballs. When I heard that a permanent restaurant with the same concept was in the works, I couldn’t wait. And now, Stoke is finally back — bigger, more ambitious, but just as welcoming as before. Set in an industrial-style concrete and steel space, Jeffrey Claudio, Jessica Tan and Niklas Harmsen invite guests to gather at the long kitchen counter or individual dining tables, centered around the open kitchen, a design that seamlessly connects the space, the team and the guests.
The restaurant brings together the tradition and craftsmanship of Japanese cuisine, serving yakitori and kushiyaki skewers grilled over Binchotan charcoal right before your eyes. The carefully curated menus are complemented by seasonal pickled vegetables, rice and salads, elevating what is traditionally a quick bar snack in Japan into a refined dining experience. Stoke isn’t just about the food, it’s about atmosphere, connection and a cosmopolitan twist on the classic izakaya. Their website reads, “We look forward to welcoming you into our home,” and after an evening with Jeffrey, Jessica and Niklas, you’ll understand just how much they mean it. The sense of family and hospitality is present in every moment, ensuring every guest feels embraced and at home.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Stoke
Stoke, Lindenstr.34-35 (Eingang via Feilnerstr.), 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@stoke.berlin



It was supposed to happen again last Sunday… Full of anticipation and after a long, depraved winter, a hike in the historic beech forest was on the agenda. To catch the limited hours of late winter sunshine, I convinced my hiking partner it would make sense to take the train from Gesundbrunnen at 8h30. It’s a shame when someone sleeps through the alarm and wakes an hour after the planned departure time (which is exactly what I did). Full of remorse, I quickly came up with a new plan. Goodbye UNESCO heritage site Buchenwald, hello Lake Tegel. Why wander far away when good things are so close? We quickly packed homemade energy bars into our bags and took the S-Bahn to Tegel station in less than an hour. During our time together outdoors, my hiking partner and I had a clear idea of what makes a good tour: seclusion, little to no civilization and diverse landscapes. Of course, this tour offers none of that! The circular hike of approximately 15 kilometers leads almost the entire time along settlements, summer houses, landing stages, boat and rowing clubs, restaurants and small beer gardens. But it wouldn’t be the first time our convictions and preferences had been thrown. And it was precisely this Sunday, with cheerful families and strollers, a touch of old Berlin, down-to-earth and anything but hip, that appealed to us so much. While the first brave athletes dared to get into their rowing and sailing boats, it was time to soak up the sun on the shore, wrapped in cozy winter jackets and oversized sunglasses. And this brings me to the next big advantage of this tour: a walk around the lake promises lots of sunshine.
The short section of forest that awaits after the first third of the tour has a lot to offer. The “Burgsdorff Larch”, Berlin’s tallest tree since 2021, stands at an impressive 43 meters. Nearby, the “Dicke Marie” can be found, Berlin’s oldest tree, dating back to 1107. Pause for a moment and think about that. We are talking about the High Middle Ages, the last years of the Romanesque period! From the forest, the tour returns to the shore, following the Havel, which branches off from Lake Tegel in a northerly direction. Along the way, bungalows, futuristic concrete buildings, turn-of-the-century castles, and other fascinating architectural gems appear in rows, each with its front garden, offering plenty to marvel at. This tour should take around four to five hours on foot. If the sky is cloudless, I can almost guarantee sunshine and a clear view for most of the way. A perfect short trip that I had never truly appreciated, despite its proximity to the city center. When do you plan to visit Tegel? I would go again in summer, as the small bays and sandy beaches will be even more beautiful then.
Text & photos: Laura Iriondo
Hiking trail
@fortuna.forest


At Szof, craftsmanship, design and art are deeply intertwined. The textile studio gives the ancient craft of hand-weaving a fresh spin, blending technical and material experimentation to create a contemporary narrative. Founded by architect, set designer and textile artist Sofia Clementina Hoszufalussy, Szof is a venture that combines made-to-order textile pieces, art projects, and textile workshops, such as tapestry weaving and intuitive embroidery. Explore these offerings on the website, designed in collaboration with creative and graphic design studio Era. Based in Mitte since spring 2024, Szof aims to build a community of people open to new approaches to craft and design. Sofia Clementina Hosszufalussy has organized several workshops on various crafting techniques and participated in Art Biesenthal 2024 at Wehrmühle. Discover Szof’s world and background, plan and personalize your experience or deep dive into its creative fabric.
Text: Clara Citaristi / Photos: SZOF
@szof___
@erastudioberlin


I’ve never been to the Samurai Museum, but I love everything related to swords and armor. So when my girlfriend asks if we can visit the opening of the current surrealism exhibition together, I don’t have to think twice. Samurai and surrealism? I have no idea how they fit together, but I go anyway. The exhibition, Waking Visions, has been on display since last week on the upper floor of the museum, located on Auguststraße, opposite KW. Four young female artists are showcased. If you’ve missed Zohar Fraiman’s work in recent years, there’s some catching up to do. In her pieces, she blends themes of digitalization, the internet, gender stereotypes, and the feminism that emerges from them, discharging them into layered comic-like figures that merge seamlessly with old master paintings. She presents a variety of works, but I’m especially drawn to her monochromatic blue pieces. Another thing I appreciate is detached houses as a motif. Apparently, Eliane Diur does too. Her works often depict everyday scenes set against facades. She exaggerates nuances of domesticity, confronting viewers with an uncanny familiarity. Alongside her pieces hang Yunyoung Kim’s textile works, where she weaves surreal narratives into traditional embroidery techniques, creating dream worlds that are colorful, absurd and pleasantly soft.
The discovery of the evening for me, however, is Lucia Berlanga. In her paintings and pastel-metallic ceramic works — which, at first glance, resemble plasticine — she addresses the mistreatment of women and care workers. She draws on fairy tales and myths to reflect on social narratives concerning safety, vulnerability and resistance, presenting these themes through fantastic, symbolic stories. Cute bunny-like creatures are manhandled by matte, cobalt-blue hands. I can’t take my eyes off them. I didn’t know what to expect from surrealism in the Samurai Museum, but certainly not this. On the way out, I take a moment to admire a few suits of armor. The souvenir store, with its selection of imitation samurai swords for the living room, is unfortunately already closed, so I’ll have to come back soon.
Text: Inga Krumme / Credit: Eliane Diur; Lucia Berlanga; Zohar Fraiman
Samurai Museum, Auguststr. 68, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
Waking Visions 05.02–16.03.2025
@samuraimuseumberlin
@zoharfraiman
@luciaberlangaberlanga
@yuntreee

