searochtemp

CAMILLE DARROUX RECOMMENDS: JAJA WINE BAR

Open since late March 2016 and run by French-German pair Yulja Giese and Etienne Dodet, Jaja is named after a somewhat old-fashioned French slang word used to describe everyday wine. Located on Neukölln’s Weichselstraße, this natural wine bar offers an ever-changing selection of reds and whites as well as the occasional orange wine — a rarity. Each wine currently on offer can be ordered by the glass and is usually priced at 4.50€-6.50€, which makes Jaja a great place to get to know natural wines. You can also purchase bottles — either to-go or to drink in-house — and the selection that the Jaja team put together features many staples of the natural wine world, including wines by Jeff Coutelou — one of the best natural wine makers. However, don’t go here only for the wine: the place frequently hosts pop-up dinners with Berlin’s most sought-after chefs, including Mathias Gondol, a young French chef and dedicated follower of the farm-to-table movement, who takes over the stoves at Jaja every Saturday. (Text: Camille Darroux)

Jaja, Weichselstr.8, 12043 Berlin-Neukölln; map

Tue-Sat 18-1h, Sun 18-22h

Camille Darroux is a digital consultant, freelance writer, and director of Mimosa Agency. She has been living in Berlin for two years.

Restaurants

ARI’S IN KREUZBERG — CHIPS, CEVICHE & COMFORT FOOD WITH A TWIST

If we could only choose one place to eat with friends this summer, it might just be the backyard at Ari’s in Kreuzberg: a refreshingly unpretentious spot with monobloc chairs under striped awnings. Arianna Plevisani and her team welcome you like old friends, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. That sense of home is intentional. When planning her restaurant, Ari wanted a place people come to alone or with a group, on a whim — no reservations, no fuss. After a long night out, during a lunch break, or right after school. Ari grew up in her parents’ restaurants in Lima and cooked in Berlin for Jaja, Château Royal, and Ólafur Elíasson’s studio. At Ari’s, she blends her Peruvian, Italian, Greek, and fine dining background with the laid-back energy of an American diner. When she moved from New York to Berlin, it was comfort food she missed most, so now she serves it herself: thoughtful, simple, and with a Latin American influence.

Start with the chips and aji verde (that’s the green Peruvian sauce made from cilantro and jalapeños). Come by on the weekend for ceviche, and split churros for dessert. Our plan is to try something new every Sunday, maybe the vegan Spicy Green Goddess salad, the “Lima Kreuzburger” with shoestring fries, or the pancakes with salty syrup. Sip a mezcalita in the sun, and by autumn, settle into the dining room. Ari’s might be our favorite place this summer, but it’s the thought of a slice of Tres Leches cake while snow falls on Glogauer Straße that already has us looking forward to winter.

Text: Laura Storfner & Milena Kalojanov / Photos: Mishka Kornai & Najaaraq Vestbirk

Ari’s, Glogauer Str.2, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@aris__berlin

Events

BEATS, BOOKS, ALLIANCES — A WEEKEND TOGETHER

We’re stronger together! This is the ethos of trade unions this year’s First of May. We would like to join in and do what we do best: observe what is happening in the city. Here are our tips for the long weekend. Club Ost opens its doors on International Workers’ Day (01.05.) and provides a never-ending line-up that stretches from midday across four floors into the night. For the Free Party, the Alt-Stralauer Club will be hijacked by Sound Metaphors, who’ll spread out with over 70 DJs: on two outdoor floors for the sunny hours and two indoor, with a lavish sound system. If you can, donate to support the DJs and all the helping hands on the day. Disclaimer: The queue outside the club is as long as the line-up if you’re not there in time. If you find yourself amid the Berlin workers’ movement on Thursday (01.05.), there’s plenty to discover in Kreuzberg. In addition to cultural events, which will be sponsored by the district office for the first time this year, there are many reasons to celebrate with Pinci, including four fun-loving DJs. The Pinci Party location, Paul-Linke-Ufer, for one. See you by the water! Further east, Prenzlauer Berg and London are joining forces in the name of culinary delight for the Kricket Pop-up. On Friday and Saturday (02.-03.05.), Sathutu welcomes Kricket, an up-and-coming restaurant from London. Under the direction of Michelin chef Will Bowlby, Sri Lankan and Indian cuisine merge to create a seafood menu that can only be tasted for two days. Spend time browsing through Stefan Marx’s presentation this weekend: a font for everyone — and a book about what it means to share handwriting.

On Friday (02.05.), he and Dinamo Typefaces will celebrate the launch of their joint typeface (and the book that tells the story behind it) at the new Café Tiergarten. There will also be a cake in typo form. On the weekend (03.-04.05.) they will open the ABC Reading Room for browsing. In addition to the new book project, find other works by Stefan Marx and Dinamo Editions. An invitation to lose yourself between typography, art and cake. If you find yourself on your way to the next gallery on Potsdamer Straße, stop by Andy Wolf‘s showroom. A colorful collective of beautiful things is organized here: the Sunglasses Archive Sale attracts visitors with pop-ups by Luce, Rayas and Zaaz Design, with Jaja serving drinks. If, like us, you can always make room for bagels, on Sunday (04.05.), a special collaboration invites you to the terrace of Bagel Bro. Bouche and Bagel Bro are teaming up for a Sunday session to fill stomachs and glasses, with cream cheese bagels with a subtle bouche note (I wonder how that tastes?) and kombucha on the house. There are also tempting events outside the city limits, such as Gut & Bösel in Alt-Madlitz. The organic farm is hosting a spring festival on Sunday (04.05.) and is opening its gates and barns to visitors. You can explore the farm and discover the first calves on the pasture alongside organic products from the farm store, compost workshops, and delicious treats from the farm kitchen. There will also be a colorful children’s program and fresh young plants for your balcony. The motto for this weekend: make yourself strong. Or make yourself beautiful. But don’t do it alone.

Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: 8am, Bagelbro, Bouche, Gut & Bösel, Sathutu

Club Ost, Alt-Stralau 1–2, 10245 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map
Free Party 01.05.2025. Outdoor from 13h, indoor from 22h

Paul-Linke-Ufer 42, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Pinci Party 01.05.2025.

Sathutu, Rykestr.15, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Kricket Pop-Up 02.–03.05.2025 18–23h. Reserve a seat here.

Café Tiergarten, Altonaer Str.3, 10557 Berlin–Tiergarten; map
Typeface & Book Launch 02.05.2025 from 16h. Reading Room 03.–04.05.2025 14–18h

Andy Wolf Showroom, Potsdamer Str.105, 10785 Berlin–Tiergarten; map
Sunglasses Archive Sale & Pop-Ups 02.–03.05.2025 11–21h, 04.05.2025 12–18h

Bagel Bro, Reichenberger Str.104, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Sunday Session 04.05.2025 17–21h

Gut & Bösel, Schlossstr.32, 15188 Briesen (Mark); map
Frühlingsfest 04.05.2025 12–18h

@club.ost
@soundmetaphors
@pinci.berlin
@kricketlondon
@sathutu.berlin
@will_bowlby
@stefanmarx
@andywolfofficial
@luce.berlin
@rayascollective
@zaazdesign
@jaja.berlin
@booouuuche
@bagelbro__berlin
@gutundboesel

Events

NEW BEGINNINGS CAN BE EASY — OUR TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT SPRING WEEKEND IN BERLIN

Berlin is back in full bloom! Here are some fresh weekend tips. For five days straight, Robert Mendoza is taking over the kitchen at Jaja Berlin. The chef is based in Paris, a city that influences his culinary signature just as much as his Mexican roots. Technical finesse, aesthetic precision, and bold flavors have earned his dishes a place in top restaurants worldwide. The Chef-in-Residence program has been running since Tuesday (25.03.2025). Meanwhile, over at Sfera, bowls are being filled with delights from another corner of the world. Ramen Flow is serving up vegan ramen and tsukemen tonight (27.03.). Expect Japanese pickles and fermented vegetables, prepared with the help of Koji, the multi-talented fermentation star. If you can’t make it tonight, Ramen Flow is sticking around, popping up at spots like Tisk Soul Kitchenand Shizuku throughout April 2025. Stay tuned! While dishes from around the world land on plates here, cultures from across the globe take center stage there. At HKW, the third edition of the talk series Der Anfang ist nah kicks off with Max Czollek. The writer and editor of Jalta – Positionen zur jüdischen Gegenwart hails from East Berlin and moves fluidly between poetry and nonfiction. In this series, he explores crisis in all its facets — moments that provoke thought but also unleash new energy for envisioning a fresh start. Talk by talk, Max Czollek searches for this vision alongside his guests, including Luisa Neubauer, Joy Denalane, and many more who will bring their ideas for the future to HKW.

A fresh start or rather, a rebirth is in store for the Friendly Flohmarkt. On Sunday (30.03.), Jules Community and over 40 vendors will set up their stalls at Jules B-Part at Gleisdreieck. The market naturally tempts with clothing, accessories, and interiors, but it also comes with a generous dose of friendliness. A beer garden, street food, and plenty of seating make for a relaxed visit, accompanied by fresh cocktails and DJ sets — from now on, every last Sunday of the month! Meanwhile, Haus of Hart is also getting a fresh new look. The future showroom of Sarah Hartmann is still awaiting renovation, but in the meantime, it sets the stage for the second edition of the Dopamine Design Market. This carefully curated selection of vintage and design pieces — ranging from interior to beauty — invites you to the north of Berlin. With a specialty coffee in hand, browse second-hand treasures, chat and get inspired. A new beginning, or just another weekend in Berlin? Either way, spring is finally here.

Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: HKW, Luna Schaffron, Mathias Voelzke, Ramen Flow, Sarah Hartmann, Seamus Platt

Jaja Berlin, Weichselstr.7, 12043 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Robert Mendoza until 29.03.2025

Sfera, Schudomastr.44, 12055 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Ramen Flow Pop-Ups, 27.03., 06.04.,13.04., 20.04., 27.04.2025

Haus der Kulturen der Welt, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, 10557 Berlin–Moabit; map
“Der Anfang ist nah” 23.04., 21.05., 25.06., 29.10., 19.11.2025

Jules B-Part, Luckenwalder Str.6b, 10963 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Friendly Flohmarkt, 30.03.2025 11–17h and every last Sunday of the month.

Haus of Hart, Drontheimer Str.21A, 13359 Berlin–Gesundbrunnen; map
Dopamine Design Market Vol. 2, 30.03.2025 10–15h

@rawbgold
@jaja.berlin
@sfera.berlin
@tisk_soul_kitchen
@shizuku_berlin
@hkw_berlin
@max_czollek
@luisaneubauer
@joydenalane
@jules_community
@haus_of_hart
@sarahhartmann

Miscellaneous

PLATED BERLIN: A COOKBOOK FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO PUT A LITTLE BERLIN ON THEIR PLATE

Hungry for city life? We certainly are (and in more ways than one)! If you’re looking to bring a taste of Berlin to your own kitchen, this one’s for you. Plated Berlin isn’t just a cookbook, it’s a food guide that showcases handpicked Berlin cafés, bars and restaurants while sharing their best recipes. Spanning 300 pages, this softcover gem compiles nearly all Cee Cee’s favorite spots from recent years, from A for Annelies to W for Wen Cheng. Each place is lovingly introduced with photos of the people behind it, short interviews and a recipe capturing their unique flavor. The recipes cater to every taste and hour of the day: think sweet indulgences like Basque cheesecake from the gluten-free bakery Aera, refreshing starters such as Remi’s fantastic radicchio and ricotta salad, and hearty dishes like Jaja’s cauliflower with egg yolk sauce. No taste bud is left behind, and no corner of the city is unexplored. True to the spirit of urban discovery, the book is organized by neighborhood — North, South, East, West — encouraging you to try new recipes and also visit the spots in person. The creators, Judith Gilles (known for her food blog Judilicious & Nutricious) and Savannah van der Niet, share a deep passion for great food. Savannah’s talent for photography and knack for uncovering amazing places is well-known to us. She’s been a treasured part of the Cee Cee editorial team for years, capturing stories through images and words.

Published by The Gentle Temper, “Plated Berlin: A Contemporary Food Guide to 35 of Berlin’s Finest Eateries with Chef-Selected Recipes” brings things full circle. Publisher Karolina Rosina once worked on our second Cee Cee Berlin guide before launching her publishing house. It’s a joy to see collaborations blossom and synergies emerge with people we love working with. As Savannah prepares to return to her home country of Australia, Plated Berlin feels like a beautiful keepsake of her time here (you will be missed!). It’s a tribute to Berlin’s diversity — culinary and cultural — fueled by people with roots and influences from all over the world. This book isn’t just a fantastic food guide and source of inspiration, it’s a stunning object in its own right, with silver embossing, vibrant orange accents, gorgeous photography and thoughtful design. It’s the perfect gift for the holiday season and my favorite addition to the kitchen shelf. This weekend, I’ll be trying the French toast from the book. And if it doesn’t turn out quite right? Well, I’ll just head to Sorrel to taste the original.

Text: Nina Trippel / Photos: Judith Gilles

“Plated Berlin” by Judith Gilles & Savannah van der Niet. 300 pages, published at The Gentle Temper in English.

Book Release 21.11.2024 17–20h at Purgal Delicatessen.

@platedberlin
@judiliciousandnutritious
@savvyv
@thegentletemper

Language

CAMILLE DARROUX RECOMMENDS: JAJA WINE BAR

ARI’S IN KREUZBERG — CHIPS, CEVICHE & COMFORT FOOD WITH A TWIST

BEATS, BOOKS, ALLIANCES — A WEEKEND TOGETHER

NEW BEGINNINGS CAN BE EASY — OUR TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT SPRING WEEKEND IN BERLIN

PLATED BERLIN: A COOKBOOK FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO PUT A LITTLE BERLIN ON THEIR PLATE