Cozy is the keyword I look for in all those hidden gems riddled around Berlin. Wine bar? Yes, delicious coffee? Say no more, snacks? Count me in. Gardine is one of those places that hits all the right cozy notes to make you feel right at home. Personal touch is what draws us all in these days, spaces that don’t feel overly manicured, quirks and details and all those perfect imperfections that attribute to human comfort and connection. From the moment you approach Gardine’soutdoor seating, right up until you step inside, the warm tones, wooden floors, mosaic tables, soft edges. But most unexpectedly the bar is missing in action. Intentionally done, the no-bar approach really keeps the space open and homely for guests. The cafe slash wine bar has a beautiful nostalgic feel to it with each corner devoted to its own charm, an overall aesthetic paying homage to a blend of the 20s, 70s and 80s.

Gardine was opened by Audrey Davis from Ohio and Dan Khan from London. Meeting on New Year’s Eve of 2020 and quickly learning of their shared love for hosting while drawing inspiration from their grandmothers. The core values come together with a sense of family, friends, honesty and adventure, which is deliciously reflected in their menu. Serving a tight selection of coffee, snacks and wine with everything selected and curated in-house and seasonally. The food menu is centered around sourdough and pastry – suitable for breakfast and lunch, we personally love the rosemary cookie, pastrami sando and the pasta served with sesame sauce. The drinks menu is a blend of comfort coffee, matcha and a variety of natural wines which Dan describes as “half funky half classic”. Upon popular demand, small plates to serve as wine snacks will be coming to the menu soon. Dan and Audrey are community people tucked around Prenzlauer Berg and welcome artists, stylists, winemakers, florists and all sorts for pop-ups and collabs.

Text: Ruby Watt / Photos: Lisa Rogov

Gardine, Knaackstr.8, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map

@gardineberlin

There’s a shift in the night air, aligning perfectly with the changing seasons. Berlin is known for its hardcore, bustling nightlife, but as the cultural landscape is ever evolving, we look to places like Ingwer for a space that reflects this shift. The community-driven cafe is situated in the heart of Kreuzberg, in a protected heritage building. It takes on a few personalities, with a refined, alternative approach to the late-night scene. It caters to those who love DJ sets, plant-based foods, coffee, matcha-drinks and natural wine. The intention behind founders Tommy Four Seven and Stefanie Witt is mindfulness, fluidity, and a good time. From the moment you enter the space, a calmness sweeps over you. The minimalist design, neutral tones, smooth tunes, and friendly staff make it easy to leave all your troubles at the door. The entire space is designed to calm your senses and delight your taste buds. Every detail is carefully thought out, from their locally-sourced products to the ingredients they cook with — everything is made in-house. They aim to welcome the community, creatives, and gastronomy lovers to get together and enjoy a fun evening.

With natural wines from Sublime Wines, Ingwer offers crowd favorites alongside rotating, seasonal wines. They also deliver balanced, creamy coffee with plant-based milk. And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can always go for a strawberry matcha or their zero alcohol options. To satiate your cravings, sweet and savoury options are available. Our favorites are the cashew mozzarella focaccia and pear and almond cake paired with the sparkling melon ginger and iced vanilla sea salt latte. Ingwer’s core value is to support their guests’ well-being and creativity. They regularly host intimate gatherings with sound meditations, pop-up food events, and DJ sets.

Text & Photos: Ruby Watt

Ingwer, Bürknerstr. 12, 12047 Berlin–Neukölln; map

@ingwer.co