Morning light trickles through large windows, a steaming cup of coffee on the counter, and white crocheted curtains create a play of shadows on the tables. Onette is reminiscent of classic New York films. The only difference is that they take place here in Schöneberg. Inside, at one of the wooden side tables, sit two young people. Perhaps they are friends meeting again after a long time, maybe they’re on a first date. Tamara and Brie have created a corner restaurant that feels as if it has always been there, even though Onette only opened at the beginning of this month (June 2025). The two restaurateurs met in London, where they crossed paths over lunch at BAO. Later, they both (independently) moved to Berlin. What began as a coincidence became a friendship, and then their restaurant, which serves exactly what is often missing, both on the plate and in the cityscape. It’s inspired by New York luncheonettes, Berlin corner pubs, the dining culture in Toronto, and classic restaurants where you immediately feel at home.
Together with architecture firm Bates Rai, a captivating interior was created: listed pharmacy tiles meet a soft color palette, large windows allow an abundance of natural light, and the curtains are hand-crocheted. Cherry wood tables and the small vintage mother-of-pearl lamps that hang above them are somewhere between inn and diner. Stainless steel surfaces add a sleek, contemporary touch. Throughout the day, the large-format mirror above the bar directs the changing light inside. Brie and Tamara wanted to create “something warm with character,” and they succeeded. Of course, nothing other than comfort food at fair prices can be served in a place like this: home cooking, brunch classics, seasonal specials, including meatloaf with potato salad, changing pies, or the already much sought-after potato crisp special, which sells out faster than they can make it. They serve dishes that you wouldn’t cook yourself day-to-day, but that you would like to have regularly. Around three-quarters of the menu is vegetarian, and the vegan options further expand too. On weekends (from Thursday), the dreamy atmosphere changes. From 15h, the daily menu gives way to small snacks and wine, and the room transforms into an aperitivo wine bar. The wine list is just as carefully curated as the rest of the menu and will be constantly changing, depending on what the team discovers or wants to share with the neighborhood. In the future, guest chefs will be invited to contribute their ideas and help shape the evening. What remains is the feeling of being welcome, over a soda float with vanilla ice cream in the afternoon, a Grunewald salad for lunch, or an after-work wine. You’ll want to come back here again and again — whether alone, with friends, or with that one very special person with whom you’re looking for an equally special regular.
Text: Robyn Steffen & Inga Krumme / Photos: Robyn Steffen
Onette, Grunewaldstr.11, 10781 Berlin–Schöneberg; map
@onette_berlin
