For those of us who live in Neukölln, it’s not surprising that Mausi, which opened less than two months ago, is already buzzing with regulars. While the kiez has bars and cafés aplenty, there are few spots to reliably visit at any time of day. Founders Romy and Dustin who also own Torte Bar, together with managers Cindy and Alisa, agreed that the space should be an all day hangout, complete with coffee, cocktails, and a food offering. They wanted to take the community feeling from the evenings at Torte, and bring it to the day somewhere else: that feeling can now be found at Mausi. The space itself sits about a hundred – two long rooms of seated dining reach either direction of this street-corner, the bar dotted with high-stools, and an outdoor courtyard, flanked with hedges to help keep in the heat in these colder months. The impressive polished wooden ceiling reflects the bar-restaurant’s warm lighting and stained glass windows. It’s Queer-friendly, laptop unfriendly, best enjoyed analogue.

Start the day with a croissant and coffee, or enjoy their lunch and dinner menu by chef Alana, with all dishes possible as their usual serving size, or in larger “pot” sizes to share with friends. The menu is vegetarian and vegan focused, with dishes such as “Grüne Soße” (a Frankfurt favorite and nod to Romy and Dustin’s home city) with potatoes and egg, mushroom arancini, or my highlight – the unagi aubergine with baked celeriac and tahini cream. The drink menu has beer, wine and classics, with experimental twists like “Matcho” matcha cocktail with pisco, or the vodka-based “Pinocchio” with pistachio, lemon and green pepper. As for the name? You’ll notice Mausi written on the outside wall by the door. Tagged there already when they decided to open, complete with a love heart over the i, they thought – why not leave it as it is, and call it by its kiez-given name? So now Mausi sits, its name lit up in a tiny frame.

Text and Photos: Savannah van der Niet

Mausi, Richardplatz 1, 12055 Berlin–Neukölln; map

@mausi.berlin