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KOREAN CAFÉ CULTURE AT KREUZBERG’S VINGOT

KOREAN CAFÉ CULTURE AT KREUZBERG’S VINGOT

Just off bustling Kottbusser Damm lies a surprising find: Vingot — a café and creative space founded by musician Mi and multimedia designer Jey in early 2024. The duo opened Vingot as a haven for Berlin’s freelancers, artists and dreamers. It’s a place to connect, work and bring ideas to life. Named after the Korean word for “empty place,” Vingot embodies potential. It’s an open canvas, inviting everyone to “fill in their vingot”, to shape the space with their creativity and stories. Designed to be as versatile as it is inviting, Vingot transforms from café to gallery to studio, adapting to meet the needs of those who walk through its doors. Drawing inspiration from Korean café culture, the menu features homemade treats made fresh each morning by Mi and Jey. Think buttery scones, gluten-free cheesecakes, iced Americanos and refreshing peach iced tea, all bringing a taste of Seoul to Berlin. Favorites include garlic bread with creamy layers of cream cheese and the Egg Bread (an oval-shaped, fluffy bread made from pancake dough, complete with a whole egg baked inside). With a cozy, living room-like atmosphere, Vingot is designed for flexibility and connection. Whether you’re working solo, collaborating or showcasing your latest project, this adaptable space accommodates art displays, product launches and community events for creatives and culture enthusiasts alike. Next time you’re in the neighborhood, pop into Vingot, grab a coffee, and an item from their freshly made menu, and see what ideas come to life.

Text: Dave Alcantara / Photos: Robyn Steffen

Vingot, Boppstr.7, 10967 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@fillinyourvingot

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COFFEE AND CAKES AT HANSAVIERTEL’S CAFÉ BUCHWALD — RECOMMENDED BY LEONIE HERWEG

COFFEE AND CAKES AT HANSAVIERTEL’S CAFÉ BUCHWALD — RECOMMENDED BY LEONIE HERWEG

“Kaffee und Kuchen” is a sacred ritual in Germany and nowhere is it celebrated more perfectly than at Konditorei Café Buchwald in Hansaviertel. The café is a fourth-generation family-owned business. Its founder, Gustav Buchwald, was appointed court confectioner to the Prussian Court in 1842, so it’s no wonder they know what they’re doing. Located close to Bärenbrücke, near the river Spree, it’s the perfect start or end to a stroll through the Tiergarten and Hansaviertel’s modernist architecture. My recommendation: skip coffee and go straight to cake. While the café is famous for its “Baumkuchen”, they serve all the classics — think “Donauwelle”, “Frankfurter Kranz”, “Herrentorte”, “Schwarzwälderkirschtorte” or, my personal favorite, “Stachelbeere Baisertorte”. It’s so delicious that my 96-year-old relative Klaus and I sometimes find ourselves queuing before they open. 

Text: Leonie Herweg / Photos: Grotto, Robyn Steffen

Leonie Herweg is a curator and founder of Grotto, an independent space for art and culture in the Hansaviertel district whose program includes exhibitions, readings, listening sessions and an annual art book fair. She lives between London and Berlin and is part of the editorial team at Zeitung Magazine.

Café Buchwald, Bartningallee 29, 10557 Berlin–Hansaviertel; map

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TO STAY, TO GO, TO COME BACK TO: SPIERS, THE NEIGHBORHOOD DELI-BISTRO

TO STAY, TO GO, TO COME BACK TO: SPIERS, THE NEIGHBORHOOD DELI-BISTRO

Since opening in 2022, Spiers, marked by its distinctive crocodile logo, has swiftly become a neighborhood favorite. It’s no surprise, given its diverse offerings of snacks, groceries, and vegetarian and vegan dishes, all served in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The recent renovations have transformed the original space into a warm, welcoming environment featuring a modern deli counter. Whether shopping for a picnic or supper, grabbing a quick refreshment, enjoying a swift meal, or settling in for a longer visit, Spiers is a friendly spot to relax and unwind. Founded by Jacob, an Amsterdam native with a passion for French and Mediterranean flavors, Spiers also reflects his Dutch heritage. This is evident in the products on tall shelves, showcasing a mix of Amsterdam-based startups alongside local regional brands, such as nut-based treats from Cravers. If you need a caffeine fix, Spiers serves expertly brewed specialty coffee with beans from the roastery Vote.

There’s also a wide selection of chilled drinks, from local favorites like Roy Kombucha to high-end juices and bubbly bottles for your celebratory moments. The menu features staples such as sweet and hearty scones, seasonal soups like gazpacho, and refreshing salads, including a pearl couscous salad with almonds, pomegranate seeds, fresh herbs, and orange vinaigrette. A real gem on the menu is the quiche (made with Gouda, of course), based on a recipe created by Jacob’s mom in Zwolle in 1994. Good food is a family affair, and now you’re invited to enjoy Spiers’ delicious offerings. So, see you in a while, crocodile?

Text: Dave Alcantara / Photos: Spiers

Spiers, Ohlauer Str.4, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@spiers_good_food

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TAKE A BREAK AT RUMMELSBURGER BUCHT — COFFEE AND CAKE, BRUNCH AND SPRITZ AT BLUMENTAL HAUSBOOT

TAKE A BREAK AT RUMMELSBURGER BUCHT — COFFEE AND CAKE, BRUNCH AND SPRITZ AT BLUMENTAL HAUSBOOT

If you want to make the most of sunny days without leaving the city, head to Rummelsburger Bucht! Since the beginning of August (08.2024.), you can enjoy a particularly relaxed — and delicious — break at the Café Blumental branch. No matter what time of day you decide to go for a walk or boat trip, Blumental Hausboot has all the snacks you need. Start your day with a freshly squeezed juice and croissant, or sourdough bread with pea guacamole, carrot lax and vegan citrus mayo. During the day, there is “yesterday’s lasagne” — vegetarian lasagne that changes daily. And if you fancy dessert, try a slice of the homemade cake or get an ice cream from Paletas. Round off the evening with non-alcoholic sundowners and a view of the bay — the houseboat is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm, unless the weather is bad, in which case the café takes a break. In future, small events and yoga sessions will be hosted here, and if you desire, you can borrow a boules set and play a round or two. So, if you want to enjoy the café’s classics in a different setting or spend a day by the water, come by — cozy seating, cool drinks and a relaxed atmosphere await you.   

Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen

Blumental Hausboot, Friedrich-Junge-Str.30, 10245 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map

@blumental_hausboot
@blumental_berlin

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ICED LATTE, AFFOGATO, CROISSANTS AND TIRAMISU? BUT PLEASE WITH MATCHA! — KAI MATCHA HOUSE NEAR MAUERPARK

ICED LATTE, AFFOGATO, CROISSANTS AND TIRAMISU? BUT PLEASE WITH MATCHA! — KAI MATCHA HOUSE NEAR MAUERPARK

If you enjoy mingling with the crowds in Mauerpark at the weekend and could do with a cool refreshing drink on the way there, you should definitely stop off at Kai Matcha House on your next visit. However, you should bring one prerequisite with you: As the name suggests – it’s all about matcha! Traditional matcha drinks with a modern twist have been on offer here since the beginning of June 2024. In addition to the Matcha and Hojicha Americano, the Iced Latte is particularly popular in its many different variations. From fruity options such as the Iced Strawberry or Mango Matcha Latte, to unusual specials such as the Iced Kurogoma or Iced Sakura Cold Foam Matcha Latte – anyone who thinks they have already tried matcha in all its variations will be proven wrong here. (There is currently no plant-based alternative for the cream topping, but they are already working on a “vegan cold foam”!). You can also order croissants and tiramisu at the counter – for these, Kai Matcha House works closely with Giomecca Pastry, which itself runs a small store in Schönhauser Allee.

For the drinks, the café uses a “Ceremonial Grade Matcha” from Kyoto, which means a particularly high-quality matcha that meets the high standards of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Kaito Vezzoli, founder of the café, grew up with Japanese tea culture in Switzerland: his mother, Noriko, was born in Shizuoka, a city in Japan that is popular for its green tea. He has been involved in tea culture from an early age and has assisted his mother at traditional tea ceremonies and performances – he now wants to share his know-how with everyone in his café, together with his girlfriend Tatiana Timofeeva, who has been supporting him since day one. So, if you fancy a little matcha ceremony, head for Mauerpark!

Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Savannah van der Niet

Kai Matcha House, Eberswalder Str.2, 10435 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map

@kaimatchahouse

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