Cee Cee Creative Newsletter Book Neighborhood Map Lessons
Stadtplan
Information
archive temp
loop temp
A PARK, A CAFE, A SPRITZ — THE PERFECT SUMMER TRIO AT WITTY STORIES

A PARK, A CAFE, A SPRITZ — THE PERFECT SUMMER TRIO AT WITTY STORIES

Tranquil is the first word that comes to mind. An oasis amidst bustling Berlin, Witty Stories is inspired by fairytales and rightly so, it’s the quaintest café I’ve come across. Tucked away at Perelsplatz Park in Schöneberg, getting there is half the fun as you first enter the flowering park. Originally a pitstop for horse and cart travelers, horses would drink from the trough that still sits in the garden. It was renovated in 2020 with a slow but progressive start and Chris, the owner, is adamant about maintaining the relaxed pace. However, as summer is fast approaching, people are flocking outdoors and alfresco dining, and this spot, quite literally, takes the cake. Witty is a small cottage with primarily outdoor seating amongst rose bushes. They serve a variety of cakes and coffees. The berry tart and lemon carrot cake are particularly delicious. Sat outside, flat white in hand, the park can be peacefully taken in — classic people-watching and views of the water fountain. Here, there’s a hint of magic in the air. If you’re after something that pairs well with a sunny afternoon, Witty Stories offers a variety of sandwiches and savory snacks along with soft drinks and spritzes. It’s a seasonal café that’s open seven days a week and will extend its hours from July. Be sure to get the full experience when the roses are in bloom in the upcoming weeks!

Text & Photos: Ruby Watt

Witty Stories, Perelsplatz 1, 12159 Berlin–Friedenau; map

@wittystories.berlin

cee_cee_logo
CAFÉ TONTON IN MITTE: COFFEE, CULTURE & GOOD VIBES ONLY — RECOMMENDED BY KIRA KIM

CAFÉ TONTON IN MITTE: COFFEE, CULTURE & GOOD VIBES ONLY — RECOMMENDED BY KIRA KIM

What started as a casual idea in the unused front of a Berlin agency has turned into one of the city’s most exciting new spots: Café Tonton — a café, creative hub, and community space all in one. Founders Gilbert Ngom and Jonas Soho are deeply rooted in culture, community, and street activation, driven by a mission to bring people together. Along with Domenico Siena, a coffee lover from Cologne, they turned an empty room into an inspired vision. The former office in Mitte was fully transformed into a modular space that constantly reinvents itself. Café up front, office in the back. In between is a flexible zone for events, dinners, brand activations, and storytelling — whatever the community needs. The name Tonton is a nod to their Cameroonian roots. In many African cultures, Tontons (uncles) are natural storytellers, full of humor and wisdom. “Every friend of my dad’s was a Tonton. The kind of guys with wild stories and big personalities.” That’s the spirit of this place: stories, vibes, and real connections. Even the interior reflects the energy — functional and stylish. The counter and furniture are custom-designed and locally built, with a built-in sound system, plenty of outlets, and a modular setup. And then there’s the team (probably the coolest in town). Good music, chill vibes, best service. Besides coffee, you’ll find matcha, special drinks, fresh pastries, and if you’re lucky, Son Le Huu behind the counter (a legend in Berlin’s coffee scene). Calm, precise, full of know-how, and always with a smile. Let the good times roll.

Text: Kira Kim / Photos: Café Tonton

With a background in architecture and exhibition design, Kira Kim designs spaces that bring people together and works on projects with Klub Maison. She is well-known in Berlin Mitte, always up-to-date and well-connected.

Café Tonton, Tieckstr.1, 10115 Berlin–Mitte; map

@lecafetonton
@kiraheejungkim

cee_cee_logo
SOUTH ASIAN LUNCH CANTEEN TURNING UP THE HEAT ON AMERICANA — DESI DINER

SOUTH ASIAN LUNCH CANTEEN TURNING UP THE HEAT ON AMERICANA — DESI DINER

I cannot be sure exactly when Desi Diner won me over, but I can tell you it was no later than my second bite of the Reuben sandwich. Comprising homemade pastrami, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing and mango chutney, this bulging hunk of sourdough was outrageously good, one of the best sandwiches I’ve eaten in a long time, possibly ever. It also points to what Desi Diner is about. The sandwich’s size and core contents transport you to the all-night cafes in the USA, with their swivel stools and pale coffee. But hang on: mango chutney? This diner, while dabbling in Americana, has got one foot firmly in South Asia. Sandwiched between the Bouldergarten climbing gym and the looming Neukölln Finanzamt next door, Desi Diner is the latest food venture by Shabnam Syed – aka Mama Shabz – who ran the eponymous Pakistani restaurant in Reichenberger Straße until the diner doors opened in October 2024.

Shabz’s new place is daytime-only (it shuts at 15h) and housed in a mid-century modern shell that has been given a pink and mint makeover whose approximate vibe is “1980s Miami ice cream parlour”. Also fun is the menu: achingly American classics like fries in baskets and drip coffee sit alongside staples from the Subcontinent, such as the weekly daal that made Mama Shabz such a popular joint. Then there are the mash-ups: a chicken tikka Caesar salad and – my personal favorite – pakora waffles with fried masala chicken, chili maple syrup and gherkins. This is one of those dishes that lights up all your brain’s pleasure centers – my dining companion said she “briefly saw God” upon stealing a bite. In conclusion: a lovely, unfussy lunch.

Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Ruby Watt

Desi Diner, Thiemannstr.1, 12059 Berlin–Neukölln; map 

@desidinerberlin

cee_cee_logo
Ở ĐÂY DELI — A CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON NOSTALGIC VIETNAMESE FLAVORS

Ở ĐÂY DELI — A CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON NOSTALGIC VIETNAMESE FLAVORS

The Ở Đây Deli marks the beginning of a new chapter for Phung Vu Thanh — right where things began, in the neighborhood around Weinbergspark. Between midday sun, math exams, and her first driving lesson, this part of the city was the backdrop to Phung’s childhood. Now, she returns with Ở Đây Deli, created with her partner Tuan Anh Nguyen, her school friend Anni Nguyen, and the furniture design collective EMES. The deli pays tribute to growing up between cultures. Here, comfort food meets Vietnamese culinary traditions, and coffee culture is paired with carefully curated interior design. The space draws inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Kaufmann Office, the Mad Men aesthetic, and cultural landmarks of Eastern modernism (like Berlin’s Kino International). The idea is to create a space that feels like a movie scene – intimate, elegant, timeless, and above all, welcoming. Just as iconic GDR-era buildings were once spaces for shared stories, this deli offers a setting for collective experiences today.

The menu features all-day breakfast, changing lunch options, and weekend specials with Vietnamese influences. Classics like the club sandwich and black sesame French toast reference childhood flavors inspired by the Vietnamese dessert Bánh trôi nhân mè đen – glutinous rice balls filled with sweet black sesame paste, served in warm syrup. For those curious to discover traditional Vietnamese dishes – or for those who grew up with them and want to reconnect with familiar tastes – this is the place. Coffee plays a key role at Ở Đây Deli. After a long search for a roastery that imports high-quality Vietnamese beans, the team found a partner in Suedhang from Tübingen. Their “Mr. Toi” roast is the base for signature drinks like the Black Sesame Coffee. And if you want to bring the experience home, you’ll find coffee and accessories in the small merch area. Ở Đây Deli is a space for neighbors, friends, and spontaneous encounters. Supper clubs, coffee tastings, and more are in the works. One thing is certain: this is a place for memories – sometimes bold, sometimes subtle, sometimes of home and long-loved flavors, and sometimes of new favorites discovered right here.

Text & photos: Robyn Steffen

Ở Đây Deli, Brunnenstr.27, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map

@odaydeli

cee_cee_logo
BABKA & KRANTZ IN THE GREENHOUSE: A CAFÉ FOR THE HOUSE OF THE WANNSEE CONFERENCE

BABKA & KRANTZ IN THE GREENHOUSE: A CAFÉ FOR THE HOUSE OF THE WANNSEE CONFERENCE

Baking runs in Marcin Liera-Elkin’s family — his grandfather was a master baker in Poznań. Following in his footsteps, Marcin now runs the master bakery Babka & Krantz in Friedenau together with his husband, Shahar Elkin. There, the two pull crispy bagels and challah from the oven, fill rugelach with almond cream, and swirl babka with raspberry chocolate. The yeast dough rests for up to 48 hours before baking — a step you can taste in the soft, tender texture of their sweet and savory pastries. They’re served with coffee, just like Shahar’s grandmother Tamar used to make. And now you can enjoy their creations in Wannsee. In December 2024, the team took over the historic greenhouse in the House of the Wannsee Conference garden and has been serving post-exhibition refreshments ever since. The memorial commemorates the European Jews who were deported and murdered. The decision was made here in 1942, by ministry officials, members of the SS, and the NSDAP. A permanent exhibition tells the story using documents: protocols, statements, film and audio recordings. These records are chilling, precisely because of their faceless bureaucracy. It’s almost impossible to return to everyday life after a visit. Director Deborah Hartmann felt the same, which is why she brought Babka and Krantz to Wannsee. The result is a space for reflection, remembrance, connection and conversation.

Text: Laura Storfner / Photos: Haus der Wannseekonferenz, Michael Haupt; Babka & Krantz

Babka & Krantz at Haus der Wannsee-Konferenz, Am Großen Wannsee 56-58, 14109 Berlin-Wannsee; map

@babkaundkrantz
@hausderwannseekonferenz

cee_cee_logo