Until recently, whenever it came down to who made the flakiest croissants and the most delicious baguettes in town, Albatross was the name that kept coming up. The only catch was that you couldn’t actually buy their products anywhere: the famous sourdough pastries could only be found on the menus of select restaurants and cafés. In mid-2018, Albatross opened its own shop in Graefekiez, complete with a steadily growing assortment of pastries and a small seating area. Behind the business are Anders Alkaersig from Denmark, Geoff Stewart from Australia and Englishman Luke Smetham. The international trio’s recipes are French-inspired and traditional, but never without a twist. It is their interpretation of the classics that has made Albatross a favorite among lovers of baked goods. Naturally, the concept endeavors to be organic and sustainable: the flours and butter are sourced locally and delivered to the ever-increasing number of customers by freight bicycle. On your next visit, be prepared to face a difficult question: to choose the lemon curd brioche, the quince danish or the grandiose pain au chocolat? I’ll have all three please! (Text: Sascha Rimkus / Photos: Pamina Aichhorn)

Albatross Bread & Goods, Graefestr.66/67, 10967 Berlin-Kreuzberg; map

Daily 8-16.30h

Sascha Rimkus is a food retailer, wine connoisseur and co-founder of Goldhahn & Sampson. He has lived in Berlin since 2002, and currently resides in Kreuzberg.

Have you ever walked into a wine shop and felt an instant sense of intimidation? You scan the aisles for a familiar label, walking aimlessly, trying to hide the fact that you know nothing about wine. You grab a bottle for its nice label and get the hell out of there. A quiet corner within the Umspannwerk, however, holds the answer: Ladidadi. Every Friday, this natural wine shop transforms into a tasting room, to which owner Florian Tonello invites winemakers, importers and connoisseurs to share their passion with enthusiasts and drink some awesome natural vino. These intimate events offer the opportunity not only to try a variety of wines, but also to learn more about the funky grape juice direct from the producers themselves. Let these wines guide your journey, maybe even through the rolling hills of Tuscany or Rheinhessen. Follow Ladidadi on Facebook to stay in the loop with who’s up next. (Text: Alanna LaGamba / Photos: Pamina Aichhorn)

Ladidadi Wines, Ohlauer Str.43, 10999, Berlin-Kreuzberg, map
Mon-Thu 11-19h, Fri 11-20h. Follow on Facebook & Instagram

Originally hailing from Toronto, Canada, Alanna LaGamba fell in love with Berlin four years ago and has been lucky enough to call Neukölln her home for the last year and a half.