
My first encounter with the Michelberger Farm didn’t happen in the Spreewald, but in Friedrichshain — at the Michelberger Hotel restaurant. Before dinner, a lavish basket of fresh produce from the farm’s market garden was passed around, lovingly grown, and later, artfully presented on the plate. A summer later, I made my way to the farm. Getting there is surprisingly easy: a short ride on the regional train, followed by a few final kilometers by bike — past old fruit trees, cow pastures, and narrow canals. Provisions? Barely needed. The team at Michelberger Farm knows how to welcome guests like few others — and the cuisine nourishes body and soul in equal measure. Since 2018, a holistic ecosystem has flourished here on a historic four-sided farmstead, nestled within one and a half hectares of land. It’s all grounded in permaculture and the principles of syntropic agriculture. For me, the lovingly created forest garden felt like a small miracle. Berry bushes grow beside root vegetables, herbs, and cabbage. Sheep’s wool blankets the soil, keeping it from drying out (and from uninvited guests). The air is fragrant, butterflies dance between the leaves, and birdsong fills the air.
The Michelberger Farm works closely with neighboring farms and the local community — their produce often appears on the seasonal menu. “Celebrating the new old normal,” is one of the farm’s guiding philosophies. And you can truly feel this spirit of togetherness — not only in what’s served but in how it’s shared. In the barn, designed by architect Sigurd Larsen, dinner is served in bowls along a long communal table. The minimalist structure hosts up to 25 guests, with nine rooms that range from cozy to loft-like. Special Easter menus are also available: fresh fish on Good Friday, and regional lamb on Easter Sunday. And if you’d like to pair the feast with a bike ride or a short hike, plan to spend the weekend at the Vierseitenhof. Spring and the holidays are best enjoyed slowly, fully, and here.
Text: Laura Iriondo / Photos: Tobias König
Michelberger Farm
@michelbergerfarm