Graefekiez might be one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit for restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. It’s a neighborhood that keeps on giving, and this time around, it was a deli on Böckhstraße, every savory girl’s dream. 

Kírkē Deli is owned by Tenia Dimakopoulou and Jannis Avramidis, two longtime friends who decided to join forces. She was the bar chef at Primitiv; he was the Grillmeister at Torbar. Tenia grew up in Piraeus, Jannis in Thessaloniki, and both have called Berlin home for over a decade. Together, they built an intimate deli and wine bar where you can settle in over good food, Greek wine, and a few hours of conversation. And the wine is exactly where I’d start. 

Kírkē is the spot for a good bottle of Greek wine, and that alone is reason enough to sit down. We had the Vorias & Helios orange Assyrtiko, which started as a glass and turned into a bottle, as these things do. Especially when seated outside, catching the sun at the end of the day. Then for the food, naturally we started with one of the sandwiches. The mushroom truffle is one we’d order again and again.

If you have a savory tooth like me, then the wild sardines with Greek saffron and the cheese platter are the ideal pairings with that glass of wine. The platter comes with Greek honey, various nuts, and a homemade mushroom jam I’m still thinking about. A lot of the menu is structured around the products themselves. Cheeses, cured meats, and conserves come from Greece, with dishes made around whatever they have in stock. The deli sandwiches are the heart of it, with seafood and vegetable meze alongside. 

Sundays have their own ritual: five meze to pair with tsipouro, a little Greek Sunday tradition. The space was designed by friend and architect Johann Muehlthaler. It’s minimal, yet homey. The seats outside are perfect for summer, while inside is just as warm and inviting, so come winter, there’s somewhere cozy to sit. Kírkē has also started bringing in sommeliers and winemakers for guest events, alongside pop-ups with other Berlin chefs. Go hungry, order more than you think you need, and let someone else pick the wine.

Text: Stefania Basano / Photos: Aditya Christian

Kírkē Deli, Böckhstr.50, 10967 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@kirke.deli.berlin

Would you rather sit beneath the red umbrellas, facing Charlottenburg’s handsome prewar façades, or settle into the mustard-yellow banquette surrounded by oversize paintings? Either way, Bottega Seppel is inviting — the kind of Charlottenburg restaurant where you end up staying longer than planned. And that’s about more than its considered interior. The attention to aesthetics is personal. Lidia and her partner, Luiz, both native Berliners, have touched nearly every plank of wood and tile in the place with their own hands. They charred timber, knocked down walls, laid tile, and applied generous amounts of color before Bottega Seppel finally opened in October 2024. The name, which to my ear suggests something closer to a humble neighborhood tavern, is a remnant of childhood. Seppel was an old nickname. For Lidia, it still conjures “long evenings around the table, clinking glasses, good food, loud laughter and the lovely feeling that there’s always room for one more.” We start on the sheltered terrace, where the red umbrellas evoke vacation mood. French bistro chairs and the unhurried rhythm of a Charlottenburg evening do the rest. Around us is the pleasant blur of conversation — different languages, different subjects. The easygoing arrival soon gives way to some unexpected crunch. Tiny crisp curry leaves on a scallop are surprisingly delightful. So is the little arancino perched on basil mayonnaise, the sort of crunchy bite that makes you salivate for another. But then…

….the house-made ricotta arrives, creamy and served with vegetables. While you’re still wondering how they do it quite so smoothly — from inside, incidentally, you can peek into the open kitchen — the main course may already be on its way. We glance at the plates across from us, purely because friends happen to be sitting there (the world is small, or perhaps it’s just Charlottenburg). They order the tartare — one serving, then another the moment the plate is licked clean. We, however, have gone for the “Seppel Chicken”. The bird is in the logo, after all. It sounds considerably less fancy and looks the part, too, but its straightforwardness is precisely the appeal. “Simple is good,” as the Seppel team likes to say. Things become less simple when you turn to the drinks list, or merely look around at what’s landing on neighboring tables. The vivid green Basil Smash is hard to ignore, and the Espresso Martini appears to have a loyal following. The wine selection is extensive, but we keep things uncomplicated (and coordinate with the umbrellas) with the very good house rosé, followed by the nonalcoholic house spritz with beetroot, which is pleasingly, mercifully, not sweet. A little sweetness is welcome at the end, though, particularly in the form of chocolate mousse with sea salt. And there is another ingredient that seems to season everything at Bottega Seppel: genuine warmth, courtesy of the people working there. It may be the most important one, and one reason you leave this Charlottenburg restaurant not only full, but in a noticeably better mood. And if the name has been ringing a bell, you’re not imagining it. There is now a smaller, more casual sister called Seppli. But that’s an outing for another day.

Text: Nina Trippel / Photos: Aditya Christian

Bottega Seppel, Giesebrechtstr.3, 10629 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map

@bottegaseppel

With over twenty years in hospitality, focusing on events and pop-up bars, Eva Drohner yearned for a permanent venue to call home. Out of that longing, Bari, a new daytime drinking destination, was born. Nestled in Kreuzberg near Maybachufer, Bari is a lively daytime drinking hangout that offers a refreshing take on Italian-American cuisine, blending comfort classics with a twist. Think of dishes like schnitzel smothered in tomato sauce and melted cheese, perfectly paired with a cocktail or two. Noticing a gap in Berlin for Italian-American food, Lucas Klemm stepped in with a creative menu that blends American flavors with traditional Italian recipes, with Virginia Vallesi perfecting dishes. This approach results in home-style plates for contemporary diners like Parmigiana and Rigatoni Ragu Bianci, a cherished family recipe passed down from Klemm’s mother. Among the standout entrées is the Baby Gem Salad, a simple yet mouthwatering salad of lettuce, caramelized cashews, and radishes doused in ranch dressing, which will no doubt be a crowd-pleaser. And since Drohner wants Bari to be a day-drinking hub, the bar menu is quite impressive, showcasing Italian spirits like Campari, Amaro, and Vermouth expertly woven into drinks such as the Negroni, Americano, and Fluffy Garibaldi.

For those seeking lighter, more daytime-friendly options, the menu features a delicious Margarita and Muddy Paloma (a creative spin on the classic). If you’re not in the mood for cocktails, they have something for everyone, including Meckatzer beer, shots, and a variety of non-alcoholic options. Looking ahead, Bari plans to further upgrade its cocktail experience by introducing signature drinks and house-made infusions. But for now, guests can savor the current lineup of refreshing drinks and imaginative dishes, making Bari your go-to destination for a delightful afternoon drinking gathering.

Text: Yolanda Evans / Photos: Mohit Amlani

Bari, Friedelstr.37, 12047 Berlin–Neukölln; map

@bari.berlin