It was only a matter of time before Potsdamerstrasse got its own restaurant: in addition to the Andreas Murkudis concept store, the Swedish brand Acne Studios and a handful of galleries, Panama restaurant and bar is now also open. Before the historical scandal of the Panama Papers, the children’s book “The Trip to Panama” filled young minds with images of a beautiful and distant land. This symbiosis of the exotic and tradition is exactly what attracted Ludwig Cramer-Klett to the concept, and why his 3rd restaurant (after Katz Orange in Mitte and Candy on Bone in Kreuzberg) takes its name. The whimsical menu reads like a journey to another world: divided into “Leaves & Flowers” and “Grains & Vegetables”, each dish is a tiny miracle prepared under the direction of Sophia Rudolph. My favorite: the venison tartare with shiitake mushrooms, currants and nigella seeds, filled with roasted eggplant cream, goats cheese and watermelon. For the perfect end to the evening, move on to the bar for a Basil Smash, with basil and a marvellous touch of ginger. (Text: Julia Knolle / Photos: (top, right) Philipp Langenheim & Corina Schadendorf, (bottom left) Anna Küfner)

Panama Restaurant & Bar, Potsdamerstr.91, 10785 Berlin-Tiergarten; map
Tue-Sat from 17h

Julia Knolle is the Editorial Director of the online magazine hey-woman.com. Before this, she worked at German Vogue and has lived in Berlin-Mitte since 2008.

When I first stumbled upon this discrete Italian food and wine place around the corner, I knew I had found my second home. The decoration itself is rather simple, which helps you to focus on the impressive assortment of Italian wines. The products offered in this Kreuzberg-based establishment come mainly from the Piedmont region, where the owner Aurora is from. Luckily, I went there with my Italian neighbor, whose sparkling eyes were the best proof possible that the food served at Facciola is true to its roots, and of the best quality. Aurora also offers affordable workshops on diverse topics such as wine and pasta making, and sometimes the venue even hosts small concerts by local artists. If you are looking for a location for an event, then the crew is happy to contribute to your concept and help out. However what strikes me most about Facciola is the service itself; it is one of the few places in Berlin where you can receive a truly kind and fun treatment. (Text: Nina Buschle / Photos: (left) Ira Bolsinger, (top, bottom) Sandra Bitz)

Facciola, Forster Str.5, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg; map

Tue-Fri 11-0h, Sat 17-0h

Nina Buschle is from Rio de Janeiro and is a co-organizer at Product Hunt Berlin, and co-founder of the HR innovation consultancy Bridgery.