At Charlottenburg’s Comedor — Spanish for dining room — Raúl Oliver Arriaga and Julia Schmiedehausen combine Mexican diversity with European clarity and Berlin regionality, creating an atmosphere that’s effortlessly warm and refined. Arriaga, born in Mexico City, translates the cuisine of his homeland using seasonal, regional ingredients and modern techniques. On the menu are dishes such as Quesa Birria with organic beef from Gut Kerkow, Mole de la Casa (soon to be served with Prignitz duck), and Mole Amarillito with eggplant and zucchini. For the Aguachilecomes, Frisch Gefischt provides the catch of the day. And all tortillas are made fresh by hand every day. Thanks to Atelier Raumfragen, Mexican aesthetics and Berlin modernism are brought together in a way that feels natural and contemporary — no clichés, just art instead of cacti. A terracotta-colored wall is adorned with a loom strung with colorful woven panels — designed by Luis Eduardo, the chef’s brother, and crafted by textile artists Ninot Olvera and Mariel Tapia Luna.
Other textile works — including pieces by Berlin artist Karolin Reichardt — reflect the collaboration between German and Mexican artisans and tell the story of a modern reinterpretation of traditional craftsmanship. They are complemented by sustainable wooden furniture (crafted from reclaimed Berlin floorboards), Danish chair designs, and ambient lighting. Comedor is both dining room and meeting place. A space to feel at home, whether for evenings with friends, family gatherings, or intimate dinners. For those who like to experiment, the four-hand dinners welcome guest chefs into the kitchen to share their interpretations of Mexican cuisine. What makes Comedor so special? Perhaps it’s because they don’t simply try to bring Mexico to Berlin, they invite both to co-exist in the same space.
Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Florian Kroll, Selina Schrader
Comedor, Kantstr. 74, 10627 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
@comedor.berlin
