It’s perfect weather for a walk. And if you tend to meet up at Paul-Lincke-Ufer, chances are you’ve already stumbled upon Aether which opened in mid-April 2025. It’s a new café tucked away in a small side street off the canal, dedicated to all things matcha. The space was designed, curated, and brought to life by Birke Flügel, an interior designer and creative director with a background in spatial design and brand development. And you’ll notice it the moment you step inside: warm sandy hues, deep blue tones, reflective fabrics, and sculptural forms. The interior could easily pass as a design store or gallery. Sound a little maritime? That’s no coincidence. The idea came to Birke on a quiet day by the sea, with salty air and sand beneath her feet. Aether feels like an installation — minimal, but never empty. Birke preserved the raw structures and passages of the space but created a new interior within them. The matcha drinks also align with the concept: classic yet creatively reimagined, served hot or iced, always plant-based, and made with ceremonial grade matcha from Japan. They’re enhanced with ingredients like ashwagandha, spirulina, or lion’s mane — not for the sake of trends, but to maintain a balance between quality, effect, and yes, aesthetics too. My favorite? The “Levantine” with verbena syrup and blue spirulina.
Soon, the menu will expand to include homemade lemonades and cookies, and custom ceramics (designed especially for the space) to be available to purchase. Made by Babette Wiezorek, the ceramics fittingly resemble coral formations. You’ll also find natural wine from Nature’s Calling — not displayed on typical shelves, but casually placed on the steps of the front room. “Berlin allows you to think differently, to take new paths, and to create spaces that don’t have to follow any norms right away,” says Birke. For her, Kreuzberg is the most vibrant expression of that freedom: open, diverse, full of character, and, at the same time, familiar. And this is exactly what Aether reflects: a place that feels instantly accessible, even if you’re stopping by for a quick matcha or bottle of natural wine to sip by the water’s edge. But the longer you stay, the more there is to discover — a gentle reminder of how good it can feel to take a well-deserved break.
Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen
Aether, Mariannenstr.26A, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@aetherspaceberlin
