Zehlendorf is better known for its beautiful lakes and villas than for culinary hotspots. If you pass through, it’s probably by bike or S-Bahn on your way to Schlachtensee. In recent years, quite a bit has changed, and it’s worth making more than just a quick stop if you’re a foodie.
Start your morning at PadoK, the district’s only sourdough bakery. Located not far from Zehlendorf S-Bahn station, step into this artisan bakery’s light-flooded space. I order a sourdough croissant — one of the best in the city, in my opinion — and enjoy it with a cappuccino. And while you’re at it, definitely take a few rolls or a loaf of bread home with you. The name, by the way, is a nod to the Brazilian “padoca”, a neighborhood bakery from the home country of owners Désirée Klingbeil Ciocchi and Marcelo Esteves Ciocchi.
For a sweet afternoon snack, stop for ice cream at Artigiani, which means “craftsmanship” in Italian. Since 2019, two childhood friends from Italy, Enrico Piccin and Nicola Piccin-Ossi, have been living up to that name, making their ice cream by hand, with great success. Their creation “Mediterraneo,” with olive oil, rosemary, and lemon, took third place in the German final and even eleventh place in the world final of the Gelato Festival World Masters. The vegan selection is also a delight. Flavors like Peanut Butter Jelly or Gran Torino (espresso with hazelnut) hold their own against milk-based flavors when it comes to creaminess.
Your Zehlendorf visit finds the perfect ending at La Smorfia, the district’s only Neapolitan pizzeria. In this small, cozy spot, the focus is on high-quality ingredients, a pizza dough that gets plenty of rest before baking, and a tomato sauce whose fruitiness is second to none. Alongside classics like Bufalina, Diavola, or a Bianca variation with mortadella, the menu also offers vegan options and the namesake pizza, La Smorfia: half Margherita, half calzone with ricotta and spicy salami. Finish with a heavenly tiramisu, and your culinary excursion is complete.
Text: Marie Berkmann / Photos: Artigiani, Padok, Marie Berkmann
Marie has lived in Berlin for 15 years. She pursues her passion for good food and travel not only on her Instagram channel, but also as a project manager in the organic industry. When she’s not eating, she’s training — for the Berlin Marathon, for example, or coaching others on the bike.
Padok, Clayallee 353A, 14169 Berlin–Zehlendorf; map
Artigiani Eis am Schlachtensee, Matterhornstr.54, 14129 Berlin–Zehlendorf; map
La Smorfia Pizzeria Napoletana, Teltower Damm 47, 14167 Berlin–Zehlendorf; map
@padok.berlin
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