For me, this year more than any other has been about finding small pleasures in life’s simpler things. And spending the last rays of evening sunshine sipping a bittersweet Campari Spritz at Middle brings me a lot of pleasure. Add in a smattering of small sharing plates that showcase contemporary Levantine cuisine, and the evening is going to be a good one. Tucked away on Mainzer Straße in Neukölln, Middle is what owner Itamar Lanner describes as a mini-bistro. The relaxed and compact neighborhood spot has an all-rounder concept, opening the whole day for morning coffee, lunch, and evening dinner and drinks. As for the food, you can expect some similar tastes to those at Middle’s Kreuzkölln partner Kitten: think crisp vibrant greens paired perfectly with soft Labneh cheese, zingy fermented courgette, creamy smooth hummus, earthy roasted cauliflower and kohlrabi, and pillowy pitta bread, to name just a few dishes on the menu. One taste I cannot forget is my absolute favorite: the homemade harissa. If, like me, you find this condiment something quite special, you can purchase it to take home along with a selection of other treats in jars. Whether you are looking for a quiet morning coffee with a delicate piece of sweet baklava, a long lunch or an evening spritz paired with a few olives to nibble on with friends, Middle has got you covered.
Text: Chloe Galea / Photos: Kateryna Firsova
Middle, Mainzer Str.39, 12053 Berlin–Neukölln; map
Mon–Fri 9–22h, Sat & Sun 10–22h, closed on Wednesdays
@middleberlin