September is here and it’s been getting cold. It’s funny how I was wishing it was fall already when it was 36 degrees out and there are no air-conditioners in flats and many establishments here in Berlin. Berliners love summer and you could find them nice an red under the sun on most nice summer day. I don’t mind the sun and getting a little tan (so long as I have my coconut oil), but I am not a fan of sweating and insects (those pesky bees!). However I loved being able to go out in sandals and shorts. And I loved the food. These were my 5 favourite bites this summer, in no particular order.

1. Fresh Strawberries

You know it’s summer when there are Karls Erdbeer stalls all over Berlin. For me they have consistently sweet strawberries compared to others. I was a bit sad that I wasn’t able to horde tons of strawberries to freeze. I did have my share of strawberries though. They were yummy with cereals and mueslis, crushed with cocktails and eaten fresh with truffle salt. Salt with tart berries and fruits is a Filipino thing.

Last summer I had the best strawberries and cream of my life from a random stall in Ku’damm and I didn’t think this delightful dessert could get any better until I tried Non Solo Vini‘s Strawberries with Mascarpone Cream. It’s seriously addicting – thank God it’s only available in Summer or I would be in serious trouble. Doesn’t it look sinful?

Non Solo Vini

2. Ampelmann Cafe Brunch

When I hear Ampelmann I think of kitschy green and yellow souvenirs of this symbol of Berlin. When I went to their cafe for the first time I was impressed with the lovely classy interiors and the delicious food. Now I can say that brunch or coffee at the Ampelmann Cafe by the river spree is a summer must. The location is hard to find, but the locations and food are well worth the hunt. They even provide lounge chairs for guests. Try going for brunch! I love their gigantic bruschetta for tea.

Ampelmann Cafe

Stadtbahnbogen 159/160, 10178 Berlin-Mitte, Germany (im Monbijoupark) map
49 30 84710709
[email protected]
Daily 09:00 – 24:00 • Brunch Sundays and holidays 10:00 onwards

3. Kinder Bueno Gelato

Summer is gelato and eis time! I am not really an ice cream person, but I do like a good stracciatella. However my ultimate favourite, which I’ve only ever tried here in berlin is Kinder Gelato. You can find it in Eiskimo or at Eis und Eis (a pop-up store in Schloßstraße 18 Steglitz beside Hugendubel) I haven’t tried this but it looks amazing too – also in Steglitz. Eis und Eis is my favourite because it has big chunks of hazelnut, but it’s only in the summer. We usually get our Kinder Gelato fix at Eiskimo.

Eiskimo Berlin

4. Royal Garden Academy

This is my absolute favourite place in Berlin. It’s my happy place where I go to relax under the sun, surrounded by beautiful flowers. TD and I usually go on weekends with Diplo Dog in tow. We love their delicious panini sandwiches paired with Reisling wine. And we always serve room for desserts because their cakes are not only pretty to look at, but tickles the palate too. After eating I usually buy blooms and hard to find herbs. I highly recommend the apple mint, English mint and chocolate mint plants. After dinner, TD and I put a few leaves in boiling water and we have fresh mint tea from our balcony garden.

Once we tried their lamb and couscous and it was perfection. I don’t usually like lamb but the flavours of this dish were amazing!

I was introduced to this little haven in Berlin in the Antiques Gardens and Palaces group in Wilkommen in Berlin. And I feel so lucky to know about it. I’ve met many Berliners and Germans who have never even heard about it. It’s really worth checking out.

Königliche Gartenakademie

I feel that Thai Park also deserves a special mention, though I’ve written about it last year here. When going with friends, I recommend bringing a few glasses and some chilled wine, to make the Asian picnic feel more special.

What were your favourites bites or places to eat this summer? Wherever in the world you may be, I would love to see them! Do share them in the comments section below or send me an email at [email protected].