I used to have this silly thing with Italian restaurants and going out to dinner in them. I would always try to shy away from Italian places, fearing boring pizzas and flavourless pasta dishes. And even though such places still exist, fabulous Italian restaurants in Berlin have taught me well. After the cosy and authentic Giorgio and the conceptually exciting Lavanderia Vecchia, I am officially hooked. The newest of my indulgences: Belmonte.

It had been way too long since I had sushi. For weeks, days and months my mind had secretly started pondering the possibilities of salacious sushi adventures again. However, I did not want to go to one of the many restaurant that I have been to dozens of times. Of course it is fantastic if you have your favourite place where you keep coming back to, but the need to explore new and exciting restaurants is also an important desire.

I love cheese fondue and I have been wanting to eat cheese fondue ever since I moved to Berlin. Not that Berlin is the capital of cheese fondue, but there are definitely a couple of cheese-worthy places for eating warm and liquid cheeses in Germany’s Hauptstadt. It is one of those dinners that need a special occassion, however. And that is why I had not yet ventured into a restaurant location where eating cheese fondue was the main activity. Until my birthday, that is.

As a fan and lover of tapas, I expected a nice tapas evening at Tapitas, which is a small and even tiny little restaurant shop on one of Prenzlauer Berg’s most lively street. It always look full when you walk by, but they also have a little secret room in the back. The walls were filled with crates of wine bottles, the music ethnically inviting and the little tables and chairs remind you of sitting outisde on a Spanish patio. Ten points for authenticity and atmosphere. And though their menu is small, their food looks yummy.

One Friday evening while bathing in the last remnants of summer glory in Berlin, I set out – very old fashionedly – with food partner in crime Holly. After a long three week holiday we met up for a potentially delicious meal – and we already had a goal. We were going to Vis a Vis.

Strolling arround the Bergmannstraße often leads to ‘unwanted’ drinks and dinners. Last Friday night, we accidentally stumbled into the cosy Milagro, where sipping wine became ordering main courses.

On the typical popular Bergmannstraße in Kreuzberg, in the middle of the many shops and restaurants, the rather spacious Asian food kitchen Sumo invites fans of Asian fusion and sushi to come and try their yummy foods. Then again, where did their vegetarian menu go?

On the Oranienplatz, in the middle of the vibrant Bezirk Kreuzberg, a small Spanish tapas restaurant called Sol y Sombra awaits its peckish customers. If you’re looking for a cosy night out, this is the place to be.

One of our favourite sushi locations in Friedrichshain is Le Coq D’or (The golden cock), on the Boxhagener Straße. Only around the corner from the popular Simon Dach Kiez, is a rather semi-large restaurant with a large collection of sushi on offer. Yes, the deco might be a bit off and yes, it is not your average hoity toity super sleek sushi saloon. But do not judge a book by its cover.

After an evening of hobnobbing, nibbling and drinking cocktails at the Desigual party on Kudamm, Holly and I were still hungry. We briefly contemplated the Cogai restaurant which was on our way home and still one of our most beloved locations. However, both of us chose to take the high road and go for something
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