Historically, Berlin is a new arrival on the scene of major European cities. When the former Prussian capital became the seat of power of the new German Empire in 1871, it was taunted as the "Parvenu City" by more established European capitals; Berliners took the name with pride, and a taste of the slightly subversive or radical has stayed with the city ever since. Explore Berlin’s creative side and get a taste for its chic hotels, galleries, and myriad of restaurants and lounges.
Sleep: Bed down at Lux 11 in Mitte for some seriously stylish design or try The Mandala Hotel on Potsdamer Platz for spacious rooms and purist luxury.
Eat: For delicious Italian food, head to Sale e Tabacchi. This casual yet elegant space is good for lunch and dinner. Or try Shiro I Shiro for great Japanese food in a super flashy modern atmosphere (expensive, but worth it). One of Berlin’s best dining experiences can be found at Borchardt. Traditional, celebrity frequented, and expensive, it’s impossible to get into without a reservation (and even then you may have to wait), but it’s worth the splurge.
Drink: The best views over Berlin can be found from the 17th floor lounge at Solar. Skip the food, but the drinks and view are sublime. Greenwich has great cocktails and atmosphere. There’s no sign identifying it, just look for the green door with the porthole window. And speaking of green doors, Green Door is also pretty cool....hidden behind a green door on a residential street, they do great Pimms.
