That's the Bärlauch. It's all over the woods in Berlin this time of year, Treptower Park just has a lot of it because the forest floor there is so damp and shaded. If you want to avoid the smell, stick to the main paths along the Spree where it doesn't grow as thick.

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I've noticed it too, especially in the mornings. There's also a lot of wild garlic (Bärlauch) growing in the damp spots under the trees, especially near the Rosengarten area. When people walk through it or the city does some clearing, the smell gets pretty strong. It's not as intense as the hogweed, but it's more widespread in the forested parts.

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It's not just Treptower Park, you'll get that same oniony smell all along the Landwehrkanal and in the Volkspark Friedrichshain this time of year. The Bärlauch is so thick in some spots that the whole ground looks like a green carpet, and it really hits you when the sun warms up the leaves in the afternoon. If you want to avoid it entirely, stick to the paved paths or head over to the more open areas near the Spreepark entrance where the forest floor gets more sunlight and the garlic doesn't grow as much.

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honestly this guide is spot on but i think it undersells the breakfast culture a bit. cafe neun in neukolln is a tiny spot on weichselstrasse that does a killer shakshuka with fresh baked challah for like 9 euro, and they roast their own coffee beans in the back. the line moves fast but expect a 10 minute wait on weekends

for a proper berlin kaffee und kuchen experience skip einstein and go to frau kruse in prenzlauer berg on kollwitzstrasse. their streuselkuchen with rhubarb is 3.50 and theyve been baking it the same way since the 70s. the old ladies working there will judge you if you order a latte macchiato instead of a filter coffee but thats part of the charm

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solid guide. i'd add that the döner scene is more than just mustafa's, even if that one is iconic. head to rüyam gemüse kebap in neukölln, their döner with grilled veggies and feta is around 7 euro and honestly beats the queue at mustafa's for me. the bread is baked fresh right there

for a real hidden gem, check out the breakfast at haus hiltl in mitte. it's a swiss-style spot with incredible homemade bircher muesli and fresh pastries, around 12 euro for a big plate. quiet in the mornings before the lunch rush hits, and the courtyard seating is lovely when it's warm

one thing the guide missed is the african food scene. try mokum in kreuzberg for a proper ethiopian platter with injera, the combo for two is about 25 euro and the berbere spice mix is unreal. get there early on weekends or you'll wait

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really great list, captures the range well. one thing i'd add is to not sleep on the vietnamese places in lee lin in wedding. it's a tiny stall inside a grocery store at suedwestkorso 10, run by a couple who make the best pho i've had in berlin, and it's only 8 euro. they close when they run out of broth, usually by 2pm, so you gotta go early

also worth mentioning that the guide's right about markthalle neun but if you go on a thursday evening it's packed with locals grabbing dinner and drinks, way more relaxed than the weekend chaos. the rotisserie chicken stand there is absurdly good for 6 euro with roasted potatoes

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