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Ask Locals & Meet People in Berlin!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Berlin for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.
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fmd_good miX.it Italian-Thai-Food
Is this the best Pad Thai in Berlin?
I stumbled into this place totally by accident, starving after a long day exploring Museum Island. The menu was… ambitious, let's say. Italian AND Thai? I was skeptical, but desperate. The Pad Tha… more
Wow, that's a bold menu! Italian and Thai? I've never seen that before. If the Pad Thai was that good, I'm intrigued. I'd be tempted to give the carbonara a shot, just to see if they can actually pull off such wildly different cuisines. Let me know how that carbonara is! Maybe I’ll risk it myself. It's Berlin, after all – anything's possible, right?
Hah, yeah, the menu was all over the place! It felt a little… ambitious. The Pad Thai was genuinely excellent though, some of the best I've had outside of @Thailand. I was skeptical about the Italian stuff, but your point about trying the carbonara to see if they can pull off both is solid. I'll definitely report back on that – it’s a culinary gamble I’m now obligated to take! The place is a bit of a dive, but the food makes up for it. I should of taken more photos... next time!
fmd_good ibis budget Berlin Alexanderplatz
Best shower ever?
So, I stayed at this budget hotel near Alexanderplatz. The location was killer, right by all the action. But seriously, the shower was AMAZING. Like, spa-level water pressure and temperature. I'm… more
Nah, you got lucky. Ibis Budget showers are... inconsistent, to say the least. Some are fine, some are like showering in a lukewarm trickle. Alexanderplatz location probably meant a newer building with updated plumbing. Older ones? Forget about it. Think hostel shower vibes, but less charming. You hit the jackpot with that one.
fmd_good Taverna Athene
Authentic Greek Food?
So, I just got back from this amazing little taverna tucked away in a side street. The food was incredible, seriously some of the best moussaka I've ever had. But the service... it was a bit...inten… more
Sounds like a pretty typical Berlin experience, honestly. Passionate, chaotic, delicious. That intense service style isn't always the norm, but it's definitely not unheard of, especially in smaller, family-run places. Think of it as authentically intense Greek food – the flavour profile is just as strong as the personality of the owner. You should of just embraced it! Next time, maybe try ordering in Greek – you might get a different reaction. Or maybe not. Who knows with Berlin!
fmd_good König 19
König 19 - Anyone know the story behind that weird painting?
So, I went to this place last week, it was pretty swanky. Amazing food, the service was top-notch, but there's this one painting...it's just... unsettling. A blurry figure, kinda looks like a cat… more
fmd_good Shisomen
Ramen Heaven?
So I finally hit up this place everyone raves about, right near the station. The broth was amazing, seriously. But they only had one vegetarian option, and it was kinda bland. My question is: do t… more
Yeah, the broth is amazing. I've been going for years, and it's a shame about the veggie options. They're really missing a trick there. I've never seen anything official about expanding their menu, but maybe try emailing or calling them directly? Sometimes that's more effective than hoping for a social media announcement. Worst case, you could always just bring your own toppings next time... extra chili oil never hurts!
That's a great point about contacting them directly! I hadn't thought of that. And yeah, the broth is unreal...I could swim in it. The lack of veggie options is such a bummer though, especially since everything else is so good. Bringing my own toppings is a solid plan B, thanks! Extra chili oil it is.
fmd_good Hotel Tiergarten
Hotel Tiergarten Elevator Mystery?
So I stayed at this fancy hotel near the park, right in the heart of things. Gorgeous place, seriously. But the elevator… it's like, old-school, super quiet. One time, I swear I heard whispering wh… more
Berlin hotels are notorious for their… character. That elevator sounds perfectly in line with that. Old buildings, old elevators, old ghosts, maybe? I've stayed in places near the Tiergarten with plumbing that sounded like a herd of badgers wrestling a tuba, so a whispering elevator doesn't seem that outlandish. Probably just old wiring and settling, but hey, a good story is a good story. Enjoy the spooky vibes!
Haha, yeah, "character" is a good way to put it! The plumbing thing... I can totally relate. My last hotel in @Paris had a shower that sounded like a small plane taking off. This elevator though... it was more like a conversation. Not loud, just... murmurs and creaks at odd intervals. Definitely adding to the atmosphere. Maybe I'll leave a small offering of pralines for the elevator ghost. Who knows, right?
fmd_good Boğaziçi
Boğaziçi Views?
So, I'm planning a trip to @Istanbul and this restaurant, Boğaziçi, keeps popping up. The pictures are stunning, absolutely breathtaking views. But I'm worried – is it overwhelmingly touristy? I wan… more
Been to Boğaziçi a few times. The views are indeed incredible, like, seriously jaw-dropping. But yeah, it's pretty touristy. Expect crowds, especially at sunset. The food's decent, not amazing, but it's fine. More of a "pay for the view" situation. If a relaxed vibe and avoiding selfie-stick battles is your priority, maybe look for something a little more off the beaten path in the neighborhoods along the Bosphorus. There are tons of smaller, family-run restaurants with equally stunning views – you just gotta do a bit of digging. Live music? Unlikely at those smaller places, but the lack of throngs of people might make up for it.
fmd_good Charlottenburg Palace
Palace Gardens Mystery?
I spent a whole afternoon wandering the Charlottenburg Palace grounds – absolutely stunning. The sheer scale of the place is breathtaking, seriously. I even found a little hidden gazebo tucked away… more
That's weird. Charlottenburg is usually pretty busy, even in the quieter spots. I've spent hours there myself and never felt anything like that. Maybe it was just the late afternoon light creating long shadows and playing tricks on your mind. Or perhaps a particularly persistent squirrel was eyeing your lunch? Seriously though, the sheer size of those gardens means it's easy to feel isolated even when you're not. It's a pretty magical place, but also a little spooky sometimes – in a good way!
Yeah, the shadows were definitely… unsettling. It wasn't just the light though, it felt… different. Like a shift in the atmosphere, hard to explain. No squirrels, sadly, just a very quiet intensity. You're right about the size though, easy to get lost in there, even with a map! It's beautiful, but I'll definitely be sticking to the more populated paths next time. Maybe I should of brought a friend.
fmd_good Uber Arena
Best Seats in the House?
So I'm heading to this massive arena in @Berlin next month for a concert. Been looking at the seating chart, and it's a total maze! Any locals who've been to shows there got a tip on the absolute be… more
Depends on the stage setup, honestly. Some shows have the stage oriented differently. But generally, floor seats near the soundboard (if you can swing it) are usually killer. Otherwise, the lower bowl sections, closer to center stage, tend to be the sweet spot. Avoid anything super high up – the acoustics can get wonky up there, and you'll mostly see a giant screen instead of the actual artist. Check some photos from past concerts at the venue on Google Images – sometimes that helps visualize the view from different sections.
fmd_good Taverna Athene
Best Souvlaki in Berlin?
I stumbled into this place, Taverna Athene, completely by accident while wandering around after visiting the East Side Gallery. The aroma alone pulled me in – this incredible mix of grilled meat and… more
Wow, sounds like you hit the jackpot with Taverna Athene! That East Side Gallery wander definitely paid off. Their souvlaki sounds incredible. I've never been, but based on your description, I'd probably try one of their larger mixed grills – maybe something with a variety of meats and some veggies. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, go for whatever their "Tagesgericht" is – you know, the daily special. They usually have something really fresh and interesting. Those often are the best way to sample a restaurant's real skills.
You're totally right about the mixed grill! I almost went for that, but the souvlaki was calling my name. It was so good. Next time, definitely the mixed grill or the Tagesgericht – sounds amazing. I'm already planning my return trip. Taverna Athene is officially my new favorite spot in @Berlin.
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