Berlin For Culture Hounds, Foodies And Night Owls

Rachel B. Doyle

Writer, traveler

Start your day at Datscha, a retro Russian cafe

The "Worker and Farmer" breakfast for two is amazing.

Take a guided tour of Sammlung Boros, a phenomenal private art collection in a former World War II bunker.

This is the most expansive and best contemporary art collection in a white-hot art capital.

Rent a boat - or just drink beer - at Café am Neuen See, in Berlin's largest park

Paddle around the lake in Tiergarten, Berlin's answer to Central Park. Have coffee or beer afterward in the park's lovely cafe.

Order the flammküchen at Chez Gino, a cozy Southern German restaurant.

This cozy restaurant serves delicious flammküchen - German-style flatbread - along with comfort food classics like spätzle with melted cheese.

Listen to techno music underwater at Liquidrom, an urban spa.

You can listen to techno (or classical) music underwater in a warm lighted pool, and relax in three saunas. There are live DJs three times a week.

Wander around the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which is both moving and artistic.

Snap up last-minute cheap tickets to the Philharmonie Berlin

Drop by the Philharmonie to get last minute, cheap tickets to see Sir Simon Rattle conduct Berlin's famed Philharmonic. The sound there is incredible.

Make a reservation at Little Otik, a farm-to-table restaurant

By far, the best farm-to-table restaurant in Berlin. There is love and attention put into this food. It began as a secret apartment supper club.

Start your night out at Luzia, on Berlin's best bar row.

Luzia plays au courant music and is right in the middle of Berlin's most happening bar area. The people-watching is fantastic.

Stay out too late at Berghain, the wildest dance club in the world

DJ magazine voted Berghain the best dance club in the world for several years running. The DJs are excellent, and the setting - in a cavernous converted power station - is epic.

SOHO HOUSE BERLIN

The rooms are super-spacious and have record players! The building holds tons of events, and has a spa, gym, rooftop bar and screening room.