🐻 Berlin & Cologne: A Culinary Escape
From disappointing squares to life-saving donuts and cathedral views.
Berlin
I expected grand energy from Germany's capital , but found a city wearing its history heavily. While some parts felt dull , the incredible food scene completely saved the trip.
Train journey from Krakow to Berlin.
Takenori Japanese Curry €16.30
📍 Simon-Dach-Straße 2, 10245 Berlin
⭐ Proper Japanese CurryI ordered the Special C, and if you want to taste proper Japanese curry, this is the place! The portion was extremely good for the price, the service was friendly and quick, and I love that they specialize specifically in curry. It was a great first meal to kick off Berlin.
Purple Rice!
Brandenburg Gate
A classic Berlin landmark worth seeing. Walked through Pariser Platz to soak in the history.
Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe
Annelies €15.50
🏆 Absolute Favorite!Ordered buttermilk pancakes and they smelled wonderful — super sweet and flavorful. The coffee here is decent and pairs nicely with the pancakes. If you’re not into coffee, just bring water.
Buttermilk pancakes
Heimweh €10.50
📍 Skalitzer Str. 100, 10997 Berlin
🏆 Absolute Favorite!ENORMOUS PORTIONS! I ordered the Manti (Turkish ravioli) and I loved it. It was delicious, super tasty, and came at a very fair price. The place is cozy and the service is incredibly friendly—the staff even helped watch my camera while I stepped away. Note: Cash only!
Similar to Pierogi? Na-uh 🥟
💡 Pro Tip: I saw many people ordering the Kumpir (oven-baked potato). It’s loaded with vegetables and toppings for around €12—you definitely won't leave hungry!
East Side Park
Walked through East Side Park, taking in the remnants of the Berlin Wall covered in street art.
My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love
The world's longest open-air gallery.
Historical Sites
Free EntranceVisited James Simon Park and Checkpoint Charlie. Historical, but honestly felt a bit touristy.
Jewish Museum Berlin
Free EntranceAn emotional journey through history and identity. While Auschwitz in Poland was on another level, this is still very much worth a visit.
Zeitfuerbrot €4.70
🥐 Bakery Lovers' ChoiceI ordered the Weiße Schoko-Himbeer-Schnecke (white chocolate raspberry swirl bun). Made from a light yeast dough with buttermilk, topped with smooth white chocolate and juicy raspberries. It’s light, moist, and baked in a sheet pan—if you love a good bakery, this is definitely for you.
Back to Amy’s
Headed back and ended the night with Amy’s handmade chai-latte. Honestly, it was the best chai-latte I’ve ever had—the perfect way to warm up after a long day of exploring.
Sammy’s Berliner Donuts €3.50
⭐ Best Donuts in EuropeI would say these are the best donuts in all of Europe. The staff is incredibly attentive, even recommending flavors like strawberry or plum based on your preference. It is a very welcoming atmosphere and exceptionally allergy-friendly, especially for those sensitive to gluten.
Best Donut in Berlin! 🍩
Strawberry flavor made my day.
Pick your own flavor.
Vintage Shopping & Memorials
Strolled along Sophienstraße, Neue Schönhauser Straße, and Weinmeisterstraße. This is a great area for shopping with plenty of clothing and vintage stores. Afterward, I visited the Berlin Wall Memorial—a somber reminder of the city’s divided past.
Sarajevo Berlin €7.00 (Cash Only)
📍 Triftstraße 8, 13353 Berlin
🍲 Authentic Bosnian FlavorsA nice Bosnian spot famous for börek, which is served fresh, warm, and crunchy. Many call these the best ćevapi in Berlin. The portions are massive—be warned if eating alone as it can feel quite heavy. Don't forget to try the traditional pink cow yogurt.
You should try this!
Schlossgarten Charlottenburg
Verdict: So-so. You can walk the gardens for free, but it's not the best during winter or cloudy days. It was pleasant enough, but nothing mind-blowing.
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Fo Guang Shan Temple
Since it was the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, I visited the temple to pray for a smooth year ahead. It was a meaningful, grounding moment being away from family for the first time during the holiday.
Ampelmann Store
Visited the Ampelmann store to see the iconic little traffic light man before leaving the city.
Farewell Dinner
Spent my last evening cooking dinner with Amy. She was a wonderful host, and I’m so grateful for the personal touch she added to my Berlin trip.
The Panic Day €29.99 + €35.99
⚠️ Lesson Learned: Double-Check EverythingAfter chatting late with Amy and showering at midnight, I missed my 5:09 AM train. I woke up at 6:00 AM to find my original €29.99 ticket was long gone.
The drama intensified when I scrambled to buy a €35.99 replacement, not realizing it was a FlixTrain ticket valid for only one part of the journey. I got lucky with a compassionate conductor who saw I was a student and helped me figure out the rest of my route instead of giving me a hard time. Always check your ticket details!
The "wrong" ticket that caused all the stress. 💸
Cologne Stopover
Arrived in Cologne with 6 hours to explore. I used the luggage storage at Cologne Hbf (highly recommend!) and walked out to the most stunning view. You are immediately eye-to-eye with the Cologne Cathedral—a 157-meter-high Gothic masterpiece that is absolutely breathtaking. Entry is free, though there are fees for the tower and treasury.
The massive Gothic facade as you step out of the station. ⛪
Standing 157 meters high — it's truly breathtaking.
The solemn and grand interior.
My Currywurst €5.20 (Cash Only)
🌭 First Taste of a ClassicMy first time trying currywurst and I loved it. The sausage was tasty and the service was excellent. It’s cash only, but they have great covered seating which was perfect since it started to rain.
Hohenzollern Bridge & Haus Des Döner
Strolled to the bridge famous for its thousands of love locks before grabbing a bite at Haus Des Döner (€8.00). The meat was fresh and the red sauce had a nice spicy kick. While the bread was a bit thin for my taste, the thin-crust style was great.
Thousands of love locks. ❤️
Eating my kebab on the way to Brussels! Well-packaged.
Friendly Staff.
Next Stop: Brussels
Caught the Eurostar to Brussels Midi/Zuid (€23). It was a quick 1 hour and 51 minute journey to the next chapter of my trip. Stay tuned for the Brussels post!
Final Thoughts
Berlin might not have been the grand capital I imagined, but its culinary soul is undeniable. Go for the history lessons, but stay for the donuts and manti.