🧡 Kiez Guides #1: What to do in Berlin Wedding
"Wedding wird noch" since 1990... and we're in no hurry to change. The first chapter of our love letter to Berlin's neighborhoods.
💌 P.S. We've also curated a Google Maps list with 50+ Wedding gems that we couldn't fit in this newsletter. Subscribe for free to get it!
I'm a huge fan of the
newsletter and particularly love their neighborhood guides written by locals. I used them to plan my upcoming trip to New York, and it was perfect. Inspired by their approach, I thought: why not create our own 'guided by locals' series for Berlin's Kieze?And where better to start than my own backyard?
So, let me tell you about my Kiez. As someone who's called Wedding home for the past few years, I have strong opinions about this neighborhood, and I'm not afraid to share them: the real cool kids live in Wedding, and you can't change my mind about that.
You've probably heard it before: "Wedding wird noch" (Wedding is becoming). Sure, this working-class district in Berlin's north has been "becoming" for decades, but maybe that's exactly what makes it special. While everyone's fighting for space in Neukölln and Kreuzberg, Wedding keeps doing its own thing, unbothered and authentic.
Here's the truth: Wedding isn't trying to be the next big thing. It already is its own thing. It's a place where you can find a third-generation Turkish bakery next to a contemporary art gallery, where traditional German Kneipen share streets with modern craft beer spots.
This edition marks the beginning of a new series within Späti Stories, where we'll explore Berlin neighboorhood by neighboorhood. Think of this as your personal guide to the real Berlin, the one that exists beyond the tourist maps and Instagram hotspots. We're starting with Wedding because it perfectly embodies what we love most about Berlin: authenticity, diversity, and the beautiful chaos of old and new colliding.
Eat & Drink
Eat:
Asia Deli (Seestraße): This is where I take friends when we want authentic Chinese food in generous portions without breaking the bank. Their Mao's 5-layer pork belly, pak choi, and eggplant with potatoes are my go-to dishes. Worth mentioning: Lei's Kitchen next door gets great reviews, but I stay loyal to Asia Deli.
Dal Tokki (PrinzenAlle) Cool vegan place in Wedding. They're only open 2-3 days a week, but it's worth planning around. For €10 flat fee, you get a set vegan Korean menu that's both super healthy and incredibly tasty. The simplicity of one menu makes the experience so relaxing.
Don Pasquale (Trifstraße): Let's be honest - it's more Italian-with-a-German-twist than authentic Italian. The portions are generous, prices are friendly, and their pasta dishes are exactly what you need after a night out. It's my go-to hangover spot in Wedding, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Shalimar (Bellermannstraße): A true Wedding gem for Pakistani/Indian cuisine. Everything is made fresh with perfect seasoning, and portions are generous enough for leftovers. The staff will happily customize your dishes, from spice levels to ginger and coriander. Just a heads up: tiny kitchen means peak time waits can hit 45-60 minutes, but it's worth it.
Other places you will find in our Google maps list: Sarajevo, Chibee, Rebel Room, Lobe Block…
Drinks:
Basalt (Utrechter Straße): A cozy spot for sophisticated cocktails where flavors are crafted with real attention to detail. The interior is beautiful and intimate, making it perfect for meeting friends or dates. Heads up - it's cash only and a bit pricey, but the quality makes it worth every Euro.
Freya Fuchs (Tegeler Straße): This is what I call "my bar" simply because it's close to home. It's cozy and consistently buzzing with people, whether it's 2 AM on a Wednesday or peak weekend hours. Fair warning: come early on weekends to snag a spot.
Two spots worth mentioning nearby (same owners, different vibe):
Bar Elisabeth (Sprengel Straße): Right next door to Freya, tiny but charming with an excellent wine selection. Just keep in mind glasses are €8.
Henrietta Bar (20 min walk): Similar cozy vibes to Freya but usually less packed. Perfect when you want the Freya atmosphere but Freya is full.
Kikisol (Reinickendorfer Straße): Drop in for a drink and stick around for their Wednesday and Friday jam sessions - pure Berlin vibes. Bonus tip: the tiny Thai spot right next door serves some of the best cheap takeaway in the area, perfect for summer evenings.
Migas (Lindower Straße): One of Berlin's few listening bars, and it happens to be in my Kiez. Come for the carefully curated tunes, stay for their vermouth - trust me on this one. Just get there early; good spots fill up fast.
Sunside Spätkauf (Seestrasse): Perfect little Späti with everything from household basics to a great drink selection. I love grabbing a cold one and hanging at their outdoor table in summer - it's got that perfect neighborhood vibe.
💌 P.S. We've also curated a Google Maps list with 50+ Wedding gems that we couldn't fit in this newsletter. Subscribe for free to get it!
Activities & Culture:
Silent Green (Gerichtstraße): Yes, it's an old crematorium turned cultural center - very Wedding, right? If you're heading to Mars next door, their shakshuka is worth trying.
Photo Studio Berlin (Nazarethkirchstraße): As a photography lover, I couldn't write a Wedding guide without mentioning this spot. They develop your film, host workshops , and organize Sunday photo walks around the Kiez. They're one of those community-centered places that makes Wedding special. Get 50% off film developing from March 1-15!
Plötzensee (Nordufer): This is basically my summer office. Here's some tips: if you're heading there after 4-5 PM, skip the paid area and head to the free side - the sun lingers there longer. Earlier in the day? The paid beach is bigger but can also get very crowded (it's free with Urban Sports Club).
Leopoldplatz Market (Leopoldplatz): No exaggeration - this is where I've spent most of my time in the last 4 years. Half my apartment is furnished with finds from here! Every Saturday it transforms into this beautiful chaos of vendors and locals. It's not as polished as Boxhagener Platz or Arkonaplatz markets, but that's exactly what makes it special - better prices, more authentic vibes, and zero pretense.
Himmelbeet (Ruheplatzstraße): The community garden you wish was your backyard. Perfect for lazy afternoons with friends - grab a homemade lemonade or Eschenbräu beer, find a sunny spot, and just chill among the plants.
SuperCoop Berlin (Oudenarder Str.): A real cooperative supermarket where members both work and shop, deciding together what products make it to the shelves. It's one of those Wedding initiatives that shows what community can look like.
Pastamadre (Groningerstraße): I haven't been yet but it's high on my list - they offer sourdough bread and pasta-making classes. I've heard the instructors are passionate about food, nutrition, and the art of cooking. One of those places that reminds me I still have so much to discover in Wedding.
While these are my favorite spots in Wedding, I'm sure there are many more gems I haven't discovered yet - that's the beauty of this neighborhood, it keeps surprising me. If you know a spot I should check out, drop me a message. After all, the best recommendations often come from fellow Kiez lovers.
P.S. We're looking for locals to share their favorite spots around Berlin, especially in Pankow and Lichtenberg. Want to tell us about your go-to restaurants, bars, and hangout spots? Drop us a message!
About the Author
Luana (A.K.A Lua) is one of the creators of Späti Stories. Born in Germany, she took a 21-year detour before realizing Wedding was where she belonged all along. When she's not hunting for vintage furniture at Berlin's flea markets or evangelizing about why Wedding is peak Berlin, she's probably diving into some form of art - from crafting to photography. Some say she's becoming as tough as a real Berliner, but that might just be the Wedding attitude rubbing off on her. Wedding wird noch, and so does she.
Cheers from Wedding,
Lua 🍳