BEST THAI FOOD in BERLIN

BEST THAI FOOD in BERLIN

Naturally opinions are personal, but we were super excited and relieved to have found a truly exceptional Thai restaurant last summer in Berlin. 

TALEH THAI

Taleh Thai has exceptional fresh dishes, friendly and polite staff, and at reasonable Berlin prices. 

You can find their entire menu via their website here:

http://www.talehthai.de

 

Close to Volkspark Friedrichshain, and a very quick tram ride from Alexander Platz makes this place still quite central. 

Obviously due to Covid-19 restrictions, one can't enjoy the full dining experience at the moment, however they are still serving take-away options from 12:00 midday until 20:00. You can place your order by telephone: 030/42851030

Try it for yourself, support this local business, and let me know in the comments below what were your favourite thai dishes. 

Kaffee in Berlin series: #4 Ampelmann Shop

AMPELMANN SHOP UNTER DEN LINDEN

Amidst the building works currently disguising Unter den Linden at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse now stands yet another Ampelmann Shop. To describe what that is and why it is signifcant to Berlin I will leave for another blogpost. However I do wish to make mention of the coffee that is now available at this particular location.

(C) MJT

Firstly it should be known that Unter den Linden is a tourist hotspot, being the boulevard linking two of Berlin's iconic landmarks - the TV tower at Alexanderplatz, with the Brandenburg Gate at the entrance to the Tiergarten. As such, most of the shops and restaurants in this vicinity cater to a tourist market and so prices are often inflated. 

One of the biggest reliefs when the renovated Ampelmann Shop opened on this particular corner, was that their prices remained consistent with their other shops, and that the coffee is not only good value, but actually quite nice. 

(C) MJT

Within the shop itself they have a coffee wagon, with benches and tables nearby where you can rest while drinking your coffee (although, I doubt you would linger, as one is still inside the ampelmann shop...) and it has an interesting indoor/outdoor feel with the fake cobblestones and crossing lights. 

(C) MJT

It was curiosity that initially drew me in to sample their "introductory rate" of coffee (at the time, only €1 for an espresso - what it really should be anywhere in Europe!) and not only was I pleasantly surprised, but I was shocked that a "non-coffee" chain in a densely tourist populated area could  produce such a satisfying espresso. The prices have since risen 50 cents, which brings the Espresso to €1,50 and the cappuccino to €2,50 - however those are quite standard prices in Berlin. And cheaper compared to many other options on Unter den Linden.

(C) MJT

So if travelling-by on your Berlin sight-seeing tour, be assured that this is a reasonable coffee pit stop, and most likely you will then be encouraged to pick up some truly Berlin souvenirs in the Ampelmann Shop itself. Corner of Friedrichstrasse and Unter den Linden (Part of the Westin Grand building) (Directions here)

And for the history of the Ampelmann and the cult that has grown out of it, check out their website here: http://ampelmann.de/

Finally, they also offer a loyalty card with stamps - 10th coffee free!

(C) MJT

In summary, the Ampelmann Shop Coffee comes in at a good recommendation, particularly given the location being a tourist area:

Coffee: ★★★☆

Service: ★★★★ 

Atmosphere: ★★☆
Recommended Drink: Espresso or Cappuccino
Price: €1,50 or €2,50
Best quality: The effort in creating the store and the coffee wagon.

Best Coffee in Berlin

It has been far too long since my last post! Over a year, embarrassingly. In that time I have wanted to write about so many places in Berlin, but life and work have taken over. And so my resurgence of blogging will commence at our favourite and local coffee shop. 

ANTIPODES

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

As an adopted Melbournian, I am quite particular about my coffee. As such, E and I have spent much of our time in Berlin testing various cafes and can confirm that Antipodes is by far the best coffee in Berlin. 

Perhaps in further posts I will write about other coffee places, but today's focus is Antipodes. 

  

Founded and run by Jane and Paul from New Zealand a couple of years ago, Antipodes is THE place to get your fix of Cafe Latté and home-made biscuits (German Kaffee und Kuchen may be good, but Antipodes are even better).

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

 

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

Located within walking distance between Senefelderplatz and Rosa-Luxemburg Platz (both U2 stations - only one stop from Alexander Platz) but on the quieter street of Fehrbellinerstrasse, Antipodes is not only a local cafe but a hub of ex-pat Australians and New Zealanders. 

Care of googlemaps

Open Wednesday through to Sunday (yes, when it appears like everything closes on a Sunday, at least you know Antipodes will be busy!) you can get your double shot fix and if you are feeling hungry too, then Paul will cook something very delicious. The menu can vary, but favourites of mine have included the Eggs Benedict, the English Muffins with Bacon, Eggs, Avocado and of course the PIES! My favourite - the Mushroom pies, but equally satisfying - Pepper Steak / Salmon. 

Image care of tylerkateross at http://statigr.am/p/357120403866979572_1550578

Not only is it an extremely pleasant atmosphere (whether inside in winter or outside during warmer months), but I can guarantee that when bringing guests they will never be disappointed. Polish, Czech, English, German and Moroccan friends have always been impressed with the coffee (frequently commenting without encouragement on how great the coffee tastes) and Australian visitors have been extremely relieved to finally find a real coffee in Germany - made just like in Melbourne/the Antipodes (in particular the Cafe Latté). 

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

So if you live in Berlin and are looking for the best coffee shop, or are here on holiday as a visitor from the other side of the world, stop by to meet a bunch of Antipodean ex-pats and get your fix of caffeine. 

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

And if you are a regular, then you can also start a collection of stamps to work your way towards a free coffee and biscuit. 

 

For more information about the daily specials and quotes like their facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Antipodes/124448277614199?fref=ts 

Otherwise see you there!!