Berlin is constantly reinventing itself – and this autumn, this is particularly evident in places that have themselves witnessed much of the city’s history. A new chapter in gastronomy is beginning at the legendary Kranzler Eck, club life is returning to the former premises of the Watergate, and the Exile Museum is opening its doors for the first time in a historic city villa on Fasanenstraße.
Look forward to new restaurants, creative venues and unusual shops springing up in the neighbourhoods. Our eleven new openings show how Berlin is breathing new life into familiar places whilst creating space for fresh ideas.
Tip 1: The Exile Museum opens with its first exhibition on Fasanenstraße
With‘Von hier aus’ (From Here), the Exile Museum opens its doors for the first time on Fasanenstraße. The exhibition traces the life stories of people who once lived here and were forced into exile during the Nazi era; among them are figures such as Heinrich Mann, Essad Bey and the Bauhaus textile designer Otti Berger. Personal documents and objects tell stories of loss, persecution and new beginnings; at the same time, contemporary voices draw parallels with today’s experiences of exile.
The historic Stadtvilla itself (the picture shows a different villa) also becomes an exhibit: the exhibition explores the histories of the street, the building and a rediscovered cupboard, whose former owners were identified following extensive research.
Good to know. Once the current exhibition has ended, the Stadtvilla will be refurbished and made accessible; the subsequent permanent exhibition is then due to open at the end of 2027. This means the museum will begin operations earlier than originally planned, though not in the intended new building at Anhalter Bahnhof, but on Fasanenstraße in Charlottenburg. taz.de
When: ‘From Here’, 2 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, Wednesday to Sunday 11 am – 5 pm, Thursday 11 am – 7 pm Exil Museum
Where: Exile Museum, Fasanenstraße 24, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: Italian joie de vivre comes to the historic Kranzler Eck
From November, the historic Kranzler Eck (see vintage postcard) will have an Italian heart: Circolo Popolare is bringing fresh pasta, Neapolitan pizza and generous dishes to share to the famous rotunda. Long communal tables, vintage finds and walls decorated with over 1,000 bottles create a setting that is as opulent as it is convivial. The restaurant, housed in Berlin’s former iconic coffee house, is already Big Squadra’s third Berlin outlet.
When: Opening on 20 November 2026 Neueroeffnung.info
Where: Kurfürstendamm 22, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Silencio is bringing club culture back to Watergate for seven months
A new chapter is beginning for a well-known Berlin club venue near the Oberbaum Bridge: Silencio Berlin is set to open on 30 October in the premises of the former Watergate. The Paris-based Culture Club is coming to the Spree for a seven-month residency, focusing not only on electronic music but also on art, performance and film. A different collective will curate the programme each weekend.
The former club is also getting a new look in terms of its layout. Studio Karhard, known for its interior design work at Berghain, has designed the architecture, whilst artist and architect Marc Leschelier is contributing sculptures and installations. Black walls and repositioned dance floors transform the familiar spaces; yet some traces of the Watergate have been preserved. Studio Raito is responsible for the lighting design.
The story of Silencio began in Paris in 2011. The interior there was designed by filmmaker David Lynch. The concept has since expanded to New York and Ibiza, and has also featured in temporary projects in Cannes and Miami, amongst other places. Berlin is now set to become another venue – ironically, in the very place where Watergate celebrated its final night at the end of 2024 after 22 years.
When: 30 October 2026 to May 2027
Where: the former Watergate at Oberbaumbrücke, Falckensteinstraße 49, Kreuzberg
Tip 4: Visit the new Flaneur Brasserie on the Ku’damm
A new chapter in gastronomy is beginning in a historic corner of City West: the European Brasserie Flaneur is opening at the Hotel Bristol Berlin. Where the ‘Kempinski-Eck’and later ‘Reinhard’s’ once stood, the new restaurant specialises in European brasserie cuisine with French roots and a Berlin twist. At the helm is Catalin Ghinea, who previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in London and New York. With around 120 seats inside the restaurant and a large terrace right on the boulevard, the Flaneur is set to become the new go-to spot for breakfast, lunch and a relaxed evening on the Ku’damm. Berliner Morgenpost
When: daily 6.30 am – 10.30 am and 11.30 am – 9.30 pm
Where: FLANEUR – European Brasserie, Kurfürstendamm 27, Charlottenburg
Tip 5: Two cuisines, one common language
In the Helmholtzkiez neighbourhood, Quê combines the flavours of Vietnam with culinary influences from South America. The restaurant is run by the Vietnam-born restaurateur Nha Nguyen and the Peruvian chef Yuri Neil Enriquez Ruiz. Their sharing menu plays on the commonalities between the two cuisines: bold spices, fresh herbs and vegetables characterise dishes such as braised beef cheeks with corn flatbread and Thai basil, or tuna tiradito with Peruvian yellow chilli. The interior also draws on both cultural traditions, creating a pleasant, tranquil atmosphere with ceramics, textiles and colour. The Berlin food press lists Quê amongst the new openings of 2026.
When: Monday–Friday 5.30 pm–10.30 pm, Saturday 3 pm–11 pm, Sunday 3 pm–9.30 pm
Where: Quê, Lychener Straße 41, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 6: Get creative at the new cultural workshop
In Europacity (see picture), the DKB STIFTUNG is opening a new space where art is not just viewed, but created together. Workshops, exhibitions, open studios and discussion sessions combine creativity with topics such as urban development, sustainability, digitalisation and democracy. The free programme is aimed at different age groups and deliberately focuses on inclusion and cultural participation.
- On 22 October, families and anyone aged 5 and over can create tape art with the artist collective TAPE THAT from 4.30 pm to 6 pm. Register by 19 October 2026: kulturwerkstatt@dkb.stiftung.de
- And on 6 November 2026, Nikolaus Schrot, co-founder of the art project ‘Genius Loci Berlin’, invites you to discover the neighbourhood around the Kulturwerkstatt from new perspectives from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm. This event is aimed primarily at people with disabilities and those on the neurodiverse spectrum. Register by 4 November 2026: kulturwerkstatt@dkb.stiftung.de
When: Opening in October 2026; first events as part of the DKB Campus opening week from 12 October 2026 DKB Foundation
Where: DKB Foundation, Heidestraße 28, Moabit
Tip 7: Immerse yourself in the fantastical world of Wellvern
A bookshop dedicated to a single fantasy world: with the Wellvern Shop, the six-part saga ‘Eden Hall’ gets its very own home in Berlin. Spanning 160 square metres, a Victorian-inspired interior featuring dark wooden shelves, mint-green walls and cosy reading corners brings the world of Wellvern to life. Readings, reading parties and character design workshops will take you even deeper into the stories and their characters in future.
When: Monday to Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm
Where: Wellvern Shop, Rosenthaler Straße 13, Mitte
Tip 8: Lilith in Charlottenburg invites you for brunch or a glass of wine in the evening
Lilith, a new brunch and wine bar , has opened on Fasanenstraße. French toast, Eggs Benedict and speciality coffee are served here until 5 pm. Ceremonially prepared matcha and fine patisserie round off the menu. In the evening, you can pair a carefully selected glass of wine with cheese, tapas or oysters. An elegant yet relaxed new addition for anyone who likes to make brunch last a little longer. Lilith Berlin
When: Sunday to Friday, 8.30 am – 6.30 pm; Friday & Saturday, 8.30 am – 10.30 pm
Where: Lilith, Fasanenstraße 42, Charlottenburg
Tip 9: City meets nature: New audio walk in Kienbergpark
You can now experience Kienbergpark through sound: the new, free audio walk ‘City Meets Nature’ takes you on a route of around two kilometres to 23 stops. Stories about urban nature, the park’s history and dedicated individuals accompany you along the route to places such as Wolkenhain, Wuhleteich and Kienberggarten. The audio clips can be accessed at your convenience on your own smartphone via a QR code. The audio guide is available in German, English and in easy-to-read language. This turns the walk through the 60-hectare landscape park into a personalised journey of discovery.
When: the audio walk can be used at any time, and Kienbergpark, as a public green space, is accessible without restriction
Where: Kienbergpark, Hellersdorfer Straße 159, Marzahn-Hellersdorf
Tip 10: Enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean at AURA
From brunch to dinner, AURA brings a touch of Mediterranean lightness to Bundesallee. Inspired by its Croatian roots, the new restaurant combines southern European cuisine with modern café and bar culture. In the mornings, the menu features bowls, pancakes and egg dishes; at lunchtime there are changing specials; and in the evening, warm lighting, drinks and the occasional live music create a cosy atmosphere to round off the day.
When: Sunday to Thursday 9 am – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am – 10 pm
Where: Bundesallee 205, Wilmersdorf
AURA
Tip 11: Laura Spilker opens a new jewellery boutique
From mid-October, you can discover a new destination for handmade jewellery in the Hackesche Höfe: designer Laura Spilker is opening her first boutique in Hof 4. At Schmuck by Laura Spilker, you’ll find timeless, organically designed pieces in sterling silver and gold, all crafted in her own studio. Alongside the collections, there’s a selection of other products and personalised advice in a relaxed atmosphere.
When: from mid-October 2026
Where: Rosenthaler Straße 40/41, Hackesche Höfe, Hof 4, Mitte
Reopening in 2027: The Bauhaus Archive returns
Following years of renovation and expansion, the Bauhaus Archive / Museum of Design will reopen in 2027 at its historic site in Tiergarten. At the heart of the complex remains Walter Gropius’ striking museum building with its characteristic shed roofs, complemented by a new glass tower and additional exhibition spaces. In future, visitors will be able to rediscover the world’s most comprehensive collection on the history of the Bauhaus here – ranging from architecture and design to photography, art and everyday objects.
The careful integration of the listed existing structure with contemporary architecture makes the building itself an experience in its own right.
When: Reopening expected in 2027
Where: Klingelhöferstraße 14, Tiergarten
