My Berlin Moment – A chance encounter
A chance encounter
“Is this seat free? Can we join you?” To be honest, I always find that phrase a bit hard to say.
But here, in this rustic pub set in one of Berlin’s typical inner courtyards, nobody seemed to take offence. Without a word, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the other guests moved a little closer together to make room for us.
The silence was brief, for it turned out we weren’t the only newcomers at the table; rather, the whole group was a colourful mix of people. There was the Berlin art dealer with her husband, a young couple from Seoul and an elderly gentleman who was also in town for the weekend.
The initial conversations centred on the menu; people discussed what to try in a mixture of German and English. Over dinner, the conversation turned to the city, its neighbourhoods and then, finally, to that one special bar in the neighbourhood that you simply had to experience.
No sooner said than done – we found ourselves visiting the bar as one big group, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Before long, we were sitting there with our drinks, as though we’d known each other for far longer than just a few hours. It got late. Very late, in fact. And what had started as a search for a free table had turned into one of those evenings that simply can’t be planned.
Ready for your own Berlin moment?
Berlin’s restaurant scene reflects the city’s diversity. From cosy German cuisine to international fusion experiences, there’s something to suit every taste.
But there’s plenty to discover beyond what’s on your plate. Some restaurants, with their communal tables and sharing menus, invite you to strike up a conversation with other guests. In other venues, people meet up for a drink at the bar after their meal. You decide for yourself just how sociable your evening will be: in a large group, chatting with your table neighbours, or all to yourself.
Our tip
Pop into one of Berlin’s many market halls. Here you’ll find not only culinary diversity at its finest, but also that typical Berlin sense of community. Seated at long wooden tables, you’ll strike up conversations with all sorts of lovely people, because food always tastes best when shared.