Friedrichshain neighbourhood guide

The area

Simon-Dach-Kiez is one of Berlin's best-known going-out areas, famous for its long row of restaurants, bars, and cafés and a lively international atmosphere. The surrounding neighbourhood offers independent cinemas, cosy cafés, local boutiques, and plenty of street art.

The building on Seumestraße was built in 1911 — a classic Altbau from the era when Friedrichshain was rapidly industrialising and filling with workers' housing. The neighbourhood was part of East Berlin until reunification, and today it retains a strong local character alongside its reputation for nightlife and creative culture.

Bars, restaurants, cafés, and nightlife are all within a few minutes' walk of the flat. The area is highly walkable — you'll rarely need to take public transport within the neighbourhood.

Boxhagener Platz markets

Boxhagener Platz is a 3-minute walk. Come on the weekend and you get two markets:

• Saturday Farmers' market — fresh produce, bread, cooked food. Starts early, wraps up around 3 pm.
• Sunday Flea market — antiques, vintage, and all manner of Berlin curiosities.

On Sundays, RAW-Gelände (Revaler Straße) also has a used clothing market with quirky finds from across Berlin.

Coffee

• Blaue Bohne Rösterei — the best coffee in Friedrichshain, and it's one block away on Seumestraße 14. Opens at 8 am, closed Tuesdays.
• Silo Coffee — excellent coffee, also does brunch (packed on weekends). Gabriel-Max-Straße 4.
• Café µ (mü) — a true locals' joint. Excellent coffee, less crowded. Libauer Str. 1.

Food & restaurants

Remy has put together a full restaurant book in the apartment — but here are the highlights:

• Ryu — Asian fusion, 5-minute walk. Don't skip the Bang Bang Waffle. Krossener Str. 17.
• Spaccanapoli Nr. 12 — Neapolitan pizza with vegan options. Try the pistacchio. Wühlischstraße 12.
• Shiro Sushi — the best sushi in Friedrichshain. Kopernikusstraße 30.
• Alte Turnhalle — brilliant weekend brunch buffet in a stunning converted gym. Book ahead. Holteistraße 6.
• Burgeramt — a neighbourhood classic. The cheese sauce fries are required. Krossener Str. 21.
• Hops & Barley — excellent local brewery, indoor and outdoor seating. Wühlischstraße 22.

Sights & experiences

• East Side Gallery — the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall, now an open-air gallery. 15-minute walk or a short tram ride.
• RAW-Gelände — former railway works turned cultural hub: bars, clubs, climbing wall, skateboard park, markets. A 10-minute walk.
• Volkspark Friedrichshain — the oldest public park in Berlin, great for a morning run or afternoon picnic.
• Uber Arena — major venue for concerts and events, reachable from Warschauer Str. S-Bahn.
• Street art walking tour — Friedrichshain is one of Berlin's best neighbourhoods for street art. Get Your Guide has several good options.

Getting around

• M13 tram — stop less than 1 minute's walk. Fast connection to Warschauer Str. and Alexanderplatz.
• S-Bahn Warschauer Straße — short walk; connects to the Ring, Hauptbahnhof, and airport.
• U5 Samariterstraße — underground line linking Friedrichshain to Mitte and Alexanderplatz.
• Parking — street parking is paid. A parking garage is a 10-minute walk away and more economical for multi-day stays.

Frequently asked questions