When to Visit - Arts and Events

Berlin is a vast city renowned for a wild nightlife. There are more bars and cafes here than in any other European city, and the tradition of 24-hour entertainment is alive and well. This social whirlwind is not reserved just for the young but for the social animal of any age. Beer festivals are held at many locations throughout the year, but it is the local shared love of live music that provides Berlin with its reputation as one of the liveliest places on earth.

Berlin Dining

The influx of immigrants has had a tremendous effect upon Berlin cuisine. Turkish falafel stalls run second only to kebab restaurants, where truly authentic recipes are a far cry from the slightly dubious western European version that can often, quite literally, leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Indian and Mediterranean cooking is also excellent, but the wonderfully civilised tradition of Frühstück (breakfast) is an experience not to be missed. Available 24 hours a day in many places, everything associated with Germany features on the buffet style menu: sausages, buttery eggs, sauerkraut, potato cakes, schnitzel, ham, cheeses, fresh rolls and an extensive list of juices and beers, with the result that the only difficulty is what to choose and what to leave out.

Berlin Tipping Advice

Service charges are generally added to restaurant and hotel bills in Berlin, making tipping unnecessary. Some of the smaller cafes and bars are excluded from this custom, and it is standard practice to round up the bill to the nearest euro. The cost of service should be clearly stated and visible in brochures or on menus.