Meet our hood around Torstr

Now that we've resided on Torstr for over 4 years, it's about time to present you our Kiez as well as some favorite places. Dozens of fantastic cafes, restaurants, bars, galleries and shops that are worth visiting inhabit our neighborhood — combine it with saying hello at our place.

We're located on the border between Berlin Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg, on the corner of Tor- and Christinenstr. Reach Alexanderplatz or Hackescher Markt in about 15-20 walking minutes.

A light history appetizer to start things off. Torstr used to be called Wilhelim-Pieck-Str in East Berlin during GDR times and reaches about 2 km length from Friedrichstr to Prenzlauer Allee. In the 18th century Berlin was enclosed by a city wall ("Zoll- und Akzisemauer") alongside which gates were established at various points. "Tor" meaning gate in German, the word was taken to rename the street in 1994, a few years after the reunison of East and West Germany.

Our direct neighbor on the other corner of Christinenstr is called Grober Unfug, just the name (roughly meaning tomfoolery) causes a sympathy outburst. In addition, they're a funny bunch as well as an established member of the Berlin comic book scene. Experts young and old will find their treat, the selection of titles is enormous. Amateurs or curious cats can browse for a nice gift, supported by the competent personnel.

I plead guilty as charged: addiction to brioches and similar thingies from Zeit für Brot. Since two locations are in dangerous vicinity of us, in Alte Schönhauser Str and Weinbergsweg, my breakfast consists of these irresistible creatures multiple times per week. With a bit of luck, you may receive some warm pieces straight from the oven as an early bird reward, alongside other bakery products.

Probably once per week I have lunch at Ryong, a vegan restaurant with Vietnamese-Japanese cuisine located about 50 meters away from us towards Schönhauser Allee. Whether we're talking tasty appetizers, vegan burgers, warming Phos or all-round Bentos — everything is delicious for me, and also others I sent this way. Great recommendation for those who seek intense flavors, especially, but not only, for vegans.

My favs: Sweet Babe + Ryong Bento for the hungry hearts or the Late Summer Burger.

The Weinerei in Veteranenstr 17 is our go-to winery for our events, they have always reliably provided us with Pinot Gris & others. They offer a wide variety of great wines and liquors and also many wines from their own organic vineyard Simon Stumpf.

The Weinerei Forum on the corner of Fehrbelliner Str and Veteranenstr is, so to speak, Weinerei's "field office". Stylewise a relaxed counterpart to hip coffee bars, during daytime the laid-back cafe offers daily changing lunch menu as well as homemade cakes. Starting late afternoon, the wine bar takes stage and you can taste many wines from the Weinerei as well — always well attended.

There's no way around recommending even 3 ice cream parlors as leaving one out would be a Süße Sünde (sweet sin), the first establishment on Weinbergsweg. Their pistacchio with pumpkin seed oil is a superb but rare kind that I always look for, best in combination with Mango.

50 bee-line meters away from OBLIK, on Linienstr, you will find one of two Canal branches. Next to fantastic ice cream they also offer Eclairs — all homemade.

At Cuore di Vetro in Max-Beer-Str consider it mandatory to have a portion of Dolce Far Niente with your ice cream break. This Italian place serves homemade, organic gelato and while you wait in line you can peek into the open kitchen and observe the production.

Find many more great ice cream places on Dinah Kübeck's fantastic ice cream map.

If you haven't met Ulla and John from Bintus Vintage, put it on your Berlin bucket list. Not only will you find unique fashion pieces, the two are some themselves. On top you'll receive some free style advice and entertainment. John definitely receives my vote for the coolest cat on Torstr.

The area around Tor-, Linien and Auguststr is the home of many interesting and inspiring galleries. The small but charming gallery aquabitArt celebrated its 12th year recently. Curated by Irina Ilieva it stands out by its variable program focusing on artists who engage with the interactive play between architecture and art.