Prenzlauer Berg’s Eberswalder Straße: Kitsch, Brunch & Vintage‎

The would-be mantra for any Prenzlauer Berg citizen in über-trendy Berlin, most residents and indeed whole households or Berlin apartments will abide by the following concepts; kitsch, brunch and vintage.

The area surrounding the Eberswalder Straße U-Bahn in central Prenzlauer Berg is where to get off for the most excellent vintage shopping in Berlin, the kitschy nightspots and hangouts, or indeed a good weekender brunch. If this sounds like your cup of Earl Grey tea, read on for the definitive guide.

Let’s start with the shopping. Along Danziger Strasse have a look for Queen B or Danz Schuh. Danz Schuh is part of the VEB vintage clothing group, with a selection of shoes and coats. Other VEB stores in the proximity are VEB Orange (Oderberger Strasse) with funky posters, homewares and knick-knacks or the fabulous Dress Faktor with its retro dresses, vintage shoes, boots, stockings etc.

There are two very fine vintage stores on Eberswalder Straße, just a minute from the U-Bahn. One has retro furnishings and accessories in very good condition (with a corresponding pricetag), the other with shoes, boots and some vintage wear shelved practically floor-to-ceiling. Although these are not places to find a bargain, the merchandise is all great quality and the selection unbeatable.

For sunglasses-fanatics, further along the street at number 34, OptiKing is vintage sunglasses heaven.

After finding one or two staple vintage pieces, you may want to stop and brunch. A personal favourite can be found just up the street, on the corner of Pappelallee and Gneisstrasse. Café Eckstein is the stout building with picnic benches at the front, which makes a nice spot in the summer but watch out for the wasps! The menu has various brunch platters, all reasonably priced and the staff are very helpful. On a Saturday, Café Eckstein goes one step further with a buffet brunch offering, practically everything you could think of, from cheeses and cold meats, salads, sausage, eggs, to pancakes, fruit and all the toppings. Make sure you come hungry for this one.

For a typically trashy-trendy brunch venue, try An einem Sonntag (Kastanienallee 103), for a grungy indie style café with an inexpensive brunch until noon and a laid-back feel.

Another recommendation for Berlin brunch is Nosh, a trendy counterpart on Pappelallee 77, with a continental brunch buffet line-up on Sundays. Or if you’re just after a snack on the go, call into Sowohlalsauch Bakery on Kollwitzstrasse 88 and choose from its pretzels, croissants and sandwiches.

Rounding up with kitsch in the Prenzlauer Berg area, homage must be paid to the Kulturbrauerei, just off Schönehauserallee, with its mix of shopping, café culture and locals in an old brewery setting.

Another key hangout in this part of Prenzlauer Berg is Berlin’s famous Dr. Pong, a ping-pong hall and bar on Eberswalder Straße 21. As much a Berlin institution as Currywürst, when this venue fills up at around midnight the action turns into killer ping-pong, with as many as 30 players, a smoky, beer-fuelled ambience and loads of fun with the Prenzlauer Berg locals.

Other kitsch bar recommendations in the area include The Doors bar and Romeo bar.