Berlin it is a truly unique city that has the charm and vitality of the capital even without having all its characteristics. There is no center in Berlin, there is no main square, in Berlin there are few monuments and many have recent dates. Berlin is made of modern art and design but also of memories that are difficult to erase and parts of the city that are very poor.
What is certainly not lacking in Berlin are the cocktail and cheap meals. Certainly you don't have to look for them in shopping malls or in the more touristy areas, but neither go to the suburbs, just enter the small cafes or bars of the Mitte, with some care for the "chain" ones.
My advice is Salon Schmuck (pictured), a small bar that also serves hot dishes in the neighborhood of Ostbahnhof, not far from the East side gallery, the kilometer and a half of the wall still standing so to speak. Unfortunately, the place does not have a website and I have not marked the way, so for those who will go there, you just have to look. Here I ate a delicious plate of chili con carne, a cocktail with banana, lemon and gyn and a carrot cake, all for the price of 8 euros, unbelievable.
In Mitte instead I dined in a place a little more "in" al Basi'l. For sure the place is less characteristic but the excellent cocktails and the modern design environment is a must see, if only for an aperitif as many dishes offer "pasta". Here I tried an exquisite dessert with kiwi and panna cotta and a raspberry mojito, excellent.
In Berlin wherever you go to eat you will always find great places at affordable prices.
