Lunching in Berlin // Cafe Niesen

The other week my boyfriend and i decided to head out for a coffee and maybe some lunch,

if we saw anything we fancied...

We are home bodies, 

[you could also suggest we are a little lazy]

and very much prefer staying in and around the area we live.

Luckily for us, we have a range of cafes close by,

and luckily for us, two are a minute's walk away!

We strolled around the corner [literally]

to Cafe Niesen, which means sneeze in German, cuuuute!

Located right on the corner of Korsörer Straße,

[where we lived for a few months fact fans]

and Schwedter Straße, 

with a view of the TV tower and a few minutes walk from Mauerpark,

this corner cafe is always packed on a sunny day.

Very popular with locals, 

and anyone wandering past.

You know somewhere is good when every table is full!

The interior is gorgeous.

They have boardgames on a shelf,

magazines and newspapers.

The perfect location to make yourself comfortable for a few hours.

This cafe is a 'self serve' place.

Which, in Berlin, just means you decide what you want and order from the counter,

rather than waiting to get served at the table.

Your drinks and food are brought to you, 

and you can pay either before you eat or when you're ready to leave.

We opted for chai lattes and they came with a real chai blend in a bag,

i left it to brew for a while, 

i loooove me a good chai latte 

and i've never had one come with the spices before,

so it was a luxurious treat!

As we were only out for a light lunch we opted for a slice of quiche each,

one vegetarian without salad,

and one meaty with.

Both quiches came fresh out of the oven, 

toasty and warm.

The veggie quiche was olive and mushroom,

a combination i've never had before,

and my oh my was it delicious!

The meat had leeks and chunks of speck [chunky bacon]

and was equally as tasty.

There was just one guy in the kitchen,

making everything fresh and on the day which is pretty standard here.

They had a case FULL of home made cakes,

about five varieties,

and lots of other options for lunch at extremely good prices.

They even have a 'house drink',

Niesonade,

which is fresh lemon and elderflower syrup,

sounds good!!

As my Kiez [neighbourhood] is quite suburban 

and a popular area for families,

there are always kids outside the cafe,

making their own entertainment while they wait for their parents

to finish their lattes.

[and NOT on smart phones or ipads]

We're often greeted with cute street art such as this!!

Adorable!

If you fancy a day out, 

i whole heartedly recommend you make your way down to Cafe Niesen,

stop for a bit of lunch and a refreshing drink,

then walk on through to Mauerpark.

It's especially beautiful in the autumn,

the leaves are falling and are especially golden this year!

>.<

Food in Berlin // Maria Bonita

Ok, summer is officially over.

Yaaay!

I have to be honest, 

autumn and winter are my favourite seasons.

I love layering, 

i love being able to wear a hat,

gloves, scarf etc.

Pumpkins, hot soup, stew.

Not to mention the C word...

*whispers*

christmas.

That being said, one of my favourite things to do in summer...

eat!

I know in the heat it's sometimes difficult to find an appetite,

but when you have the best mexican place down the street

you find some room in your belly!!

Guys, if ever you are in Berlin and the weather is decent,

visit Maria Bonita.

It's on Danziger Str 33, 

just down the street from the Eberswalder U junction,

and their food is crazy good.

Everything is made fresh, on the day, to order.

The place is tiny, you walk in, there's the counter.

They cook everything in the front, 

you can watch if you want...

if that's your thing!

Not much room to eat inside, 

just a window seat,

which is why i suggest visiting on a warm day.

Plenty of seats outside.

I wholeheartedly recommend the fish tacos.

They're a special,

so won't always be there,

but hell,

they are so delicious. 

Tasty spicy salsas.

The guacamole that comes on the side of the plate is to die for.

I didn't like guac until i tried it here.

Now i am a master and make it all the time!

Try the quesadilla.

Gorgeous!

This was the chicken. There is also beef or a veggie option.

For €6 or €7, it is a serious bargain.

Little tacos alambre, beef and cheese.

We now make a version of these at home.

€5,50.

I know it doesn't look a lot,

but these 3 mini pockets of yum are so filling.

I guarantee satisfaction!!

Those heavenly fish tacos.

The batter is so light, the fish not fishy, 

weirdly, they aren't greasy at all.

There aren't a great many mexican places i've come across,

which is strange to me,

because mexican food is always so fresh, flavoursome, and [kind of] healthy.

I feel like there should be so many more Mexican places!!!

Come to Berlin, 

stay in Prenzlauerberg, 

and come eat at Maria Bonitas.

They sell the most delicious margarita slushys.

For ten euros you can get a meal and margarita.

You can't say fairer than that!!

I love this place.

I want you to love it too.