Updated for 2010 – Whether or not Paris lives up to its image of romanticism could be argued at length, but the atmosphere certainly is among the best in the world. The city needs no introduction – here are our picks for shopping, eating, drinking and acccomodation.

 
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L’Eclaireur rue Herold | The store which on its own is already a reason to visit Paris. An avant-garde boutique with a world wide influence, the original Place Des Victoires store is the most secluded of all L’eclaireur locations scattered around  the city.  The large unmarked door on rue Herold leads into a dark corridor and on towards a space slightly resembling an old inner courtyard. The interior itself is amazing, and so are most of the designers stocked here ranging from long time affiliates such as Carol Christian Poell to relatively new designers like Boris Bidjan Saberi. 10 rue Herold.

L’Eclaireur rue Malher | While the exterior actually has a visible sign, the interior might be confusing at first.
The first room is filled with Diptyque candles and has two large glass walls leading into the second room. Here, you’ll find the likes of Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens, Yohan Serfaty and Balenciaga among many others. 12 rue Malher.

Damir Doma | In march 2009, Damir Doma finally compensated for a minimal presence in his home town by opening a flagship boutique in Le Marais. The boutiqe houses a fair selection of his collection, as well as the label’s offices in the back. 6 rue des Arquebusiers.

Rick Owens Palais Royal | Until recently the only Rick
Owens store in the world, the original flagship is a brainchild of the eccentric designer located in the beautiful Palais Royal. Equipped with a life sized wax figure of the man himself, the store has all the ranges from Mr. Owens for men and women and is well worth a visit. Stock, however, varies a lot, so don’t expect to find every piece from the current collection. 130-133 Galerie de Valois.

Colette | While Colette has traditionally been hailed as the forerunner of all concept boutiques, other will say that it has seen its best days. Either way, here you will find a gallery of high profile designer garments, street wear, books, art and gadgets all under one roof. 213 rue Saint-Honoré.

Maria Luisa | Sadly the mens wear extension of this classic boutique has been closed, but Maria Luisa Femme still operates under a single location, housing designers such as Ann Demeulemeester, Haider Ackermann, Jil Sander and many other notable names. 7 rue Rouget de L’Isle.

Le Bon Marche | Out of the few large department stores, Le Bon Marche is the one most worthy of a visit. Their women’s section in particular is quite impressive with reasonably sized selections from Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens and Martin Margiela. Unfortunately the men’s department is not nearly up to par with the selections from the likes of Stephan Schneider and The Viridi-Anne being very limited. 24 Rue de Sèvres.

Les Archives de la Presse | For any fans of old literature, this place is a must. Vintage magazine editions from decades ago, old newspapers, retro posters and other neat stuff. 51 rue des Archives. lesarchivesdelapresse.com

Yohji Yamamoto | After making way for a dedicated Y-3 boutique on the Etienne Marcle location, Yamamoto’s other lines have found a new home on Rue du Louvre around the corner. Most Yohji fans will be quite happy that the two worlds are no longer mixed in one space. 25 rue du Louvre.

BLESS | The other main storefront of the quirky German label. As their Berlin location, the Paris boutique also carries a moderate selection of their peculiar clothing and accessories. 14 rue de Portefoin.

Martin Margiela | While the label isn’t in the hands of the man himself, the Paris store follows the traditional Margiela style with an all white interior and a secluded location. The store carries all the MMM lines and even though the label can be found in several other shops in Paris, their own stores tend to a carry a better selection, particularly accessories. 23 rue de Montpensier.

 
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Le 404 | located in the 3éme, this secluded Moroccan restaurant offers authentic cuisine in a dimly lit setting. The dining area is fairly small but cozy. Two settings a night, reservation is advised. 69 rue Des Gravilliers.

Andy Wahloo | Small and intimate bar jointly located with Le 404 restaurant. Good vibe and friendly people, the inner courtyard joining the two places is a great place to sit and hang.

Tokyo Eats | Situated in Palais De Tokyo, this place is quite popular among the hip art crowd. The mixed cuisine food is nice and thanks to the rather large space it occupies, getting a table is fairly easy without a reservation. Go here before or after roaming through the gallery. 13 avenue du Président Wilson.

Le Baron | It’s always a scene at this small club frequented by the hip and the beautiful. After waiting a while to get in you might notice that the door policy and line is more of a status symbol, but the place can almost guarantee a good night out. 6 avenue Marceau.

Pop In | A small, somewhat hole-in-the-wall spot with a focus on a variety of rock, folk and indie music, including live performances multiple times a week.  105 rue Amelot.

Pied de Cochon | They’ve stayed true to their name at this 24h cult spot; probably all the plates have pork in some form. The place has stayed continuously open in the Les Halles location since the opening in 1947, attracting many celebrities along the way. Perfect stop after a long night out. 536 rue Duluth est.

 
 
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Palais De Tokyo | The Quai De Tokyo building was built in 1937 to house a modern art museum, it served similar purposes all the way until 1999, when it was turned into a contemporary art “project”. The centre houses a large museum space with ever changing quirky exhibitions, a good restaurant, a small boutique with random displays of art, toys and clothing; and a book store with a good selection of publications ranging from graffiti to architecture to fashion magazines. Open from noon to midnight, the Palais is a great stop any time of the day, but especially at night. 13 avenue du Président Wilson. palaisdetokyo.com

Grande Arche de la Défense | While the surrounding business district might not be the most exciting thing to see, the Grande Arche is worth a look if you have an extra hour or two. The gigantic landmark is interestingly built and offers great views down towards Champs Elysées. 

Tour De Eiffel | As much of a tourist trap as it is, the tower is still a magnificent piece of architecture and offers an exceptional view. If you have the time and are willing to stand in line for a bit, take the elevator ride early in the evening to catch both the sunset and the night time view of the city.

Other | Paris is filled with exquisite buildings, art galleries, sights, churches, museums, parks and other things to see, which is why we wont even try to attempt to list them. Pick up a travel guide for the essentials, we recommend the Time Out Shortlist.

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Hotel Recamier | A small and recently renovated hotel literally steps away from Saint Sulpice. Quiet and discreet location, classically stylish rooms, great service. You can’t ask for more. 6 place Saint Sulpice.

Le Relais Saint-Honoré | If you’ve walked around the area, chances are you’ve spotted the charming facade of this small, cozy and perfectly located hotel. Rooms are tiny but if you can live with that, its the perfect spot. 308 rue Saint-Honoré. sainthonore.free.fr

Apartment Rentals | A very useful option in addition to hotels, Paris is filled with rental apartments for both shorter and longer stays. In addition to privacy and a more homey stay, apartments can be often situated in areas that don’t have a good selection of hotels. Check out Feel Paris and Paris Attitude for listings.

There is so much written about New York that it’s hard to write a proper introduction. The capital of the world, the city that never sleeps, the big apple – you’ve heard it all. Perhaps the most attractive and repulsive, and I am not talking physics here, New York’s feature is its relentless energy. Sometimes it feels amazing, sometimes unbearable. This guide will help you navigate this sprawling metropolitan, so you can avoid the usual tourist crowds and get the best of New York.
 

shop.

Atelier
This menswear boutique represents the best that contemporary high-end menswear has to offer. The carefully edited, monochromatic merchandise ranges from the well-respected Yohji Yamamoto and Ann Demeulemeester to newcomers Julius and Damir Doma. Another part of the shop is dedicated to artisanal brands like Carol Christian Poell and Maurizio Amadei. If you want a truly unique addition to your wardrobe – this is the place.
304 Hudson St
   

Barney’s New York
This infamous department store has been styling on all other department stores since 1923. The store’s menswear buy has been criticized in the past couple of seasons, but with designers like Rick Owens and Ann Demeulemeester in the selection, it has remained a fashionista favourite.
660 Madison Ave

IF
This SoHo stalwart hails from the days before the neighborhood was turned into another suburban mall. It’s been in business for over 25 years and it still attract loyal clientele of artists, architects, and people who love interesting fashion, and their adventureous buy reflects that. The store carries clothings, shoes and accessories for men and women from Comme Des Garcons, Junya Watanabe, Y’s, Dries van Noten, and Paul Harnden. Oh, and did we mention they were the first store to bring Margiela to New York?
94 Grand St

Comme des Garcons
The New York flagship of the venerable Rei Kawakubo carries everything from the CDG universe – including Junya Watanabe and Tao. The beautiful white curvilinear space that looks like props from Kubrick’s 21: Space Odyssey was actually entirely made in Japan by Future Systems and assembled on site in New York.
520 W 22nd St

Odin
Portraying a slightly more classic style of menswear boutiques, Odin has two main locations in Soho and East Village. The clothing matches the refined style of the store, featuring such labels as Band of Outsiders and Obedient Sons along with designers Robert Geller and Richard Chai.
199 Lafayette St
328 E 11th St

Seven
Loved by many and hated by some, this hipster favourite has been around for some time. The shop boasts a slightly awkward mixture of designers ranging from the likes of Bernhard Willhelm and Castelbajac to Raf Simons, Gareth Pugh and Damir Doma. Other highlights include Bless and Juun J. Odd or not, its always worth a look.
110 Mercer St

Amalga
This relatively new, small boutique on Wooster Street stocks a peculiar mix of Japanese labels such as Volga Volga, Kiminori Morishita and LGB alongside European and American designers such as Michel Berandi. The dimly lit space is also worth a look.
114 Wooster St

Rick Owens
New York ended up being the second flagship location for LA-grown and now Paris based designer Rick Owens. The store features a full line up of everything Owens – from the buttery leatherwear he has become known for, to sheer t-shirts, drapey cardigans and his daring sneakers. The tall space is entirely white putting an emphasis on the muted palette of the clothing.
250 Hudson St

Martin Margiela
Much like in his other stores, the floors, walls, furniture and décor pieces are all white in the Margiela New York boutique. Also similarly to some of the other shops worldwide, the location is slightly off the path, but the trip is worth especially for fans of the Belgian designer.
803 Greenwich St

Butter by Eva Gentry
Having been around for a decade, Eva and Gentry Dayton’s Brooklyn based boutiqe carries one of the nicest selection of exclusive labels for women. Ranging from designers like Ann Demeulemeester and Rick Owens to leather goods by Guidi and Maurizio Amadei, the selection is a joy to look at and also caters to men in the form of accessories.
389 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn

food.

Shorty’s.32
What happens when a chef goes from working 12 years with Jean-Georges Vongerichten to opening a neighbourhood bistro? Josh Eden gave it a go and with great success – his Soho restaurant Shorty’s .32 is modest, friendly and welcoming. The food is fantastic with classic Americana cuisine that balances well between comfort food and gourmet.
199 Prince St
 

Café Ino
It might be slightly off the path, but Ino is definately worth the walk. Excellent sandwiches, desserts and drinks paired with a great, tightly packed atmosphere make this one of the best breakfast, lunch and snack spots in the city.
21 Bedford St
 

The Little Owl
This small corner bistro in Greenwich captures the essence of neighbourhood dining. The excellent plates mix Mediterranean influences and classic American food, appetizers are tasty and the specials offer interesting variety. The small space provides a warm atmosphere but also means that a reservation comes in handy. Calling earlier in the day might get you lucky with a cancellation, though.
90 Bedford St
 

Delicatessen
The name can be easily mixed with a dozen sandwich shops, but the all-window wall and lit-up interior set Delicatessen apart from the surroundings. Food might not be the fanciest in town, but it’s certainly good and the somewhat pseudo-trendy atmosphere can be enjoyable and entertaining especially later in the evening. Try the cheese burger spring rolls.
4 Prince St
 

Angel’s Share
The fact that this lounge/bar is well hidden inside a Japanese restaurant already hints of the secluded atmosphere. Described as elegant and unique, this East Village spot offers a very intimate and cozy vibe and a nice selection of drinks and snacks.
8 Stuyvesant St, 2F
  

Yakitori Taisho
For a slightly different dining experience, head to Yakitori Taisho. This hole-in-the-wall Japanese grill is one of many restaurants located on the somewhat raunchy St. Marks Place. Here, next to various tattoo shops and other alternative retailers, you’ll find groups of Japanese teenagers lining up for tables in the evening. The reason is simple – food is reasonably priced and good, and the atmosphere lively to say the least.
5 St. Marks Place
 

WD-50
some might say that WD-50 has seen it’s best days, but Wiley Dufresne still excites with unusual and tasty dishes of experimental gourmet. Playful and interesting – think peanut butter pasta and eggs Benedict – on a dinner menu.
50 Clinton St

stay.

Soho Grand
Everything about the Soho Grand feels old school New York, from the moody lobby with a heavy steel staircase to the dimly lit elevators – all very Gotham City in a charming kind of way. With a great location in the heart of Soho, the only downside can be the price during peak times.
310 W. Broadway

Hotel on Rivington
Don’t let the fact that this is one of the “hip” places to stay turn you away, because the Hotel on Rivington has been praised for a reason. With a modern, even slightly futuristic façade, the rooms are equally impressive with sharp décor and fantastic views of the city skyline through the massive windows and the balconies.
107 Rivington St

UrbanLiving Apartments
Lets face it – hotel prices in New York City are what they are and chances of finding a very good accommodation for cheap is quite unlikely. Renting an apartment can be significantly cheaper and you will most likely end up with much more space then in a small hotel room. The great number of short term rental apartments in the city gives a good opportunity to find an alternative to expensive hotels.
www.new-york-apartment.com

further reading.

TimeOut Shortlist New York – a compact guide book that is up to date and trendy, in a good way.
superfuture :: supertravel – comprehensive shopping listings
ontheinside – a guide to the city by locals

This past winter, a group of 7 of us left Pattaya, Thailand in two SUVs to drive through Thailand and into Laos. First stop: Vientiane, the capital of Laos. It took about 12 hours to get to the Lao border and about 4 hours just to get through all the goddamn red tape at the immigration center (particularly because we were bringing Thai vehicles in). Vientiane is as sleepy as a country’s capital can get. With a population of only 200,000 people, it is unlike any other Asian capital I’ve ever been to. The most common activity is drinking Beerlao (the undisputed national beverage) along the banks of the Mekong, where locals have built decks housing restaurants & bars stretching as far as the eye can see. A one liter bottle of Beerlao is $1 (US) at virtually every establishment in the country. We spent three days there visiting temples, markets, hanging out with other travelers, riding bicycles around the city and drinking heavily.

From there it was on to Vang Vieng, a haven for young, drug-seeking backpackers. Situated along the Nam Seung river, surrounded by massive rock karsts and dense jungle, Vang Vieng is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise: the most popular activity here being floating down the river in a rented inner-tube wasted out of your fucking mind. The riverside is littered with dozens of bars offering mushroom milkshakes, weed sprinkled French fries, and of course, lots of Beerlao. The bars blare music at ungodly levels and wave furiously upon your approach in hopes of enticing you to choose their establishment over the next. Please note that these bars ONLY play the following music: Bob Marley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, CCR, and more Bob Marley….that’s it. Whilst floating away,
trusty Beerlao in hand, and “Fortunate Son” blaring across the water, one can’t help but feel like they’re in a scene from Apocalypse Now. After enjoying the river from sun-up to sun-down, we hit up the bars and restaurants in town.

“Whilst floating away, trusty Beerlao in hand, and “Fortunate Son” blaring across the water, one can’t help but feel like they’re in a scene from Apocalypse Now.”

The Plain of Jars is located in the tiny town of Phonsavan (still happens to be one of the largest in Laos) and contains hundreds of stone relics that, to this day, no one has any fucking clue about. Some say they were for burial, some say food storage, some say they were commissioned by the King as a monument to himself. Phonsavan is approximately a 6-hour drive from Vang Vieng along treacherous mountain roads. There are only
two highways in Laos, and they are only two lanes wide. Because of the poor roads and continual elevation change, a 50 mile trip can easily take over two hours. Phonsavan is a sleepy place and there really isn’t much to see except jars… It is, however, a harrowing reminder of a dark period in world history: Phonsavan was one of the key target areas of US bombing during the Vietnam War. Tourists are advised not to veer from designated trails if exploring the surrounding countryside due to the strong presence of UXO (mines, cluster bombs, etc).

 
The last stop was definitely the most popular destination in Laos. Luang Prabang is several hundred kilometers north of Vientiane and has an entirely different vibe than any other place in Laos. It is the old capital, and certainly the current cultural capital. Littered with beautiful French colonial mansions (Laos was a French colony at one point), and even more beautiful French food, Luang Prabang is as scenic and unique as a town can get. It is surrounded by two rivers and is bustling with art galleries, traditional craft dealers, trendy bookshops, cafes, upscale hotels and monks…..lots of monks. There were dozens of amazing restaurants here, which, coupled with an average meal price of $3, made eating an unnecessary amount of food a common occurrence.

Unfortunately, for this Southeast Asian travel story, all of the prostitutes, lady-boys and ping-pong shows stayed back over the border in Thailand. The sex trade in Laos is non-existent, crime is virtually non-existent, and the people are as laid back as anywhere you’ll find in the world. The country is growing very slowly, but that isn’t stopping tourism. In Luang Prabang, the amount of tourists outweighed the local population by a staggering amount, and I can see why. Laos is worth the visit.

by Marc J.

If, in 2008, you still think of Antwerp as a provincial city that has nothing to offer a stylish cosmopolitan, then you are missing out on an incredible shopping experience. So, get out from under your rock and buy a ticket to the coolest Flemish city in Belgium. Ever since the Antwerp Six became a sensation in the eighties, the city has turned heads of the fashion cognoscenti time and time again. Its Royal Academy of Arts cranks out fashion talent at the speed of light, and a lot of the graduates tend to settle in Antwerp. With that come unique shopping choices and plentiful stock of cutting edge fashion design. The stores are often housed in stunning historic buildings that would not be affordable in Paris or New York. Because Antwerp is small, these stores are all within walking distance of each other. Ask yourself – what other European or American city has an Ann Demeulemeester boutique? A dedicated Veronique Branquinho shop? How about the biggest Yohji Yamamoto store in the world? Convinced?
 

 
Ann Demeulemeester | Leopold de Waelplats 2000
The shop occupies a beautiful 19th Century building across from the Antwerp’s Museum of Fine Arts. Its two huge lofty stories contain both mens and womens collection, accessories, footwear, and the recently launched fine jewelry collection. The walls are wrapped in white canvas, and all the furniture is white, creating an airy and liberating feeling. Needless to say, this is the biggest stocklist of Ann’s clothes in the world. Oh, and one can live in those huge, comfortable changing rooms – other stores, take note.
 

Yohji Yamamoto | Nationalestraat 32
One block away from the Dries van Noten boutique stands the biggest Yohji Yamamoto shop in the world. Undoubtedly, opening such a store is a sign of respect for Antwerp as a fashion city on Yamamoto’s part. The 10,300 square feet shop occupies the entire first floor of MOMU, Antwerp’s fashion museum. The way the merchandise is respectfully displayed in the huge white space – each garment gets a good yard of room – makes it seem museum worthy too. The boutique carries a full range of Yamamoto’s products for both sexes – the main line, Y’s, the Red Label, and his collaborations with Mandarina Duck (luggage) and Mikimoto (fine pearl jewelry). Oh, and it’s the only Yamamoto store that carries his daughter’s brand, Limi Feu. Don’t want to drop a ton of cash but get something special? Buy the Yohji Yamamoto book, Talking to Myself – you can’t get it anywhere else.
 

Sien | Nationalestraat 91
This store is the most recent addition to the Antwerp shopping scene. The exposed brick walls frame racks of clothes by Hussein Chalayan, Givency, Boudicca, and the rapidly rising Danish designer, Ann Hagen. Of course, local talent is represented as well – Bruno Pieters and Christian Wijnants get prime real estate space. The clothes are arranged by color rather than by designer in hope that you will forego looking at designer name tags first. Womens only.
 

Louis | Lombardenvest 2
An Antwerp institution, Louis was the first store in Belgium that started carrying the work of local talent. Today, the boutique carries a sizable collection of Martin Margiela, and a few things by A.F. Vandevorst and Ann Demeulemeester. In addition to traditional Antwerp fare, the shop also stocks Rick Owens, Balenciaga, and Lanvin for both sexes.
 

 
Walter | St.Antoniussttraat 12
This store is named after its owner and one of the Antwerp Six, Walter van Beirendonck. The just like Walter’s designs, the store screams Camp. A garage door leads into a huge open space with corners dedicated Walter’s own line and to work by other Belgian designers like Bruno Pieters, Dirk van Saene, and Christian Wijnants. Garments by international talent like the German design duo Bless, and an Italian duo Jan & Carlos can be found as well.
 

Dries van Noten | Nationalestraat 16
Het Modepaleis, as the store is called, is Dries van Noten’s first baby. It is housed in a stunning 19th Century red brick building (I told you!). The contents of the store would make any dandy (and his girlfriend) proud. The first floor is occupied by womenswear, but the second floor is turned into a residence of a modern Oscar Wilde. It is broken down in several split level rooms full of suits, shirts, and separates. An entire room dedicated to products by Geo Trumper, the venerable English groomer, adds that special homey touch.
 

 
Stephan Schneider | Reynderstraat 53
This is the only Stephan Schneider boutique in the world, and therefore has the biggest selection of the quirky basics that this second generation Belgian designer puts out. If you are looking for a more youthful Martin Margiela, this may be it.
 

Houben | Maria Theresialei 17-19
This boutique is situated at the edge of Stadspark. It has two rooms – one with collections by Raf Simons, Yohji Yamamoto, Undercover, and Azeddine Alaia, among others. The second room is dedicated to the Comme des Garcons family. The service is very friendly and Henry Houben is passionate about what he does. After all, he was the first to introduce the Japanese designers to Antwerp in the 80’s.
  

 
Elsa | Nationalestraat 147
The owner of Elsa cut her teeth in fashion designing shoes for Dries van Noten and Margiela. A few years ago she decided to go on her own and opened her little shoe and accessory boutique. In addition to her own collection, the store carries Fiorentini + Baker, Christian Peau, and Hussein Chalayan.
 
 

Labels Inc. | Aalmoezenierstraat 4
What shopping guide is complete without a good consignment store? Labels Inc. is the best Antwerp has to offer, and it’s right off Nationalestraat, so you don’t have to wander far. There is an excellent selection of vintage pieces from Ann Demeulemeester, Dries van Noten, and others. Go in the beginning of the season for best selection.

By Eugene Rabkin

The rugged-but-beautiful vibe of the city is one of the reasons Berlin ranks among our favorite places in Europe. The contrast between worn out DDR-era apartment buildings, graffiti covered walls and 18th century houses describes the city accordingly. Once filled with political tension, The Zeitgeist Metropolis has become one of the most creative and lively capitals in the world.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Berlin is that its not all very pretty. Many of the old-new buildings are in rough shape; dreadful looking apartment building from the 70’s covered in tags and satellite dishes sit among 150-year-old pillared mansions and glass covered office buildings. Even the landmark TV tower looks kind of ugly, a meatball stuck at the end of a stick. Despite all that, Berlin more than certainly has its own odd and distinquishable harmony which has drawn in creative people and businesses.

The central city is built up from several neighborhoods, Mitte being the old city center and home to many restaurants and boutiques. Charlottenburg is partly a posh area with many designer flagships, banks, upscale hotels and residential areas. Kreuzberg, historically a more scabby neighborhood, is nowadays a multicultural area full of life. several other neighborhoods provide different atmospheres and areas for browsing. if you’re in Berlin for shopping and food, Mitte is your spot. the area between Rosenthaler Platz and Alexanderplatz is packed with great shops and lovely small restaurants. Getting around town using the U-bahn and S-bahn is very convenient, taxis are available but rarely needed.

shop.

Darkland
this well hidden guerilla store carries some of the most exclusive japanese and european labels ranging from julius and the viridi-anne to carol christian poell, damir doma and boris bidjan saberi. Excellent selection of garments along with footwear, accessories and leather goods. steinstrasse 5. http://www.darklandsberlin.com

Quartier 206
this upscale department store near stadmitte carries high fashion for men and women ranging from prada to dries van noten. but surprisingly, they also carry some slightly harder to find japanese labels such as the viridi-anne and attachment which make the store worth a check. friedrichstrasse 76.

The Corner
a staple in berlin, this large, posh boutique is home to many exclusive brands ranging from lanvin and balenciaga to rick owens. In addition to mens and womens wear, corner carries an interesting selection jewelry, magazines and books. franzoesische strasse 40. www.thecornerberlin.de

Ulf Haines
a small, uber modern looking boutique carrying hard to find brands such as label under construction and kiminori morishita along with designers like ann demeulemeester and stephan schneider. rosa-luxemburg-strasse 9. www.ulfhaines.com.

Apartment
this store might seem stranded as the ground level is an enormous, white empty hall with only a small staircase. don’t be fooled though, below the floor you’ll find a varying selection of clothing from raf simons, rick owens and undercover among others. memhardtstrasse 8. www.apartmentberlin.de

Cash
run by apartment, this outlet store just around the corner carries what they call 2nd hand and 2nd season clothing. occasional good finds. www.apartmentberlin.de

Firmament
streetwear extraordinnaire. hidden in an off the path apartment building is one of the worldwide staples in the market of premium streetwear with a well picked selection ranging from visvim to supreme. schröderstrasse 8. www.am-firmament.com

Andreas Murkudis
a very interesting small shop hidden inside a courtyard, carrying martin margiela, raf simons, Y’s yohji yamamoto along with guidi boots and other goods. the store next door is womens wear. münzstrasse 21. www.andreasmurkudis.net

Best Shop
concept store with local and european designers and collections rotating every 2 months. regular brands include such as henrik vibskov. alte schönhauser strasse 6. www.bestshop-berlin.de

Woodwood
The store run by the danish label also carries a wild selection of other brands ranging from polo ralph lauren to bernhard willhelm. yes, you read correctly. they also have vintage novelty items, comme des garcons perfumes and various other goods. rochstrasse 4. www.woodwood.dk

Harvey’s
small, classic boutique with an unusual selection of japanese and european designers. rare carpe diem pieces, yohji yamamoto, martin margiela and others. too bad the store is literally stacked to the roof and challenging to browse! kurfürstendamm 56. www.harveys-berlin.de

Bless
next to APC, this home of the german design team is filled with their conceptual clothing and wacky accessories and goods. always fun to check out. mulackstrasse 38. www.bless-service.de

Lil Store
the original comme des garcons guerilla store, now simply a store carrying a variety of cdg goodies including junya watanabe. brunnenstrasse 184. www.lil-shop.com

eat.

Leo Bettini
while this adorable little café lacks meats on the menu, it should suit even the most obstinate of meateaters. the good pasta and salads come second to the amazing knödels – big potato dough meatballs sans meat, but with tomato and mozzarella, mushrooms and other wonderful ingredients. you’ll be coming back for these.
Mulackstraße 33. www.leobettini.de

Susuru
delicious noodles in a hip and lively atmosphere. the name means slurping for a reason. try the chicken curry!
rosa luxemburg strasse 17. www.susuru.de

Kuchi
a good japanese spot in mitte with an extensive menu of sushi and other goodies. gipstrasse 3.

Atame
great tapas food in a cozy, dimly lit setting. pick many dishes, eat outside on a warm day and watch the trains go by. www.atame-tapasbar.de

Eve and Adam’s
organic salads and smoothies made from fresh ingredients, great pit stop in mitte. rosa luxemburg strasse 24.

drink.

CSA bar
located inside an old Czech Airlines office, this bar/lounge has a very unique interior and a neat atmosphere. karl marx allee 96. www.csa-bar.de

40 seconds
this restaurant and club has one of the best views of the city, the outside terraces don’t hurt either! potsdamer strasse 58. www.40seconds.de

Weekend
if clubbing, as in clubbing, is your thing, then this could be the place for you. two separate floors plus a roof terrace. alexanderplatz 5. www.week-end-berlin.de

White Trash Fastfood
trashy burger dive slash bar slash tattoo shop? exotic to say the least, the no. 1 hipster hangout in town.
schoenhauser allee 6-7. www.whitetrashfastfood.com

for more drinking and clubbing, check out some of the links at the end.

see.

Walking around Mitte gives a good view of Berlin, take the s-bahn to Charlottenburg for some contrast. The view from the TV tower is quite good on a clear day. The Museuminsel is filled with museums and sights, if that’s your thing you can easily spend a day here.

There are several flea markets that are open on Sundays. Mauermarkt is one of them which takes place at Mauer Park. Here, you can also find hundreds of people who are still (after)partying from the night before – a sight one can only come across in Berlin.

The Sony Center in Potzdamer Platz is a complex of entertainment, while extremely touristy, the area can be fun for people watching and you can catch an english movie here on a bored day. Walk through the park to see the parliament building (Reichstag) as well as Pariser Platz and the Brandenburg gate. Nearby, the eye catching jewish memorial is worth a look.

If you require more sightseeing, we recommend grabbing a book. oh, and skip checkpoint charlie unless you’re looking for a desperate tourist trap.

galleries and events.

there are a thousand small galleries in berlin with varying exhibitions. Check out Intoxicated Demons and The Future Gallery for interesting showcases. Seven Star gallery, which used to house Darklands, shows interesting photographs. But lets face it, if you read this in a few months, there’ll be several new galleries and a few closed, so the best way to stay up to date is to check websites focusing on news and events in the city – see the links below.

links and further reading.

superfuture - store listings
berlin.unlike – unbeatable berlin info
iheartberlin – guide to events etc

Written by Arto M.