Much edgier and not as glossy as Goodbye Lenin, this is the film to see before coming to Berlin. The production company's website (www.x-filme.de) is also a good place to see the latest in German independent cinema.

www.imdb.com/title/tt0130827/; rent it on DVD

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is one of the best restaurants in Berlin and you wouldn't know by the looks. From outside it's quite shabby and inside it's quite dark and dusty, but they serve excellent French cuisine there (especially the Tagliatelli with prawns) and the wine is amazing. Jacques, a jovial Frenchman with beret, accent and everything, is still serving all the customers in person.

Maybachufer 8, 12047 Berlin, U Schönleinstrasse

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The name of the place says it all: "Bateau Ivre" is the title of a poem by Rimbaud and means "drunken ship". Accordingly, the crowd is mostly artsy Kreuzbergers and students who like their Ricard and their red wine.

Known only as "the Frenchman" by the locals, it's quite busy in the evenings, but during the day it's a good place to hang out and read, especially the five or so international daily papers they've got there.

Oranienstrasse 18, 10999 Berlin (right at the Heinrichplatz), U Kottbusser Tor

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This outdoor bar is situated on the banks of the Spree river, facing Bar 25 on the opposite side. But it is much more relaxed and far less posh and swanky. There’s a few different areas: a sandy beach to sit down with a cocktail, an open-air dance floor, a restaurant and even a pool table under one of the trees. At night, little chandeliers and a cosy campfire are lit and the whole place takes on an enchanted-wood-style atmosphere.

Köpeniker Strasse 48/49;
www.kikiblofeld.de

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Just off the Fressgass, one of Frankfurt's most expensive shopping streets, is this alternative/politics/poetry club, with daily readings, meetings and - of course - good beer and the traditional Äppler apple wine.

Kleine Hochstrasse 5; www.club-voltaire.de

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends