Reuterkiez: Berlin Christmas shopping on the cutting edge

The Berlin district of Neukölln has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity – and northern neighbourhood Reuterkiez is at the forefront of the boom. Sharing a border with hip Kreuzberg, the area’s own X factor is threatening to steal its neighbour’s crown as Berlin’s capital of cool. The streets around Weserstraße, one of Reuterkiez’s liveliest thoroughfares, are the perfect spot for an alternative Berlin Christmas shopping trip on Neukölln’s new frontier of fashion, food and fun.

Christmas shopping on the cutting edge in Reuterkiez

The trendy Reuter neighbourhood has many names. Some call it Reuterquartier, others refer to it as the intersection of Kreuzberg and Neukölln, typically Berlin Kreuzkölln. The namesake, however, is clear: the writer Fritz Reuter. The Weserstraße, where people from different corners of the world come together, runs through the centre of the neighbourhood. Basically anything goes here: from a shopping spree to Berlin nightlife to a relaxed chat in a café.

Shopping in Neukölln and experiencing Berlin

Starting from Hermannplatz, Hobrechtstrasse crosses Weserstrasse first. Turn left there and honour the Buchkönigin. If there's one shop that perfectly reflects the surrounding scene, it's this one. The owners Nina and Hannah have created an inspiring space full of creative, individual, exciting and diverse stories. Keep your eyes and ears open - for beautiful Christmas gifts and inspiring conversations.

Take a left into Weserstraße and a right into Friedelstraße. There you'll find one of Berlin's coolest record shops. Train your fingertips, because A&V Records is the place for classic vinyl browsing. The next cross street also attracts us - but in the other direction. There, Reuterstraße leads you to Captn-Crop, where real textile enthusiasts create exclusive hats, caps, rucksacks and items of clothing.

After a short walk, you will pass Tellstraße. Stop off here at Format & Wesen and shop for long-lasting fashion with sustainable value. Of course, the pieces are also beautiful and of high quality, no doubt about it. Format is the house brand, while Wesen brings together labels with similar ticks. That too is Berlin: thinking outside the box.

Two doors down, the Sunnah Shop opens its doors and lures you inside with oriental fragrances. Follow the aromas and find great gifts such as natural soaps, oils and incense sticks in addition to food.

Enjoy the magic of the festive season in Neukölln

We would be surprised if you didn't find any Christmas presents in the Bohei Shop . The shop is located behind Fuldastrasse on the left-hand side and is already impressive from the shop window. It's even more spectacular inside. Somehow there's everything here and more: beautiful items from the Home & Living range, postcards, jute bags, earrings, art prints, hot sauces and much, much more. What sounds like a junk shop is exactly the opposite: well-stocked and attractively presented.

The end of your Christmas shopping tour around Berlin's Weserstraße is particularly fragrant. Head south along Fuldastraße. Just before Karl-Marx-Straße, you will see Sherazade Essence Perfumes on the left-hand side. Renowned brands and fresh brands? It's all there.

City Hall lights and illuminated Karl-Marx-Straße

How convenient that you're right on Karl-Marx-Straße. Turn east and take a leisurely stroll to the town hall. You should be able to see the lights from afar, as there are more than 2,000 small light bulbs hanging from the big fir tree in front of the building. The trees around it are also festively decorated from the end of November and it's also worth taking a look at the town hall tower.

In the entrance area of the town hall is the so-called Wishing Tree, on which 90 star-shaped Christmas wishes dangle. The wishes were thought up and made by children who go to school or nursery in Neukölln, for example.

If you would like to fulfil one of the wishes, simply hand in the appropriate gift at the town hall. It will be wrapped there and given to the relevant family. This fantastic campaign is organised by the association "Give a smile".

Restaurant and bar: Weserstraße tastes great

The density of restaurants in the Reuterquartier is as impressive as the many shops. Turkish restaurants, Spanish food, Asian dishes, German, Italian and Greek cuisine, Indian spices, breakfast delights: in and around Berliner Weserstraße alone, a number of restaurants await your visit and your appetite.

Food, fabulous food

First option: the Anh Ba restaurant. Here, Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for the palate and the eyes.

A somewhat different cuisine can be found at Paolo Pinkel at Karl-Marx-Straße 55. The chic restaurant offers dishes from three different cuisines. If you want a hearty breakfast, Barettino in Reuterstraße is the place for you. The light-coloured wood inside is immediately inviting and with original breakfast names such as "Anarchy in the Kitchen", you can't go wrong anyway.

Falafel sandwiches can be found on every corner in Berlin and some say that Falafel Jakoub is one of the best - ideal as a snack to go if you don't want to interrupt your shopping trip for long. We haven't got very far on Weserstraße yet, but this wide variety is what makes it special.

Drinks on Weserstraße: Berlin's trendy bars

Which Weserstraße bar would you like? The Schillingbar serves casual electro tunes alongside beer, cocktails and cocktails and also likes to play soul and funk. Next door: a bar made out of books and furniture that hardly matches visually, which is precisely why it is so inviting - welcome to the relaxed Kaduka.

At SilverFuture, you can enjoy a drag show with your drink. Origami, pantomime, Belgian beer and first-class drinks are available at the Yuma Bar. And if you ask nicely at Thelonious Bar, you might get a "customised" cocktail just the way you like it. All the recommended bars are only around 200 metres away.

Our highlights in Berlin's Weserstraße and the surrounding area 

Fashionable, cosmetic and a colourful all-rounder - our shopping highlights in Weserstraße are as diverse and colourful as the entire Reuterkiez district:

• Format & Wesen
• A&V Records
• Bohei Shop
   

How to get to Weserstraße in Berlin

Hermannplatz is a practical starting point for your shopping tour in and around Weserstraße. Underground lines 7 and 8 and buses 194, M29 and M41 stop there.