The heat wave has long since reached not only our neighboring countries but has also firmly gripped Germany. A hot summer awaits us—the likes of which we haven’t experienced in years—and many warm days are still ahead. But where is the best place to spend time during this season? From waterfalls to idyllic parks to lakes that evoke a vacation on a sandy beach, there are numerous places in and around Berlin where you can enjoy the summer days. And that’s not all: The Café am Neuen See is one of Berlin’s most famous day-trip spots and is also one of the capital’s most beautiful summer destinations.
The restaurant and the large beer garden are idyllically situated in the middle of the Großer Tiergarten, right on the shore of the Neuer See, and give you more the feeling of a mini-vacation than that of a café in a metropolis. The café is located at Lichtensteinallee 2 in Berlin-Tiergarten. The nearest train stations are Zoologischer Garten and Hansaplatz.
The place looks back on a long history. The area has been a popular destination for Berliners since the late 19th century . Today’s Café am Neuen See opened in 1896 and, over the decades, has become an integral part of Berlin’s beer garden culture. What makes it truly special is its unique location right on the water. Under old chestnut trees, visitors can enjoy the view of the lake from the large terrace or the beer garden.
Among the café’s highlights are the large beer garden right on the lake and the restaurant with indoor seating. The café is also a popular spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as for romantic sunsets, dates, and spending time with friends or family.
Another special feature is the boat rental at Neuer See. Visitors can rent rowboats and take a leisurely cruise across the lake. The rental opens Monday through Friday at 12 p.m. and on weekends and holidays at 11 a.m. The rental fee is about 14 euros per hour.
Culinary-wise, the café offers a mix of classic beer garden dishes and international influences. The menu includes breakfast dishes, pretzels, Leberkäse, stone-oven pizza, seasonal dishes, vegetarian options, as well as coffee, cake, and cocktails. The restaurant is open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight. When the weather is nice, the beer garden opens Monday through Friday at noon and on weekends and holidays as early as 11 a.m.
