Prices are rising everywhere—whether it’s at the gas pump or when eating and drinking. Sure, Berlin has plenty of great spots and cafés, but many of them now surprise you with steep prices that can quickly spoil your appetite. That makes it all the more wonderful when you discover real bargains and special offers in the city. And fortunately, there are quite a few of those in Berlin: from a 39-euro menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant to a full lunch on a donation basis. You’ll find the latter at the HeileHaus at Waldemarstraße 36 in Kreuzberg. Tucked away in a back alley, the HeileHaus offers dishes that change daily. The HeileHaus sees itself not only as a place to eat affordably, but above all as an accessible hub for health promotion, social support, and community.
The offerings are designed to be easily accessible and are aimed in particular at people with low incomes as well as those facing health or psychosocial challenges . What makes it special is the combination: under one roof, you’ll find a community café, a bathing area with washing facilities, health counseling, and various groups and classes. The community café is currently open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It offers freshly prepared vegetarian and vegan dishes without refined sugar, homemade cakes and desserts, as well as gluten-free and allergen-free options. The HeileHaus describes the concept as “kitchen for everyone” and emphasizes that prices should be affordable for everyone.
At HeileHaus, you can shower and do your laundry for free. The current hours vary by gender: for women, the shower room is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for men, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing; the washing machine can be used for the last time one hour before closing.
Today, the public bathhouse is used primarily by people who are homeless or living in substandard housing , but also by others who lack adequate access to proper sanitary facilities.
