Salon Schmück Bar / Café / Lounge

Kreuzberg / Neukölln, Berlin –

A laid-back, trendy café offering wholesome breakfasts, unique lunches, and a long list of booze, Salon Schmück is as popular for its daytime eats as it is for late-night lounging on cozy vintage sofas.

Catering mostly to hungry bohemians and students, the breakfast menu is a diverse mix of Swiss-style muesli, American diner grub like pancakes and French toast, and German staples including cheese, bacon, and dark breads.

A street-side patio stays full on most sunny days, when healthy kids and energized tourists relax on ornate cast-iron furniture as they sip fresh-pressed juices before a long day of studying, sightseeing, or to-hell-with-it early barhopping.

When the sun sets, candles cast a glow on the mismatched tables, as party-seekers looking for some relaxed conversation head inside to sink into the second-hand sofas, sip cocktails or schnapps from the long drinks menu, and check out the funky objets d’art that dot the otherwise bare walls.

The venue actually runs a small onsite thrift shop pedaling women’s fashions – just in case someone spills her whiskey on her dress – while a smoking room in back makes it easy for patrons to quell their nicotine fit before taking care of their sugar needs with homemade cakes, brownies, and pies.

A relaxing spot all day, Salon Schmück is perfect for a hearty breakfast, a midday snack, or a delicious digestif before hitting the clubs.