Weinerei Frarosa Restaurant / Wine Bar

Mitte, Berlin –

In a city that offers everything, the hole-in-the-wall restaurant Weinerei Frarosa still manages to be one of a kind.

For a mere €1 cover charge, patrons can drink and eat as much as they want, then decide for themselves how much the meal was worth and leave their contribution in a bowl by the door on their way out.

Other than an old sign with a barely visible drawing of a bottle of wine – and the people overflowing onto the street – there is nothing to suggest that this unconventional establishment is actually a restaurant, a fact that isn’t helped by the lacy curtains obstructing the view.

The bohemian vibe is accentuated by the odd assortment of chandeliers, mismatched antiques, and comfy sofas that make up the interior décor. The equally bohemian patrons tend to gather around these sofas to sip wine, occasionally making their way to the small bar for a refill and to question the knowledgeable staff about the available wines.

The family-style dinner begins around 8:30pm every night and lasts until the food and wine run out. Not surprisingly, the place is packed for dinner, so many patrons take their plates outside to eat and chat with the other guests. The food – often a vegetarian main dish with a soup or salad – is quite good, but the wine and the neighborly atmosphere are the real draws at Weinerei Frarosa.