Marheineke Markthalle — Attraction in Berlin

Berlin's answer to the Istanbul bazaar with a touch of Lidl. If you can't find anything here, you're either not thirsty or not hungry. There's everything: Chinese noodles next to Italian noodles - practically the same noodles, just with a different accent. Turkish mocha, Greek mocha. Probably even a German mocha that tastes like filter coffee and is sad. Leberkäse meets baklava, curry meets coleslaw. The air is a dense wall of cumin, garlic and light sweat - a bouquet of scents for the advanced. It's loud too, of course, because you can tell a good market atmosphere by the decibel level. I keep coming back, mainly because of the Greek who makes gyros like the Gyros King himself. And the mocha. Or was it coffee? Whatever, the main thing is hot, sweet and strong. If you want to understand the homogeneous diversity of Berlin, you should take a walk...

After its renovation in 2007 the Markethalle at the Marheinekeplatz (U 7 Gneisenaustrasse) has changed it's character completely: what had been a last resort for small shops that wouldn't survive in the 21st century outside world, a dimly lit, crowded hall, a place you could buy literally everything from warm bleeding cattle throats to color Tv sets or a single screw, had turned into a bright, ultra clean location for several fast - and slow - food stands ranging from Italian and French cafes to Spanish delicacies in the first row and groceries, bakeries and other food sellers in the back. Recently a pure vegan supermarket has moved in. Top quality food presented in modern design. Though many miss the "old days" it's still highly recommended to all visitors...

I have known that this place existed for a long time now. Ever since I moved here to Berlin back in 2012. But I somehow neglected to check it out until now, when I was looking for some antipasti and didn't feel like going to my regular place.

This market hall actually houses several different shops, each selling what they feel like selling. There's a meat shop, a cheese shop, a bakery, a shop selling dried nuts and fruits, and various others. I happened to have found a Greek shop selling everything Greek (including olive oil soap, mind you), and so I found myself taking home some Greek goodies.

I am not sure how exceptional they are, but at least I like the idea that there is another choice I can do business with in case I want...