Anima — Restaurant in Berlin

Unfortunately, a deeply disappointing experience.

I was visiting with a friend, and after a mistake on the bill (which was read to us in German, even though we had spoken in English the entire time), one of the waiters responded with extreme arrogance and a passive-aggressive attitude. Instead of acknowledging the mistake, he blamed us for “not paying attention,” even though he had already brought out the card machine without clearly confirming the order.

What was truly unacceptable happened a few minutes later, when out of nowhere, he placed his hands on the counter, looked at me, and said: “This is Germany, you have to speak German.” I was shocked. We were clearly tourists, and he had spoken to us in English the whole time. When I reminded him of that, he replied, “When I’m in Italy, I don’t speak English.”

I told him I didn’t want to continue such a conversation.

This happened in a restaurant right near the Berlin Wall, one of the most tourist-heavy areas in the city. To be treated with such hostility simply for not speaking German is not only unprofessional, but discriminatory. I sincerely hope the management takes this seriously and ensures their staff are trained in hospitality and basic respect for...

Anima at the Locke East Side Gallery is, at first glance, a pleasure to enter. The style and atmosphere are well-considered: a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the Spree, multiple seating areas each with their own aesthetic character, and a co-working section that makes it a popular, lively spot throughout the day. As a hotel guest, however, this popularity can tip into overcrowding.

Service is efficient, but I missed a certain warmth and attentiveness in the staff’s approach. On several occasions, tables were not fully clean, and the use of a visible trolley for collecting used dishes somewhat detracts from the otherwise polished look.

Culinarily, there is promise, but the menu could rise to match the setting. A Caprese salad with only a few miniature mozzarella, some sautéed vegetables, and limp greens feels out of step with the hotel’s style. The strawberry matcha latte relies on syrup, the iced latte was notably watery — though the croissants, baked on site, were very good.

Anima is a venue with enviable potential: a striking location, a strong design identity, and a concept that could easily become memorable if the hospitality and food quality were refined to the same high standard...

As a fan of listening bars, I chose Anima to celebrate a special occasion with a friend. I had made a reservation a week ago, and we were looking forward to our dinner. However, when we arrived, the place was crowded, and they seated us at a table that shouldn't have been where it was: stuck next to a low sofa, where people's heads were practically on our table. It was impossible to have a conversation, and I could only overhear the conversation of the two people next to us.

As some tables next to us became vacant, I asked to switch seats, but the waiter refused, claiming they were reserved for people who arrived after us. Although I didn't think those people deserved the table any more than we did, I had no other options, and I felt frustrated.

Eventually, I decided to leave. I had chosen Anima because I wanted a pleasant evening with good conversation and background music. Unfortunately, this was the worst experience I've had in Berlin in my five years of living here. The staff's unhelpful attitude made me feel like I didn't belong.

It's disappointing that they didn't make any effort to accommodate me or to try to help us, maybe because I didn't fit in with this gentrified...