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Kateryna Gonchar is a Berliner and passionate part-time interior decorator who loves designing personalized, functional, and beautiful spaces. With a knack for blending creativity and practicality, she helps clients create homes that reflect their unique styles. Over the years, Kateryna has built lasting relationships and delivered designs that make people truly love their spaces.
Kateryna has lived in Berlin for ten years, six of them in the charming Schöneberg neighborhood. Known for its mix of historic and modern architecture, Schöneberg features tree-lined streets, vibrant markets like Winterfeldtplatz, and bustling cafés and shops along Kleiststraße and Akazienstraße, making it a dynamic and inviting place to call home.
I like to go to Julius Erns if I'm in the North West part of the town, they favour seasonal and regional products and make the best omelette in town.
If I'm in Mitte however, I definitely stop by Sofi, one of my favourite bakeries that makes a Danish breakfast, simple and perfect to start the day.
Every neighborhood in town has more than one local market, featuring seasonal produce from surrounding farmers. The closest market to my home is the one at Winterfeldtplatz, one of the oldest in the city, since 1890 Farmers from the surrounding area offer their goods here, as do flower sellers, there are churros, honey, fresh eggs, fish and seafood. The smells of raclette cheese and waffles, of doner kebab and other delicacies mix and create a very special blend. It is absolutely one of my favourite things to do on Saturday mornings.
I think there are more restaurants than people in this city, and definitely a lot of good ones. If I'm in my neighborhood, Schoneberg, and I want a quick lunch, I'll eat at Rüyam kebab, as far as I'm concerned the best veggie kebab in town. If, on the other hand, I am looking for a lighter lunch I definitely like to sit at Gottlob, a small German restaurant that serves lunches, breakfasts, and dinners – for a soup or a salad!
If I am around Mitte, I like to stop at Dashi diner, a modern interpretation of Asian cuisine inspired by Western style dishes. You can either eat in or take away.
Ryoko is a sensational little boutique in Neukölln with carefully curated soulful objects. One can get lost in this little universe among perfumes, incense, candles, household items and many other delightful things.
Without any doubt, my favourite place, even if only for a walk or to sit on the Barcelona Chairs and hear people's opinions, is the Neue National Gallery. A piece of art, to be admired even just from the outside. Definitely a place I never tire of going to since it finally reopened in August 2021 after six years, and I was finally able to visit it for the first time.
Berlin is one of the few large cities in which it is possible to find so much silence. You only have to turn the corner of the big street to find a small café, with attention to detail, run by some very kind souls. Recently, in the vicinity of Nollendorfplatz, a small wine shop, Die Wein, run by two very gentle girls, has opened. It is possible to sit down for a glass of wine and a plate of local cheeses, and enjoy a quiet moment for yourself or with someone else.
I don't know if my understanding of fun is the same for everyone, but I really enjoy spending time at the flea market digging through boxes and joking around guessing and imagining who the item we found belonged to. I usually go to the one in Rathaus Schoneberg. In the fall there are activities like mushrooming in the countless Belin's forests. In winter, on the other hand, I like to engage in indoor workshops, most recently I did one in ceramics with @helkaceramiks.
I would definitely say the sofas at the Panorama bar on Sunday afternoons. There is a fantastic melting pot of people, each with their own special personality. I enjoy observing how we are all so different but also so similar; listening to a set of music that never disappoints, with the light turning colorful as it comes in through the windows, even if it is the usual Berlin day.
I like to be in bed by 11 p.m., I have to be honest. A perfect night out starts by 6 p.m. with an aperitivo, maybe at the Paris Bar or Veronika bar, with a glass of champagne and a plate of oysters, then to the Deutsche Opera for a ballet or a play. By 9:30 p.m., a reserved table at Borchard for a chic and best (vegetarian for me) schnitzel. To follow that with a drink at the Green Door Old Fashion Bar for the best old fashion drink in town.
I have heard great things about the Chateau Royal, The Hoxton and Wilmina hotels. But I would definitely choose an airbnb, to feel part of the city and to experience it to the fullest.
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