Destination Berlin: Five Things for Marathon Day

Berlin, Germany, where every straße has a story... including some of the fastest marathons in the world. Here are our picks of the bunch for what to do when you're in town.



  1. 1. Coffee can be fixed from Bonanza, a sleek spot with two locations with one near the Fernsehturm (TV Tower) and a larger, quieter venue in Kreuzberg. They have some nice roasts as well as excellent lemon squares. Their Kreuzberg place would be a good location to start and finish a run with plenty of space to hang out outside.

  1. 2. For some shopping, head to the Kreuzberg neighbourhood just south of Der Spree river for buzzy and eclectic stores. Pick of the bunch is Voo Store, offering edgy clothing and a huge array of niche perfumery. Also nearby is Let It Bleed, with local art prints of all shapes and sizes. Happily, Luzia is a large rustic bar also in the Kiez (small area of the city), if you fancy a drink, too.

  1. 3. Away from race nutrition, Berlin is known for it's diverse food culture. From the abundant Vietnamese and Turkish spots to traditional German offerings. For excellent sharing plates of (meat or fish only) options, book a table to Khao Thai in Fredrichshain. You'll be welcomed with a free iced tea before digging in to whole, skin-on, braised fish, or joints of meat in vibrant Thai style.

For a vegan-friendly option, Aleppo Supper Club serves up incredible Syrian specialties. Think fresh dips, breads, rice and more in

  1. 4. It's Berlin, and you would have to be living under a rock if you haven't heard about the club scene here. Not for everyone, no, but if you have the legs post-race there will be a club to welcome you! One thing about the Berlin nightlife is how consciously they ensure safety and a good time for all. Phones should be left in your bag or pocket, and any form of nastiness will not be tolerated. For marathon exclusives, the legendary Berlin Braves Afterparty is not to be missed. Paloma Bar in Kottbusser Tor is also a fun option, playing disco and housy tracks in a small space.

  2. 5. You'd be silly to NOT end up trying a Berlin classic when you're in the city. That, of course, is Currywurst. My personal favourites are Curry 36 (multiple locations) or Curry 61 at Hackescher Markt. Both offer classic or vegan options. Don't skip the Pommes (chips!) mit Mayo!

Bonus: There are plenty of pop-ups and events around the race, our friends at Más Independent are hosting on Torstraße, Tracksmith are in Kreuzberg, and many many more. Berlin Braves have a host of events throughout the weekend, too.

Good luck if you're running.

- Runlimited

Images by respective businesses.