Kat's Got Your Culture

Ivallan's in Kreuzberg is one of the best and most interesting English bookstores in Berlin. I'm not just saying that because I had my last book launch there and they carry my books, although of course it's a bonus! (Another bonus is that it's around the corner from Pia, so you can get an iced latte afterwards). Even though it's small, they have a good selection of new and used books. The books are sorted into creative/obscure thematic categories and on random surfaces in shelves, drawers, suitcases, etc. so it's a fun place to browse, and you always stumble upon something unexpected.

Café Pia is a nice little refuge on busy Kottbusser Damm. The seats outside are great for peoplewatching. It looks too small for much indoor seating, but actually there's a cozy nook with benches and cushions. They also have great iced lattes (and other drinks and a million kinds of pastries, etc. but iced lattes are more important). Definitely a good place to grab something if you're running errands on Ko'Damm or strolling through Graefekiez.

Among my main criteria for cafes in summer is whether they have iced lattes, so this one passed that test (although they strangely call them iced cappuccinos, but whatever). They also avoided one of my biggest pet peeves among German cafes that don't really know what iced drinks are: putting hot foam on iced lattes. Otherwise, it's located right along the Landwehr Canal near Ko'Damm (the part where the Tuesday/Friday market is), has outdoor seating and also an open, airy interior, which is nice since it's been such a hot summer. Apparently they also have brunch, but I didn't try it yet. Always nice to visit cafes when they're new and not overcrowded!