Marheineke, Market Hall, Kreuzberg

I walked down Mittenwalder Str, wondering if this street really led to the market hall?  It all seemed too residential; a fat cat in a window here an old woman smoking a cigarette there…and then I walked into the bright square, glaring sunshine bouncing up off the cobblestones, a cacophony of  squealing children, water falling from a great height and general buzz of people soaking up the early summer.

How come no one ever talks about this place?  It’s cute as a button! All urban planned with trees offering shade, fountains and a playground for the children.

I had come to finally see the Marheineke Market Hall but I was surprised to also find a Bioland and Alnatura flanking the square.  As well as Austria, the restaurant featured in Middlesex and about which Eugenides said  “Anybody who wouldn’t like it is somebody I wouldn’t like.”  (Before you go ahead assuming that I am so clever, I’m not but my friend Luisa, over at Berlin on a Platter,  is: thanks Luisa!)

There is more food around of course, including Soluna Brot &  Öl on Gneisenaustrasse.  Barcomi’s Kreuzberg outpost on Bergmannstraβe.  All of Bergmannstraβe is worth a wander actually, all the way to Mehringdamm on which you can find Curry 36 and  Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap (which people here go bonkers for and I find ok).  Of course you have to remember to leave some room for ice cream from  Vanille & Marille on Hagelberger str.

Oh and to the person that once wrote to me asking where they good find a spätzle grater?  Look no further, I found about 10 different types at  In a la Munde, a store selling all things related to making pasta.  I am taking a course there in two weeks time so I will tell you all about it then.

Getting back to the market hall.  It’s a picture to look at on the outside, so much so that I made plans to permanently live under its green awnings.  Inside, it’s a different story entirely.  The white floors are already scruffy with wear, the stands looked dwarfed  in the big space and mama is it hot in there!  Overheating aside, there are a good selection of outlets.  Notably Olgas Feinkost for Greek foodstuffs, Geflügel-Oase for all things feathered, Le Bretagne for French goods, El Naranco  for Spanish (including chorizo by the piece) as well as a good butchers, fish mongers and cheese shops.  Vegetable wise, a bit of a let down, nothing really exceptional or notable but that seems to be a Berlin wide issue.

I had lunch at Le Bretagne, a buckwheat pancake with Emmental cheese, ham and a fried egg.

Layla didn’t want to leave the playground, I got captivated by a game of pétanque.  All in all, a day well spent.  I look forward to taking my husband there and seeing what the rest of the food is like.

Sadly it’s closed on Sundays, that’s a pity.  I bet you if they stayed open, they would be rammed!

Marheineke Markthalle
Marheinekeplatz/Bergmannstraße
10961 Kreuzberg

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:00 – 20:00
Sat: 8:00 – 18:00
Closed Sundays