A friendly and colourful kindercafe near the Volkspark Friedrichshain…

Photo by Paul Sullivan

Located on a quiet leafy back street between the extensive Volkspark Friedrichshain and the grandiloquent Karl-Marx-Allee, Paul & Paula is one of the longer serving veterans of Berlin’s kindercafe scene.

Named after the East German movie classic Die Legende von Paul und Paula, which was filmed partly in Friedrichshain in 1973, i t’s been providing delightful refuge for mums and dads and their kids for around four years.

The large west-facing windows let in floods of natural light in the afternoons, which splashes across the pale green walls, wooden floorboards and funky furnishings to lend the place a breezy, insouciant atmosphere.

The designer lampshades, wall lights and round-edged box shelves that hang down from the ceiling give Paul & Paula a thoroughly modern edge that doesn’t detract at all from the down to earth vibe.

Sofas and cushions line the two main walls; circular tables and an abundance of colourful toys plus a sweet table and chair area for kids fill the space between the door and the main counter area – which serves a great range of teas and coffees (including decaf and iced) for the parents, as well as bio drinks and juices for the kids. If you’re feeling peckish, order up a waffle, bagel or ciabatta, or try some of the tasty Eis dispensed from the venue’s newly installed refrigerator.

Photo by Paul Sullivan

The kids won’t get bored. There are (mostly wooden) toys everywhere, many located in the play area just in front of the counter but also laying around on shelves and tables. The emphasis on natural goods extends to the back area where you’ll find a small shop selling everything from creative toys and lovely books to ergonomic baby carriers and a packed rack of assorted clothing.

While it’s a great place to stop off for a coffee, snack and a natter, Paul & Paula’s also run courses like Pekip and pregnancy yoga, baby massage and music classes. These are popular with locals but open to all, including foreign visitors (though if you don’t speak any Deutsch you’ll need to double check on the English capabilities of the specific instructor).

If you haven’t already, we’d recommend a stroll to the afore-mentioned park, either before or after. It’s the oldest and second largest park in Berlin (52 hectares) and features lots of great sunbathing spots, historical monuments and memorials as well as Café Schoenbrunn, itself great for a morning coffee or late afternoon glass of wine/beer.

Paul und Paula
Richard-Sorge-Str. 25
10249 Berlin, Friedrichshain
Tel: 030 42 08 94 40
Open: Mon-Fri 9:30-18; Sun (Oct-Apr only:10-18)
Shop: Mon-Fri 9:30-18

About The Author

Paul Sullivan is a Berlin-based writer & travel photographer and the founder of Slow Travel Berlin. You can check out his personal website here and some of his photography galleries here.

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