3. CAFÉ BOTANICO – nomen est omen

More "farm-to-table" is not possible, because the tables are literally in the farm. To be more precise, in a green oasis between Berlin's backyards, where crunchy vegetables and delicious herbs grow. That Cafe Botanico is a somewhat hidden permaculture garden with over two hundred plant species in the middle of Neukölln. The term "permaculture" comes from the English and is made up of the terms "permanent" and "agriculture" and stands for the permanent cultivation of agriculture and horticulture. The natural ecosystems and cycles of nature are used and imitated in order to conserve resources. It's not about as much yield as possible, but about a healthy symbiosis of man and nature. That is why only as much is harvested daily as is permanently good for the plants.

The gardener and the chef at Café Botanico keep an eye on the yield together. Some plants, says restaurant founder Martin Höfft, grow best when left alone (e.g. wild rocket), while others require a lot of care and attention (e.g. tomatoes). A book has just been published (“Botanico, a year in the food forest”) by the English photographer Liz Eve, who spent a year capturing the garden, the kitchen and the changing seasons in this gem observed and documented hat.

From the street you wouldn't suspect that behind the small, cozy guest room in the basement is the huge garden labyrinth. On the first visit, many guests are therefore amazed. When the nasturtium that you just spotted in the garden suddenly appears as an edible decoration next to the delicious pasta dish, everyone is blown away. Depending on the season, the Italian-inspired menu includes wild herb salad (the “signature dish” so to speak), vegetable soups, homemade pasta with garden pesto “alle Erbe” or, in autumn, red cabbage mousse, pumpkin risotto and mushroom dishes, accompanied by homemade herbal soda or kombucha.

Anything that doesn't grow in your own garden is just as carefully selected: the lamb comes from a Berlin itinerant shepherd, the beer comes from a Neukölln brewery and the honey comes from the bees in the neighborhood. The garden is buzzing and buzzing everywhere, children run through the vegetable patches and are allowed to ask anything. Speaking of questions – one-hour wild herb tours in the garden are always offered on the first Sunday of the month. You only have to register in advance via e-mail and pay ten euros for a drink and numerous herbal samples - off to the Botani(co)k.