VIP spotting

The Borchardt is famous for its Wiener schnitzel. But it is also renowned for its wealth of stars. On any given evening – if you can get a seat in the restaurant – you are guaranteed to recognise a few faces. Guests include politicians, corporate bosses, stars and starlets.

Ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder liked to go there for his Wiener schnitzel and theatre star Heiner Lauterbach never misses the chance to visit his friend, VIP owner Roland Mary, whenever he is in Berlin.

Where does Leonardo DiCaprio take his fiancée Bar Refaeli when he is in Berlin? What are the favourite meeting places and restaurants of the stars? We go in search of high-profile figures through the city of Berlin and follow the glamorous exploits of the stars.

Firstly, there are the bars in the five-star hotels. It's incredible who you'll find walking around there completely unprotected. Even superstar Robbie Williams was spotted – in a jogging suit – in the bar at the Ritz-Carlton – and he's usually as well shielded from the public eye as the pope.

While filming “Inglourious Basterds” at Babelsberg Film Studios, Director Quentin Tarantino was a bit more down to earth, regularly going for a drink at the renowned “Ankerklause” in Kreuzberg.

The atmosphere at the Paris Bar in the City West district is a bit more refined. For decades it has been a popular watering hole for the stars, both during the Berlinale and at other times of the year. Otto Sander still has his brass name badge on a seat there. The walls are plastered with works of art. Universal artist Martin Kippenberger used to get drunk here in spectacular style. The drinks were always on the house though, as the art-loving proprietor, Michel Würthle, preferred to be paid in pictures.

One of the latest additions to the ranks of Berlin's VIP bars is the Grill Royal. This restaurant with views of the River Spree is very popular with people from the art scene in particular. Shaggy-haired artist Jonathan Meese & co. are always popping in and out. Hugh Grant once drank a glass of red wine here, while Liam Neeson has been here for a steak, as have Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson.

Bocca di Bacco on Friedrichstrasse is where you're likely to find VIPs with a taste for fine Italian food and who do not wish to eat in full public view. Matt Damon is just one of those who enjoys soaking up the restaurant's charms when he's in the city.

You'll often see high-profile personalities dancing at Bar Tausend under the suburban railway bridge on Friedrichstrasse – that's if you manage to get past the strict controls on the door. And if not, the international film festival in February is the ideal time to spot a VIP or get yourself an autograph: countless international stars come to Berlin every year to watch the premieres at the Berlinale Palast theatre on Potsdamer Platz. And everyone is allowed on the red carpet.