From fascinating contemporary history at Schönhausen Palace to newly opened restaurants and cafés, right through to a festival debut: this summer brings a whole host of new places to visit and exciting cultural events to Berlin. We’re taking you to an exhibition on Nazi-looted art, on a journey through the hidden corridors of a former cinema, to open-air jazz, and also to a few smaller venues that are bringing a breath of fresh air to their neighbourhoods. Here are our 11 most exciting new openings and pop-ups in July.
Tip 1: The Jazz Bridge Festival
No longer strictly in Berlin, but organised by one of Berlin’s most legendary jazz clubs: for two weeks, the Zig Zag Jazz Club, in collaboration with Ella Radio, invites you to enjoy jazz and that summer feeling right at the foot of the Glienicker Bridge. True to its name, the Jazz Bridge Festival builds bridges between exciting young musicians from the Berlin scene and international jazz greats, as well as Grammy winners. The line-up includes Till Brönner, Ute Lemper, oud master Dhafer Youssef and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Look forward to great music and atmospheric summer evenings under ancient trees.
Tip: After the concert ends, Glienicke Palace opens its doors every night for an open jam session led by Berlin jazz great Uri Gincel on the piano. Admission is free for festival guests!
When: 20 July to 2 August
Where: Villa Schöningen, Berliner Straße 86, Potsdam (right by the Glienicker Bridge)
Tip 2: Dufte brings culture and cuisine to the historic Kant-Garagenpalast
Dufte, a new culinary and cultural venue for Charlottenburg, is opening in the listed Kant-Garagenpalast. Spanning over 1,000 square metres, it brings together four distinct kitchens, two bars, a bakery and a varied cultural programme. From handmade pasta to hummus and creative fusion cuisine, right through to reimagined German home cooking, this is a vibrant hub for indulgence, art and that quintessential Berlin neighbourhood vibe.
When: Tuesday to Thursday 11.30am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 11.30am – 11pm (café from 8.30am)
Where: Dufte, Kantstraße 127, Charlottenburg (Kant-Garagenpalast)
Tip 3: THE DARK ROOMS: VEINS – A journey through the hidden veins of a cinema
What goes on behind the doors of an old cinema complex, in places you as a visitor would never normally get to see? In their new exhibition THE DARK ROOMS: VEINS, the creators take you exactly there. For just three weekends, you’ll have the chance to explore the hidden areas of a former Berlin cinema: you’ll pass through tunnels, service corridors and dark chambers, which have been transformed by ten international artists with immersive installations combining light, sound and movement . Embrace the darkness and experience an artistic homage to the great cinema. And to the memories you associate with it.
When: 10 to 26 July 2026 (over three weekends)
Where: Secret location in Berlin, to be announced 48 hours before your visit.
Tip 4: Pamela brings Milanese glamour to the Gendarmenmarkt
Just in time for the start of summer, Pamela brings a taste of Italian lifestyle to the Gendarmenmarkt. Big Squadra’s new restaurant captures the charm of 1980s Milan with sparkling Murano glass, mirrored ceilings and an open kitchen at its heart. The menu features fresh crudi, homemade pasta and creative classics paired with selected wines and signature cocktails. A place for long evenings of aperitivo, dolce vita and Berlin’s big-city flair.
When: Opening: 12 June 2026, from 6.30 pm.
Where: Pamela, Charlottenstraße 59, Mitte (near Gendarmenmarkt)
Tip 5: New theme at BERLIN GLOBAL – A journey through time in queer migrant Berlin
With Time Machine Infinitum, the BERLIN GLOBAL exhibition gains a new space that focuses on queer migrant perspectives. The project by Noam Gorbat, Omar Nicolas and Sama Ahmadi takes you on a journey through time in queer migrant Berlin. The multimedia installation highlights where the cultural heritage of queer migrants and BIPoC (an acronym for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) is present throughout the city. The project takes you on a journey through the past and present, whilst also looking to the future.
When: 13 June 2026 to 31 January 2028
Where: Humboldt Forum, Schloßplatz 1, Mitte (BERLIN GLOBAL exhibition)
Tip 6: FLOW: The Vltava flows as an immersive light experience
With his world-famous composition, Bedřich Smetana musically depicted the Vltava. FLOW now brings this wonderfully vibrant music to Berlin’s Passionskirche as part of a new 360° light show. Light projections flow through the high vaulted ceiling of the nave – and you’re right in the middle of it. Immerse yourself in Smetana’s Moldau, which has been newly arranged for this installation by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and enriched with electronic elements. An experience to marvel at and pause for, inviting you to reflect on the flow of life.
When: 13 June to 19 July 2026
Where: Passionskirche, Marheinekeplatz 1, 10961 Berlin-Kreuzberg
Tip 7: Selo: A new meeting place for Tempelhof
Where bets used to be placed, neighbours now meet for coffee, croissants and a game of chess. With Selo, Uwe and Mikica have created a place that offers exactly what they themselves missed in Tempelhof: an open meeting place for the neighbourhood. Alongside coffee from the Berlin roastery Kaffeekirsche (right on Tempelhofer Damm, on the corner of Alter Park), there are fine pastries from the young bakery Livieto, and the large painting is by a local artist whose studio is just opposite the new café. In the future, readings, workshops, community events and aperitivo evenings are set to follow. The name ‘Selo’ means ‘village’ in Macedonian – and it is precisely this sense of community that is now taking root in the premises of the former betting shop.
When: Currently soft opening, weekdays from 8.30 am, Saturdays from 10.30 am, Sundays from 11 am
Where: Selo, Tempelhofer Damm 212, Tempelhof
11 tips for Tempelhof
Tip 8: Pizza, pop culture and a neighbourhood vibe in Neukölln
Milano Vice continues to expand in Berlin and is now bringing its fast-casual pizza concept to Neukölln. Naturally, with a fitting concept. Berlin-based graffiti artist Martín Andrés Gómez Mercado was specially commissioned for the striking wall art. And, of course, the prices remain affordable, such as the Margherita for €9. There are also plenty of original creations, various dips and, naturally, vegan options.
When: Sunday to Thursday 11am–4am, Friday & Saturday 11am–2am
Where: Hermannstraße 174, 12051 Berlin-Neukölln
Tip 9: KINK opens its summer terrace for brunch and BBQ
In the heart of KINK’s leafy courtyard, the new open-air BBQ station is now in full swing. Head chef Agustin Chiappa combines influences from Uruguay, the Caribbean and the USA with seasonal ingredients and sophisticated grilling techniques. The menu includes grilled squid with sambal, Iberico pork with citrus vinaigrette and dry-aged bone-in steak from the wood-fired grill. Perfect for long summer evenings between Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte.
When: Daily 5.30 pm–1 am; Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10.30 am–3 pm
Where: KINKBQ, Schönhauser Allee 176, 10119 Berlin (Prenzlauer Berg)
Tip 10: Birkenhain: Slavic home cooking just like at Babushka’s
At Birkenhain, the diversity of Slavic cuisine meets Berlin hospitality. Pelmeni, vareniki, piroshki and borscht are freshly prepared here using traditional recipes and served with a warm welcome. This cosy restaurant invites you on a culinary journey through Eastern European classics and modern Berlin influences – true to the motto: dining just like at Babushka’s.
When: Opens on 5 December 2025
Where: Neue Bahnhofstraße 23, Friedrichshain
Tip 11: Art, People, Power – a new permanent exhibition at Schönhausen Palace
The new permanent exhibition “Art – People – Power” shines a light on a hitherto little-explored chapter of Berlin’s history: Between 1938 and 1940, Schönhausen Palace served as a storage and distribution centre for thousands of artworks confiscated during the Nazi “Degenerate Art” campaign. In five newly designed rooms, you’ll learn about key figures involved in the ‘disposal’ of these works, discover how the sales were organised, and trace the journeys of selected original pieces. One room is dedicated to the artists affected.
The exhibition fills a gap in the history of this fascinating site, which was used by Queen Elisabeth Christine as a summer residence and later by the GDR government as the official residence of President Wilhelm Piek and a guesthouse for heads of state such as Leonid Brezhnev, Fidel Castro and Josip Broz Tito.
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5.30pm
Where: Schönhausen Palace, Tschaikowskistraße 1, Pankow
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