2026 kicks off with plenty of fresh highlights across Berlin – from the first-ever regular-season NBA game in Germany to immersive art experiences and exciting new culinary spots in Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, and Charlottenburg. Think bold Pad Thai, delicate matcha desserts, and dreamlike journeys into worlds of wonder. Here are our top 11 new openings for January. Our top 11 new openings for January.
Tip 1: For the very first time - NBA game in Berlin
Basketball history will be made at Berlin’s Uber Arena on 15 January. The matchup between the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies marks the first-ever regular-season NBA game in Germany – live in the capital. A must for basketball fans and a historic milestone in Berlin’s sports calendar.ts calendar.
When: 15 January 2026
Where: Uber Arena, Friedrichshain
Tip 2: The new Magic Table invites you to a magical dinner
At the Magic Table, culinary delights and illusion come together for an unforgettable experience. As you enjoy a five-course meal, a magical story unfolds right on the tabletop. The immersive show is led by Thommy Ten & Amélie van Tass, the two stars of America’s Got Talent, who guide you through the evening with stunning visuals, mind-bending puzzles, and plenty of surprises.
When: From 14 January 2026
Where: Grand Hyatt Berlin, Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten
Tip 3: The Third Room: sound art in dialogue with time
With The Third Room, Callie's is launching a new live performance series that provides intimate insights into the creation of experimental music. The series kicks off with Berlin-based Italian composer Agnese Menguzzato (29-31 January), whose works interweave historical instruments with contemporary technology. In the following months, four other composers will bring the creative process of their sound art to life.
When: 29 to 31 January 2026, 8 pm each night
Where: Callie's Sound Studio, Lindower Straße 20, Wedding
Tip 4: Burma Bliss opens with a soft opening in January 2026
from 7 January (soft opening), Burma Bliss will bring the flavours of Burma to Berlin. Traditional recipes, delicately flavoured and lovingly prepared, meet warm hospitality in a modern ambience. A special new addition for all those who want to discover new culinary flavours and love authentic curries and warm noodle soups.
When: Soft opening on 7 January 2026
Where: Grolmanstraße 15, Charlottenburg
Tip 5: New flea market on Leopoldplatz
Vintage meets neighbourhood flair: from January, Leopoldplatz will become a meeting place for vintage and flea market fans every Saturday. Second-hand fashion, books and rarities will be on sale at the stalls in front of the Schinkelkirche church at the Leo flea market. Both private individuals and traders are allowed to sell. With the new flea market comes a new market concept for the central square in Wedding. There will be a weekly market with regional food and street food on Tuesdays and Fridays and, from April, the Weddingmarkt will be held on Leopoldplatz every second Sunday of the month (from April to December). Cultural events, concerts and neighbourhood activities are also planned for 2026.
When: From January 2026, always on Saturdays
Where: Leopoldplatz (in front of the Schinkelkirche), Wedding
When: every Saturday 11 am - 7 pm
Where: Leopoldplatz, Wedding
Tip 6: N'ice cream also tastes good in winter
Ice cream in winter, but with pleasure: especially when the flavours are as delicious as at N'ICE CREAM Manufaktur, a new ice cream parlour in the East Side Mall:
Whether creamy milk ice cream, fruity sorbets or surprising flavours, the ice cream here is made with artisan passion at any time of year. Many vegan options, changing flavours and fine espresso make for enjoyable breaks while shopping or after a walk along the Spree.
When: Monday to Saturday, 10 am - 8 pm
Where: Tamara-Danz-Straße 11, Friedrichshain (East Side Mall)
Tip 7: Marcella serves Italian soul food in a stylish atmosphere
You can enjoy pizzas the size of wagon wheels straight from the stone oven and delicious pasta at Marcella, the newly opened Italian restaurant in Friedrichshain. Whether you pick up a slice of pizza to take away or make yourself comfortable with a friend under the sea of lamps in one of the upholstered seating areas, the taste is sure to impress - and the atmosphere invites you to come back.
When: daily 11 am - midnight
Where: Frankfurter Allee 44, Friedrichshain
Tip 8: The Bad Boys Burger Club serves juicy bites
If you're not in the mood for pizza, you can bite into a juicy smashburger right next door at Bad Boys Burger Club. The highlight: the entrances to both restaurants lead into the same spacious food hall. The perfect new hotspot in Friedrichshain for anyone who doesn't want to choose between pizza, pasta and burgers
When: daily 11 am - midnight
Where: Frankfurter Allee 44, Friedrichshain (U Samariterstraße)
Tip 9: Japanese patisserie meets matcha magic at the AO Café
Tucked away in Wühlischstraße, the AO Café tempts you with sweet tarts, fine matcha and slow coffee in a stylish atmosphere. Japanese-inspired and lovingly prepared, the desserts here are little works of art - perfect for sharing (or enjoying on their own). And there are also unusual, colourful drinks such as Tangerine Passionfruit Ade Lemonade, Sweet Potatoe Latte and, of course, all kinds of Matcha variations.
When: daily 11am - 9pm
Where: Wühlischstraße 34, Friedrichshain
Tip 10: Boii Boii brings Thai vibes to Kreuzberg
If you're dreaming of travelling to Thailand from snowy Berlin - Boii Boii will serve you the taste. This restaurant opening from 2025 emerged from the popular pop-up Thai Noods and combines bright Thai flavours with a casual vibe, natural wine and creative twists. The Boii Boii team is currently in Thailand for the winter break. You can look forward to seeing what new recipes they bring to Berlin for the opening on 13 January 2026.
When: From 13 January 2026, Tuesday to Saturday from 6 pm
Where: Lausitzer Straße 25, Kreuzberg
Tip 11: Travel to Alice's wonderland
The Reinbeckhallen is kicking off the year with a new immersive art exhibition. For four exclusive dates in January, Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice in Wonderland" will be brought back to life. The immersive 360° show takes you into a modern-day wonderland where magic becomes almost real through digital art. Immerse yourself in Alice's dream world and let the projections and multi-sensory spatial experiences whisk you away to a world full of poetry and wonder
Surrounded by projections, sound and movement
When: 11, 18 & 25 January 2026
Where: Reinbeckhallen, Reinbeckstraße 29, Oberschöneweide
