Schöneberger Weltlaterne

Old Berlin Pub on Motzstraße in Schöneberg’s Rainbow Kiez

Motzstraße stretches for about one and a half kilometers from Nollendorfplatz, via Viktoria-Luise-Platz, to Prager Platz, and is named after the Prussian finance minister Friedrich von Motz; in the Schöneberg part, it has borne this name since 1870. In 1910, the U4, one of the city’s shortest lines, was built under the street. The section between Martin-Luther-Straße and Nollendorfplatz, where Schöneberger Weltlaterne is located, is the center of Berlin’s queer scene, with precursors even before World War I and a blossoming in the 1920s; since the early 2000s, the Motzstraßenfest has taken place here every year, and since 2019, the queer Christmas market Christmas Avenue has been added to Nollendorfplatz. The neighborhood is correspondingly densely built and rich in history: Rudolf Steiner and Marie von Sivers lived at number 30, Else Lasker-Schüler lived at number 7 from 1924 to 1933, both commemorated by a plaque. An Art Nouveau residential building from 1897 and the former Neue Schauspielhaus at Nollendorfplatz from a building complex dating back to 1906 are within sight. The building at Nollendorfplatz successively served as a theatre, early cinema, political stage, and disco, and has been used as a club again since 2005.

Giant Cabbage Roll, Königsberger Klopse and a Menu in Two Languages

Inside, Schöneberger Weltlaterne embraces what others have long since removed: dark wood, candlelight, and antique furniture, plus a small terrace in front of the door. The host is Daniel Rüdiger, who runs the establishment as a sole proprietorship and caters to both the neighborhood and international guests; the menu is therefore continuously available in German and English. The cuisine is down-to-earth and based on old Berlin recipes. The house specialty is the homemade giant cabbage roll, filled with minced meat and served with a delicate bacon sauce and boiled potatoes, for 18.90 Euros. Also on offer are Königsberger Klopse in caper sauce, Berlin mustard eggs with mashed potatoes, the Berlin Boulette with apple red cabbage, beef roulade, Berlin calf’s liver with apples and roasted onions, and Berlin Eisbein with pea puree and bacon sauce for 23.90 Euros. Fish offerings include plaice fillet, matjes with Hausfrauensoße, and homemade fried herring. Meat-free options for guests include herb crepes, Spätzle pan, and breaded celery schnitzel, and for dessert, there are apple fritters with vanilla ice cream or Grandma’s Red Berry Compote. For celebrations, the establishment provides a non-binding offer upon request, and reservations can be made by phone or via the house’s form.