Lavanderia Vecchia

In the second courtyard of Flughafenstraße in Neukölln awaits one of Berlin's most unique Italian restaurants: Lavanderia Vecchia transformed an old laundry into a trattoria that, with dishtowels on the ceiling, an open show kitchen, and a fixed menu, sounds, smells, and tastes as if you've just stepped into Southern Italy.

Lavanderia Vecchia: Restaurant in a Laundry Guise

The restaurant is located in the second courtyard of Flughafenstraße. Dishtowels hang from clotheslines on the ceiling, and an antique washing machine serves as a tip fountain. The open show kitchen allows guests to watch the action unfold directly. It smells of herbs and braised meat, while soft Italian radio plays in the background. The concept is so clear that you hardly regret the walk through the courtyard. Those who finally find the restaurant quickly notice that Lavanderia Vecchia was indeed once a laundromat. But thanks to small wooden tables and embroidered dishtowels, the whole place feels more like a 1950s film set.

Fixed Menu Instead of Agony of Choice

The fixed five-course menu of meat or fish, depending on the week of your visit, includes antipasti, a primo like squid spaghetti, and a simple secondo. After dessert, guests are invited to the bar for an espresso, which is certainly welcome after the accompanying half bottle of house wine with the 62-euro menu. At lunchtime, Lavanderia Vecchia is a bit more relaxed: The changing lunch menu is designed to be a bit more casual, with homemade pasta variations like tagliatelle with ragù or ravioli with seasonal fillings being particularly popular. The service is warm and uncomplicated, enhancing the feeling of being a guest with Italian friends. In the evenings, reservations are absolutely necessary due to its great popularity.