Kreuzberg is the Brooklyn of Berlin.
Kreuzberg named the Brooklyn of Berlin
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Kreuzberg the Brooklyn of Berlin.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Berlin's verdict went to Kreuzberg ahead of Neukölln, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Kreuzberg the Brooklyn of Berlin. It keeps its own clock, breakfast in the afternoon, the week starting whenever it feels like it, and the canal doing the work of a living room. Berliners are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Kreuzberg's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Berlin verdict: brooklynof.com/berlin
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/berlin
Runner-up neighborhoods: Neukölln, Friedrichshain, Prenzlauer Berg
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.