Cooking with a view: Jan Möhwald (44, left) and chef Steffen Siegesmund (52, right) in the summer kitchen at Fisch-Borke on Müggelsee. Photo: Charles Yunck
By Sara Orlos Fernandes
In the fish bark at the Müggelsee, Berlin feels a bit like Sweden. Between a wooden hut, forest and sailing boat, delicious mackerel from the summer kitchen is served here.
The restaurant in the middle of the nature reserve at the end of the Müggelsee lido and is a popular meeting place for hikers, water sports enthusiasts and families. Steffen Siegesmund (52) stands in the open summer kitchen and cooks for his guests with a view of the lake while kingfishers breed next door. The current hit: mackerel from the charcoal grill with chanterelles and herb triplets.
The all-time favorite: the mackerel with chanterelles and potatoes Photo: Charles Yunck
In 1985 it was different. At that time, the original founder sold bottled beer and Viennese with a slice of toast in the Borkenbude. The new operator Jan Möhwald (44) redesigned the shop three years ago and revitalized it.
But there are also challenges in the idyll on the largest lake in Berlin. There is no sewage pipe on the property in the middle of the water protection area. Every drop of water has to end up in a 20,000 liter tank.
Up to four hundred guests can be served inside and outside the Fisch-Borke. Summer vacation is out of the question now. “I travel with my family in winter,” says Möhwald.
A little bit of Sweden, a little bit of Lake Garda, a little bit of Köpenick: This summer people will be feasting and sipping Aperol right on the lake. Photo: Charles Yunck
In addition to the gastronomy, visitors are drawn here mainly because of the sunset. Möhwald is certain: “It’s the loveliest in town!” Many couples have met at the romantic end of the day on the sun loungers. “A couple comes here every evening,” says the trained chef.
“Langschlenderer” creates a musical atmosphere. Every weekend Christof Rose (40) plays on the meadow of the fish bark Photo: Charles Yunck