Opening // Village Market @ Neue Heimat

I love a good market, especially if it involves first-rate street food and creative quirks. Naturally, then, it was with open arms that I welcomed in Berlin's latest gastronomical get-together: Village Market. Handily housed within Friedrichshain's RAW-Gelände, a mere hop (literally, in my case) from my flat, the fresh weekly event sees street food, art and music collab to create vibrant community vibes in an idyllic setting.

Neue Heimat is a vast, multi-faceted space comprising of huge graffiti-clad open areas and crafty, cosy nooks; an ideal little mix. While buzzing with bodies, the venue never felt overcrowded, instead oozing the friendly 'village' character indicated in the market's name - but with room to breathe too, which is always nice. In many ways, the atmosphere was a kinda microcosm of the city itself: a spirited and diverse fusion of people, food and creativity, side by side in a perfectly imperfect environment.

  

The cuisine offering was a little overwhelming - in a good way, obviously. Like Markthalle Neun, it's definitely a situation in which you find yourself wishing for more stomachs (or you could just go every weekend and work your way through the stalls, which is probably more feasible). A hello good pie, perhaps? Jones' artisanal ice creams and cookies, lovingly made with "pretty hands"? How about a visit to the Taco Kween? And I haven't even touched upon the damn good drinks selection. 

Tempting as it may have been, the gastronomy certainly wasn't Village Market's only appeal. Sweet stages throughout the venue treat your eyes and ears to live musicians and DJ sets, while the largest undercover space presented a mini expo of cool contemporary art. Teamed with a serious dose of Summer sun, it made for a pretty impeccable afternoon out. See ya next Sunday (and the Sunday after that).