Sipping tea at the Tadschikische Teestube is almost like being whisked away to the mountainous (we’re talking 90 percent mountains) country of Tajikistan. Save for the thermal gear, of course: upon entry, guests are required to take off their shoes and cozy up with the provided cushions—all in the name of tea.

Dating back to the early days of Soviet East Berlin, the Tadschikische Teestube has over 25 tea varieties ready to be served up with assorted Russian snacks like pierogis with herbs and pelmeni. The classic tea ceremony, samovar and all, is a treat—albeit a bit kitsch—in cold-weather bluster, especially during the teahouse’s “Märchenhafte Teestunden” every Tuesday at 18:00 in the winter months.

**Closed since April 2012.