Siobhan Stagg.
EXPAT
I live here…
Berlin
WHO
Siobhan Stagg, 30, opera singer
FROM
Mildura, via Melbourne, now living in Berlin for four years.
SEE
I may be biased, but I'd have to say the Deutsche Oper Berlin (my workplace and artistic home). There are often five different shows playing in any given week. I also recommend the Berliner Staatsoper, Komische Oper, Konzerthaus and Berliner Philharmonie: culture vultures are spoiled in this city. See deutscheoperberlin.de, staatsoper-berlin.de, konzerthaus.de, berliner-philharmoniker.de
DO
Cycling is my favourite way to get around. There are separate bike paths on many of the main roads, including Strasse des 17 Juni, which runs through Charlottenburg to the central business district via the beautiful Tiergarten. Stop in the park for a leafy mid-town stroll, or hire a row boat at the Cafe am Neuen. See cafeamneuensee.de
EAT
Our favourite local restaurant is Cantinetta, just south of Deutsche Oper Berlin. The family-owned trattoria has amazing pasta, wood-fired pizza and salads. There are great cafes around Savignyplatz and Prenzlauer Berg: Nah am Wasser is our current go-to. See cantinetta-berlin.de, nahamwasser.de
DRINK
I'm not a big drinker (alcohol dehydrates the vocal cords) but Katz Orange, in Mitte, does a mean Old-fashioned cocktail with stylish garnishes. See katzorange.com
AVOID Unnecessary small talk. German workers are unaccustomed to the typical Australian idle chitchat in cafes – they prefer to get straight to the point. It can seem brusque at first, but now I find it quite refreshing.
Know an expat who's in the know? Contact Belinda.jackson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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