Timur Gabriel (Photo: Daniel Adams Photography)
Cover Timur Gabriel (Photo: Daniel Adams)

What does a day in the life of the Malaysian actress look like? Read on to find out.

In 2018, Timur Gabriel was trying her best to break into the Malaysian acting industry after a one-year stint as a host on The 8TV Quickie, a daily short-form variety show. Faced with an uphill battle against the industry’s strict beauty standards, she decided to move to Berlin, Germany, after receiving an opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at Humboldt University in Berlin. “I know it sounds unbelievable, but I had never left Malaysia (at the time). I could never afford it,” she shares.

Today, she is signed to a leading talent agency, Buchwald, and pursuing her acting passion in the German capital city. At the same time, she produces comedic content on her personal Instagram and TikTok accounts while holding down a day job as a social media manager for a major online fashion retailer.

See also: Timur Gabriel is ready for the big screen

"Berlin is my safe space."

- Timur Gabriel -

“As someone who lived in Kuala Lumpur, Berlin is very different,” she says, reflecting on living in the multicultural city. “There's a saying that goes, ‘Berlin is the German exception’ because everyone there is a wanderer of some sort. It’s been eye-opening to meet people from different walks of life; they’re so open and creative that it inspires me to be the same. If Berlin were a person, it’d be a good friend.”

In this exclusive neighbourhood guide, we find out Gabriel’s favourite spots in the city. 

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Best café: La Maison Berlin

A day with Timur Gabriel begins with yoga and a relaxing morning beauty routine before getting straight into work. “Working in social media is my version of an actress’s waitressing job,” she jokes.

“The majority of the job involves being inside, whether it’s working at home or going on set to shoot campaigns, so I enjoy heading out for coffee or lunch,” she shares. La Maison Berlin is her go-to for the best coffee and pastries with a view. “It doesn’t even have indoor seating,” she adds. The eatery also offers handmade pizza as well as an impressive menu of wine and cocktails.

La Maison Berlin, Paul-Lincke-Ufer 17, 10999 Berlin

Best Malaysian restaurant: Ma-makan

One of Gabriel’s early viral videos was created in collaboration with Berlin-based Malaysian-Singaporean restaurant Ma-makan. Run by Australian-Singaporean chef Kaylin Eu, the restaurant offers an authentic taste of home in a foreign country with traditional dishes, including cendol, tauhu goreng, nasi lemak, and laksa. It also presents innovative creations, such as kaya croissants and its signature kopitini cocktail.

Ma-makan does not accept reservations. “There’s always a long line outside the restaurant,” emphasises Gabriel. “That's why I’m always there at least 10 minutes before opening!”

Ma-makan, Lausitzer Pl. 12, 10997 Berlin

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Favourite food truck: Señor Ceviche

“I'm not the type of girl who likes to work out aggressively, so to stay fit, I always take a mental health walk for an hour over lunch. My destination is very often Señor Ceviche. I follow them on Instagram, and I'll literally walk over to wherever they are parked for the day, have some food and head back to finish up my workday," she says. The Peruvian food truck in Berlin is known for its ceviche, chicharrón sandwiches, and Peruvian-style empanadas—all made with fresh ingredients and guaranteed to explode with flavour in your mouth.

Follow Señor Ceviche to find its daily location. 

See also: 7 cafés in Kota Kinabalu for your coffee needs

Best restaurant: Nusantara Berlin

On the days she needs comfort food, Gabriel makes a beeline for Nusantara Berlin, an affordable Indonesian restaurant offering generous portions of her favourite dishes. “For nine euros, I can indulge in a massive serving of kampung fried rice and cap it off with cendol,” she says. 

Nusantara Berlin, Turmstraße 18, 10559 Berlin, +4930 966 00331

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Best art gallery: Gropius Bau

Browsing art exhibitions and galleries in Berlin is one of Gabriel’s favourite pastimes in the evening and on the weekends. Her favourite art gallery is Gropius Bau, which is located on the historic border between East and West Berlin. The building was erected by German architects Martin Gropius and Heino Schmieden in a striking neo-Renaissance style. Exhibitions include a showcase of contemporary and modern art, riveting performances, and workshops.

Its current exhibition, Ether’s Bloom, is not to be missed as it offers an online and offline programme on Artificial Intelligence (AI) featuring artistic explorations, podcasts and lectures exploring the poetic possibilities of AI.

Gropius Bau, Niederkirchnerstraße 7, 10963 Berlin, +49 30 254860

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Best place for shopping: Kreuzberg

“I see Kreuzberg as the Bangsar and Mont Kiara of Berlin,” laughs Gabriel, describing a trendy area populated with thrift shops, independent clothing labels, artisanal coffee shops and beautiful street art, such as Belgian artist ROA's five-storey-tall street mural and French artist Victor Ash’s Astronaut Cosmonaut. “At first glance, Berlin may look a bit industrial and grimy, but there is always beauty and art everywhere if you truly look for it. That's the best part about Berlin,” comments Gabriel.

The Malaysian actress also recommends Hallesche Haus, an independent store and café located within Kreuzberg: “I love shopping for home decor, so I always make a stop at Hallesche Haus—sometimes even just to browse."

Hallesche Haus, Tempelhofer Ufer 1, 10961 Berlin

See also: 10 tranquil modern resort-style homes around Malaysia

Must-see tourist destination: Die Neue Nationalgalerie

For Gabriel, an underrated tourist destination is Die Neue Nationalgalerie, which houses the Berlin National Gallery’s 20th century art in its iconic building designed by German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1968. Gabriel praises its “incredible curation” of modern art pieces and its impressive exhibition line-up. Two highly anticipated exhibitions will come to Die Neue Nationalgaleri in 2024: American multidisciplinary artist Lucy Raven’s 2021 video installation Ready Mix and Extreme Tension: Art between Politics and Society 1945 – 2000.

Die Neue Nationalgalerie, Potsdamer Str. 50, 10785 Berlin, +49 30 266424242

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Hidden gem: Thaipark Berlin

“There’s something so comforting about Thaipark. It’s a large open space with a bunch of Thai aunties hanging out and casually making the best Thai food you've ever had,” she says. Thaipark hosts its food vendors seasonally, commonly between April and October, with differing opening hours daily. As such, it is encouraged to follow Thaipark on Instagram to keep track of its activities. 

Thaipark Berlin, Brandenburgische Straße, 10707 Berlin, +49 30 60264358

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