The Top 10 Cafés of Berlin

After our romantic trip around the most exciting coffee houses of Paris, let’s move a bit to the northeast and take a closer look at Berlin, another huge capital city full of opportunities. The German capital was always famous for its lively nightlife, its history and its artistic richness. Less so for its cafes.

Berlin was not that much known until now as a hot spot among the coffee aficionados. Today, there are more and more cafes and coffee bars in the German capital. This tendency is due to the most fervent supporters of what is known as “Third Wave Coffee”. They made a way of life of this sacred ritual attached to coffee.

The English term Third Wave Coffee means a new kind of attitude: the whole process of coffee production is characterized by awareness. Awareness of the farm from where the coffee comes, how to roast, the degree of the water used for brewing, the amount of milk, etc.

The Germans are among the largest coffee drinkers in the world in terms of amount of coffee consumed per year. The Russians have popularized tea in Eastern Europe: the last tearoom of the Communist period, Tajik, has closed but many other places exist in Berlin. We have attempted to gather the top 10 Berlin cafés in this article for you:

 

10. Silo Coffee

• Address:   Gabriel-Max-Str. 4, 10245 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 4930 74078746
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Sat-Sun 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: https://www.facebook.com/silocoffee

 

Silo Coffee is a super friendly, super trendy place with a relaxing, quiet atmosphere. The decor is so lovely, the music is so chill. You will feel like you are at home. Really cozy. But be careful, because you have to arrive in the right time to surely find a place, this Berlin café is often crowded due to its popularity (finding a seat outside is extremely difficult). The staff is really attentive and they speak fluent English. The prices may seem a little bit high though.

Their coffee is so rich with a delicious smell. The batch brew is one of the coffees that is recommended by the staff. All their coffees are selected and roasted by their own roastery, Fjord Coffee Roasters. Sustainability is important for Silo Coffee. Their daily organic juices are totally refreshing! Their coffees go so well with the delicious pancakes. The foods are beautifully designed and so tasty.

The perfect place for a brunch. Avocado on sironi toast and shashouka are a must try. The bread is deliciously baked (topped with organic eggs, goat cheese and chorizo with herby avocado, definitely a real pleasure for the taste buds; but you can either choose other add—ons or just pick one from the menu). This is definitely a place not to be missed during your Berlin trip.

9. Cafe Einstein – Unter Den Linden

• Address:   Unter den Linden 42, 10117 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 30 2043632
• Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: http://einstein-udl.com/

Café Einstein is a Berlin coffee house located on Unter Den Linden right near the Brandenburg Gate in Mitte. The interior will remind you of the early 20th century, the SS army was entertained here. The atmosphere is really nice, they have an outdoor cafe section where you can just sit on the sidewalk with a cup of coffee and watch the passers-by. Quentin Tarantino filmed his movie „Inglorious Bastards“ at this Berlin coffee shop.

This Berlin coffee shop  has an interesting history, many famous people were dining here in the past. The waiters and the waitresses are a little bit distant and formal though (but professional). This Berlin café is often crowded and busy, be aware of that. Prices are reasonable, but the waiter will ask for the tip, because service is not included.

The coffee is excellent. Try their amazing iced cappuccino. Their menu is very diverse (both in English and German). You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Late breakfasts are also available, so if you are jet-lagged, no problem! The signature Einstein breakfast is just superb! Eggs of all styles, frittata, delicious pastries and breads… The fennel, the monk fish salad and the avocado bread are a must try with the Aperol spritz! Definitely a good place for coffee lovers and gourmands.

8. Rausch Schokoladenhaus – Cafe & Restaurant

• Address: Charlottenstr. 60 | Entrance Mohrenstrasse, Right Next to Am Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 30 2043632
• Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: www.rausch.de

Rausch Schokoladenhaus is an amazing place in the neighborhood of Checkpoint Charlie. Downstairs there is a fantastic shop (Fassbender & Rausch, established in 1863) full with monumental chocolate sculptures, beautiful chocolates and a lot of real stuff for sale. The café is upstairs, on the first level.

You can sit down beside the window to have a view at the magnificent Gendarmenmarkt Square. So romantic! The perfect spot to spend a calm Sunday afternoon with your loved ones or your friends besides a lovely cup of coffee.

However, the place is quite busy, so finding a table might not be the easiest task. The waiters are very polite and attentive though, they will treat you like a noble. You can read about the history of the place on their website, which is pretty interesting. The prices are high, but worth it: the quality is top.

Their coffee is marvelous, you have to taste their arabica varieties! Rausch Schokoladenhaus is definitely a heaven for chocolate lovers. They offer an almost infinitely wide selection of all types of chocolates, cakes, biscuits and dried fruits. The chocolate cake with apricot jam inside and the Sachertorte is definitely a must try. Do not miss this place while you are hanging out in Berlin. One of the best Berlin cafés.

7. Barcomi’s Deli

• Address: Sophienstr. 21 | 2. Hof, 10178 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 4930 28598363
• Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: http://www.barcomis.de/

Barcomi’s Deli is an amazing little brunch place in the heart of Berlin city (located on one of the many gardensquares of Sophienstrasse). It is worthwhile to sit in here after a tiring day of shopping in the neighborhood.This hidden gem is perfectly suitable for having a fun Saturday afternoon with your family, the kids will love it.

You can have breakfast, lunch or brunch here. Indoor and outdoor seating is both available. Service is professional and friendly with fluent English and a good sense of humor. The interior is so spacious, you will feel comfortable. Prices are reasonable, the menu is available in English, which is a nice plus.

Coffee is decent, they offer different varieties for your personal taste. Whether you like flowery or acidic, darker, or lighter roasting, mild or powerful coffees, your cravings will be satisfied here. They offer a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and cakes.

The apple pie and the cheesecake are unforgettable. Something to die for. Parma ham and salad sandwich are definitely a must try! 3 gluten-free options are also available. The rhubarb juice is so delicious. Visit this place if you want good for yourself. Definitely one of the best Berlin cafés.

6. 1900 Cafe Bistro

• Address: Knesebeckstr. 76 | Near Savignyplatz Charlottenburg, 10623 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 30 88715871
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Sat-Sun 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: https://www.facebook.com/1900cafebistro/

1900 Cafe Bistro is a warm, cozy Berlin coffee house located on a street near the busy Ku’damm with many other nice Berlin cafés. Here you can leave behind the hustle and bustle of the big city and spend a quiet afternoon in the company of a steaming coffee and a good book discovering that genuine Berlin flavor! As if you were at your Grandma’s house.

As the name also suggests, this is a bistro-like café with all its charms and small imperfections. The size of the café is quite small (it was designed for about 15-20 people), so finding a seat is quite hard,  but it is worth it. The place gets busy at lunch time, but in the morning there will be no problem! The service is friendly and attentive. The place is full of locals, which is always a good sign.

Coffee is really delicious, especially their melange. The size of the coffee is small, so if you have a big appetite for caffeine, you may have to order two. Fantastic herbal teas from fresh ingredients are also available.

The small but gorgeous menu offers original dishes with a genuine Berlin flavor: your buds will be happy here to taste the original, traditional German breakfast. However, the size of the portions will remind you of the American style. 1900 Café Bistro is really worth trying, you definitely should visit it during your Berlin trip.

5. Flamingo Fresh Food Bar

• Address: Neustadtische Kirchstrasse 8 | 10117 Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 30 83218865
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: www.flamingo-freshfood.de

Flamingo Fresh Food Bar is a trendy, youthful self-service Berlin coffee house in the neighborhood of the Friedrichstr. S-Bahn station. If you desire healthy, fresh food, this might be the right place for you. It can be a nice refreshment after the heavy filling cuisine of the traditional German pubs.

You can bring your friends or your family to have a quality time here. This Berlin café is so popular among the tourists. The line can be quite long around lunchtime, but don’t worry, it moves quickly and the compensate you.

The staff is friendly and professional. The only disadvantage is the price, which is quite high. In case you are in a rush, you can just grab the food and take away. You can sit inside, or use the small outside terrace, which has a lovely ambiance.

The coffee is strong and aromatic, they offer a wide range of high-quality coffee and tea specialties from controlled organic cultivations in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The food is fresh, Vegan options are available (even desserts). You can choose from a lot of sandwiches, salads, muesli, cakes and soups. The chicken satay sarnies is a must try. We highly recommend this place, which is definitely one of the best Berlin cafés.

4. Father Carpenter Coffee Brewers

• Address: Muenzstr. 21 | 1. Hof, 10178 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 30 40044289
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: https://fathercarpenter.com/

Father Carpenter Coffee Brewers is a popular, hipster place tucked away in a lovely little courtyard off the Main Street in the Mitte district. The interior is so nicely designed, really fresh and cool! It is not easy to find this Berlin café, but it’s worth the effort. The atmosphere is so chill. The place consists of two shops, one for self-service take away options (you can make your own breakfast!), the other with table service.

The menu is available in both English and German, vegan options are available. The place can be very busy, so if you do not arrive in the proper time, you might only get a shared table. The service is very friendly and enthusiastic, prices are affordable.

The freshly roasted coffee is delicious but very strong! This Berlin coffee shop is only for the more advanced coffee lovers. The Flat White with well-textured milk and the earthy and full-bodied Espresso shot are definitely a must try. The exclusive latte art will surprise you.

The baked egg and chorizo breakfast are so tasty. Toasted cheese sandwiches, avocado on toast… Both great! Portobello mushrooms on sourdough? Yummy. Father Carpenter Coffee Brewers is really worth trying, do not forget to adapt it to your Berlin program plan.

3. Zeit fur Brot

• Address: Alte Schoenhauser Str. 4, 10119 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 30 28046780
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 am – 8:00 pm, Sat-Sun 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: http://www.zeitfuerbrot.com/

This lovely little place with its unique atmosphere is located only a 15 minutes walk from Alexanderplatz. When you enter, the fresh scents of the bakery from the oven will overwhelm you! The interior is so clean, everything is freshly prepared.  The perfect place with limited indoor/outdoor seating to have a wonderful breakfast.

However, as it is characteristic of popular places, the queue can be quite long! So, you are better off if you arrive outside the peak time. Mondays are more relaxed. The staff is friendly and polite, eager to give you directions to the attractions in the city and what to do in Berlin. They speak English well.

The coffee is excellent (strong and well-flavoured), the selection is quite wide. Cappuccino and Latte Macchiato with organic milk (without lactose) is a must try. There are also drinks for vegans (soy, almond). Classic German bread is available, you have to try the Vollkorn-Saftkorn bread, which is a dense whole-wheat loaf full with flavors.

You can choose from lots of delicacies including cinnamon roll, mozzarella, tomato and pesto toasted panini, cheese rolls and pretzel croissant. The “Zint-Sdinedke” is house famous and so delicious. You must give this Berlin coffee shop a try. You won’t regret it.

2. Distrikt Coffee

• Address: Bergstr. 68, 10115 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  +49 4930 54594033
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Sat-Sun 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: https://www.facebook.com/distriktcoffee

Distrikt Coffee is a cute little Angophile place with a typical Brooklyn-hipster vibe. This Berlin café is located on a side-street in the neighborhood of the Berlin Wall Memorial (Mitte). It is crowded mainly by young people due to its youthful, positive ambiance and funky atmosphere. The interior is so stylish with its spaciousness and minimalism reminding you of artistic lofts.

The staff is friendly, they speak English. Be careful, because they do not accept credit cards, which is quite usual in the German capital. Distrikt Coffee is super busy on weekends, but during the weekdays it is more relaxed. So, you’d better schedule your arrival if you want to avoid the long queues. Prices are reasonable.

The filter coffee is very good, but only for those, who like the more acidic style. Try the Cappuccino or the Americano. You can choose from many breakfast options, the portions are huge, so it may be even enough for two people.

A small, delicious breakfast menu with pancakes (the kids will love it!), muesli and poached eggs is also available. The avocado toast with chunks of ripe avocado, beets, and radishes is definitely a must try. Are you a vegetarian? No problem, there are options for you too. Try it.

1. What Do You Fancy Love?

• Address: Knesebeckstr. 68, 10623 Berlin, Germany
• Telephone:  500
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 am – 6:00 pm, Sat-Sun 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
• More information about the coffee house: http://whatdoyoufancylove.de/

What Do You Fancy Love? Good question. They assume that you will find the thing you love here. And probably they are right. This central located, hipster place is well decorated, but the design is not too fancy (despite the name). Old wooden benches and tables, a lot of pictures of fashion magazines and flowers occupy the interior.

Indoor and outdoor seating are both available. Places are limited in the winter time, so presumably, you will have to wait. Sitting out to enjoy the sunny terrace in the summertime is a fabulous experience! It is a nice plus that they are open on public holidays. Prices are reasonable, but they don’t speak English and you can only pay with cash…

This place offers you a wide variety of juice, shakes, smoothies, bagels and coffee. Just perfect for a fulfilling breakfast. They use fresh ingredients. The coffee is terrific, especially the latte. Their drinks are tasty and freshly prepared, just as “Push Up” (spinach-cucumber-lemon-apple-ginger) or “Mrs. Red” (beetroot-celery-fennel-ginger-carrot).

The guacamole seeded bagel and the lebenswurst on brot are definitely a must try. Try the hazelnut cake too. One of the best Berlin cafés, you definitely should not miss this amazing place during your visit to Berlin.

Summary

Where to find the best coffee in Berlin? This is quite a subjective question. If you are a supporter of the Third Wave Coffee movement, you demand elaborate technical methods; but if you rather appreciate the Italian style, that means you are keen on the softest foam. Either way, you should definitely check out our article about The Best Cafés of Rome if you are searching for a different experience.

After all, you may find both in the German capital, but you do the best if you are open to everything. Recently, the coffee scene of Berlin is thriving, though the ultra-hype has cooled down in the last two years. We wish you good luck for the discovery of the exciting world of Berlin cafés.