While Berlin might be known for its nightlife, its history and its creativity, it’s not necessarily known for its coffee. With milky, weak, latte macchiatos being the choice of brew for many Berliners for too long, the good news is that Berlin’s coffee culture is changing. And fast. The influx of expats over the last few years have brought with them their coffee loving ways and Berlin now boasts a number of excellent cafes that will serve you a top-notch flat white just like you’d get at home. For a quality coffee, you need to pick your cafes carefully, but don’t worry, WOW has got you covered!
Berlin Coffee Guide: 10 of the Best
1. Bonanza Coffee Roasters
Bonanza Coffee Roasters is, without a doubt, THE BEST place to get coffee in Berlin. And rightly so: the guys behind Bonanza were some of the first to bring the Third Wave coffee movement to Berlin. Located in trendy Prenzlauer Berg right next to Mauerpark, you’ll be competing for a table on a Sunday. Be sure to order one of the chewy vegan chocolate cookies to enjoy with your coffee – trust me, you’ll regret it otherwise.
Location: Oderberger Straße 35, 10435, Prenzlauer Berg
2. Silo Coffee
Combining killer coffee with killer breakfasts, Silo Coffee is a weekend Friedrichshain favourite. The baristas here are super friendly Aussies who love having a chat as they make your coffee. A flat white and the baked eggs here is the best reason to get up in the morning.
Location: Gabriel-Max Straße 4, 10245, Friedrichshain
3. The Barn
The Barn has two cafes in Berlin: its large roasting house on the border of Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte and its smaller café in Berlin’s Jewish quarter. They take their coffee very seriously here. Laptops and prams are not permitted and the sugar jar is hidden at the back to encourage customers to admire the true taste of the coffee. Not much beats a cold brew here in summer.
Roastery Location: Schönhauser Allee 8, 10119, Mitte
Café Location: Auguststrße 58, 10119, Mitte
4. Kaschk
A relatively new café in central Berlin, Kaschk’s excellent coffee and beautiful, Nordic interior will beg you to stay for a second cup. The staff here are friendly and helpful and are you surprised to learn that a number of the baristas are Australian? One of my other favourite things about Kaschk is that they serve an impressive range of international craft beers on tap with the venue turning into a bar at night. There’s also a shuffleboard in the basement. Fun!
Location: Linienstraße 40, 10178, Mitte
5. Five Elephant
Located in hip Neukölln, Five Elephant not only serves great coffee, but also Berlin’s best cheesecake. They roast their own coffee out the back and customers are welcomed to observe the process. This spot is consistently busy and for good reason.
Location: Reichenberger Straße 101, 10999, Neukölln
6. Father Carpenter
Newly opened Father Carpenter has quickly gained a loyal following. Australian owned, this beautiful café tucked away in a quiet courtyard off one of Mitte’s hippest streets not only serves excellent coffee but a small range of food options as well. This is one of the only cafés in Berlin where you can order vegemite toast for breakfast!
Location: Münzstraße 21, 10178, Mitte
7. Roamers
Roamers is one of my favourite cafes in Berlin for a number of reasons. Firstly, the coffee is great. Secondly, the food is some of the best in Berlin and is actually the best place for brunch in the entire city. Thirdly, the interior space is tiny yet beautifully designed and filled with plants. Lastly, the staff are always cheerful and friendly. Getting a table here on weekends can be tricky, since everyone loves it, but trust me when I tell you it’s worth the wait.
Location: Pannierstraße 64, 12043, Neukölln
8. Companion Coffee
Located inside Kreuzberg’s VOO store, Companion Coffee is the perfect place for a coffee break after a busy afternoon of sightseeing around this lively district. A pair of Australian and Canadian baristas run this café, who are not only cheerful and attentive, but make delicious coffee.
Location: Oranienstraße 24, 10997, Kreuzberg
9. Godshot
Located in a quiet pocket of Prenzlauer Berg, Godshot’s cosy interior and comfy couches create a warm and relaxed atmosphere; perfect for sipping a latte and catching up on some reading. If the weather’s nice, there’s a great little seating area outside.
Location: Immanuelkirchstraße 32, 10405, Prenzlauer Berg
10. Café 9
If you’re anywhere Kreuzberg’s Markthalle IV (where Street Food Thursday happens every week), stop into Café 9 to grab a takeaway coffee. It’s a tiny place, only seating about five.
Location: Eisenbahnstraße 42, 10997, Kreuzberg
For more tips on where you can combine good coffee and a great brunch, check out the WOW Berlin Brunch Guide.
What have I missed? Where do you like to get your coffee in Berlin?
Emily Smith
July 12, 2015 at 11:11 pmI just went to Berlin and LOVED Five Elephant! They got a mention in my Berlin guides too. I’m not a Coffee drinker, but my boyf said it was awesome… I focussed my attention on the cheesecake 😉
Janine
July 12, 2015 at 3:05 amThat iced flat white pictured is actually from The Barn 😉
Rachel Bale
July 12, 2015 at 11:12 pmIt is indeed, Janine! You know Berlin well! The photos are placed above the cafe name they relate to 😉
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Luna
July 10, 2015 at 2:28 pmAmazing list! I’ve been to Berlin a few times and have been to a couple of these recommendations. They’re all amazing! If the list were out of 11, I’d recommend adding Hermann Eicke. It’s delicious. Amazing cappuccinos, fresh juices, and the best croissant I’ve ever had. I go there multiple times every time I’m in Berlin
Sarah
July 10, 2015 at 9:27 amAre you still living as an expat in Germany? I remember reading a post about it some time ago.. it made me wish I could drop everything and move out there but I don’t have the heart to leave my job 🙁
Rachel Bale
July 12, 2015 at 11:14 pmI am indeed, Sarah! Well, if you love your job, then that’s a reason to stay. Maybe down the track you might also find a great new job abroad somewhere… you never know! x
Ramona
July 10, 2015 at 1:51 amso if i ever happen to be in berlin again definitely want to take a look at that roamers place, coffee and plants? im in!
Vilde
July 10, 2015 at 1:36 amWhat a great list! Now I really want to travel to Berlin! And I really want a nice hot cup of coffee!
Jennifer Stevens | Adventurous Appetite
July 10, 2015 at 1:33 amI’m heading to Berlin next summer and will save this list. Funny, I pictured Berlin kind of like a European Melbourne, with funky cafes on every corner!
Patricia
July 10, 2015 at 1:14 amHello,
during my last visit in Berlin I was in the great Bonanza Coffee Roasters and yes, it is great!
Love this place and the coffee!
But I will tast the others as well soon 😉
Best, Patricia
Jennifer @ This Off Script Life
July 10, 2015 at 12:32 amI visited several coffee houses in Berlin last fall, and really liked The Barn. It’s a small space, but they serve great coffee.
Posh, Broke, & Bored
July 9, 2015 at 10:48 pmBerlin as a coffee destination, I’d never have guessed! I always think of currywurst, bicycles, and galleries. That Silo iced coffee looks gorgeous – I want one, NOW! x
Jasiminne
Leila
July 9, 2015 at 10:40 pmI wish I liked Coffee… these coffee shops look amazing. Guess I’ll just have to settle for a chocolate cookie instead!
Leila
July 9, 2015 at 10:35 pmI wish I liked Coffee… these coffee shops look amazing. Guess I’ll just have to settle for the chocolate cookie instead!
Carolin
July 9, 2015 at 4:49 pmFantastic collection, thank you Rachel for putting this together. I think it will be highly helpful when I visit Berlin again in August and I am always looking for nice café to grab a bite or sit down and do some work. I am guessing all of the cafés have free wifi too? 🙂
Jacqui
July 9, 2015 at 3:17 pmNot really a fan of coffee (shockingly) but still wanna visit these cafes, they look like great brunch places 🙂
Jacqui
vonny
July 9, 2015 at 3:09 pmNot a fan of coffee, but this list makes me want to go to coffee shop, I like how comfortable the place look 🙂
Iida-Emilia
July 9, 2015 at 2:21 pmThanks for these tips! I’m spending 5 days in Berlin in September and I’m definately going to visit these coffeeshops too 🙂
Michelle | Lights Camera Travel
July 9, 2015 at 12:17 pmThanks Rachel, this is great for when I’m in Berlin in September! I love my daily cuppa. I’m an Aussie but I never took to Vegemite… bleh! 😀
I wrote a similar post recently, but on my hometown (Cairns, Australia).
Do you know where you can get a nice almond milk latte in Berlin? They’re my favourite!