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?
