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Berlin’s Best Beans –
Cafe & Specialty Coffee Guide

Berlin is blessed with more than 50 specialty coffee shops and cafes bringing to the German capital some of the best coffee beans on the market, carefully crafted by knowledgeable coffee people and professionals from all over the world and served in unique and purposefully designed spaces. It is pretty exciting to experience the rapid growth of the third wave movement in Berlin first hand as it spreads from district to district. To discover cafes serving specialty coffee in your favorite neighborhood, simply click through this guide.

A guide to Specialty Coffee Shops and Cafes in Berlin

Berlin Kreuzberg

Bonanza

berlin best cafes
In 2016 Bonanza Coffee Roasters expanded to a new location for their roastery in a charming Kreuzberg backyard. The best part: they opened one of the most gorgeous cafés in Berlin right with it. Bonanza have been around for almost 15 years and are definitely one of the great pioneers of Berlin’s specialty coffee scene. The founders are sourcing the highest quality beans from importers like Nordic Approach, Trabocca and Antus Coffee from Colombia to bring you excellent brews all year round. Along with espresso based drinks Bonanza serve top notch batch brew to curb your caffeine cravings. Their roasts are a great souvenir to take back home for grinding and brewing when the Berlin nostalgia kicks in.

Address:
Adalbertstraße 70
10999 Berlin

Chapter One

best cafes Berlin

Chapter One is a neighbourhood coffee shop in the Bergmannkiez of Berlin Kreuzberg. It is run by Nora and her business partner Björn since 2011. Multiple roasters are featured at Chapter One, including JB Kaffee, Flying Roasters, Johan and Nyström, Röststätte, Hoppenworth & Ploch, Ernst Kaffeerösterei and Episode #1, which is a coffee Nora produces together with Andraschko Kaffeerösterei. As the emphasis is on filter, various brew methods are available. You’ll find the Syphon, V60, Aeropress, French Press and Chemex.

Address:
Mittenwalder Str. 30
10961 Berlin

Concierge

best cafes berlin

Where once a doorman was providing courtesy and security, nowadays Concierge are handing out espresso and flat whites. In 2013 Benjamin Pates and Namy Nosratifard gave the tiny space in a Kreuzberg backyard a new purpose by transforming it into a boutique espresso bar. In the adjacent Zola, a bigger place serving authentic Napoletan pizza, Concierge have stationed a stunning San Francisco Roaster on which they are working their magic. In terms of location, it doesn’t get much better than this! The proximity to the canal is a great draw for promenaders or those you seek a fresh breeze.

Address:
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39-40
10999 Berlin

Westberlin

best cafes berlin

Westberlin is a coffee and media shop in the heart of Berlin located on the end of Friedrichstraße that is still part of Kreuzberg. The owner Kai Bröer, who is also an architect, launched Westberlin in 2011, when the area was still considered to be less desirable for investment. The interior is well thought-out and is influenced by Japanese and Scandinavian approaches to design. I love to come here to work as the ample space is very welcoming to people on laptops. The Scandinavian influence is reflected in the choice of beans as well, with Drop Coffee being a regular here for espresso brewed on a La Marzocco Strada.  For filter and cold brew Westberlin is sticking to the local roastery Five Elephant.

Address:
Friedrichstrasse 215
10969 Berlin Kreuzberg

19grams Schlesi

Schlesische Str. 18
10997 Berlin

Nano

Dresdner Str. 14
10999 Berlin

Recommendations for accommodation in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

Hotel Indigo Berlin – Top notch design hotel a stone’s throw away from the East Side Gallery. Best city views from the rooftop terrace! —> Booking.com
Michelberger Hotel – Quirky hotel straight out of a Kinfolk magazine with an in-house organic restaurant, coffee shop and bar. —> Booking.com
Hotel the YARD – Boutique hotel located on the iconic Bergmannstrasse surrounded by restaurants, cafés and alternative book stores. —> Booking.com

Berlin Friedrichshain

Silo

best cafes berlin

The cousins James Maguire and Morgan Love brought a piece of Australian breakie and coffee culture to Friedrichshain when they opened Silo in 2013.  These days the coffee comes exclusively from Fjord, a roasting project that Silo is running in cooperation with Father Carpenter Coffee Brewers. A great address for brunch with a timeless rustic interior.

Address:
Gabriel-Max-Straße 4
10245 Berlin

19grams – Tres Cabezas

best cafes berlin

Tres Cabezas is a specialty coffee roastery located in Berlin Friedrichshain. When Sascha Spittel and Robert Stock started with an espresso bar in 2002 they had no idea it would develop into a successful coffee roastery with three coffee shops in Berlin and a respectable retail business. Robert told me he still thinks it was a bad idea to start out at Ostkreuz, which back then wasn’t a very desirable neighbourhood. But looking at what they’ve achieved it could have gone worse.

Address:
Boxhagener Str. 74
10245 Berlin

Berlin Mitte

Distrikt Coffee

best cafes berlin

From the exposed brick walls coupled with wooden and metal design, to the high quality coffee and pancakes, there are so many good reasons to fall for this place! It is my number one go to spot for brunch in Berlin, even though I have to wait in line every time I come here. Distrikt opened in December 2014 and is a project by Sophie Hardy and Hannes Haake. Their choice of coffee is Fjord, a local roastery run by Silo and Father Carpenter.

Address:
Bergstraße 68
10115 Berlin

Father Carpenter

best cafes Berlin

Father Carpenter have been around since 2014 and are nestled in a beautiful courtyard with a spacious terrace. Kresten Thogersen and his business partner where at the right place at the right time when they scored this prime location close to Hackescher Markt. Since its opening a lot has changed though. In 2016 Kresten started working together with Morgan und James from Silo to take the quality of their roasts into their own hands and to gain independence from other roasteries. The result of that cooperation is Fjord Roasters, which is what hits the grinders at Father Carpenter since. Another development was the enlargement of the café in spring 2017. Due to it’s size and the high volume only batch brew is available apart from espresso based drinks and a mouth watering menu.

Address:
Münzstraße 21
10178 Berlin

Five Elephant Mitte

best cafes Berlin

From the beginnings in 2010 until the end of 2016 Sophie and Kris Schackman were running their renowned specialty coffee roastery and café solely from Kreuzberg. Over are the times we had to travel South for their delicious brews and cheesecake since Five Elephant opened up a second coffee shop right in the heart of Mitte. It is more of a take-away place with limited seating and a sleek design that minimizes the distance between barista and customer. The gorgeous custom made counter displaying sweet treats shows once more how serious the Schackman’s are about coffee AND cake! Both convince more than ever.

Address:
Alte Schönhauser Str. 14
10119 Berlin

Refinery High End Coffee

best cafes Berlin

In 2015 Tansel and Bora Özbek started the Refinery journey in the heart of Berlin. Refinery is a contemporary space that combines a pure Scandinavian approach to interior design and industrial elements characteristic for Berlin. The coffee shop supports local coffee roasters, such as Bonanza, The Barn and Fjord but also features international coffee heroes like Tim Wendelboe and April Coffee Roasters.

Address:
Albrechtstrasse 11b
10117 Berlin
Germany

Röststätte

best cafes Berlin

Röststätte is a specialty coffee shop, roastery and retail store in the heart of Berlin. Yvonne und Ivo Welle opened up the coffee shop in 2006 and started roasting in the spirit of the third wave movement a few years later in 2011. Their coffee empire expanded further when a show room and barista academy followed in 2015. Röststätte is a distributor and service partner for espresso machines and mills of the brands Victoria Arduino and Nuova Simonelli.

Address:
Ackerstraße 173
10115 Berlin
Germany

Röststätte Hackesche Höfe

best cafes Berlin

In March 2018 Röststätte opened their second location in the historic Hackesche Höfe in close proximity to Alexanderplatz. It is a place where more than a century old tradition mingles with the contemporary coffee culture. The interior was designed keeping the Art Décor style of the building in mind, while the coffee equipment is anything but old fashioned. A Victoria Arduino Black Eagle is guarding the hand crafted counter with its green marble topping. While the coffee available is the same as in the roastery at Ackerstraße, fans of coffee and spirits will appreciate the custom made menu which carries drinks prepared with the house liqueur Cold Brew X. Espresso Martini, Negroni and Coffee Daiquiri are just a few of the innovations available here.

Address:
Rosenthaler Straße 40-41, Berlin

Ben Rahim

best cafes Berlin

Another specialty coffee shop tucked away in the backyards of Hackesche Höfe is Ben Rahim. The owner, who gave the shop its name, is a Tunisian national who wanted to introduce Berlin to Arabian hospitality coupled with a specialty approach to traditional coffee. “Coffee is an important part of life in Tunisia”, he tells me, while pointing on the Ibirik coffee pot standing on the shelf behind him. During the Berlin Coffee Festival in September 2018 Ben Rahim celebrated the traditional Arab/Turkish way of brewing coffee together with his partner April Coffee from Copenhagen .
While this is a great place to discover a different coffee culture the specialty way, espresso based drinks or filter brewed on a V60 are available too. The house blend is the “Red Brick” by Square Mile, who have supported Ben Rahim with quality beans right from the start.

Address:
Sophienstraße 7
Berlin

Bonanza Gendarmenmarkt

best cafes Berlin

In May 2020 Bonanza Coffee Roasters opened a takeaway cafe at Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin Mitte. Housed in a historical building this stunning coffee shop adapted to the upscale neighbourhood by creating an elegant space that exudes sophistication. Walk towards the custom made bar on green marble floors imported from Italy and order one of the finest coffees in the capital. There is limited seating available in the lobby, or take your coffee to go and take a seat at one of the many benches nearby the concert hall at Gendarmenmarkt to enjoy a coffee break.

Address:
Jägerstraße 58
10117 Berlin

19grams Alex

Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 13
10178 Berlin

Oslo Kaffeebar

Eichendorffstr. 13
10115 Berlin

19grams Chaussee

Chausseestr. 36
10115 Berlin

Berlin Neukölln

Isla Coffee

best cafes Berlin

Isla is a project run by Phillip Reichel from the Kaffee 9 team and Peter Duran that puts environmental sustainability as high on the agenda as quality coffee and food. From cups produced of coffee grounds to a zero food waste policy or the use of recycled materials for the interior, it sets new standards that every coffee shop should follow! Needless to say that the weekend brunches are delicious and made from produce that is carefully chosen and local. A regular you’ll see on the coffee menu is Kaffee 9 while guest roasters rotate. Just ask the barista what beans are available for filter on the day you visit and they’ll skillfully swing their gooseneck kettle for you.

Address:
Hermannstr. 37, 12049
Berlin Neukölln

Kaffeekirsche Roastery

best cafes Berlin

The second location of Kaffeekirsche has barely been open a week and is already bustling! The owner Turabi Kocadag launched it in the mid-August 2017, wanting to create an inclusive space where everyone in the neighbourhood feels welcome. It is located in one of the most diverse areas of Berlin, right by Schönleinstraße metro station in Neukölln. Coffee is roasted in-house on a 12kg Probat. The house espresso “Dreamteam” is a blend of 70% Brazil and 30% Ethiopia that boosts sweet caramel and fruity notes. Apart from excellent espresso this location is also focusing on Kalita Wave and the Bayreuther Kanne for filter.

Address:
Böckhstrasse 30
10967 Berlin

Home

best cafes berlin

Before Sarah, who is originally from New Zealand, opened her coffee shop in January 2016 it was all or nothing. Either she was going to leave Berlin behind or start something of her own. I think I speak for every coffee lover in town when I say that I am so glad she took the leap of faith. Nestled in a residential part of Neukölln ‘Home’ gives locals and visitors alike a place where they could feel, well, at home. The welcoming vibe coupled with excellent brunch options and great home made scones is already reason enough to stop by. But wait ’til you try the coffee! Sarah worked at The Barn for 3 years and stayed loyal to the Berlin based roastery even after she started her own business. It was actually Ralf, the owner of The Barn, that gave her a last push to go through with it. Currently you’ll be enjoying La Bandera from Costa Rica for espresso. For filter Copenhagen’s April stands in with an Ethiopian, Brazilian and Kenyan options. Beans change every couple of months.

Address:
Jonasstraße 23
12053 Berlin

Roamers

best cafes Berlin

Whether it’s brunch, coffee or cakes you’re after, Roamers has made it their mission to fulfil those cravings to the highest possible standards. The rustic cafe, that looks like it came straight out of a Kinfolk magazine, has made quite a name for itself since its opening in January 2014. Expect long cues on weekends and during brunch hours, as there are only a handful of tables available inside. Last time I checked, Bonanza delivered the specialty grade coffee beans. I remember admiring the rodeo style brewing of the Chemex, that fit in ever so smoothly with the wooden, nostalgic interior. Roamers really feels like a pocket-sized Montana forest cabin. Just writing this makes me want to go back!

Address:
Pannierstraße 64, 12043 Berlin

Populus

Maybachufer 20
12047 Berlin

CAMON Coffee

Sonnenallee27
12047 Berlin

Okay Café

Pflügerstr. 68
12047 Berlin

Companion

Weserstr. 166
12045 Berlin

Berlin Prenzlauer Berg

Cafe Kraft

best cafes Berlin

A 10 minute walk from S-Bahn Schönhauser Allee Cafe Kraft is your go-to place for good coffee and breakfast in Prenzlauer Berg. Marco and Jarves opened up this corner coffee shop in 2014 and have worked together with the roastery JB Kaffee since. If espresso is what you’re after a balanced blend of Brazil and Ethiopia is what you’ll get. Single origins are available only on batch brew, but there is an Aeropress on the shelf somewhere, if you insist. 😉
What’s really unique about Cafe Kraft is the running crew that has been build around it. Kraft Runners meet here every Tuesday at 18:45 for a free training session – open to anyone bringing good vibes!

Address:
Schivelbeiner Str. 23
10439 Berlin

Bonanza Coffee Heroes

Oderberger Str. 35
10435 Berlin

Nothaft Cafe

Schönhauser Allee 43A
10435 Berlin

WIM Kaffee

Sonnenburger Str. 68
10437 Berlin

Berlin Wedding

Coffee Circle

best cafes Berlin

In 2010 the specialty coffee roastery Coffee Circle was founded by Martin Elwert, Robert Bach and Moritz Waldstein-Wartenberg. Their goal was and still is today to create a transparent value chain that benefits all stakeholders – from farming, to roasting to your cup of coffee and back to the origin. In Berlin, they are supplying more than 25 cafés, numerous companies and private customers with some of the best coffee in the world. Coffee Circle’s office is located in Berlin Wedding and invites to cupping sessions and other events at special occassions. They have since also opened a cafe in the same building.

Address:
Coffee Circle Café
Lindower Str. 18 Vorderhaus
13347 Berlin

Berlin Moabit

Garcia Kaffeebar

best cafes Berlin

Garcia Kaffeebar in Moabit is a lovely family affair run by Marila and Konrad. Since the opening in January 2015 they’ve been collaborating with Flying Roasters based in Berlin Wedding to set up the roast profile for their house espresso. Not knowing how the locals in Moabit would respond to a coffee tasting very different from what they are used to, they stuck to darker roasts at the beginning and then slowly moved towards lighter roasts. When I visited, Konrad served a washed single origin from Guatemala that worked really well with milk and left a pleasant taste in my mouth. Just recently they’ve expanded with a second grinder to start collaborating with other German roasteries too, currently The Barn and JB. As much as I was fond of their specialty coffee, the interior was pretty special too. The washed out yellow walls combined with red chairs create an incredibly cosy atmosphere.

Address:
Waldstraße 59
10551 Berlin

Spontan Specialty Coffee and Store

best cafes Berlin

Design meets jewelry meets board games meets great coffee! Spontan has everything you need for a relaxed afternoon in the neighbourhood of Moabit. Marie and George opened Spontan in February 2016 and therewith combined their passions and skills to create a truly extraordinary. concept. George loves board games! You can find his corner on the left hand side of the counter where numerous classics can be rented or played with in the store. Marie on the other hand is a goldsmith and her marvelously minimalist and geometric collection is visible in a glass cabinet by the window. Both share a fable for design and have build the interior by hand, which is defined by unique furniture, shades of blue and rustic elements. The multi roaster café is currently featuring a blend by Fjord for espresso.  Filter is available on a V60. Other local roasters you’ll find here include The Barn and Bonanza.

Address:
Gotzkowskystraße 29
10555 Berlin

Berlin Charlottenburg

The Barn

best cafes Berlin

The Barn revived an emblem of Westberlins café culture when they moved into the Kranzler building at the end of 2016 to open their third coffee shop in Berlin. The iconic building from the 50’s, which had always been characterized by its red and white striped canopy, had long been forgotten when Ralf Rüller took the brave decision to bring it back to live. While the terrace and its view is as prominent as ever, the equipment and interior have undergone a massive makeover. The brew bar is equipped with a Mavam Undercounter Espresso machine, a novelty in Germany, and filter is of course hand brewed with high quality coffees. The audience is a refreshing mix of curious Berliners who have known this building for years and years, tourists, and coffee enthusiasts.

Address:
Kurfürstendamm 22
10719 Berlin