Coffee culture is not new to Germany; Berliners notoriously do not shy from their culinary indulgences. But where in past decades residents gathered around the percolators of first-wave coffeehouses, they now find themselves spoilt by artisan roasteries and specialty espresso.
From Kreuzberg to Mitte, the advent of third-wave coffee has spurred healthy competition among cafés – whether perfecting their golden crema, pioneering different brew methods, or sourcing beans from new international growers.
Headline Berlin coffee shop and roastery.
First putting third-wave coffee to cup in 2006, Bonanza are pioneers of Berlin’s craft caffeine scene. Now, their flagship Kreuzberg café-meets-roastery headlines a quartet of sibling coffee shops throughout Berlin each pouring specialty brews made with beans from select worldwide locations. Epicureans and aficionados: note the subtle fruit notes of the house roasts – Bonanza’s eponymous blend pairs beans from Brazil and Peru for a dark cherry and chocolate profile.
Breakfast, brunch, and damn good brews.
Driven by their puritan approach to coffee – their words, not ours – Father Carpenter tables a brew that has garnered a city-wide reputation. Here, beans come exclusively from Fjord, the collaborative venture of Father Carpenter’s own Kresten Thøgersen and nearby Silo Coffee’s Morgan Love and James Maguire. Though Fjord ships worldwide, its blends are best enjoyed fresh from the grinders – Father Carpenter’s talent for breakfast only adds to the invitation.
Berlin coffee shop serving specialty beans from overseas.
Conceived in Kreuzberg and now expanded to industrial-chic locations in Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg, Five Elephants commands a strong footprint in Berlin – and a pioneering influence on its third-wave movement. Specialty beans are sourced from overseas and roasted on-site. Golden crema aside, the coffee shop tempts with the city’s finest cheesecake; this is the spot to lean into Germany’s penchant for kaffee und kuchen.
Zero-waste coffee shop with a fluid roster of specialty beans.
A proud zero-waste advocate, Isla extends its commitment to specialty coffee to its pursuit of environmental sustainability. The third-wave café, adjacent to Berlin’s well-trodden Hermannstraße, features furnishings built with recycled materials and cups made from reused coffee grounds. Beans are sourced from a roster of domestic and international roasters, keeping Isla’s caffeine offerings fluid – staff are always willing to walk the curious through flavor profiles and personal recommendations. Brunch here is worth a bite too.
Grab-and-go coffee, canalside.
Concierge exceeds its modest foundations. Now, baristas stand where doormen once stood, serving specialty espresso to a handful of indoor tables and through the hole-in-the-wall service hatch – Concierge’s inaugural store's proximity to the Landwehr Canal lures nearby wanderers for grab-and-go refuels. West Berlin residents can source a cup of Concierge’s finest from the brand’s sister store in Schöneberg.
Neighborhood-oriented coffee shop with a solid house blend.
Now with two iterations across the city – including their headline cafe-roastery in Tempelhofer – Kaffeekirsche continues its objective of bringing high-quality coffee to the streets of Berlin. Founder, Turabi Kocadag, remains committed to building a neighborhood space that welcomes all and delivers a journey through coffee. Kaffeekirsche’s house blend unites beans from Brazil and Ethiopia for a sweet caramel profile that finishes with fruity notes – good for a milky brew or as pure espresso.
Expert-made espresso in Schöneberg.
Espresso by the hand of two-time world barista champion Arno Schmeil draws queues to the more docile streets of Schöneberg. Patrons linger for conversation streetside due to the limited space of DoubleEye’s standing-only interior. Schmeil imparts his mastery of the caffeine craft to his baristas, cementing DoubleEye as a sure bet for loyal followers, pitstop drinkers, and those simply finding themselves in western Berlin.
Laidback coffee shop and cafe wit beans from Berlin's own 19grams.
While not roasters themselves, Town Mouse source their beans from Berlin’s own 19grams – a long-proven name within the third-wave movement with four successful locations of their own. Mouse seeks to indulge in life’s simple pleasures; patrons follow suit and trust in their flat whites. Whether for the coffee, sandwiches, or casual atmosphere, the Prenzlauer Berg café has built a loyal following in its relatively short tenure.
Matcha cafe with drinks and sweet treats.
Deserving of more than an honorary mention, Mamecha dabbles rather successfully in the art of matcha – alongside other types of green tea. The Japanese café is proximate to the likes of Father Carpenter and Five Elephant but offers a more distinctive flavor spread. Visitors can sample a collection of traditional green teas or embrace the earthy tones of a matcha latte, both in collaboration with a selection of Japanese treats.
