Berlin is a city that can’t seem to keep from reinventing itself, and the recent incarnation of its Third Wave Coffee scene is just one of the many examples. What started around five years ago with Berlin’s own roasting pioneers at The Barn has culminated in 2016 with what seems like new (and seriously great) shops opening up all the time. The amount of quality coffee that has both come to and out of the German capital makes it one of the most exciting cities for coffee anywhere right now. And that means there’s lots to get out there and try – in all honesty, probably too many quality shops to mention, so we’ve compiled what we deem to be the Berlin staples. Here are the must-haves in no particular order.
Bonanza
Some of the original kids on the block, Bonanza’s been in the business of high-grade coffee for a solid decade. A stone’s throw from Mauerpark, their flagship store in Prenzlauer Berg is a clean and relaxing spot to get your caffeine fix. An ever-rotating selection of carefully sourced beans now comes from their newly opened roastery location tucked back in an Adalbertstraße Hinterhof, which doubles as a gorgeous café space serving up top-notch cups and tasty pastries.
Bonanza Café at Oderberger Straße
Oderberger Str. 35, 10435 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:30a – 6:30p
Saturday & Sunday
10:00a – 7:00p
Bonanza Roastery Café
Adalbertstraße 70, 10999 Berlin
Monday & Tuesday
closed
Wednesday – Friday
9:00a – 5:00p
Saturday & Sunday
10:00a – 5:00p
Five Elephant
Besides it’s own operation tucked between Görlitzer Park and the canal, prominent Berlin-based roaster Five Elephant also provides quality beans for lots of other coffee-serving places around the city. And as cliché as it seems to mention, we just have to – come for the coffee, stay for the cheesecake. Or hell, since they pair so perfectly well, stay for both.
Reichenberger Str. 101, 10999 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:30a – 7:00p
Saturday & Sunday
10:00a – 7:00p
Chapter One
The folks behind Chapter One are intent on offering many, many different roasts. And while that can sometimes include local stuff, even offerings from Berlin-based roasteries aren’t enough to contain their enthusiasm. The hefty brew menu features specialty coffees imported from all over the globe.
Mittenwalder Str. 30, 10961 Berlin
Monday
closed
Tuesday – Saturday
9:00a – 6:00p
Sunday
11:00a – 6:00p
The Barn
An undeniable heavy-hitter in the German coffee roasting community, the folks at The Barn have quickly solidified themselves as frontrunners in Berlin’s specialty coffee scene. An incredible attention to detail in their sourcing, roasting and brewing means The Barn warrants a visit (or multiple) anytime you’re in town. Swing by either of their locations for quality caffein in a rustic and homey atmosphere.
The Barn Coffee Shop
Auguststraße 58, 10119 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:00a – 6:00p
Saturday & Sunday
10:00a – 6:00p
The Barn Roastery
Schönhauser Allee 8, 10119 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:30a – 6:00p
Saturday & Sunday
10:00a – 6:00p
Distrikt Coffee
For an excellent coffee or espresso in Mitte, look no further than Distrikt Coffee. It’s generally pretty relaxed most weekdays, but beware the seemingly innocent idea to pop in on a weekend unannounced – there will be crowds.
Bergstraße 68, 10115 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:30a – 5:00p
Saturday & Sunday
9:30a – 5:00p
Father Carpenter
When the pomp of Weinmeisterstraße’s shopping district becomes a tad too much, duck into Father Carpenter for a welcome pause. They’re serving up roasts from Berlin-based newcomers, Fjord, as well as fresh juices, teas and a full-on brunch menu. They’re even working on an additional space next door where you can grab coffee to take away.
Münzstraße 21, 10178 Berlin
Monday – Friday
9:00a – 6:00p
Saturday
10:00a – 6:00p
Sunday closed
Coffee Profilers
Situated beneath the imposing Stalinist architecture of Frankfurter Tor, Coffee Profilers is almost lost against its grandiose, communist-era backdrop. But oh is this shop worthy of attention. It’s a collaboration between two Greeks who more than know their stuff. World Brewers Cup Champion Stefanos Domatiotis and Yiannis Taloumis of Athens-based Taf Coffee ensure that the offerings are always prime and expertly brewed.
Karl-Marx-Allee 136, 10243 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:00a – 6:00p
Saturday
9:00a – 6:00p
Sunday
11:00a – 5:00p
Silo
It seemed the lively area around Boxhagener Platz lacked no good thing – except great coffee. Enter Silo. A welcome addition to the neighborhood, Silo showcases Fjord’s roasts and some seriously killer breakfast options. The cozy wooden aesthetic makes for perfect brunching or coffee any time of the day.
Gabriel-Max-Straße 4, 10245 Berlin
Monday – Thursday
8:30a – 5:00p
Friday
8:30a – 7:00p
Saturday
9:30a – 7:00p
Sunday
10:00a – 7:00p
Companion Coffee
Companion Coffee focuses on quality espresso and tea offerings while operating in association with Kreuzberg’s Voo Store. The smart design and fashion-forward concept of Voo’s showroom make any visit feel totally unique to any other café in Berlin. Browse the store and maybe leave with pieces from Acne or AMI while you’re at it.
Oranienstraße 24, 10997 Berlin
Monday – Saturday
10:00a – 7:00p
Sunday closed
19 grams
Just south of Schlesisches Tor Ubahn station, 19 grams is a relative newcomer to the Berlin Third Wave Coffee scene. It’s a tiny little shop with limited seating, but rest assured the coffee’s solid. When the weather’s nice take something to go as you meander through Kreuzberg.
Schlesische Str. 38, 10997 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:00a – 6:00p
Saturday
11:00a – 6:00p
Sunday
10:00a – 6:00p
Concierge Coffee
Don’t come to Concierge hoping for a prolonged seated experience. The 15sqm space is only enough to house the brew bar, machinery, and oh yeah…massive espresso flavor. This little shop is constantly serving some of the best espresso in the city, and as it’s founders are more-than-a-little-bit connected to the Bonanza dynasty, it’s no wonder why.
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39-40, 10999 Berlin
Monday – Friday
8:30a – 6:00p
Saturday & Sunday
12:00p – 5:00p
NO FIRE, NO GLORY
While you won’t be at all hard-pressed to find a well-crafted cup of coffee in Prenzlauer Berg, we recommend forgoing any other cafés until you’ve made it to NO FIRE, NO GLORY. Trust us on this one. Skilled baristas as well as some nice breakfast snack options make this nice café a perfect mid-morning or afternoon stop.
Rykestraße 45, 10405 Berlin
Sunday – Thursday
9:00a – 6:00p
Friday & Saturday
9:00a – 1:00a
Residency 