Berlin, a city known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and eclectic culinary scene, has also become a haven for specialty coffee enthusiasts. From cozy cafes tucked away in quiet corners to fashionable hangouts buzzing with energy, you will all find it here. This guide leads you through the thriving world of specialty coffee in the heart of Germany's capital city.
THE BARN:
3. Roastery
Bonanza:
5. Roastery
6. LAP
9. Isla
10. Jules
11. Silo
THE BARN Coffee Roasters is one of the most well known coffee roasters of Europe. It all started in 2010 with its first location in the neighbourhood of Mitte by owner Ralf Rüller. Since then 12 coffee bars have opened in Berlin, and a few more around the world from Mallorca to Seoul.
This location at Checkpoint Charlie has opened its doors in January 2024, and is therefore the youngest member of the THE BARN family. Whether you're a dedicated espresso aficionado or a lover of pour-over perfection, there is something for every taste. We enjoyed a V60 hand brewed coffee from their first ever coffee of Myanmar. The profile is described as deep and fruity with a sweet jammy character.
Located on the renowned Kurfürstendamm boulevard, Café Kranzler of THE BARN gives you almost a 360* view over the surrounding high rise buildings and fancy shops. Opened in 1834 this was once a beloved gathering place for artists and intellectuals, but after a tumultuous past it has reopened its doors again in 2016. Nowadays it's the perfect place to watch life go by while enjoying a double espresso.
THE BARN offers an impressive array of single-origin coffees, each with its own distinct flavour profile and origin story. Whether you prefer a light and fruity Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or a rich and chocolatey Colombian, there's something to tantalize every palate.
This is where the magic of THE BARN happens... At their location in the area Brunnenviertel you can witness the art of coffee roasting from inside of the coffee bar. Great smell guaranteed!
Here, green coffee beans are carefully roasted in small batches, allowing the unique flavours of each origin to shine through. At the heart of THE BARN's philosophy lies a commitment to sourcing and roasting only the finest quality beans from sustainable and ethical producers around the world.
We loved the very well balanced Hario V60 hand brew coffees from Myanmar (Pinlaung) with notes of fudge, red fruit and vanilla (€8 per cup), and from Kenya (Nyeri) with notes of blackberry and vanilla (€7 per cup).
☞ Voltastraße 28
Bonanza Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roastery with 4 locations in Berlin. This one in Prenzlauer Berg (Pankow) is located close to the Mauerpark, in a lively street filled with many cafés and restaurants. The roastery was founded in 2006 by Kiduk Reus, and since then, it is known for its meticulous approach to sourcing green coffee beans from various regions around the world.
We ordered two batch brews, a buttery croissant and a savoury pastry.
In the neighbourhood of Kreuzberg 36 you will find the roastery of Bonanza Coffee Roasters in this stunning former factory building. Bonanza is highly regarded among coffee enthusiasts for its commitment to quality and its emphasis on sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. They prioritise direct relationships with farmers and cooperatives to ensure fair prices and sustainable farming practices. We enjoyed two fruity and floral batch brews, from washed beans of the Ethiopian Gedeb region.
At LAP Coffee, it's all about community, as LAP stands for Life Among People. At three places in the city you will get low-priced coffee in a casual, fun and creative atmosphere. We payed €2,5 per cup for filter coffee at their location in Mitte. The coffee is said to be roasted locally, but unfortunately LAP is not transparant about the origin of their beans and its producers.
Five Elephant Roastery is another prominent player in Berlin's specialty coffee scene. Established in 2010 by Kris and Sophie Schackman, Five Elephant has garnered a strong following for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community engagement.
One of their hallmarks is its emphasis on direct trade relationships with coffee producers. They work closely with farmers and cooperatives in coffee-growing regions around the world to ensure fair compensation and promote sustainable farming practices.
There are 5 locations in the city where you can enjoy artisanal pastries and good coffee. We ordered batch brew coffees with a charcoal croissant at their coffee shop in Mitte.
Father Carpenter is a café nestled in the vibrant Mitte district in a beautiful höfe (courtyard). Founded in 2015, Father Carpenter is dedicated to serving high-quality coffee sourced from reputable farms and cooperatives around the world. Their motto is that coffee should be bright, sweet and clean as a minimum requirement. We tried their batch brew together with banana bread and lemon cake.
☞ Münzstraße 21
Isla coffee is not only a coffee shop, but also a lunch spot focused on seasonal products and a low-waste approach. Amidst the lively energy of Neukölln, finding calm here with a filter coffee and some sweets is a delightful retreat.
Jules Café is located in a beautiful historic post office building in the charming neighborhood of Schöneberg. At Jules they focus on specialty coffee from small roasters. We ordered a hand brew coffee (between €4,50 and €5,50 depending on the type of beans you choose) and a cup of lemon/verbena tea (€4).
At Silo Coffee, in the area of Friedrichshain, they work with the coffee beans of local roastery Fjord. In addition to coffee, you can also go there for breakfast and lunch. We popped in for a cup of batch brew and a pain au chocolat.
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Lonneke Snel is the driving force behind Lonnies Planet.
She is a Food & Travel Blogger who loves coffee... As a hobby she has taken several official coffee trainings and achieved 25 SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) points.