Berlin has a way of pulling you in. The city mixes history with innovation, industry with creativity, grit with glamour, and somehow makes it all feel effortless. Its coffee scene is no different. From sleek, aesthetic coffee shops, in-house roasters, to cosy café corners – Berlin’s coffee shops capture the city’s charactet: cool, a little edgy, but always inviting.
Whether you’re fuelling up for a full day of sightseeing, shaking off last night’s adventures, or just looking for somewhere to recharge between vintage shop hauls, you’ll find no shortage of coffee spots serving some of the best coffee in Europe. I’ve gathered my tried and trusted top picks below.
The Barn Roastery
The Barn Roastery is sure to be on the map of coffee enthusiasts in Berlin and beyond. The Barn opened in 2010 with the aim of re-establishing a serious coffee culture in Berlin – a mission in which it has overdelivered. Now renowned worldwide for the quality of their beans, The Barn ships to coffeeshops across Europe and even further afeild – so you may even have unknowingly come across their beans before. In all of The Barn coffeeshops you’ll find an impressive array of beans and brewing methods on offer to craft your perfect coffee, and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and happy to help with recommendations and to talk you through the origins of their beans. The atmosphere is minimal and cosy, putting the coffee centre stage, with a huge selection of beans to take home (I always make sure to keep some suitcase space to bring a bag or two home). With multiple locations now spread across the city, it’s easier than ever to get your hands on it. For the ultimate The Barn experience I’d recommend visiting the roastery in Prenzlaurberg – an ideal spot to watch the roasting process underway while you savour your cup.
Where to find it: Multiple locations, listed here.
Visit: thebarn.de
Five Elephant
This welcoming coffee spot in the leafy streets of trendy Kreuzkölln (the intersection of Kreuzberg and Neukölln neighbourhoods) is one of the most charming coffeeshops in the city, and another firm personal favourite. Five Elephant was part of pioneering the third-wave coffee trend that has gone on to thrive in Berlin. Here you’ll find a range of single-origin coffees as well as a selection of delicious cakes (The cheesecake here is particularly standout). Grab a seat inside the minimalist space and check out the vintage maps on the wall showing the journey of coffee beans (you might recognise it from the Miss Map homepage), or take a seat at one of the wooden tables outside, sheltered under the leafy canopy of the tree-lined Reichenberger Strasse, and sip your coffee while watching the world go by. While the original Kreuzberg location has my heart, you’ll also find newer Five Elephant coffeeshops in Mitte and Kollwitz.
Where to find it: Kreuzberg: Reichenberger Str. 101, 10999 Berlin, Mitte: Alte Schönhauser Str. 14, 10119 Berlin, Kollwitz: Kollwitzstraße 98, 10435 Berlin
Visit: fiveelephant.com
Distrikt Coffee
While its neighbourhood in the Mitte district is popular with business workers and visitors to the city, you’re almost certain to find Distrikt Coffee filled with Berlin locals. The excellent coffee here and free wi-fi on offer mean its a perfect spot for co-working, often filled with local creatives and freelancers. It’s an ideal spot to recharge your batteries (in more way than one) check in on messages before you set out exploring. The espresso here is punchy and deliciously bitter, with beans sourced from local Berlin Fjord coffee roasters. It’s among the city’s best spots for milk-based espresso drinks – so if you’re a latte lover this is one for your list.
Where to find it: Bergstraße 68, 10115 Berlin
Visit: distriktcoffee.de
Father Carpenter
In a secluded courtyard in Mitte, Father Carpenter is a hidden gem in one of Berlin’s most bustling districts. The menu here includes an array of specialty coffees, and a range of brewing methods from espresso-based drinks to pourovers. It’s a perfect spot to stop in for a morning brunch, light bite or an afternoon pick me up between exploring the galleries and boutiques around the area.
Where to find it: Münzstraße 21, 10178 Berlin
Visit: fathercarpenter.com
19grams Coffee
You’ll find my personal favourite 19grams Coffee close to the bridge that connects two of Berlin’s trendiest neighbourhoods – Kreuzberg and Friederichshain. A stone’s throw from the Kreuzberg end of the bridge, 19grams Coffee is a small and inviting coffeeshop that’s serious about its beans. With a commitment to ethical sourcing and expert brewing you’ll taste the quality in your cup. It’s perfectly placed to pick up a takeaway cup to fuel a stroll through vibrant Kreuzberg, or to head across the bridge and check out the East Side Gallery – the famous street art mural along a stretch of the former Berlin Wall. You’ll find other 19grams cafes in Mitte and Friedrichshain.
Where to find it: Multiple locations, listed here
Visit: 19grams.coffee
Silo Coffee
Located in Friedrichshain, Silo Coffee serves a range of specialty coffee options in a gloriously aesthetic setting. With a focus on quality and presentation, it’s an ideal spot for a morning coffee and the brunch menu here is well worth waking up early on a weekend morning for. Ideally, get down early to beat the weekend queues, as this spot gets seriously popular. It’s ideally located for a caffiene fix before browsing the Sunday flea market in Boxhagenerplatz at the end of the street. Or, if you’re doing as the locals do and heading to Berghain on a Sunday, it’s an ideal spot to fuel up before dancing the day and night away.
Where to find it: Gabriel-Max-Straße 4, 10245 Berlin
Visit: silo-coffee.com
Westberlin
This central coffee spot is a stone’s throw from Checkpoint Charlie. The bright and airy space has a Scandinavian feel thanks to lots of wood and white decor, as well as a few Eames chairs adding to its aesthetic appeal. It’s a popular spot for co-working, with free wi-fi and laptop workstations at the back of the cafe space. You’ll find a range of expertly made coffees here along with light snacks and trendy reading material – with art and architecture magazines, books and Berlin guides to browse through while you sip your coffee.
Where to find it: Friedrichstraße 215, 10969 Berlin
Visit: westberlin-bar-shop.de
With a coffee scene as buzzing as the city itself, Berlin is a must visit for serious coffee lovers. If you’ve discovered a favourite coffee spot that didn’t make this list, make sure to let me know in the comments so I can check it out on the next trip!
If you’re planning on a visit to the city soon, be sure to also check out my curated Berlin City Guide.
MISS MAP 