Creativity and diversity are the hallmarks of the latest cafés in Berlin. On the culinary front, there is plenty to explore, from trendy superfood bowls to nostalgic 1920s charm, Japanese sandos and vegan cakes. We've put together a selection of 11 special cafés in Berlin that will delight you with their unique concepts and atmosphere.
Tip 1: Join in the healthy lifestyle at Lyfe Café
Fresh, healthy and delicious – Lyfe Café is all about guilt-free enjoyment. Located in the heart of Mitte, it offers colourful bowls, hearty wraps and creative brunch specialties like taco pancakes served with plenty of maple syrup and fresh fruit. Sustainability is a top priority here: all packaging is recyclable, and the team ensures that as many vitamins as possible are preserved during preparation. Be sure to try the matcha specials – whether pink or blue, they not only look amazing but also taste fantastic!
Where: Invalidenstraße 160, Mitte
When: daily 9 am. - 5 pm.
Tip 2: Enjoy vegan and gluten-free cuisine at Wanda
Truly gluten-free cuisine is not always easy to come by. That alone puts Wanda in a category of its own. This charming brunch café in Kreuzberg serves dishes so good you won't believe they're completely free of animal products and gluten. The menu features a wide range of dishes, such as pumpkin curry and smørrebrød with delicious, fermented vegetable variations. The French toast made from rice and corn-based bread is a highlight, especially for those with a sweet tooth.
Where: Lausitzer Straße 25, Kreuzberg
When: Monday 11:30 am. - 3 pm., Friday - Sunday 10 am. - 3 pm.
Tip 3: Relax with a special coffee drink at Nafora Café
If you're looking for a cosy spot with a warm atmosphere, Nafora Café in Mitte is just the ticket. Their speciality coffee goes perfectly with handcrafted delicacies such as tasty focaccia, falafel and sandwiches. For something sweet, the pistachio cheesecake and the recently introduced Dubai chocolate cheesecake are worth a try. Enjoy your treats on their spacious patio in the summer or retreat indoors in the colder months, where a striking marble fountain adds to the café's charm.
Where: Voltairestraße 11, Mitte
When: Monday - Friday 7:30 am. - 6 pm., Saturday 8:30 am. - 6 pm., Sunday 8:30 am. - 5 pm.
Tip 4: Bread steals the show at Lula Deli
Lula Deli in Schöneberg offers a delightful culinary experience that's made with love. From their homemade sourdough bread to fresh salads and burgers cooked on a lava stone grill, every dish is crafted to perfection. Lula takes pride in their traditional bread-making techniques, ensuring each loaf has the perfect crunchy exterior and soft interior. The breakfast for two with freshly ground coffee is a morning highlight. But the colourful interior and inviting atmosphere make Lula a great spot for any meal of the day.
Where: Lauterstraße 14-15, Schöneberg
When: daily 9 am. -11 pm.
Tip 5: Taste authentic Japanese flavours at Yume
For fans of Japanese cuisine, Yume in Friedrichshain is well worth a visit. They serve a fantastic selection of Japanese sandos, both sweet and savoury, as well as matcha parfaits and Japanese curry. The chicken katsu sando is a must-try, as is the strawberry sando with its fluffy shokupan bread and fresh cream filling. If you're feeling adventurous, try the omurice – fried ketchup rice wrapped in a soft omelette. Yume is the perfect place to satisfy your cravings for authentic Japanese comfort food.
Where: Gabriel-Max-Straße 2, Friedrichshain
When: daily 12 pm. - 10 pm.
Tip 6: Take a nostalgic coffee break at Wintergarten
Step back in time to the golden 1920s at Café Wintergarten, located in the Wintergarten Varieté in Schöneberg. The elegant decor, complete with vintage mirrors and exclusive furnishings, creates a refined yet cosy atmosphere. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast from their tiered stands or indulge in an à la carte lunch. Either way, the culinary experience here is always top-notch. The sparkling Swarovski chandelier adds a touch of glamour to this chic café, making it the ideal spot for a luxurious break.
Where: Potsdamer Straße 96, Schöneberg
When: Monday - Saturday 11 am. - 6 pm., Sunday 11 am. - 4 pm.
Tip 7: Enter a fairy tale world at Witty Stories
Witty Stories is a charming café inspired by fairy tales. Set in a beautifully restored pavilion, it offers a unique interior decorated like a black and white comic, making it a truly magical place to enjoy a coffee. The café is known for its butterscotch ice cream with rock salt and an assortment of homemade cakes and tarts. In the summer, you can relax among blooming roses while sipping on iced coffee or Aperol. Witty Stories brings a little bit of fantasy to everyday life for a delightful escape from the city bustle.
Where: Perelsplatz 1, Steglitz
Wann: Wednesday - Friday 10 am. - 5 pm., Saturday - Sunday 11 am. - 5pm.
Tip 8: Enjoy the flavours of Bali at NuaRasa
NuaRasa is Berlin's first Balinese café and roastery, offering a unique twist on classic drinks and desserts. From pumpkin spice chai lattes with rose cream to taro and lotus cheesecakes, the menu is a celebration of warm, spicy and floral notes. The café's inviting ambiance, complete with friendly staff and Indonesian-inspired décor, makes it a great spot to unwind. They also serve specialty coffee, sourced directly from Indonesia, and delicious homemade cakes – for an authentic taste of Bali.
Where: Greifenhagener Straße 64, Prenzlauer Berg
When: daily 9:30 am. - 6 pm.
Tip 9: Always & Together draws you in with desserts and drinks
With its black and white comic-style walls, Always & Together feels like a real-life manga. Berlin's first 2D café serves bingsu, a Korean shaved ice dessert that comes in a variety of flavours, such as matcha, mango and Choco Oreo. The lattes, ranging from purple ube to black sesame, are as fun to drink as they are to photograph. The two-dimensional world at Always & Together promises a unique experience that's both playful and delicious.
Where: Große Hamburger Straße 24, Mitte
When: Tuesday - Sunday 12 pm. - 10 pm.
Tip 10: Paska.L serves French pastry at its best
Fans of French pâtisserie can satisfy their cravings at Paska.L. Specialising in choux pastries, this delightful café offers a variety of cream puffs and éclairs, each crafted with precision and creativity. Spend a sunny afternoon on their terrace with a cup of coffee and a pistachio cream puff. At Paska.L, attention to detail and quality ingredients go into every blissful bite.
Where: Prenzlauer Alee 37, Prenzlauer Berg
When: Monday - Saturda 9 am. - 7 pm., Sunday 9:30 am. - 7 pm.
Tip 11: Indulge in plant-based cookies at Dat Cookie
Hidden in the romantic courtyards of Rosenhöfe near Hackescher Markt, Dat Cookie is a plant-based paradise for cookie lovers. Offering vegan cookies with toppings that change every month, Dat Cookie brings the loaded cookie trend all the way from the US to Berlin. Try their Blueberry Crumble or Salted Pretzel for a comforting dessert that's full of flavour. Pair your cookie with freshly brewed coffee and take a moment to relax in this charming, tucked-away spot that reminds you to enjoy life's little pleasures.
Where: Rosenthaler Straße 36, Mitte
When: daily 12 pm. - 7 pm.
