The 6 Best Coffee Shops in Berlin in 2024

The word ‘coffee’ might not immediately spring to mind when I ask you what Berlin is renowned for. But the city’s young, progressive population loves sustainable and reliably-sourced products. This makes Berlin’s Fairtrade coffee culture both dynamic and delicious.

All of the best cafés in Berlin offer at least a few different house blends, with each claiming to have unlocked the secret to the perfect cup of coffee. Being an extreme coffee fan, I had to go test them all for myself. 

So come along on a caffeine-filled journey as I lead you through the best coffee shops in Berlin. I’ll guide you toward the tastiest brews and teach you the unspoken rules behind drinking an exquisite espresso in Germany’s captivating capital.

Bên Rahim

The intimate, deli-like Ben Rahim is in the central Mitte district. It claims to be the first name in third-wave coffee in Berlin. The coffee shop roasts specifically-chosen arabica beans. They use a range of techniques and equipment to produce their famed drinks. If you feel inspired, you can buy the equipment in-shop.

If asked, the baristas of Ben Rahim will give you an in-depth look behind the cup, at the painstaking process that goes into brewing a masterpiece coffee. This includes a glimpse at the origins of each blend, the flavors behind the bean, and advice on how to brew yourself a great cup of coffee in the future.

Because of their high-end craftsmanship, Ben Rahim has a peculiar set of rules on how to enjoy your drink. Sugar is a big no-no, to avoid marring the taste, and certain drinks like filter coffee and Turkish Ibrik are made exclusively without milk. Consequently, Ben Rahim also sees no need for teaspoons. 

When I visit, I always opt for their praline house blend, served as a refreshing cold brew. The dark chocolate undertones mingle with the nutty essence, and just a hint of berry sweetness graces my tongue, meeting a symphony of aromas that are nothing short of enchanting.

Hours: 8 am to 8 pm daily

Address: Sophienstraße 7A, 10178

Website: Ben Rahim

Photo by: Bex Walton

19grams Schlesi

A hidden gem tucked away in the bustling streets of Kreuzberg, the 19grams Schlesi roastery stands as a testament to the city’s passionate coffee scene. 

Indeed, 19grams is proud to serve ‘bloody good coffee’ made from individually selected high-quality coffee beans that are roasted at hotter temperatures than usual in order to reduce their acidity while enhancing their cherry notes. 

Although the interior is not very large, the rustic café has a few regular and high-top tables dotted around that allow you to enjoy a snack with your drink. So, I found myself a seat and placed my order. 

To help preserve the delicately crafted flavors of the beans, I decided on a simple espresso, the best coffee on offer here. With the cup cradled in my hands, I took a careful sip. The boldness hit me immediately – a robust, fruity flavor profile that was a wake-up call to my taste buds and sleep-deprived brain.

My espresso came with a small brunch. It consisted of charred vine tomatoes with a red bean and chili paste. These were served on a slice of sourdough. I didn’t want anything too sweet as I wanted to preserve the unique palate of my drink. However, the lemon-poppyseed cake was tempting!

Hours: 8 am to 5 pm weekdays, 10 am to 5 pm weekends

Address: Schlesische Str. 38, 10997

Website: 19grams Schlesi

Photo by: Bex Walton

Silo

Silo is a cozy coffee shop located in the vibrant backstreets of Friedrichshain, between the odd mix of nightclubs and WW2 bunkers found in the RAW Market and the genuine squat house on Boxi that I explored on the memorable East Berlin Food & History tour.

The small interior of Silo exudes warmth, both in its ambiance and in the excellent coffees it serves. The exposed brick walls partner with rough wood furniture to bring a rural look to this city café. Unlike the more contemporary coffee shops on this list, Silo takes a classic approach. It favors hot cappuccinos and lattes. These are served alongside a fresh French croissant.

Silo partners with Fjord, a coffee roasting company that supplies ethically farmed beans to coffee shops around Germany. For my cappuccino, I select a blend from El Salvador with strong vanilla and persimmon undercurrents.

The bean’s silky vanilla infused each mouthful with a subtle sweetness that balanced the rich honey-like fruit in the espresso. It paired very nicely with the buttery pastry that sat next to my drink. 

Hours: 9 am to 3 pm weekdays, 9 am to 5 pm weekends

Address: Gabriel-Max-Straße 4, 10245

Website: Silo Coffee

Photo by: David Dvořáček

Cafè Kranzler Röststätte Berlin

Café Kranzler is the original old-world coffee roastery and its name appears in every Berlin travel guide. Perched atop a small shopping center and overlooking the iconic Kurfürstendamm, this specialty coffee shop has been serving caffeine-packed drinks since 1825.

But it wasn’t until the destruction of the original Kranzler during World War 2 that the new café was raised above the so-called Kranzler Corner. After its reopening, the Kranzler became a West Berlin institution. Many famous faces visited the café for a cuppa when they were in the divided capital.

Nowadays, Café Kranzler has evolved to have a minimalist style.It offers a small selection of vegan and gluten-free muffins and cheesecakes. These go along with their fresh arabica beans. The beans are ethically sourced from Africa and South America.

I recommend the Brazilian Ivan Dos Santos if you enjoy nutty, chocolate undertones, or try the peach and elderflower Gigesa blend from Ethiopia for a fresher flavor, adding a touch of raw sugar (the only sweetener available) if you prefer a smoother finish. 

Whichever coffee you order, your experience will only be enhanced by sitting on the tiny wooden tables placed along the balcony that encircles the Kranzler, offering a panoramic view over the heart of the West. 

Hours: 11 am to 6 pm weekdays, 11 am to 7 pm weekends

Address: Kurfürstendamm 22, 10719

Website: The Barn

Photo by: Times

Röststätte Berlin 

Röststätte Berlin is nestled in the elegant Art Deco courtyards and secret alleyways that make up the city’s central Hackesche Höfe complex This narrow coffee shop, with green walls and wooden barstools surrounding tall tables, provides the perfect spot to grab a great coffee and take a break from sightseeing. 

In this coffee shop, I figured it was time to try an Aeropress coffee. These are specialty coffees, prepared individually, as each serving is poured into a tube with a paper filter along the bottom, before being gently pushed into the cup by a plunger. 

I selected the sweet orange and caramel Alto da Serra blend from Brazil and waited for it to be ready as I chatted with a wonderful and knowledgeable barista, who became my coffee guide, explaining each step of the Aeropress brewing technique. 

I received my cup and, inhaling deeply, I was immersed into a world of scented poetry. The coffee’s aroma was a mosaic of fragrances – the citrusy zest of the sweet peel, the intoxicating hints of caramel, and just a whisper of cinnamon– a combination that enticed me to savor every moment.

Hours: 8:30 am to 6 pm weekdays, 10 am to 6 pm Saturday, closed on Sunday

Address: Rosenthaler Straße 40-41, 10178

Website: Röststätte Berlin

Hallesches Haus

Hallesches Haus is a large home decoration store, café, and event space based inside of a large red-brick post office along the river in the heart of Kreuzberg. 

Stepping into the Hallesches Haus café, I’m immediately immersed in a world of caffeinated reverie. The clinking of cups and the soft murmur of conversations create a backdrop that’s both soothing and energizing. The interior is expansive, with white walls and large windows letting in natural light, making it a great spot for working or reading as you recaffeinate.

I order a flat white, made with the Ethiopian Diima Chelbesa beans that Hallesches Haus buys from Man vs Machine, an independent Fairtrade coffee supplier. Once the last drop has landed in the mug, I bring it to a spare table, excited to see what my final coffee has in store. 

As I take that first sip, my taste buds are greeted by a nuanced dance of sensations. The vibrant burst of berries swirled around the subtle citrusy notes of bergamot, creating a harmonious fusion that felt both familiar and fresh. The surprising touch of cotton candy sweetness added an enchanting layer, while the creaminess rounded off the experience with a luxurious texture.

This is definitely a recommended stop if you want a tasty cup of coffee in Berlin without the pressure of choosing through dozens of curated beans. 

Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays, 9:30 am to 3 pm weekends

Address: Tempelhofer Ufer 1, 10961

Website: Hallesches Haus

Photo by: Ricky Thakrar

Cover Photo by: Tabitha Turner