Best Cafes in Kreuzberg, Berlin

Traditionally, you may expect the cafes around Kottbusser Tor and throughout Kreuzberg to be dominated by ethnic Turks, particularly men, in rooms that do much to resemble the cafes of Istanbul.

More recently, however, the ethnically Turkish and Arab communities that have typically inhabited Kreuzberg have been joined by a massive influx of foreigners from western Europe, across the Pacific and down under, many looking for a cheaper and alternative lifestyle. Correspondingly, there is an evolving cafe culture where MacBooks are increasingly spied amid Doc Martens, thick rimmed glasses and dreadlocks. There are many places to kick back, relax or work.

Cafe culture is huge as many young professionals don't tend to work conventional hours in Berlin and make the coffeehouse with wifi their informal office space. The range of spots you can find is good, varying from places offering great cakes and cappuccino to others with an altogether dingier, smokier atmosphere where as many people are sipping at beers as coffee. During the summer, one of Berlin's greatest pleasures is to sit outside facing the streets, watching the passers-by, taking endless time over a coffee and a good old-fashioned German brunch.

(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin)

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1. Sch枚nes Cafe

This is a cute little cafe run by husband and wife. Especially recommended are the pancakes, which differ from American pancakes and are more fluffy and lighter. These can come with a range of toppings, from maple syrup to camembert and cranberry and are perfect with one of the cafe's excellent coffees or hot chocolates. A real treat for breakfast or brunch! The cakes are also very tasty and Dieffenbachstrasse is a nice quiet place to sit outside and take in your surroundings.

Where to find it:

Dieffenbachstrasse 54, 10967 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 01578 8961968

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-19:00
Sat-Sun: 11:00-19:00

http://www.schoenescafe.de/

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2. Cafe Kotti

Cafe Kotti is a hidden gem next to Kottbusser Tor. Originally opened by a political refugee from Turkey as a place for people of all ethnic and social backgrounds to meet and chat, in essence a living room for the many, it has since become also a place for the trendy youth of Kreuzberg and Berlin to hang out and join the fray. Up a flight of outdoor stairs, it has outdoor seating great for the summer, but it's inside that you want to check out. Cafe Kotti has a unique feel, where people smoke inside and many of the drinks purchased are alcoholic rather than caffeinated. The furniture is cramped and homely, the lighting is dim and candles are lit in the evening. Looking around you can see political statements inscribed here and there, colourful children's drawings on the ceiling and pictures of a refugee camp located just a few minutes walk away on Oranienplatz. A great place to come by yourself or with friends if you like an altogether busier, more chaotic atmosphere, where you can meet and talk with people from all walks of life.

Where to find it:

Adalbertstrasse 96, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 0173 6173226

Working Hours:
09:00am-01:00am

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3. Kaffeebar Jenseits des Kanals

This is as relaxed an environment as you could wish for while having a chat with a friend or bringing your laptop to do some work. There is some space to sit outside, while inside there are two rooms. The decor is very calming and the coffee and cakes are good. The back room is particularly cosy, with lots of cushions and space to even put your feet up. This room also has raised platforms for some of the seating giving it a unique feel. The waitresses are on the whole pleasant, although you may be encouraged to buy another coffee (or at least some shortbread) if you want another hour of wifi.

Where to find it:

Graefestra脽e 8, 10967 Berlin, Germany

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 07:30am-07:00pm
Sat-Sun: 09:30am-07:00pm

http://kaffeebar-berlin.com/

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4. Five Elephant

If you are really into your coffee, Five Elephant is one of Berlin's best cafes. This cafe takes great pride in the sourcing and roasting of its beans, with a carefully thought out philosophy towards each process. The beans are sourced with tremendous effort in socially and environmentally conscious ways. Meanwhile, the roasting is light and there is a fine attention to detail when it comes to subtle differences in flavour. This is one for the connoisseur and the staff will be happy to talk coffee with you.

Where to find it:

Reichenberger Str. 101, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 96081527

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 08:30am-07:00pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am-07:00pm

http://www.fiveelephant.com/

5. Aufbau Haus Cafe

On one corner of Moritzplatz, the Aufbau Haus is a well-known creative industry building opened in 2011, home to a publishing house (Aufbau Verlag), a theatre, a gallery and a kindergarten, as well as a vast design, arts and crafts shop (Planet Modulor) where you can do all your artsy shopping. There is also a comfortable, stylish cafe near the entrance which does good coffee and cakes and can be a good place to stop after exploring the building.

Where to find it:

Prinzenstra脽e 85, 10969 Berlin, Germany

http://www.aufbauhaus.de/

6. Bateau Ivre

This place on the edge of Mariannenplatz looks rustic from the outside and is colourfully decorated on the inside. Named after a poem by Arthur Rimbaud, the nineteenth century French poet, Bateau Ivre (The Drunken Boat) is both a bar and a cafe. Service is good and comes to the table, even during the late hours when it is more bar than cafe. The coffee is done well and the range of breakfast or brunch offers are also good.

Where to find it:

Oranienstr. 18, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 61403659

Working Hours:
Mon-Thu: 09:00am-03:00am
Fri-Sat: 09:00am-04:00am
Sun: 09:00am-02:00am

7. Milch und Zucker

For anyone in love with hot chocolate in its various persuasions and bagels this is a great place to stop by. People often come here to work during the mornings and afternoons with free WiFi on offer, while the place becomes busier at lunch and the Macbooks are put to one side. The lunch menu changes from day to day, while muesli can be bought for breakfast and a range of cakes and brownies is on offer for your afternoon tea snack.

Where to find it:

Oranienstra脽e 37, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 61671497

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 07:00-20:00

http://www.milchundzucker.eu

8. Nest

This cafe is located next to G枚rlitzer Park. It offers particularly good brunch buffet, with a great range of German-Mediterranean food on offer, including meats, cheeses, salads and more. For the afternoon and evening, there are also beers offered on tap. There are workspaces that can be rented out if you need a place to have a meeting with some friends or a workgroup. The service is mixed, with most people reporting a better experience from the male waiters compared to the female waitresses.

Where to find it:

G枚rlitzer Stra脽e 52, 10997 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 62735787

Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 10:00am-02:00am

http://cafenest.de/

9. Barcomi's

Barcomi's offers really great cakes and New York style deli. The carrot cake and bagels come particularly recommended. The service is generally good, the coffee is sourced from all over the world and the place is comfortable. A good place for US citizens from the East Coast feeling sentimental about home, with other specialities including cream cheese brownies, pecan pie and lemon meringue pie.

Where to find it:

Bergmannstr. 21, 10961 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 6948138

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 08:00am-09:00pm; 09:00am-09:00pm
Sat: 09:00am-09:00pm; 09:00am-09:00pm
Sun: 09:00am-09:00pm; 10:00am-09:00pm

http://www.barcomis.de/

10. Regenbogen Cafe

The Regenbogen Cafe (Rainbow Cafe) is part of a social and cultural community collective project in the heart of Kreuzberg, Regenbogen Fabrik. There are regular events held in the cafe and around Regenbogen Fabrik including exhibitions and discussions taking place in the cafe, often with a political and community social dimension. The cakes are excellent and sourced from local bakers. Meanwhile, a 'neighbourhood beer' is on offer: the Quartiermeisterbier. Regenbogen Fabrik is also the home of an alternative cinema and a bike workshop where you can use tools for a donation of your choice, amongst other things.

Where to find it:

Lausitzer Stra脽e 22, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 69579523

Working Hours:
Mon: 01:00-08:00pm
Tue-Sun: 10:00am-08:00pm

http://www.regenbogenfabrik.de/cafe.html

11. Caf茅 Morgenland

A great place for brunch with a huge range of cereals, meat, cheese, breads, pancakes and so on. The ingredients are great and the food is tasty. However, be warned that this is a very popular place in a busy area, so if you like a quieter place to relax, read or chat, then look elsewhere. It's also a good idea to book advance in light of the popularity, particularly if you are brunching on a sunday morning.

Where to find it:

Skalitzer Str. 35, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 6113291

Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 09:00am-01:00am
Sat-Sun: 10:00am

http://morgenland-berlin-de.webnode.com/en/

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