Cafes & bakeries in Berlin

By Hannah-Louise Sampson, Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany

Berlin is popular for many things, from it’s vibrant night life, diverse culture and rich history, you’ll never be short of things to do. Amidst all its excitement, one of my favourite things to do is enjoy a coffee and sweet treat at a cozy cafe, while I romanticise my life ( it’s becoming my main personality trait…) Whether I’m going solo or catching up with friends, I absolutely love the vibes of a good coffee shop. So, I’ve made a list of a few of my top café picks in Berlin.

Isla Coffee

Located in Flughafenkiez, Isla coffee has it all; good coffee, delicious cakes, and great vibes. We got a cappuccino and shared a delicious chocolate banana cake. The café also has a wide range of brunch options if you’re in the mood and have the money to spend! Just across the street is a second hand clothes store, which is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. They will even give you a discount on the clothes, if you buy more than one item (and ask nicely). 

Petit bijou 

A relaxing café on the riverside, next to Museum island, you get gorgeous views of the Bodamuseum and the boats travelling along the river.  We went on a beautiful sunny Sunday, so it was the perfect place to get our caffeine boost before heading to one of the many museums nearby (Tip: On the 1^st Sunday of the month, all the museums are free!) There’s a wide selection of cakes and pastries, from croissants to all kinds of cake. We went for their New York style cheesecake, which was the perfect combo with our coffee and stunning views.

It gets pretty busy so be aware you may have to wait a bit or try and get here earlier! We were lucky and a couple were leaving their table as we got there, so we managed to get seats with little to no waiting.  Even though they get very busy, the staff are extremely attentive and patient. Although on the pricier side of things, due to the amazing location, it’s worth it for a rest with a pretty view!

Mataró Café

The best chocolate cake I’ve ever had!! The café is located in one of my favourite neighbourhoods, Prenzlauer Berg. I first found this café when I was out exploring and needed a coffee break. It’s a smaller café but there’s plenty of seats on the street. I chose to sat by the window and was enjoying the chocolate cake, which is more of a brownie with a layer of cream topped with another layer of chocolate and caramel (divine). The owner was incredibly sweet and brought me his cake mixed with nuts and caramel and was kind enough to give it to me for free. All the cakes are homemade by him every morning. I ended up with a sugar overload, but I couldn’t miss out on free cake. On the same street, you’ll find a quaint book store (Saint Geroge’s English Booksthop) that sells a range of affordable and English secondhand books. So, I definitely recommend you checking both out!

Colour your day pottery & café shop

This one is a little more special as it’s a pottery painting shop with a café inside. This one is in Schöneberg, but I believe they have a few across the city. A perfect girls day out; I went with one of my closest friend’s I’ve made in my study exchange. We picked out our ceramics- they have everything, from mugs, plates to dog bowls- and then our paint colours and ordered our coffee. The owner then brought us a coffee as we began a relaxing afternoon of painting. (Relaxing until we were 10 minutes till closing, and still hadn’t finished painting… I recommend you give yourself a few good hours so you can relax and not have to rush!) 

Café Haus am Waldsee

Possibly one of the most beautiful spots to enjoy coffee in Berlin, this café in Schlachtensee is a bit outside the city centre but was conveniently close to our accommodation. Nestled within an art museum and adjacent to a picturesque lake, it’s a popular spot for people to relax with a coffee or catch up with friends. Despite being a bit pricey, the coffee is really good. You can even hire a boat and take it out on the lake afterwards. I’d recommend coming here on a sunny day and taking a walk around the lake afterwards.