MANNHEIM: Coffee

Mannheim Series

True, Mannheim is not that close to Berlin - in fact, it is essentially diagonally on the opposite side of Germany. However my work commitments now have me commuting frequently between the two cities. And while Mannheim is a significantly smaller city than Berlin, trying to find the best spots requires some patience and persistence.

After a couple of months of exploration however, I now have enough recommendations to impart. And as always, my first priority centres around coffee.

BEST COFFEE IN MANNHEIM 
Beste Kaffee in Mannheim

While I now have a couple of cafes to frequent, I will start with one of the most central and yet secret italian cafes:

CRASTAN KAFFEKULT & ANTIPASTI, SNACKS

This italian coffee house is contained within an arcade off the main mall within the Quadrat P7.

Google Maps directions here:

The capuccino is made in a true italian style, with a strong espresso taste, but well blended with the milk.

Care of Instagram Quiet Crystals / @quietcrystals

The staff are extremely friendly (feel free to chat in Italian) and welcoming, and attentive without being obtrusive.

Being within an arcade, it is possible to underestimate just how nice the ambience and experience is once inside the curved glass cafe. But the traditional italian decor, marble tables, smell of roasted coffee beans and numerous antipasti and desserts on display quickly helps one settle in to enjoy an extremely nice cup of coffee. For any Antipodeans searching for familiar coffee, Crastan Kaffeekult, is definitely a must.

Care of Instagram Quiet Crystals / @quietcrystals

For their news and updates, check out their facebook page at: Crastan Kaffeekult & Antipasti, Snack

Care of Facebook: Kaffekult & Antipasti, Snack

Coffee: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Recommended: cappuccino
Price: 2,60€

Berlin getaway series: #2.3 Düsseldorf - Best Coffee

il pastaio 

Though I can't claim to know all the coffee houses in Düsseldorf, I can certainly attest that after finding this particular place I have had no need to look further.

 

Il pastaio im Carsch-Haus Düsseldorf (c) MJT

Hidden away underground like a secret gem is this Italian espresso bar, alongside its cakes and pasta stores. But everything about this place feels like a genuine Italian coffee bar - sitting around 3 sides of the barrister, you are perched on stools to enjoy your espresso or espresso macchiato, and the service is friendly and quick, and the coffee is fantastic - it is like a piece of Italy tucked underground Düsseldorf.

Care of www.il-pastaio.de

So how does one find "il pastaio"?!
Firstly there is a department store called "Carsch Haus" (www.carsch-haus.de) and in the basement of Carsch Haus there is a food court, with a number of well presented and cosy places to enjoy some drinks and foods. Walking through on the right hand side is where you will find the three divisions of "il pastaio".

Care of www.carsch-haus.de

Conveniently the basement of Carsch Haus links to the subway station "Heinrich-Heine-Allee", so if arriving by train, simply continue walking in the subway towards Carsch Haus and then further into the food court. (www.delikatessa.com)

Espresso Bar - il pastaio (c) MJT

With an espresso macchiato costing 2€, it is the perfect afternoon pick me up, and I confess that the first time I found this place, I basically skipped with giddiness back to work, not for the caffeine, but that I had found somewhere that served excellent coffee.

Espresso macchiato - il pastaio (c) MJT

However if you prefer to take your time, as I have observed many pensioners around 2:30pm doing so, there is an delicious looking  selection of "dolce" desserts. The tiramisu was personally recommended to me, though it is a little too creamy for my taste. However the slice of lemon meringue was the perfect combination and ratio of all layers and flavours.

Tiramisu - il pastaio (c) MJT

I've been back most days for my daily fix of coffee and to practice some Italian, and the quality (of the coffee) never wavers. It is often crowded with people, but I've never had to wait more than three minutes to find a seat.

il pastaio im Carsch-Haus Düsseldorf (c) MJT

Coffee: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Recommended: espresso macchiato
Price: 2€

Directions here:

Care of www.delicatessa.com

Kaffee in Berlin series: #9 EINSTEIN in Quartier 206 (neue/wieder Eröffnung)

EINSTEIN in Quartier 206

As you may be aware if you live in Berlin, Einstein Coffee is a Berlin chain of Coffee Houses, starting I believe with the original Einstein Villa in Schöneberg.

Now in Quartier 206 (C) MJT

The Einstein new opening on Friedrichstrasse in Quartier 206 is a welcome return to the area, as it was one of my original haunts when I first moved to Berlin.

Kaffee Einstein (C) MJT

Living long distance, I would spend hours each day skyping back to Australia in the cosy Coffee Shop close to my work. However the manager/owner decided to move to Savignyplatz, and the lease was taken over by a watch store (a watch store!! really??!! it was the best coffee for blocks!) However, Einstein Kaffee have now re-opened after a number of delays on the opposite side of the street in the centre of Quartier 206 in a much bigger store with upstairs seating. Directions here:

Espresso macchiato (C) MJT

While this is still a chain, the friendliness of the staff (particularly the manager) and the loyalty cards, makes this an extremely reliable place to grab a quick espresso, or if you are on a skype date enjoy a larger beverage such as the hot chocolate, or even for a lunch of cous cous salad or panini.

A quick espresso macchiato date (C) MJT

My only reservation is that the prices are slightly too high for a chain (particularly on lunch food) and there are now more places around Berlin to get good coffee. Given that the location is tourist central and Quartier 206 is considered hoighty-toighty, this is perhaps not so surprising.

Care of www.einstein-kaffee.de

In summary, EINSTEIN Kaffee in Quartier 206 comes in at a good recommendation, particularly if you are in the area around Checkpoint Charlie or Gendarmenmarkt and need a refresher:

Coffee: ★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Recommended Drink: Espresso macchiato or Hot Chocolate

Price: €1,80 or €3,50

Best Quality: Wifi, Service (particularly the manager) and atmosphere (now upstairs seating and in Quartier 206)

Kaffee in Berlin series: #6 LA PREMIATA DITTA

LA PREMIATA DITTA

On Weinbergsweg (Nr 4) at Rosenthaler Platz in the smallest of Gewerbe (shop/commercial space) an extremely stylish italian deli recently opened its doors. Directions here. 

(C) MJT

La premiata ditta first opened less than a year ago, with the most drinkable espresso I had ever tasted, and a deli with multiple prosciutti and focaccia options to choose from. They have since updated their menu and lunch options to a more German palate, yet the freshness and flavours remain superb.

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

Just opposite the tram stop at Weinbergsweg, this is an extremely small coffee house, but extremely well designed in all aspects. Clearly they have taken a lot of care, time and effort in their presentation.

(C) MJT

Since summer is now upon us in Berlin, the café now accommodates more than 8 people by spilling out onto Weinbergsweg - between Spätverkaufs and other restaurants and cafés. But for an espresso on the run while waiting for the tram, or a mittags/lunch menu with focaccia, coffee and freshly pressed juice look no further than this extremely well fashioned italian addition to the area.

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

In summary, La PREMIATA DITTA comes in at a very, very high recommendation:

Coffee: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Recommended Drink: Espresso or Cappuccino

Price: €1,50 / €2,20

Best Quality: The most drinkable Espresso ever! The staff are extremely friendly and willing to please. The modified lunch menu (deal) is just right! 

Check out their website here:  www.lapremiataditta.com

Kaffee in Berlin series: #4 Ampelmann Shop

AMPELMANN SHOP UNTER DEN LINDEN

Amidst the building works currently disguising Unter den Linden at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse now stands yet another Ampelmann Shop. To describe what that is and why it is signifcant to Berlin I will leave for another blogpost. However I do wish to make mention of the coffee that is now available at this particular location.

(C) MJT

Firstly it should be known that Unter den Linden is a tourist hotspot, being the boulevard linking two of Berlin's iconic landmarks - the TV tower at Alexanderplatz, with the Brandenburg Gate at the entrance to the Tiergarten. As such, most of the shops and restaurants in this vicinity cater to a tourist market and so prices are often inflated. 

One of the biggest reliefs when the renovated Ampelmann Shop opened on this particular corner, was that their prices remained consistent with their other shops, and that the coffee is not only good value, but actually quite nice. 

(C) MJT

Within the shop itself they have a coffee wagon, with benches and tables nearby where you can rest while drinking your coffee (although, I doubt you would linger, as one is still inside the ampelmann shop...) and it has an interesting indoor/outdoor feel with the fake cobblestones and crossing lights. 

(C) MJT

It was curiosity that initially drew me in to sample their "introductory rate" of coffee (at the time, only €1 for an espresso - what it really should be anywhere in Europe!) and not only was I pleasantly surprised, but I was shocked that a "non-coffee" chain in a densely tourist populated area could  produce such a satisfying espresso. The prices have since risen 50 cents, which brings the Espresso to €1,50 and the cappuccino to €2,50 - however those are quite standard prices in Berlin. And cheaper compared to many other options on Unter den Linden.

(C) MJT

So if travelling-by on your Berlin sight-seeing tour, be assured that this is a reasonable coffee pit stop, and most likely you will then be encouraged to pick up some truly Berlin souvenirs in the Ampelmann Shop itself. Corner of Friedrichstrasse and Unter den Linden (Part of the Westin Grand building) (Directions here)

And for the history of the Ampelmann and the cult that has grown out of it, check out their website here: http://ampelmann.de/

Finally, they also offer a loyalty card with stamps - 10th coffee free!

(C) MJT

In summary, the Ampelmann Shop Coffee comes in at a good recommendation, particularly given the location being a tourist area:

Coffee: ★★★☆

Service: ★★★★ 

Atmosphere: ★★☆
Recommended Drink: Espresso or Cappuccino
Price: €1,50 or €2,50
Best quality: The effort in creating the store and the coffee wagon.