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)

Berlin getaway series: #1.1 SZCZECIN - COLOMBUS COFFEE

SZCZECIN - COLOMBUS COFFEE

Since many of my blog posts revolve around coffee, it is perhaps apt that I start with an awesome cafe that we found in the middle of the street....

COLOMBUS COFFEE

(C) MJT

Granted this is a chain coffee store (I discovered that it was founded in 1999, and appears to only be in Poland), but the architecture of this particular café is SO cool.

(C) MJT

Located in the middle of an intersection between two discarded tram lines (now transformed into a paved narrow parkland), the use of the narrow space is compensated by numerous levels and an amazing open plan glass structure. A word to the wise however, the top level, where we made our regular table, is the warmest area - being a fully glassed enclosure with no windows to open - and in warm, summer temperatures I suspect the heat becomes overwhelming. 

(C) MJT

Nevertheless it is a very relaxing view looking out onto the Park towards the river.

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Otherwise the downstairs floor (beneath the service area) has very comfortable arm chairs, which provide secluded areas for private conversations. 

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

As for the coffee itself, we only tried the "poco cappuccino". It was a great relief to find a decent coffee. The price equated to around 2€. The array of African references, pictures and dedicated time-zone clocks suggests that is where their beans come from. So the coffee was good, even if it did remind me a little of Starbucks...

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

The selection of panini, salads and doughnuts were very good for picking up a cheap and quick lunch. And the staff were extremely friendly, courteous and spoke English surprisingly well.

(C) MJT

Obviously Colombus Coffee is a reliable place to pick up a coffee, yet this particular café is a definite stop if visiting Szczecin. They even have a facebook page, named "szczecin meeting point" - visit it here: www.facebook.com/szczecinmeetingpoint and for finding it on googlemaps here:

Oh, and if you are likely to be there for more than 6 visits, it is worth getting the loyalty card, so that you get a free coffee...!

(C) MJT