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

Berlin getaway series: #2.0 Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

Quite by chance I find myself at present in the Rheinland in the West of Germany (about 4 to 5 hours West and slightly south of Berlin) in the capital of Nordrhein-Westfalen. It is in the heart of the Rhein-Ruhr-Gebiet, an area encompassing multiple cities such as Dortmund, Duisburg, Köln, Bonn, Essen, Bochum and more, with a combined population of 11 million. 

Care of www.reading-dusseldorf.org.uk

As the regional name indicates, it is situated on the River Rhein downstream from Köln und Bonn. And if Wagner's Rheinmaidens were looking for somewhere to spend their recovered Rheingold, I'm sure they would find all the necessary luxury shops here in Düsseldorf. 

Looking Upstream Rhein (c) MJT

Looking Downstream Rhein (c) MJT

Just for fun, here is the entire production of Wagner's Rheingold from 2007 in Bayreuth, in case you have a spare 2.5 hours.

While I wouldn't have expected to visit Düsseldorf specifically from Berlin, since arriving I have found it to be a very pleasant city - much calmer, friendly and civilized than Berlin - and very diverse in cultures and architecture. For example I quite like the newly opened Daniel Libeskind designed building at Jan-Wellen Platz. 

Libeskind Architecture (c) MJT

The Alt-Stadt (old city) which is build upon the bank of the Rhein is well worth exploring, as there are numerous culinary options (at some points a different nationality per shop), including Ethiopian, Spanish, Turkish, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, alongside various fish markets and bakeries. Plus a central market area and cafes/beer gardens stretching along the bank of the river. 

Along the riverbank (c) MJT

And so over the next few blogs I hope to explore the city further and share my experiences and recommendations for this Berlin getaway to the Rheinland.

M.

Kaffee in berlin series: #7 Cuore di Vetro

CUORE DI VETRO

A new edition to the neighbourhood but on the quieter street of Max-Beer-Strasse (nr 33), which is parallel to Alte-Schönhauser-Strasse and near U-Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, this Italian run ice-cream store is fast becoming one of our favourite haunts for ice-cream, and the benefit is that their coffee is also great. Directions here.

Care of Cuore di Vetro Facebook Page

Outside Cuore di Vetro (C) MJT

I think I will have to save a blogpost just for the ice-cream, but in short they make their own flavours on-site and vary the menu from day to day. 

Selection of ice-cream flavours (C) MJT

Hard at work at the ice-cream making machines (C) MJT

As for the coffee, it is a very satisfying blend with an italian influence (understandably) and smooth non-bitter taste. 

Cappuccino (C) MJT

And the café itself is a very pleasant place to rest during a walk or shopping tour around the area, as it is on a quieter street. However be aware that directly opposite is a Kindergarten, so directly after school hours can become peak hour with after-school ice-creams being served. At other times however it is generally quiet and pleasant to sit outside if the weather is good, or inside opposite the ice-cream factory or upstairs on the mezzanine.

 

Outside Cuore di Vetro (C) MJT

Inside (C) MJT

In summary, CUORE DI VETRO comes in at a very high recommendation:

Coffee: ★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Recommended Drink: Cappuccino

Price: €2,30

Best Quality: The ice-cream!!! Yum-Yum!!

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