Kaffee in Berlin series: #14 Café Friedrich

Café Name: Café Friedrich

Care of www.cafefriedrichs.com

  
Address: Mierendorffpl. 2, 10589 Berlin

 
Google Maps: Maps

 

Transport (BVG): 
U7 (Mierendorffplatz)  
Bus M27 (Mierendorffplatz)

Website Link: Café Friedrich

Coffee selection: Espresso, Macchiato, Americano, Cappuccino, Milchkaffee, Caffe Latte, Hot Chocolate

Coffee sampled: Cappuccino with extra shot

Cost: €2,50 + €1,00 extra shot

Extra Shot: €1,00

Taste: Satisfyingly strong, full dark body.  

Wait-time: Table service, attentive without being disruptive.

Friendliness of Staff: Polite.

Facilities (Toilets): Yes.

Ambience and Seating: Large outdoor seating area on a street triangle. Inside very spacious and clean.

Dogs allowed inside: NN

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Only when asked for.

Wifi: NN.

Hint: Selection of fresh cakes to accompany coffee will satisfy most German's "Kaffee und Kuchen" requirements. The cheese cake was particularly delicious.

General remarks: I visited at a rather off-peak time, which meant that the Café was almost deserted. However I can imagine that when the University Semester is on, being opposite the UdK (University of Arts) means that it is thriving with University students. 

Score: 8,5 / 10

Kaffee in Berlin series: #8 Barcomi's Deli

Barcomi's Deli

Tucked away in the Sophie-Gips-Hof is a treasured large coffee and cake house. Though not as busy as the Hackescher Höfe, this courtyard has a more local feel and is ideal for a weekend brunch or an afternoon coffee and cake. Directions here:

 

There is an abundance of seating inside for the winter months and outside in the calm courtyard opposite Gestalten.

Care of www.barcomis.de

I have previously written about the Sophie-Gips-Höfe, that it was originally a factory for bike chains and then sewing machines. The full post can be found here:

Barcomi's Cappuccino (C) MJT

The café itself seems to be based on an Austrian tradition with New York style feel. There is a page worth of coffee beans to choose from, and it has been one of the few coffee houses I have found to serve a condensed milk "cortado" (as they name it).

Cortado at Barcomi's (C) MJT

I can also recommend sharing the three dips lunch, or a bagel. To date I have resisted the temptation to try the cakes, though I'm sure that wont last long and I will follow up this post with a dedicated cake one.

Bagel at Barcomi's (C) MJT

Another great quality or touch that I appreciate is not having to ask for water, as each coffee drink comes with sparkling water to cleanse the palette. 

Espresso at Barcomi's (C) MJT

Overall a very calm, traditional coffee and cake house.

Coffee: ★★★★

Service: ★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆

Recommended Drink: Cortado (condensed milk)

Price: €2,80 (€3,80 doppel)

Best quality: condensed milk coffee "cortado" or the cakes

Kaffee in Berlin series: #5 Five Elephant Coffee & Cakes

FIVE ELEPHANT COFFEE & CAKES 

Off to explore a different area of Berlin, we found ourselves in the leafy street of Reichenbergerstrasse (Nr 101) in Kreuzberg, parallel to Görlitzer Park. Directions here.

Here a subtle but clearly popular cafe and roasting house has established itself well into the hipster and ex-pat demographic of Kreuzberg. Five elephant coffee has a very nice taste; strong enough without being bitter. A very melbourne like blend. 

(C) MJT

The cakes part of their title is equally important, and an array of homemade cakes is yours for the choosing. However I cannot recommend strongly enough the chocolate cookies. A mix of white and milk choc-chips, the cookies are just the right texture and consistency to enjoy on their own.

(C) MJT

Sitting outside is extremely pleasant since the street has little road traffic. Nevertheless the various rooms and interesting interior would also make it a pleasant place to enjoy a coffee inside during the cooler months.

(C) MJT

In summary, Five Elephants Coffee & Cakes comes in at a good recommendation, particularly for the cookies and the smooth coffee, however I was disappointed to be ignored by three staff at the counter when trying to order...:

Coffee: ★★★☆

Service: ★★☆

Atmosphere: ★★★☆
Recommended Drink: Cappuccino
Price: €2,50
Best quality: The cookies, but the coffee was indeed good too.

(C) MJT

Best Coffee in Berlin

It has been far too long since my last post! Over a year, embarrassingly. In that time I have wanted to write about so many places in Berlin, but life and work have taken over. And so my resurgence of blogging will commence at our favourite and local coffee shop. 

ANTIPODES

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

As an adopted Melbournian, I am quite particular about my coffee. As such, E and I have spent much of our time in Berlin testing various cafes and can confirm that Antipodes is by far the best coffee in Berlin. 

Perhaps in further posts I will write about other coffee places, but today's focus is Antipodes. 

  

Founded and run by Jane and Paul from New Zealand a couple of years ago, Antipodes is THE place to get your fix of Cafe Latté and home-made biscuits (German Kaffee und Kuchen may be good, but Antipodes are even better).

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

 

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

Located within walking distance between Senefelderplatz and Rosa-Luxemburg Platz (both U2 stations - only one stop from Alexander Platz) but on the quieter street of Fehrbellinerstrasse, Antipodes is not only a local cafe but a hub of ex-pat Australians and New Zealanders. 

Care of googlemaps

Open Wednesday through to Sunday (yes, when it appears like everything closes on a Sunday, at least you know Antipodes will be busy!) you can get your double shot fix and if you are feeling hungry too, then Paul will cook something very delicious. The menu can vary, but favourites of mine have included the Eggs Benedict, the English Muffins with Bacon, Eggs, Avocado and of course the PIES! My favourite - the Mushroom pies, but equally satisfying - Pepper Steak / Salmon. 

Image care of tylerkateross at http://statigr.am/p/357120403866979572_1550578

Not only is it an extremely pleasant atmosphere (whether inside in winter or outside during warmer months), but I can guarantee that when bringing guests they will never be disappointed. Polish, Czech, English, German and Moroccan friends have always been impressed with the coffee (frequently commenting without encouragement on how great the coffee tastes) and Australian visitors have been extremely relieved to finally find a real coffee in Germany - made just like in Melbourne/the Antipodes (in particular the Cafe Latté). 

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

So if you live in Berlin and are looking for the best coffee shop, or are here on holiday as a visitor from the other side of the world, stop by to meet a bunch of Antipodean ex-pats and get your fix of caffeine. 

Image care of franklovesellen.blogspot.com

And if you are a regular, then you can also start a collection of stamps to work your way towards a free coffee and biscuit. 

 

For more information about the daily specials and quotes like their facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Antipodes/124448277614199?fref=ts 

Otherwise see you there!!