Kaffee in Berlin series: #12 Röststätte Berlin

Café Name: Röststätte Berlin

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Address: Ackerstrasse 173, 10115 Berlin
(Near Rosenthaler Platz) 

Google Maps: Röststätte Berlin

Transport (BVG): 
U8 (Rosenthaler Platz)
Bus 142 (Torstrasse/Tucholskystr or Rosenthaler Platz)
S1, S2, S25 (Oranienburger Strasse)

Website Link: Facebook

Coffee selection: Filterkaffee, Espresso Macchiato, Americano, Cappuccino, Cortado, Flat White, Latte, Iced Black, Iced Latte

Coffee sampled: Cappuccino

Cost: €2,80

Extra Shot:

Taste: Rich, creamy espresso blend. Very satisfying and fresh.
 
Wait-time: Though the cafe part is quite small, one can usually get a table either inside or out on the street, or occasionally can spill into the espresso machine shop area. (There is also a whole shop area dedicated for coffee lover courses). 

Friendliness of Staff: Very polite, multicultural, and efficient. 

Facilities (Toilets): Possibly one of the smallest toilets that you can find, but stylish and clean nonetheless. 

Ambience and Seating: Very stylish and smart layout. The coffee making area specifically, but for such a small space it is very well designed. Lounges, tables, benches and window seating. Plus outside on the street (a narrow, short street). Daily newspapers for perusal.

Dogs allowed inside: Yes

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Yes, from a specific filtered water tap next to the barista machine.

Wifi: Yes, ask at the counter. 

Hint: The Cortado is similar to an antipodean style Café Latté (less milk than a cappuccino, served in a glass). 

General remarks: One of my favourite and regular places. Take-away quite efficient with Keep-A-Cups available for purchase. Their Arabian coffee beans are fair-trade ethical and roasted on site. 

Score: 9.5 / 10

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Kaffee in Berlin series: #10 Update

Kaffee in Berlin series (Coffee in Berlin) 

has been a very slow yet ongoing process for this blog for a number of years. In fact, usually when visiting another city, one of my first inspirations for a blog post is a recommendation of where to find good coffee. 

As such, I have decided to give myself a small challenge for a couple of reasons. 

Firstly, it was with great disappointment yet deep understanding that at the end of 2016 the owners of "Antipodes" on Fehrbellinerstrasse decided to make a life change and close what had become our antipodean sanctuary for the past six years. 

While we have a number of coffee shops to which we are loyal, Antipodes was not just a place to drink fantastic coffee, rather it fostered a community, and as such a significant history of our Berlin routine focused around this particular cafe. 

Secondly, while I like having a record of our history in Berlin, so many of my posts have only remained as drafts, due to not having dedicated enough time to refine them. As such there are huge (and I mean scarily huge) timeline gaps on this blog. I am keen to rectify this. 

Thirdly, I shouldn't be surprised at myself, but I really, REALLY like coffee. I'm not an aficionado or expert on where the beans have come from, and I don't go in for stupid craves (I could go on a rather offensive rant about the filter-coffee fad, but I wont ... yet). But I am very particular about what I recommend as good coffee and there is enough coffee-snob in me to actually forgo drinking coffee at the risk of consuming something unacceptable.

As such, my focus for the next few weeks and months, is to seek out, experiment and visit as many new coffee houses and cafes in my local Berlin habitat, and use a concise formula for reviewing and recommending for those looking for a good cuppa. If you are interacting with this blog, please feel free to leave a comment or a suggestion of where you think a good espresso/cappuccino is to be found.

Let's get the espresso steaming!
 

 

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.

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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.

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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".

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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