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!!

May Day

May Day is more commonly known around the world as International Workers' Day (Labour Day). In Berlin the First of May is a public holiday and some of the biggest celebrations occur in the area of Kreuzberg, just south east of Mitte. 

Image care of Google Maps

"MY FEST" is the organised celebration around Kottbusser Tor/Oranienstrasse/Görlitzer Bahnhof in Kreuzberg and is well worth the visit DURING THE DAY. 

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The residents and restaurants move everything into the streets, and one can pick up some amazing Turkish food, €4 Cocktails, Nutella Waffles and more, while having a different band perform every 200 metres along the street. It is extremely crowded, but by incredibly diverse people of different backgrounds and politics.

View to Görlitzer Bahnhof © MJT

MAY DAY in Berlin however is not without a darkened reputation. A significant police presence is noticeable along the street and intersections. The anarchists and far left use their opportune moment to riot and protest - in years past, toppling parked cars if not setting them alight. Hence the warning by Lonely Planet and alike to stay away from Kreuzberg on May Day.

Image care of www.nicoleisthenewblack.com

 

But MY FEST is a definite must do!!! - it epitomises the true Berlin/Kreuzberg atmosphere, with great food, a very crowded atmosphere, plenty of booze and bands - and it only comes around once a year. 

 

Just don't chance the riots - leave by dusk.

TIPS and RECOMMENDATIONS:

Wear proper footwear - despite the weather suggesting sandles/thongs, the broken glass on the ground or people trampling (accidentally) on your feet will probably affect your impression of the event for the worse. 

Mariannenstrasse for the Turkish food

Cassonade for Waffles - Oraniestrasse 199

Mirchi for Cocktails - Oranienstrasse 204

More information at:

www.nicoleisthenewblack.com/2012/05/photo-essay-first-of-may.html

 

http://maydayberlin.blogsport.de/ (Deutsch)

Willkommen

Welcome to all to my first post ever!!

Brandenburger Tor © MJT

Having lived and worked in Berlin for over a year, I would like to share both my experiences and recommendations for anyone visiting or making Berlin their abode. 

I intend my posts to focus on culture, events, cafes, restaurants, general berlin life and bringing existing information of blogs and internet resources together to share with my personal experiences.  There will also be excursions to other cities and countries as my own adventures continue.

No promises as to how frequent my posts will be, but as I will be staying here for the first time ever over a European summer, it may just be that I have ample inspiration and sufficient time to really get this going.

To friends and family over the world, it will hopefully become a means of familiarity with my living in Berlin. Feel free to offer advice, suggest places to write about or ask questions, and I shall endeavour to do what I can. 

MJT