Coffee Trailing in Berlin

Earlier last year, i was in coffee heaven in Helsinki with Finland ranking as one of the highest in terms of per capita consumption of my favorite beverage. But little did i know that Berlin offered a fitting competition to Helsinki (and Melbourne – i’m going to figure out the ‘winner’ once i visit Melbourne!).

Berliners take great pride in their coffee* – perhaps as much as their beer and bratwurst.
i was about to discover this on a walking tour of this enchanting city…

* So much so, that they have a Berlin Coffee Festival (Sept. 2-4 this year)

My (super) guide Henrick from BerlinAgent was to meet me at the first stop – The Barn.

My first impression of The Barn was a very modern, chic bistro type ambiance which served freshly roasted and brewed coffee.

Bonanza Coffee Roasterswas our second stop – very New York (Brooklyn) and very artsy. Much bigger than the Barn, but equally – if not more chic.
While sipping an excellent freshly brewed americano, i picked up this fabulously geeky ‘specialty coffee map of Berlin’:

2 coffees down, Henrick suggested we walk around the Prenzlaeurberg neighborhood and i was immediately sold on the idea. Walking or bicycling is to me, the best way to explore a new city. Here’s the kind of gorgeous, hipster-grunge hood that is Prenzlauerberg…

After a few hours of soaking in these beautiful sights, aromas and tastes… we headed to explore the legendary Hackesche Höfe. i could have spent the entire day in Prenzlauerberg if i had more time, and i’m definitely going to revisit and do so at leisure the next time.

Check out my interactive map of Berlin’s ‘hipster trail’ covering some amazing coffee joints

See also: Awesome Berlin’s (more detailed) map

Foursquare: The 15 Best Places for Third Wave Coffee in Berlin