Berlin continues to excite with new coffee places popping up everywhere across the city. During my last visit I had the chance to check out two new spots. One being Nano Kaffee and the other being this lovely gem of a place called Distrikt Coffee on a quiet street in Mitte. Opened by Sophie Hardy from London and a team consisting of experienced Baristas from France and New Zealand, Distrikt Coffee occupies a lovely space that looks a lot smaller from the outside than it actually turns out to be.
Sophie told me: “When I started playing with the idea of opening a coffee bar I wanted to go somewhere that wasn’t quite as saturated like London. Plus my boyfriend is German and Berlin is just so full of life and amazing spaces that when I found this one I knew this was something special.” During the renovation works they decided to keep the exposed brick walls that give this café a warm and homely feel while also maintaining a reminder of Berlin’s industrial past. Offering seating on a small balcony by the window, in front and opposite the bar as well as in a large room in the back, Distrikt Coffee might seem relatively big compared to other cafés but always retains a cozy feel.
For Sophie it was important to build rapport with local residents and despite only being open since December 2014, Distrikt Coffee has managed to quickly build a loyal following and continues to attract visitors from far and near who come here to enjoy a perfectly made cup of coffee and delicious home cooked food.
Their weekend brunches in particular attract large crowds and reservations for those busy days are not possible. Tables are given away on a first come, first serve basis.
The coffee bar is headed by Marie who used to work over at Bonanza before she joined Sophie’s new venue. However, Bonanza is also served here alongside a few other roasters from Germany and France, including Belleville, which is owned by Marie’s brother. See? Small world.
Although Distrikt is a bit of a walk from the nearest U-Bahn, this place is perfectly suited for a quiet afternoon cuppa Joe or a casual work lunch. Certainly worth a visit!
