5 Best Coffee Shops Near Hackescher Markt (A Local's Guide)

You've just spent the morning exploring Berlin's historic city center, your legs are tired, and you need caffeine. If you're near Hackescher Markt — one of Berlin's liveliest squares — you're in luck. This neighborhood is packed with excellent coffee spots, from world-class specialty roasters to cozy hidden courtyards.

But with so many options, it's easy to waste time (and money) on a mediocre tourist-trap espresso. Here are the 5 spots actually worth your time and your euros.

1. The Barn — Berlin's Specialty Coffee Pioneer

📍 Neue Schönhauser Str. 12, 10178 Berlin ☕ Flat white ~€5 | Filter coffee ~€4.50 ⏰ Mon–Fri 8:00–20:00 | Sat 9:00–20:00 | Sun 10:00–20:00

If you only visit one coffee shop in Berlin, make it The Barn. Founded in 2010, this roastery helped launch Berlin's third-wave coffee movement and has since expanded to locations across the city — and internationally in cities like Dubai, London, and Seoul.

The Hackescher Markt location is one of their most popular, and for good reason. The space is minimalist and calm — a welcome contrast to the busy streets outside. Their single-origin beans are roasted in-house, and the baristas take their craft seriously. Whether you order a pour-over or a flat white, the quality is consistently excellent.

The retail shelf at the back is worth a browse — you can take home freshly roasted beans as a souvenir that's far more memorable than a fridge magnet.

Best for: Serious coffee lovers who care about bean origin and roast quality.

Pro tip: If this location is too crowded, they have another branch near Checkpoint Charlie.

2. Ben Rahim — A Hidden Gem Inside Hackesche Höfe

📍 Sophienstr. 7, 10178 Berlin (inside Hackesche Höfe) ☕ Latte ~€6 | Hand brew from ~€7 | Cezve (Turkish coffee) from ~€8 ⏰ Daily 8:00–20:00

Tucked inside one of Berlin's most beautiful Art Nouveau courtyards, Ben Rahim is an experience as much as it is a coffee shop. Named after its Tunisian-born founder, this tiny café brings North African coffee tradition to Berlin.

The interior feels like stepping into another world — Persian rugs on the floor, Islamic mosaic tiles on the walls, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed specialty coffee filling the air. They use beans from Square Mile Coffee Roasters in London, and every cup is prepared with care and attention.

A few things to know: Ben Rahim doesn't serve sugar (they believe quality coffee doesn't need it), and hand-brewed coffee is served without milk. If that sounds intimidating, don't worry — their espresso-based drinks are excellent and come as you'd expect. The espresso cakes are legendary among regulars.

For adventurous drinkers, ask about the Cezve — traditional Turkish-style coffee brewed in a handmade copper pot from Tunisia. It's intense, rich, and unlike anything you'll find at most Berlin cafés.

Best for: Anyone who appreciates unique atmosphere and doesn't mind paying a premium for exceptional quality.

Pro tip: The courtyard seating is magical on a warm day. Visit mid-afternoon to avoid the morning rush.

3. Father Carpenter — Melbourne Brunch Culture in a Berlin Courtyard

📍 Münzstr. 21, 10178 Berlin (1st courtyard) ☕ Flat white ~€4.50 | Filter coffee ~€4 ⏰ Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00 | Sat 10:00–18:00 | Sun closed

Father Carpenter brings Melbourne's famous café culture to Berlin's Mitte district, and it does so beautifully. Hidden in a courtyard just off Münzstraße — a 5-minute walk from Hackescher Markt — this café has been a local favorite since 2015.

The setting alone is worth the visit. Walk through a vaulted passageway off the street and you'll emerge into a quiet courtyard surrounded by apartment buildings, where Father Carpenter's outdoor tables offer a peaceful escape from the city. It's the kind of place where you sit down for a quick coffee and end up staying for two hours.

The coffee comes from Fjord, a roastery co-founded by the café's Danish-Australian owner, Kresten Thøgersen. It's balanced, smooth, and easy-drinking — perfect alongside their excellent brunch menu. The poached eggs on sourdough and the avocado toast both get rave reviews.

One thing to note: Father Carpenter has table service and can get quite busy, especially on Saturday mornings. Arriving early is recommended. And they're closed on Sundays.

Best for: A proper sit-down brunch with great coffee in a beautiful hidden courtyard.

Pro tip: Skip the laptop — this is a café for being present, not working. They discourage screens on busy days.

4. Oslo Kaffebar — Scandinavian Simplicity

📍 Eichendorffstr. 13, 10115 Berlin ☕ Coffee from ~€3.50 ⏰ Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00 | Sat–Sun 9:30–18:00

A short walk north from Hackescher Markt, Oslo Kaffebar brings the clean, no-fuss Scandinavian approach to coffee. Named after Norway's capital — a city that takes its coffee very seriously — this small café focuses on doing a few things exceptionally well.

The space is tiny but inviting, with a minimalist Nordic aesthetic and just a handful of seats inside. In good weather, the small outdoor area is the place to be. The coffee is consistently good — light roasts with clean, bright flavors that Scandinavian roasters are known for.

Oslo Kaffebar doesn't try to be everything to everyone. No elaborate food menu, no fancy interiors. Just excellent coffee made with care. And that simplicity is exactly what makes it special.

Best for: A quick, quality coffee without the fuss — perfect if you're between sightseeing stops.

Pro tip: Their cinnamon buns are the perfect pairing with a filter coffee.

5. Princess Cheesecake — For When You Need More Than Just Coffee

📍 Tucholskystr. 37, 10117 Berlin ☕ Coffee from ~€3.50 | Cheesecake slices from ~€5 ⏰ Daily 10:00–20:00

Let's be honest — sometimes you don't just want a coffee, you want a coffee and a spectacular slice of cake. That's where Princess Cheesecake comes in.

Located on Tucholskystraße, about a 7-minute walk from Hackescher Markt, this café has built its reputation on one thing: cheesecake. And they do it brilliantly. The display case is filled with beautifully crafted cheesecakes in every flavor you can imagine — classic New York style, berry-topped, chocolate, and seasonal specials.

The coffee is solid (not specialty-level, but perfectly good), and the real draw is the combination of a rich espresso with a slice of their signature cheesecake. The space is bright, welcoming, and popular with both locals and visitors.

Best for: Satisfying a sweet tooth after a long walk through Berlin.

Pro tip: Go for the classic cheesecake first — it's their signature for a reason. If you're visiting in summer, their outdoor terrace on the quiet street is lovely.

Quick Comparison

A Coffee Break on Your Walking Tour

All five of these spots are within walking distance of our free walking tour's final stop at Hackescher Markt. After 12 stops and nearly 2 hours of Berlin history — from medieval origins at Alexanderplatz to Museum Island's UNESCO treasures — you've earned a great cup of coffee.

Our tour ends right in the heart of this neighborhood, giving you the perfect opportunity to sit down, reflect on 800 years of history, and plan the rest of your Berlin day over a flat white or a Turkish cezve.

Book your free spot at berlinwalk.com

📍 Starts daily at Alexanderplatz, World Clock ⏱ ~1 hour 45 minutes | 🚶 ~3 km | 💰 Free (tip-based)

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