It all began with a tragic fire in the former Westberlin café at Checkpoint Charlie. Now, a few streets away, it has found a new home in the former St. Agnes Catholic parish center in Kreuzberg. However, there isn’t much left of the building’s religious history: architect Arno Brandlhuber has given the modern, minimalist building by Werner Düttmann a facelift. Cafè founder, Kai Bröer, who began his career as an architect, added a straightforward yet warm and inviting interior. The result is a combination of classic café and co-working space across two floors — with a well-designed outdoor area and roof terrace. The finest coffee specialties, sweet treats, and selected non-alcoholic drinks are served. For the hungry, there is also breakfast, lunch and early dinner. You could spend an entire day at Westberlin if you wanted to. Bröer and his team make sure the food on offer is constantly changing, with a selection of vegan dishes. The highlight: everything is home-baked — including our favorite, the fluffy brioche! If you’re looking for something for your coffee table, you’ll also find a selection of magazines and books from Apartamento, 032c and Take Me to the Lakes to purchase. Home baristas can find special roasts from Berlin and Europe, as well as Companion Tea and matcha from Matchasome. 

Text & Photos: Arne Meyer

Westberlin at St. Agnes, Alexandrinenstr.118-121, 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

@westberlin_de

In recent days, nowhere else has caused as much of a stir in Berlin as this new bakehouse. I had walked by the corner of Rosenthaler Straße for months, curious to see what was hiding behind the graffitied walls. Perhaps it wasn’t exactly hiding, given “Acid Mitte” was written across the windows. Acid has its origins in Barrio de Las Letras, a small, tucked-away neighborhood in Madrid. Fede Graciano, who previously worked as a photographer and DoP in the audiovisual sector, settled in Madrid and quickly recognized the potential to shake up its coffee culture. In 2017, he opened the first Acid Café, followed by the Acid Bakehouse during the pandemic: bigger, bolder (thanks to the red wall, among other things). Sourdough bread and airy pastries (which were not available anywhere else in Madrid at the time) were on offer. Not to mention a constantly changing coffee selection. Acid has now become an integral part of Madrid: with the Bakehouse and three cafés, Fede manages to reach the entire city and make each location unique in its own right. Together with Plantea Estudio, a new design concept was developed for each Acid in Madrid, inspired by the are and the building’s history. With warm, earthy tones and a large stainless steel counter, Acid Mitte, Fede, together with Frama from Copenhagen, bring the charm of the Madrid locations to Berlin — with a little more edginess. In addition to classics such as the croissant, PAC (pain au chocolat), cardamom bullar and cinnamon bun, Acid offers “Monthly Specials” dependent on seasonal produce. The idea is to reinterpret traditional pastries from different countries in the Acid style, using their unique ingredients and techniques.

Behind the large window fronts, you’ll find a curated selection of items and projects from friends of the team: coffee beans, kombuchas, natural wines, merch, as well as in-house products such as miso granola, dulce de leche, butter and cold brew. “The adventure in Berlin began two years ago. For a long time, I actually thought Madrid was the end of the concept for Acid. But in 2011 I lived in Berlin for a year, just a few blocks away from what is now Acid’s location in Mitte, and I’ve loved this city ever since. Vibrant and multicultural, with so much space and openness for any kind of project. It’s a challenge for me — scary, but never boring.” Of course, Fede has more plans for Berlin: collaborations with restaurants, wine bars and cafés, a “Seasonal Coffee” program, and new baked goods. I’m sure Acid will continue to cause a stir and generate conversation in the future — it’s been received and embraced since day one and we can’t wait to see (and taste!) more.

Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Fede Graciano, Marina Denisova

Acid, Rosenthaler Str.9, 10119 Berlin–Mitte; map

@acid.cafe