A refuge from the frenzy of a busy intersection on Hermannstraße, Isla Coffee Berlin is more than a lovely café serving excellent specialty coffee and delicious brunch on weekends — it’s also a lean machine utilizing its own systems to minimize food, water and packaging waste. Owners Peter Duran and Philipp Reichel (who’s also behind Café 9) share a personal commitment to sustainability and social responsibility: values which they’ve brought to life with Isla. By adapting the ideas of a circular economy and putting them to work through systems analysis and consolidation — they’ve created a new model for food service waste-management. The most tangible example of their processes starts with steamed milk left over from lattés and other espresso-based drinks. Isla keeps this milk to make fresh ricotta cheese and bread pudding served during weekend brunch. While any café can claim sustainability, Isla is using practical, measurable processes to reduce waste — all whilst increasing the quality of Neukölln’s coffee offerings. (Text: Devan Grimsrud / Photos: Luke Marshall Johnson)
Isla Coffee Berlin, Hermannstr.37, 12049 Berlin-Neukölln; map
Mon-Sun 8-19h
