Ploetz is the maiden name of the two owners of the eponymous Schöneberg café, Elke and Eni Löscher’s mother and grandmother. Born in Berlin, Ploetz later moved to Amman. Two cities could hardly be more different, yet both have left their mark on her: here, the rough, creative, urban energy; there, the warmth, cuisine, and heartfelt hospitality. It is exactly this dichotomy that the family-run café has been translating since April 2025, by the Julius-Leber-Brücke. After gaining years of experience with their Frankfurt ventures, Wasserhäuschen Fein and Café Momi, Elke and Eni realized their dream last year: opening their own café in Berlin. Ploetz serves as a spacious neighborhood spot where specialty coffee, international cuisine, and bakery converge. Everything is made in-house — baking, cooking, and fermenting — resulting in a daily showcase of fresh pastries and a generous menu. Every morning, the scent of hand-laminated croissants — something the two are particularly proud of — fills the former butcher shop, whose heritage-protected, green-and-white tiles exude Old Berlin charm. Croissants, babkas, and golden challah braids are among the café’s classics, accompanied by window pastries that change almost daily according to the season and spontaneous bakery ideas. In the kitchen, Levantine spices meet sourdough bread, Sabich plates meet shakshuka, and grilled sandwiches meet smashed potatoes with Frankfurter Grüner Soße.
Many ingredients come from carefully selected organic farms — cheese from Hofgut Heggelbach, sausages from Biohof May — with coffee sourced from Populus. The core menu remains constant, while seasonal specials and new pastries add variety. Vegan options are naturally available, from the Sabich plate to vegan brioche sandwiches and French toast variations. Beverages include specialty coffee, salted hot chocolate, matcha, chai, homemade lemonades, and spritz drinks. Recently, Ploetz expanded just a door down with an additional space. Though styled a little differently, the transition from the main café feels seamless. Evenings here are for sharing dinners, Friday pasta nights, weddings, and workshops. From the very first visit, Ploetz feels like a permanent neighborhood meeting point — a warm, welcoming atmosphere, exactly what you hope for from a family-run place.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Mohit Amlani
Ploetz, Czeminskistr.4, 10829 Berlin–Schöneberg; map
@ploetz.berlin
