visited : 25/06/08
Straight after WBC I headed to Berlin for a couple of days. As I was in Berlin for a brief amount of time I managed to squeeze one espresso bar into my busy schedule. I would have loved to do a proper espresso run of Berlin, but perhaps next time. 
Bonanza Coffee Heroes (Oderberger Strasse 35) was recommended to me by few Berliners that I met in Copenhagen. This small coffee shop is perhaps the most geekiest espresso bar I’ve ever been to. They have a Synesso machine with few Mazzer grinders but that’s not what makes them geeky. Believe it or not, they have a special scale underneath a tamping mat and measure the tamp pressure every time. I guess it gives them more consistency but a barista should be able to feel the pressure naturally every time. As well as all the cool gadgets in the shop they own a brand new clover, when I visited them they were in the middle of installing it into their store. I think that it will be a very good introduction.
Ok lets talk coffee … they use naked portafilters so you get a double shot every time. The espresso blend is on a rather dark side, so the coffee tasted a little ashy and very chocolaty. Personally I didn’t like it as I struggled to find the delicate balance of espresso in my double ristretto, having said that I strongly believe that their espresso is one of the best in town, if not the best. The majority of the clientele drink lattes and cappuccinos so the espresso blend is designed that way and does taste great with milk.
The shop attracts a lot of international guests from all over Berlin. The Barista behind the bar is a really cool Aussie guy that has a lot of passion for coffee. I credit the owners for doing the right thing, they truly have created an awesome barista playground with serious and seriously expensive tools.I strongly recommend going to this espresso bar, as it simply is the greatest in Berlin. Once the clover is up and running I hope that they will serve some special single origins. Although I wasn’t in love with the coffee I was in love with the passion this place carries out, a great asset to Berlin! A must visit!
7 comments:
Hey
Have you got any other adresses in Berlin? I've just arrived in Berlin (will be here for a year) and I'm looking for a good espresso!
Thank you, and keep up the good work!
my best bet is to actually ask the guys at bonanza, i am pretty sure that there is one more place somewhere around town that is very much worth visiting! good luck in your findings and keep me up to date!
I went there 3 times when we stayed in Berlin. I thought that the espresso was a bit too dark, but definately the best one in town.
There was also one other place, called Double Eye, in the southern part of town. Cheap, espresso 0,77€, and decent. Maybe not worth the trip but if you're close then I recommend to pop in.
In Alte Schönhauser Str, just next to Alexanderplatz, is Coffein Bar. Nice, small and cosy. They had a small machine and the barista didn't really know what he was doing.
The scene just keeps getting better and better here. Right now my recommendations would be:
1. Bonanza
2. Cafe CK
3. No Fire, No Glory
4. Godshot
5. DoubleEye
don't forget to add passenger espresso on this list; www.passenger-espresso.de , a little bar with a nice own blend and good espresso; especially when the Australians are shooting!
I always have wanted to travel Berlin. Thanks to you I know where I have to go in order to drink a delicious espresso. However, I also need Generic Viagra to go there.
You are brilliant. great work! I think they are pretty decent to be honest. Fun to see if anyone else thinks the same. I am thankful to you for sharing with us. -- cherry creek state park
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