From fair trade roasteries to high end cafes, Bremen’s coffee culture has a long standing tradition in the historic Hanseatic city. Around every winding street corner and secluded alleyway you’re sure to find a cafe, each with its own unique charm and specialty.
by Stuart Dwello
Coffee consumption is so popular in Bremen, in fact, that they have a local word for enjoying a cup of coffee; Kaffeesieren. It’s no wonder then, that tourists and locals alike seek out the best cafes that Bremen has to offer. Ever since moving to Bremen for my masters, I have been on the hunt for the perfect cafe to call home. Because Bremen has a long and proud history of cafes and coffee houses (some dating back to the 17th century) I knew I would have no trouble finding one. What I didn‘t anticipate, however, was the variety and quantity that this city had to offer.
As a student, it was important to me to find a cafe that offered not only high quality coffee and treats, but to also discover a place that I could comfortably spend my time in as I work on my degree. After visiting several cafes throughout the city, I consolidated a list of the best 3 cafes I found, all of which were student friendly. Although this is not an exhaustive list of every student friendly cafe in Bremen, I believe it to be a helpful guide to anyone new in the city looking for a great place to get a coffee.
Café Tölke
When visiting Cafe Tölke, I felt as if I stepped back in time. The carved wooden chairs, the elaborate metal and marble table, and even the small detailings on the wallpaper were connected so concisely, that I felt as if I were visiting a cafe from the 1900s.
From the very moment I arrived, I knew that I was in for a treat, as every seat was already filled with elderly couples and families enjoying their specialty cakes and coffees. The room was filled with chatter amongst families and friends, which contrasted with the quiet street corner where the cafe is situated. Adding to the melody of the room was the sweet stirrings of scents coming from behind the glass display, where the cakes were held. I was amazed by the variety as I walked past to my seat.
The wooden bench let out a deep groan as I took my seat in the back room. Although cramped, I was able to set my belongings down and huddle around the small marble top table, where my waitress lit my candle.
When visiting a new cafe, particularly one with such character as Cafe Tölke, I ask the wait staff for their recommendations, rather than ordering my usual black coffee. In this instance, I was recommended to pair the Irish coffee with the house special; the Weinschaumtorte flambiert mit Grand Marnier. The presentation of both the drink and cake were immaculate. The Irish coffee stood in a tall clear glass, topped with whipped cream, which spilled over the rim onto the glass’s base. The Weinschaumtorte filled up the pastry plate that it was situated on, with both creamy, yellowy ends extending past each side of the small porcelain plate it was placed on. What was most impressive, however, was the flaming Grand Marnier that was poured over the cake, which caramelized the outer crust in a flavorful orange-brandy finish.
I was disappointed with the Irish coffee, whose presentation far overshadowed its taste. I was let down to learn that although the cafe itself is over 50 years old, the coffee maker was a new press and pour machine, one that you would find in a hostel lobby. For this reason, the coffee was watery and lacked any strong taste. Even the bite of the whiskey was so faint, I was unsure if it was even in my drink at all.
The Weinschaumtorte, by contrast, was exceptional and settled any worry that the visit to this cafe would be in vain. The spongy cake soaked up the Grand Marnier, which paired delightfully with the sweet wine cake, lessening the liqueur’s intensity. I saved the very last bite of cake after I finished my coffee, so that I would have a good taste left in my mouth after leaving the cafe.
Although busy at times, I would recommend this cafe to any students for a solo study session. As a broke student, I found the pricing to be affordable and the space to be quite accommodating for studying (ideally if one comes during the slower parts of the day). The only limitation would be the table sizes, which were large enough for only one to two laptops. Overall, I would give this cafe a 4 out of 5 stars.
Café Bachmann
The second Café that I visited was Café Bachmann. Stepping off the busy Obernstraße, I traversed up a dangerously steep flight of stairs, where I was greeted by a welcoming waft of cakes and coffee scents. The assortment of mismatched tables and chairs, all of which looked like they had been lifted from my grandma’s house, gave off a cluttered, yet welcoming vibe. After being greeted by the friendly barista, I made my way to one of the mismatched chair sets, settled in on a faded red stool, and looked through the menu.
I was surprised to see the cafe quite empty, with only a few patrons scantily occupying the corners of the cafe. Their conversations with one another were blurred by the hard bop jazz playing over the cafe’s speakers. I took a moment to sit down and take in the atmosphere. The funky combination of the mismatched furniture, the retro styling of the interior, and the hissing of the decades old coffee machine all mixed together into a lively combination, which made me feel like this place has been lived in and cared for.
Like my previous visit to Cafe Tölke, I was interested in seeing what specialties Cafe Bachmann had to offer. After settling in, the waiter came over to take my order. He was pleasantly surprised when I asked him about his recommendations. It seemed as if that had not happened often with him. Although we disagreed on our coffee preferences (he often enjoyed a strong double espresso), he recommended the caramel coffee and the house made tiramisu, which he informed me is made daily by his cousin, whose husband runs the place.
The coffee and the tiramisu were both brought to me on a metal tray accompanied by a doily, which reminded me of the ones that I would see on the tables at my grandmother’s house. The coffee and cake also looked as if they had been made by my grandma, who would fill up the cup to the very brim and cut me the largest piece, to ensure that I was being well fed. The sweetness of the presentation matched the sweetness of my coffee and cake. Every sip of coffee greeted me with a kiss of caramel, which added a nice touch to the basic filter coffee in my cup. Although not the best cup of coffee I ever had, I was impressed with the subtle mixture of caramel, which added a boost of flavor to an otherwise normal cup of filter coffee. The tiramisu paired excellently with the coffee. The massive slice I was given was garnished with powdered sugar and was accompanied by a comically small fork, which made my cake seem even larger. From my first bite, I was unable to put my fork down. The soft, spongy dough paired playfully well with the creamy, vanilla filling. I savored every bite and despite its size, could have had another piece.
For students I found this cafe to be ideal for solo study sessions. The quietness of the cafe, in addition to the free wifi and affordable desserts make this place a great spot for students looking to spend a few hours in a comfortable spot in the loud city center. However, the size of the tables and the lack of outlets would be quite limiting for larger groups. When I spoke with the waiter, he even mentioned how many of the clientele, particularly during the slower times of the day, are students. I could see myself coming back to finish up a reading, while enjoying one (or two) of Cafe Bachmann’s house made tiramisus. All in all, I would give this place 4 out of 5 stars.
Cafe Knigge
The last cafe I visited was Cafe Knigge, a confectionery that has been in Bremen since 1889. My first impression of the place was the sheer vastness of it. I was greeted by the cafe’s attendant, who was standing behind a clear glass counter filled with a large variety of different cakes and baked sweets and asked to take a seat. I wanted to find a quiet spot in the cafe, so I headed towards the back. As I walked, it became clear that this cafe was much larger than it appears from the outside. I walked to the back of what I thought was the end of the cafe, only to find a narrow passage that led me to another room. This search for the end of the cafe continued for another four rooms, where I finally found the spot I was looking for. What amazed me so much about the cafe was not just the sheer scale of it, but also the dynamic ways in which each room is designed and decorated. Each lounge had its own particular style, ranging from elegant dining rooms, secluded discussion pods, to even a smoking lounge overlooking the city street below. The entire cafe extends from one city street to another and includes over 7 different lounges, each with their own unique style and atmosphere.
I settled into one of the quiet discussion pods and was greeted by a waitress, whose direct and dry, yet polite attitude fit perfectly in this proud, German establishment. When asking for the cafe’s specialties, I was met with confusion from the waitress, who suggested that I get up and look at the cakes myself, rather than rely on the suggestions made by the wait staff. In taking their advice, I made the long pilgrimage back to the front of the cafe, where I settled upon a simple americano and a salted caramel, chocolate cake.
The americano came first, which allowed me to familiarize myself with its taste before indulging in the chocolate cake, which would soon be delivered. The americano put forward a strong, bitter taste, whose caffeine snapped me into alertness. I was only able to enjoy a few sips of my coffee before my dessert arrived. The salted caramel frosting divided the fluffy chocolate dough into three layers, and was topped with a thick, chocolate frosting spread, which sparkled with flecks of caramel icing. The first bite was overwhelmingly sweet, which tickled the back of my throat as I took in the mixture of sweet and salty flavors. I had to eat my bites sparingly, as the sweetness was quite overpowering. When paired with my bitter americano, the intensity of both coffee and cake battled for supremacy over my taste buds. However, I was ultimately unable to finish the cake due to its intense sweetness, and reluctantly set it to the side after several bites. Upon a second visit, I would opt for a lighter dessert, so as to not over do it again.
I would recommend this establishment for both solo and group study sessions, as the discussion pods in the back provided an insular space for talking, while also dampening the noise from the rest of the cafe. That being said, the prices at the cafe were not particularly student friendly, with a basic coffee costing around 5 Euros. I would rate this cafe a 3 out of 5 stars, due to its lack of affordable student prices.
Heute schon kaffeesiert?
These three cafes were just a small sample of what Bremen has to offer. This city‘s long, proud history with cafes and coffee houses can still be seen today. Whether you are looking for a quiet cafe experience, tucked away in a small, forgotten corner of the city, or a loud and proud roastery experimenting with new flavors and mixes, Bremen’s cafes have it all. I would highly recommend any student new to the city to visit one of the cafes on this list and see what they have to offer. I can assure you that you won’t regret it!
You might also like
