The first time I visited Berlin in 2007 I still thought espresso could only good in Italy and my coffee habits abroad we limited to ordering tall cappuccinos from Starbucks.
Nowadays if I’m travelling to a European capital or one of the world’s top cities is often BECAUSE OF its specialty coffee scene! I have a long list (partly written, partly in my mind) of all the coffee shops I want to visit in the world and I am slowly trying to tick all the boxes off.
In the years that followed my first visit to Berlin, the city’s coffee scene has changed a lot, starting with the opening of Bonanza Coffee and The Barn roastery and shop. Several other specialty coffee shops have followed, and so my personal list grew longer. I knew coffee was going to take me back to Berlin.
When I decided to attend The Hive Conference, I booked my flight from London two days before the start of the conference, to have enough time for a coffee tour. One of my first stops was Silo Coffee in Friedrichshain.
Silo opened less than two years ago just off Boxhagener Platz, in the heart of a trendy neighbourhood and close to the metro station of Warschauer Straße.
The Australian-owned shop serves coffee from The Barn and features a Melbourne-style look, with white walls and blocks of light wood furniture. The red cups add colour to the minimalistic design.
A brick wall is decorated with a hanging bicycle; the front and back windows let in the natural day light.
I enjoyed Silo so much on my first visit on Thursday afternoon that I went back three days later for brunch with my friend Serena (blogger at Orientespresso). On the way there we stumbled upon the Sunday flea market in Boxhagener Platz.
Silo café looks like a popular brunch destination and was full when we arrived around noon, but we nonetheless enjoyed a relaxed and quiet Sunday morning atmosphere.
They normally offer free wifi, but that’s not the case on Sunday when the hotspot is blocked and laptops are banned. I agree with this policy of welcoming freelancers during the week, while ensuring a quicker turnaround of the tables during the busier weekend.
The brunch menu options looked equally interesting (avocado on toast, baked eggs, stack of fried brioche, bircher musli), but we both Serena and I followed the recommendation of the barista and ordered Herby Avocado, Ham, Wilted Spinach & Poached Egg on crispy Sironi sourdough toast.
It was a great choice and we both really loved the herbs used to season the avocado. I love avocado and poached eggs on toast, but in London it’s often prepared and served in the same way. The dish at Silo was classic and different at the same time!
With the food, we drank a filter coffee (Finca Tamana, Colombia) made with a Hario V60 dripper.
To satisfy our sweet tooth at the end of the brunch, we shared a chocolate cookie (which is amazing!). On recommendation of our barista (Benny, whom I knew already from his years at Workshop Coffee in London) Serena also ordered as espresso and, for me, a cortado.
If you plan to visit Berlin or already live there, and like good coffee and brunch, make sure to have Silo Coffee on your list!
Silo is in Gabriel-Max-Straße 4, 10245 Berlin and it’s open Monday – Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
It looks really nice… will remember if I plan a trip to Berlin …
Hi Giulia,
Like you, I travel a lot these days to visit coffee shops and Berlin is definitely on my list. You’ve just made me want to go even more!
Thanks,
Brian.