German life is not complete without a piece of good cake, accompanied by a cup of coffee. The endearing tradition of sitting down for Kaffee & Kuchen in the afternoon simply needs to be explored by every visitor. No matter where you go, be it big city or small town, you’ll find an abundance of cafés.

They come in different styles to suit all kinds of tastes. The proper old-fashioned ones where you’re bound to end up sitting amidst a collection of female pensioners having their Kaffeeklatsch (get-together for a gossip over coffee and cake). These ones often have the best cakes, by the way. Or the more contemporary version for younger crowd who are still not too cool to appreciate some lovely sweets. Fact is, Germans need their cafés. It’s part of their life and a social fixture just like the pubs in Britain. By the way, every café is also a good lunch or dinner option if you’re not after a proper restaurant experience. They all feature a selection of either snacks or more elaborate dishes.

Here are a few café suggestions in the east:

Barcomi’s Deli, Berlin

Great cakes and gateaus in lovely location in the Sophie-Gips-Höfe (courtyards) in Berlin Mitte near Hackesche Höfe. Bagels also come recommended. Coffee roaster on site. The Sophie-Gips-Höfe feature an interesting variety of architectural styles ranging from a red brick factory, some Biedermeier houses plus contemporary architecture.

Barcomi’s Deli, Sophienstrasse 21, Berlin, 10178 Berlin, www.barcomis.de

Cafe Grundmann, Leipzig

Stylish Leipzig cafe with Vienna coffeehouse atmosphere. The in-house bakery produces delicious cakes, cookies and Stollen. Watch out for the eccentric waiter.

Cafe Grundmann, August-Bebel-Strasse 2, 04275 Leipzig, www.cafe-grundmann.de

Kaffeehaus Riquet, Leipzig

Rather touristy traditional Leipzig cafe. However, the enormous choice of cakes, gateaus and coffees is impressive.

Kaffeehaus Riquet, Schuhmachergäßchen 1, 04109 Leipzig, www.riquethaus.de

Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum, Leipzig

“Coffee temple” and second oldest café in Europe (consequently, to be found in many a Leipzig travel guide as a recommendation). On several floors visitors can indulge in a wide choice of cakes and special Leipzig sweets plus lots of different types of coffee. Plus coffee museum on site.

Zum Arabischen Coffee Baum, Kleine Fleischergasse 4, 04109 Leipzig, www.coffe-baum.de

Telegraph, Leipzig

Far less opulent than the traditional coffee house types above, the Telegraph has a slightly intellectual appeal and more minimalist style. Perfect to while away an afternoon with a newspaper. Apart from daily prepared cakes, the café’s menu also features dishes such as bouillabaisse that comes highly recommended. Or try the hot pear juice with fresh ginger.

Telegraph, Dittrichring 18 – 20, 04109 Leipzig, www.cafe-telegraph.de

Click here for  more information on Leipzig’s unique coffee house culture

German life is not complete without a piece of good cake, accompanied by a cup of coffee. The endearing tradition of sitting down for Kaffee & Kuchen in the afternoon simply needs to be explored by every visitor. No matter where you go, be it big city or small town, you’ll find an abundance of cafés.

They come in different styles to suit all kinds of tastes. The proper old-fashioned ones where you’re bound to end up sitting amidst a collection of female pensioners having their Kaffeeklatsch (get-together for a gossip over coffee and cake). These ones often have the best cakes, by the way. Or the more contemporary version for younger crowd who are still not too cool to appreciate some lovely sweets. Fact is, Germans need their cafés. It’s part of their life and a social fixture just like the pubs in Britain. By the way, every café is also a good lunch or dinner option if you’re not after a proper restaurant experience. They all feature a selection of either snacks or more elaborate dishes.

Here are a few café suggestions in the north:

Café Niederegger, Lübeck

Niederegger is the German home of marzipan in the hanseatic town of Lübeck where the sweet almond paste has been produced since 1806, exported world-wide now. The café is a bit of a shock to the system – so much cake, such big pieces. Signature cake is the Niederegger-Nusstorte (nut cake). And the integrated shop sells any kind of marzipan variety you can think of and beyond. Passion fruit marzipan anyone?

Café Niederegger, Breite Straße 89, 23552 Lübeck, www.niederegger.de

Café Paris, Hamburg

As the name promises, a little bit of Paris in Hamburg, right in the town centre. Former slaughterhouse from 1882 converted in 2000 into a stylish place including Art Nouveau ceiling. Always crowded, slightly posh clientele.

Café Paris, Rathausstraße 4, 20095 Hamburg, www.cafeparis.net

Café Koppel, Hamburg

Very friendly location with an alternative touch, organic products, 100% vegetarian and delicious cakes. Try something called Traum der fliegenden Krokodile (dream of the flying crocodiles) and you’ll find yourself confronted with some home-made chocolate cake, vanilla ice-cream and cream. Located in a nice backyard, quirky mixture of furniture. Part of the Koppel 66 complex (house for art and culture).

Café Koppel, Lange Reihe 75/Koppel 66, 20099 Hamburg, https://cafekoppel.de/

Café Canale, Hamburg

A special tip for all the canoeists out there, this café is situated on the Mühlenkamp canal in Hamburg’s Winterhude district and upon ringing a bell you’ll get your coffee to go right into your boat. In order to enjoy cakes such as rhubarb-strawberry with butter crumbles, take a proper seat in this friendly and unpretentious café in an otherwise very upper-class area of Hamburg.

Café Canale, Poelchaukamp 7, 22301 Hamburg, www.cafecanale.de

Lühmann’s  Teestube,  Hamburg

The cake portions are massive here, famous for their different kinds of cheese cake (German style, of course!). If you come too late in the afternoon, they might all be eaten away already. Since the couple who run it originally started out with an import and export business focusing on British product, they also serve cream tea with home-made scones or different sorts of pies. B&B also possible.

Lühmann’s  Teestube, Blankeneser Landstraße 29, 22587 Hamburg, www.luehmanns-teestube.de

Getting There: International airports at Hamburg and Lübeck. International rail connections to Hamburg are via Cologne from Brussels (Thalys), which connect with the Eurostar from London. See our Travel page for airlines, rail and tour operators.

Staying There: our recommended hotels are here for Niedersachsen, here for Hamburg, and here for Schleswig-Holstein.

German life is not complete without a piece of good cake, accompanied by a cup of coffee. The endearing tradition of sitting down for Kaffee & Kuchen in the afternoon simply needs to be explored by every visitor. No matter where you go, be it big city or small town, you’ll find an abundance of cafés.

They come in different styles to suit all kinds of tastes. There are the proper old-fashioned ones where you’re bound to end up sitting amidst a collection of female pensioners having their Kaffeeklatsch (get-together for a gossip over coffee and cake). These ones often have the best cakes, by the way. Or the more contemporary version for younger crowd who are still not too cool to appreciate some lovely gateau.

Fact is, Germans need their cafés. It’s part of their life and a social fixture just like the pubs in Britain. And every café is also a good lunch or dinner option if you’re not after a proper restaurant experience, because they all feature a selection of either snacks or more elaborate dishes.

Here are a few café suggestions in the west:

Café Schafheutle, Heidelberg

Heidelberg institution, run by the same family for three generations. Home-made cakes and amazing choice of chocolates and confectionary (great for gifts to take home). The old-fashioned type. Very good location right in the pedestrianised old town centre.

Café Schafheutle, Hauptstraße 94, 69117 Heidelberg, www.cafe-schafheutle.de

Café Wacker’s, Frankfurt

This is one of the old-fashioned ones, located in a building where Goethe used to buy his milk and dating back to 1914. The café specializes in coffee with freshly roasted coffee varieties.

Café Wacker’s, Mittelweg 47, 60318 Frankfurt/Main, www.wackers-kaffee.de

Libretto, Frankfurt

In the centre of Frankfurt and right next to the city library, with a bit of an Italian flair. Home-made cakes and contemporary design.

Libretto, Hasengasse 4, 60311 Frankfurt/Main, www.cafe-libretto.de

Café Crumble, Frankfurt

Relaxed place, equally suitable for a younger crowd and families with lovely home-made cakes.

Café Crumble, Kiesstraße 41, 60486 Frankfurt/Main, www.cafecrumble.de

Café Karin, Frankfurt

Frankfurt institution that consequently tends to get very busy. Also known for its breakfast offers. Has a bit of student vibe, very unpretentious and great location right in the centre with outdoor space in summer.

Café Karin, Großer Hirschgraben 28, 60311 Frankfurt/Main, www.cafekarin.de

Hallmackenreuther, Cologne

Retro chic on Brüsseler Platz square with outdoor space. Its 50s and 60s interior makes for a cool surrounding for the hip crowd. More of a bar than a cafe but still very relaxed atmosphere in the afternoon and nice cheesecake, breakfast and snacks.

Hallmackenreuther, Brüsseler Platz 9, 50674 Cologne, www.facebook.com/Hallmackenreuther.koeln/

German life is not complete without a piece of good cake, accompanied by a cup of coffee. The endearing tradition of sitting down for Kaffee & Kuchen in the afternoon simply needs to be explored by every visitor. No matter where you go, be it big city or small town, you’ll find an abundance of cafés.

They come in different styles to suit all kinds of tastes. The proper old-fashioned ones where you’re bound to end up sitting amidst a collection of female pensioners having their Kaffeeklatsch (get-together for a gossip over coffee and cake). These ones often have the best cakes, by the way. Or the more contemporary version for younger crowd who are still not too cool to appreciate some lovely sweets. Fact is, Germans need their cafés. It’s part of their life and a social fixture just like the pubs in Britain. By the way, every café is also a good lunch or dinner option if you’re not after a proper restaurant experience. They all feature a selection of either snacks or more elaborate dishes.

Here are a few café suggestions in the south:

Café Glockenspiel, Munich

One of the best locations in Munich on top of a building with great views on Marienplatz. Try to get a table with views on the town hall but beware – very busy. Nice roof terrace.

Café Glockenspiel, Marienplatz 28, 80331 Munich, www.cafe-glockenspiel.de

Café Kreutzkamm, Munich

Originally founded in Dresden in 1825. Famous for its Baumkuchen (try it!), Stollen, cakes and other sweet delicacies. Tends to get crowded with tourists and locals alike. Very central location.

Café Kreutzkamm, Maffeistraße 4, 80333 Munich, www.kreutzkamm.de

Dallmayr, Munich

Munich’s famous delicatessen Dallmayr (since 1700) has a café on site, well worth visiting for sampling a cup of Dallmayr coffee and some delicious cake. The surrounding Dallmayr “food halls” are very tempting with amazing products in particular for anyone furnished with a sweet tooth.

Dallmayr, Dienerstraße 14-15, 80331 Munich, www.dallmayr.de