Schwarzes Cafe in Berlin

Unfortunately no longer open 24/7 but still very charming

Small mistakes are corrected immediately and the staff always remain very friendly.

The Kaiserschmarren changed my life

Cozy ambience, friendly service and great offers

Merlin is the best man. Friendliest service 10/10 We felt well looked after and will definitely be back because of him.

Cash only. Extremely slow service (think France). Smoking and non-smoking are mixed so you smoke whether you want it or not. The food is good, albeit quite pricey for the “experience”.

Very scenic, LGBTQ hub, but also cool for straight people....

I've been coming here for over 30 years, and it's always a must on every visit to Berlin. I must have had over 100 lattes by now... oh... simply wonderful.

The bar with the best price-performance ratio in the entire area, always hot food, legendary opening hours. Excellent service. High-quality food and drinks, something the competition can't match. Highly recommended.

Had breakfast there once. People were so nice and the atmosphere feels like a grandma's home <3 in the best way I wish they worked with BEVUP, so I could send treats to my friends there...

One of my favorite cafés in Berlin! The outdoor area is especially beautiful in summer 🦋

I heard from multiple people that I had to come here since I'm a big fan of traditional German food. We were in the area so I finally had my chance! We decided to sit in the back patio area, which is technically half-smoking/half-non, but honestly, you can't really avoid the smoke, though it wasn't too bad. I ordered the Kalbschnitzel of course and my date got the spinach Käsespätzle. Everything came out pretty quickly, which was good because we were hungry. The Schnitzel was decent. Not amazing, but solidly prepared and it hit the spot. The Käsespätzle was HUGE. My date could only finish half of it (with my help), so we had to take the rest to go. And it does re-heat well at home! For dessert, I'd heard great things about the Kaiserschmarrn, so we asked the waitress for it and sat in anticipation since it sometimes takes a while to make. We noticed a few other tables got Kaiserschmarrn before us and ended up waiting about 45m before asking the waitress if it was still on the way. It turns out it was forgotten somehow so we waited another 10m for a fresh one to be made. And while we were a little grumpy from the wait, we were both in ecstasy after digging in. The pancakes were so fresh and slightly undercooked (not sure if that was because they were trying to get it out so fast, but it made it more delicious), and the plum sauce (maybe actually cherry?) was great. While I wouldn't say it's worth an hour wait, I would definitely come back just for dessert and to give them another chance. Also, the vibe is really great throughout. It feels very authentically German while having a hipster vibe. I definitely recommend it if you're in the area!

Highly recommended for breakfast.

Whoever said Parisians were unpleasant never came to this bar....

I’m super picky with tiramisu and the matcha tiramisu here is incredible. Light and melts in your mouth.

Good option for both a short break and a long meeting with friends, plus a wide selection of drinks and dishes

Very loud and a long wait to order. The baguette was okay.

You can do that. So, the breakfast is very good for the price! But I think the atmosphere is much better in the evening if you sit downstairs, by the window or outside. It's not cozy or lovingly decorated in my opinion; the light upstairs seems cool, and the tables are close together. The service we had was quite nice, but nothing more. The restroom downstairs is incredibly dirty. So, Berlin vibes are there if you like them. I would definitely come back again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

The place is excellent, and of course famous for being a go to spot for David Bowie. The service is very German and a bit abrupt without being unfriendly

We've been here several times – it's fantastic. Good breakfast, very friendly service, very attentive and truly accommodating – even with special requests. Great! Highly recommended!

A sumptuous breakfast. The omelet was excellent, but the sausage and cheese were unspectacular. Service was friendly and quick. The ambiance was unusual. The downside: cash only!

Dejan is the best waiter and Alexander

Deyan is the best waiter. It was a lot of fun here. I highly recommend coming here.

Table reservations can only be made via email and should be made at least two days in advance, according to the website. They also state a response time of around 32 hours; it can take longer on weekends. I also requested a table for 7 people two days in advance, and of course on the weekend. The response came just under 44 hours later, just 2.5 hours before the requested time. With 7 people, this was all too hasty for us, and in the meantime we had decided on another restaurant that could be reserved online with just a few clicks. No matter how good the location is, this process is completely outdated for all seven of us.

In Berlin, people are happy to have a cafe that serves breakfast in the morning or all day

Very tasty vegetarian food (and I'm actually a meat eater) and the cocktails are terrific.

We came here for breakfast. A very pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, friendly service. An ideal meeting place in the old west of Berlin. Everything was perfect. We'd gladly go back.

The food was mediocre and was served with a strip of plastic about 2 cm long and 2 mm wide, golden yellow, which I didn't get into my mouth until the end. As an apology, they only offered a coffee. On top of that, they only accept cash. That was it for me.

Friendly staff, convenient location near Savigny Platz. Beautiful little garden in back where we enjoyed coffee.

a bit dated, but very authentic, very friendly staff

So, it's Thursday evening, and yes, the place is packed. Five of us are sitting at the table and we order five drinks. Mine doesn't arrive even after reordering. So I, the only one without a drink after 25 minutes, order another one and also an apple strudel. This time, the drink arrives after about 10 minutes, but the apple strudel takes at least 30 minutes to arrive. I know people who have worked here and was used to something different, so this experience was all the more of a low point. Maybe someone was missing, we don't know, and unfortunately, apart from a casual apology, nothing came. Too bad…

A really nice little place. Will be coming back.

I used to love this place. Unfortunately our last visit wasn't so pleasant! Both my and my partner's food was not tasty at all. I don't know what happened to this "great" place?

A great place. With really nice people. But eating in the backyard with about seven people smoking weed around you isn't so fun—not to mention a no-go.

On our second visit, we had to get up when we noticed that customers who arrived after us were being served despite a 20-minute wait. Even though we had ordered, the food never arrived.

45 minutes for the process of ordering and receiving a beer. Strong

Super cute cafe, delicious and affordable food. Highly recommended.

Got such a lovely and fun service despite visiting with three preschool aged hungry kids. Our five year old wanted Kaiserschmarrn, so the waiter took him to the kitchen to order it directly from the chef, which he did and was so proud the whole day. Highly recommended!

Amazing food and open till VERY late, had good beers and the pasta with shrimp was amazing , didn’t expect it to be hot and was perfectly balanced. Definitely a must and became one of my favorite places in Berlin. Will come back definitely. Don’t miss this place! Just No card pay, bring cash ;)

Good food and attentive service. Points deducted for the lack of card payment options.

Very tasty food, fast and friendly service, and reasonable prices. The clientele is diverse and pleasant.

It's open until late at night and serves cocktails and hot meals throughout the night. The staff were very quick and very friendly. The overall atmosphere is quite good. The food was excellent and more than satisfying. The cocktails are also highly recommended. The prices are also quite reasonable. Overall, a very pleasant experience and definitely recommended.

This time we were here for breakfast, and it was delicious and filling. Friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere.

An unrestored interior with a morbid charm, something you rarely find these days. I really liked it. I can happily recommend it.

I've known the Schwarze Café for at least 30 years. If you're looking for a romantic or quiet evening, you're in the wrong place, as it's always very loud. The ambiance isn't my cup of tea, as the ceilings and walls are crumbling, but that seems to be the trend. It's not my taste. And yet I visit this café for one reason: The Kaiserschmarrn here is usually incredibly delicious. Usually because it's not always amazing. It can be deliciously light and fluffy one day and dry the next. I especially like the extra caramelized crust! I haven't been able to find a better Kaiserschmarrn, even in Vienna. Since the portion is very large, I recommend sharing it with another person.

Average food Stinks of weed. Does not take card. Was €1 short as I wasn’t aware they did not accept card. Waitress forced me to handover my ID card before allowing me to go to the ATM. If it was €100 or even €10 I would understand.But over €1 is just ridiculous

My friend from Berlin goes here. His family during uni went there. Good student Café and restaurant, with good prices. Cash only. A place with tradition that survived 🔥 Great coffee and omelette.

Absolutely recommendable!! We went there for breakfast and could hardly decide because the menu is so varied and everything sounds simply delicious. You can actually stay there from morning to night and eat your way through the menu. The staff are very friendly and attentive, everything is very casual, and the ambiance is that of an old Berlin apartment, which looks in need of renovation here and there, but that's what creates the special flair. Reservations recommended. We'll definitely be back 👌

It's quite okay. Like many things in Berlin, it's a bit overhyped in my opinion, but cult is cult, right?!

In the evening, the restaurant transforms into a bar, with excellent beer and a super-pleasant atmosphere. Whether you're a larger group or just the two of you, it's a great place to visit. Since the place is very well-known, it's best to make a reservation in advance.

Everything was great, great institute, thank you!

Super delicious food in a rustic and cozy atmosphere. Super friendly waiters and a wonderful location. Definitely not my last visit.

A Berlin original with a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for late breakfasts or drinks. The diverse offerings, from savory to sweet, and the charming courtyard invite you to linger. A must-visit on Kantstraße to enjoy the authentic Berlin flair.

Only went in for a beer, ended up staying till they closed great vibe and good service. The beer on tap was great. Will definitely revisit when I'm in Berlin again.

Service wasn't really attentive. Drinks orders (cocktails) came very slowly and only after repeated reminders. Food was good and a decent portion, came quite quickly.

I don’t recommend this place. The waiter did not inform us that payment was cash only until after we had already placed our order, at which point it was too late to cancel. When we raised the issue, he did not take any responsibility and simply said, “Sorry, it’s already ordered.” This was very unprofessional. He only started informing other customers after our situation, which shows a clear lack of accountability. Additionally, the menu is only in German, so a person from abroad would not understand that payment is cash only.

Food here is great. Have English menu. The portion is big too. Highly recommend. It’s 24/7. Came in the morning around 730am

It's actually a pretty nice café, but when I hear that they only accept cash payments, I wonder what century the café's owners live in. Hopefully, our future government will make such a thing impossible. The coffee was too hot and therefore bitter.

It was 15 years ago that I often visited Berlin and got to know and loved the Black Café For the extremely delicious food, the friendly service and a feeling of having arrived in a shabby chic, unpretentious and relaxed atmosphere. It's nice that I felt the same way today as I did back then. Bravo to everyone who works there and thank you.

Good place to eat with fruits and natural juices. Nice option on the patio. Greetings

I think it's really crazy that in 2025 there will still be bars where you can't pay with a card... actually a really cool atmosphere, the music is actually really chilling too, but you can't pay with a card? It's crazy

The best customer service we had worldwide, big shoutout to Deyan! The most polite, fast and friendly server. Everything was perfect, the food and the drinks and especially the service. Great staff!

A beloved institution in Charlottenburg for decades! Unfortunately it's no longer open 24 hours during the week...

Unfortunately, apparently very understaffed that evening. Waiting time for a beer was sometimes 40 minutes. Otherwise super nice 👍🏻

It is always a joyful experience to be here. The service is top class, friendly and attentive. Also big compliments to the kitchen.

I really like the concept of this bar/café. They serve food until late, which pairs well with their reasonably priced cocktails. The interior has a cool, slightly vintage feel, and the space is big enough for groups if you reserve ahead. It stands out from other spots in the area, making it a great place to hang out!

I was pretty disappointed when we just had breakfast there. The service was OK. We (two) were asked from one larger table to another. A few minutes later there were only two people sitting there. There's something different about being friendly. Otherwise the omelet was very straightforward, but tasted good. The baguette that came with it was rather soggy and had three small slices. All in all, in my opinion, too expensive for what is offered. And the fact that only cash payment is possible should at least be stated somewhere these days. I haven't seen it.

Schwarzes Cafe is open 24/7, presumably to ensure there’s always somewhere to overthink in public. It’s full of vaguely artistic types, people networking without calling it networking, and someone sketching in the corner for dramatic effect. The food exists. But that’s not the point. You’re here for a coffee, a glass of wine, and the chance to feel culturally relevant at 3am. The staff are hot, polite, and speak English — a rare and powerful combination. It’s chaotic, iconic, and slightly exhausting. Just like Berlin.

The service ordered mistakenly another round of drinks for us and we told them it was a mistake and they took it back. In the end, they still charged the bill with that additional round, even though we didn’t even get those drinks in the end. Unfortunately, we only noticed the mistake in the bill the next day. Would definitely recommend to check the bill twice while you are there!

I went to Berlin to visit a friend and ended up stopping by this cafe. The vibe was super chill and cozy, I absolutely loved the atmosphere plus their food is really nice!

It's really great and you feel comfortable, I can recommend it to everyone

Great cafe. Great ambience, very attentive and nice staff, great food. Recommendation!

The atmosphere is simply magnificent. I only drank coffee. it was very nice. A preferable cafe.

Yes, Schwarzes Cafe is an institution in Berlin. Looks quaint and weird, but is also inviting and has flair. I haven't been there for a long time, but when I came in I immediately felt like I was in good hands. Service is great. The price/performance ratio for food and drinks was perfectly fine.

Incredibly competent lady in service

unfortunately only cash payment toilets dirty

Please be aware that the place only accepts CASH - reason enough for me not to come back. The food was good, generous servings. The place is quite lively and noisy. Service very Berlin.

Young and black, that's how it always was, that's how it still is

The perfect place to drink some wine and read a book in the afternoon and taking in the gorgeous architecture of the cafe

Very quaint and charming. It has existed for over 35 years.

Nice coffee. Good service. Very nice vibe.

Nice and quiet cafe near Zoologischer Garten. It's a little pricey. The cafe is good. The hot chocolate is ok. The cakes are ok, but not extraordinary and are kinda expensive. The service is nice and the atmosphere is very calm.

The drinks were good, but the food was subpar. Had a Camembert beforehand. This came in a half-raw dough coating, but tasted of absolutely nothing. We also had some pretty good, seasoned hummus. The main course was salmon with spinach and mashed potatoes as well as a Wiener schnitzel with fried potatoes. Both were ok but - following the trend - completely unseasoned. The fish was also fried to death and, as with the pounding, there was no pepper or salt. The schnitzel consistently followed the taste trend, but could already be described as a work of art. It was as thin as a tissue. Respect to the chef for this, but eating it without seasoning is still no fun. Of course, you could only pay in cash. Unfortunately, when we asked if everything was “ok”, the waiter didn’t let us know for safety reasons. Oh well.

Super nice coffee, great ambience. Good service. Everything great.

No matter what or how, Black Café rocks!!!

A must Old Berlin facility A refuge for Berliners

Could definitely see David Bowie and Iggy Pop chilling here. Amazing ambiance and food. Want to go in the early hours of the morning for a desert.

I have visited this cafe a few times, and my personal experience was great in each and every one of them. Hence, I would like to send my appreciation to chefs and staffs in this cafe.

We walked past and thought at first that it looked a bit shabby from the outside, but after taking the step inside we were greeted by a pleasant staff who were very friendly and service-minded. The food was incredibly good and the atmosphere was warm and cozy. We will definitely come back here!

What connoisseurs. Great food, really expensive, but the shop is open 24/7.

If you want a gastronomic journey back in time to Berlin in the 80s, this is the right place for you. A bizarre place for me, but it has its justification. A piece of Berlin.

I've known them for decades and always enjoy coming here.

I’ve heard David Bowie used to crash here in the late 70s. And he was right. Great food, great vibes, a piece of history. I will always come back here when in Berlin because this is exactly the type of place that should exist forever.

We visit the Black Café when friends visit us in Berlin. The reactions to the 70s ambience are mixed, we like it. The audience is always well mixed. It is open 24 hours on Saturdays and until 3 a.m. on the other days. It's great for a late meal and a few drinks.

A real space miracle that you wouldn't expect from the outside.

One another overhyped place. The food and the service were totally okay, but not for this price. I really expected everything to cost maximum half the actual price, it's just one step before entering the fine dining territory price-wise (and definitely not food-wise). The place looks like an old big shabby flat, nothing too bad, just a matter of preference if you like it or not. Other guests are very very loud. It wasn't packed, not even close to it, but people were SCREAMING, and it wasn't just one annoying group, rather most of them. The service was polite and reasonably fast, but being cash only in 2025 is ridiculous. Especially if you are already heavily overpriced.

It is a very nice place, fresh and tasty ingredients, friendly service.

Despite having a reservation, we had to wait at the table for over 35 minutes to order. The food arrived cold and with the wrong sauce. At first the service was very friendly - in the end our food was thrown away, even though we specifically said we wanted to take it with us. No solution was offered after that. Unfortunately, incredibly disappointing. We used to be regular customers, but we won't be coming back. Quality has suffered extremely and is absolutely no longer recommended for the prices. Especially not for €90 worth of food that is simply thrown away.

Best place to go after intense techno club experiences in the middle of the night

The Black Café is one of the few remaining places where the flair of old Berlin in the 1980s can be felt - a real highlight, especially for students. The decor with worn walls, chairs and tables has its own charm that you have to like. However, the breakfast is excellent and the service is attentive and friendly. Anyone who appreciates a diverse West Berlin crowd and is looking for inexpensive but good quality food has come to the right place. An authentic place with history that is definitely worth a visit.