Schwarzes Café: The Café That Never Sleeps
Even to those who do not frequent the west of the city, Schwarzes Café is well known as a Charlottenburg institution. Established in 1978 with a distinctive neon parrot sign, the cafe and restaurant stands out from others in the area in a number of ways, the most obvious of which being its opening hours, the venue operating around the clock seven days a week.
The infamous neon parrot signage of Schwarzes Cafe. Image: Marie J Burrows
Favourite hang out of artists and bohemians, the interior décor of the cafe matches its name, vast expanses of wall painted black and complemented by red furnishings and chandelier light fittings. Split over two levels the majority of seating is scattered around the upstairs of the café, a maze of tables which the waiting team dodge adeptly.
Reading for any time of day or night at Schwarzes Cafe. Image: Marie J Burrows
No matter what time day or night you visit, Schwarzes is a hive of activity, filled with people of all ages and backgrounds, many even travelling even from neighbouring districts to come and enjoy the laid back ambience with a book and a drink.
Room with a view: upstairs at Schwarzes Cafe Image: Marie J Burrows
Part bar, part restaurant and part cafe, Schwarzes’ has an extensive drinks menu, as you would expect for a twenty four hour stop off point, welcoming those on their way home from a night out at neighbouring Savigny Platz and those in search of a quiet drink alike. There also umpteen breakfast options (French, Cheese, Ham, Casablanca, to name a few), hot drinks options and delicious nibbles galore – the bruschette are particularly good.
Perusing the menu at Schwarzes Cafe Image: Marie J Burrows
Next time you’re in City West and fancy a change of scenery drop by and sample a taste of the older Berlin – you won’t be disappointed.
Schwarzes Café
Kantstraße 148
10623
