Cafe Lois
Linienstrasse 60, Berlin, Germany
corner of Gormannstrasse and Linienstrasse
(Hackescher Markt residential area, closest U-bahn: Weinmeisterstrasse)
Owned and operated by two men from northern Germany, this tiny cafe-bar was located at the base of our flat in Berlin in the Hackescher Markt residential area. I don't even think there is a sign, but the owner of our apartment indicated it is called Cafe Lois. There were several barstools, two small tables (sometimes one outside), and a leather couch and coffee table inside. The sterile, new feel of the place was nicely countered by the "local" clientele and feel. As a tourists here we felt very welcomed, and yet relieved to be off the beaten path a bit. It was crowded every morning and every evening we walked past on our way to and from our flat (five floors directly above it). We saw several little cafe-bars speckled all over the east side of Berlin, especially in the residential areas of Hackescher Markt.
Cafe Lois is located right at base of this residential building, on the corner.
I finally braved the closet-like shoulder-to-shoulder interior one morning when I smelled fresh espresso wafting into the crisp morning air. The smell was quite alluring! The owner-bartender saw me stop in my tracks on the sidewalk, then turn and fixate on his little cafe like a cat that had just smelled fresh fish. The owner smiled and waved me in. I ordered a cappuccino and was delighted at the quality, and pleased that it was accompanied by a small glass of water. The cappuccino was nothing like the terrible milk-foam-heavy cappuccinos you get at Starbucks. (having an espresso machine, I make my own cappu's at home so, thankfully, I never go to Starbucks except in dire circumstances).
Later that night when Melissa and I resolved to go on a pub crawl, we decided to start here. It was about 8:30pm, and the owner cheerfully waved us back in. The crowds were oddly absent. The owner explained that he was hosting a private party in a half hour, but we were most welcome to stay until then. Melissa and I each had a nice wheat beer.
Smile, Melissa; your mate is acting like a tourist again!
(notice the fine quiches on the counter)
I hated to leave, and regret not spending a bit more time here. Sure, there are lots of foreigners in the Hackescher Markt area, so the "locals" aspect of this "locals" bar may crumble a bit under close scrutiny during tourist season (we were right at the leading edge of tourist season, so it wasn't too bad yet), and maybe also with the expat factor weighed in. But I suspect we would have met some interesting people here had we chosen to breakfast here instead of in our kitchen five floors up.
