Germany Holidays: Time for coffee and cake

Germans love their coffee and cake culture and so should you.

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 theirKaffeeklatsch (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 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

Thisi s 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. 50ies/60ies 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 cheese cake, breakfast and snacks.