Cafes
Wilke Cosy brunch in the Rollbergsiedlung
Wilke | Photo by Savannah van der Niet
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Monday to Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Wilke
Boddinstraße 10-11
12053 Berlin-Neukölln
.How to get there
Little by little, the streets on our interactive map are filling up. Where there was a gap framed by restaurants in the quiet side streets of the Rollbergsiedlung, we now have Café Wilke, which has been serving delicious sandwiches, homemade cakes, exquisite coffee and more since 2018.
Owner Carolin, who grew up in the neighbourhood, spotted a niche in the neighbourhood after an extended stay in Australia: A relaxed place for indulgent café culture, with a focus on brunch, just as that country on the other side of the world so adeptly does. Ever since she worked in cafés as a student, café culture has become her passion. So after graduating, she unceremoniously opened her Wilke at the impressive age of 25.
What makes the whole thing even nicer is that the establishment was virtually a family project. She and her father carpentered the entire interior, except for the bar. Light wood tones dominate against whitewashed brick walls. There are small tables, a few plants and warm light, plus the tempting scents of coffee and pastries. That's all it takes to create a cosy feeling.
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We take a seat by the window, from where we have a good view. The street is quiet and invites you to sit outside, space and weather permitting. The menu at Wilke, whose kitchen closes at 3:00pm, is simple but effective at igniting our brunch cravings. Generously sized sourdough sandwiches with bread from Gorilla, a weekly changing bowl, granola, various cakes and French toast, and the currently ubiquitous shakshuka.
For once, we skip the latter. Instead, we opt for the relatively simple Eggs on Toast, two poached eggs on toasted bread, and the open-faced sourdough sandwich. The latter is always seasonal, and we catch the delicious summer version: green peas, radishes, pickled red onions and feta are piled up, along with an egg.
For dinner, we enjoy a homemade lemonade and cappuccino from Fjord Coffee, which complement the dessert beautifully. On a welcome recommendation, we enthusiastically go for the succulent French toast with jam, caramel and mascarpone.
As we have a special Sweet Tooth that day, we finish our meal with an endorphin-discharging chocolate brownie. It was worth it. Our start to the day is perfect, and we leave the Wilke knowing we are richer by one excellent brunch café.
