Everyone’s probably familiar with Berlin’s mainstream cafés—and of course, many of them are worth a visit. But if you’re looking for a more idyllic spot surrounded by greenery this summer, we’ve got a few lesser-known alternatives for you. From an Indonesian café to a kid-friendly café where adults can relax and enjoy their coffee while the little ones let off steam, Berlin has plenty to offer. But how about a café surrounded by greenery , recipes straight from grandma, and a truly extraordinary location? The Nonna Café is located at Greifswalder Straße 229 in Prenzlauer Berg and sits right on the Georgen-Parochial-Friedhof I—a surprisingly peaceful oasis in the heart of the capital.
The cemetery was established as early as 1813 on the site of a former vineyard and is now a protected historic site. Old trees, historic family plots, and artistically designed graves characterize the grounds. A permanent exhibition with various informational panels also provides insight into 19th-century burial customs and grave symbolism. The café itself is located in a small building at the cemetery that used to sell flowers. Since 2021, the Nonna Café has called this place home. This creates an unusual contrast: on one side is the busy Greifswalder Straße, while on the other side lies the quiet, green cemetery grounds.
The café was founded by an architect originally from Prague, who first came up with the idea for the Nonna Café back in 2020. She finally found the perfect spot for her concept in the former flower shop next to the cemetery. It took about a year and a half to renovate and redesign the building before it became the café we know today. The founder’s architectural expertise played a key role in the design. The small building dates back to the 1930s and was transformed into a bright, modern café. Despite its new use, the special character of the place has been preserved.
Although the name “Nonna” means “grandmother” in Italian, the café’s culinary concept is strongly influenced by Czech and Bohemian traditions. The founder’s grandmother plays a central role in this. Not only do various recipes draw on personal family history, but so do elements of the café’s design and décor. The goal is for the food to evoke memories of dishes one used to enjoy at their own grandmother’s house. Instead of classic Berlin café fare, the menu therefore features several specialties that are much harder to find in the city.
The Nonna Café is particularly well-known for its homemade yeast-dough buchteln. These fluffy pastries are offered with rotating fillings such as plum jam, poppy seeds, or quark and currently cost about 3.10 euros each. They also serve traditional sweet dumplings with fillings that change with the seasons. Depending on the season, fillings may include plums, blueberries, strawberries, or apricots. A serving currently costs about 13.50 euros. The kefir pancakes also draw on the family’s history. They’re served with a quark-and-cream sauce and berry sauce and cost 10.50 euros. The café itself associates this dish with memories of summer visits to their grandmother.
