Anyone who knows me knows I’m a coffee fiend.
I source out beans, scour the internet for drip filter machines and French presses and will travel across a city in search of high-quality products.
I find it hard to cope with anything in the morning before I’ve had at least two cups. And that’s before I’ve even left my kitchen.
Coffee, for me, is one of life’s great pleasures.
One of the things I enjoy most when travelling is finding new places to indulge my passion.
After a sojourn in Munich, I’m pleased to say I’ve found somewhere in this city that certainly ticks all the boxes.
It’s Kaffee Rosterei, in the Viktualien Markt, in the city centre.
The cafe opened in 1997, the brainchild of Christian Muller, who - having found there was a vacant space on the edge of the market - put in an application to the market for the opening of an espresso bar.
Once he’d succeeded, he began learning on the job, attending coffee roasting seminars to enhance his knowledge of the whole process.
His bar became so successful that in 2014 it moved to its current premises, in the heart of the market.
It’s a great little spot, where you can lounge outside (amazingly, it was one of Munich’s rare sunny days in the month I was there, hence the number of coffee lovers basking in the sun) or take shelter under a chandelier inside. Yes! The decor is quite unique. There aren’t many sitting places inside though - it’s more of an Italian ‘stand at the table’ experience which I don’t mind, but for someone who wants to linger, it could be tiresome…
But to the main event - the coffee.
Verdict? It’s fantastic.
Apparently, they insist on using the highest quality Arabica and Robusta beans.
They’re roasted on the premises but - unlike other roasteries - they keep their beans in the drum for a good 20 minutes., whilst roasting it over a low gas flame. Apparently, this enhances the flavour of the bean.Kaffee Rösterei also prides itself on using only fresh organic milk from the Alps.
Even better, there’s a traditional sweet snack for sale - handmade florentines. These thin, crispy cookies, made with nuts, fruit and melted butter are made by hand from a local supplier and - I have to admit - marry beautifully with the coffee.
Kaffee Rosterei is committed to sustainable practices - they use green electricity, compostable cups and buy their beans from small farmers. Even the paper bags they use are recycable.
The only bad news is that you’re going to have to wait a while - the lines are always long because the brew is so good. Many locals come here and as I stood waiting, I eavesdropped on a couple of conversations (which confirmed what I thought - this is a real ‘neighbourhood’ place).
The proof of the pudding (or, in this case, however, the coffee) is in the drinking and I have to say that the cup I drank was divine. I ordered a filter coffee made from single origin beans - it was a medium roast, not too bitter, but with a taste that really lingered. Matched with the Florentine, it was a wonderful treat.
This is craft coffee at its finest - and the staff are friendly too. Like I said, you’ll have to wait in line but isn’t that a small price to pay for such an experience?
A must-visit.