I’m terrible at eating breakfast.
Actually – let me correct that. I’m terrible at eating breakfast most of the time. I’d rather stay in bed for that extra half an hour. I know it’s bad but I’m 31 years old and I doubt I’ll change a habit of a lifetime now!
There is one exception to all of this. Holiday breakfasting. On our recent (and much documented) trip to Berlin, we found a great brunch spot which was just down the road from where we were staying in the rather wonderful district of Prenzlauer Berg.
Blumencafé is a florist shop & cafe right on the main drag of Schönhauser Allee which is separated by the S-Bahn running down its centre like the beating heart of this district. At first glance, you wouldn’t even realise it was a cafe but once you step through the doors past a wonderful green frontage, you go straight back in time. The decoration is kitsch but without trying to be. Old tills, candles in wine bottles and random ornaments coupled with mismatched tables and chairs give the place an authentic charm.
We’d walked past the day before and returned for breakfast thinking it looked like a good traditional type of place for a Berlin brunch and we definitely found a hidden gem. Everything is locally sourced and cooked from fresh by the family-run team using seasonal ingredients and we really loved what we ate.
I went for a cherry juice – something I’ve not had before. It amused me that it came in a wine glass and looked very much like I was necking red wine before 12 pm. The juice was sweet but not sickly and I loved it. They press a lot of juices themselves so I’d recommend trying a couple.
For food, Dave opted for the potato pancakes with smoked salmon and I had a ham omelette. The eggs were cooked perfectly, not a rubbery bit in sight. The ham running through the omelette was plentiful and slightly smoked. The bread roll and cress were a welcome touch too and filled me right up. Dave’s smoked salmon was really nice but the pancakes were what did it for me. Savoury, not at all greasy and just salty enough. The dill creme fraiche or sour cream was perfect too. Really the only criticism is that there wasn’t quite enough smoked salmon for our greedy little tummies.
Schönhauser Allee 127a 10437 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg.
Oh I love breakfast on holiday. Especially when it is a breakfast buffet and there is unlimited avocado. Then I get my moneys worth!
Wow it must have been fun eating in such a cool place. Florist and cafe anew concept for me.
I love hidden gems like this!! Those potato pancakes look amazing.
oooh yes definitely! I've got such a savoury tooth so I'd opt for something like this any day over cereal and fruit!
Oh this looks like the perfect hidden hideaway for breakfast, I love coming across little places like this. x
This is completely my kind of cafe – delicious reasonably priced and packed full of character. Absolutely LOVE the fact it's in the back of a florist too, like a little hidden treasure! x
Mine too! I'll be returning on my next visit to Berlin for sure! It's a secret gem! 🙂
Well I wasn't feeling hungry until I saw this post and wow, the food looks just amazing, what a cute little cafe x
I am really bad for eating breakfast too. But when I am on my days off, I always have a nice, hot breakfast. I just don't seem to find the time in the mornings when I know I need to leave early.
I am pretty rubbish at eating breakfast too, and when I do it is rarely healthy. That omelette looks fantastic
Yes I'm the same. Always drawn to non healthy breakfasts! I love a fry up especially.. but that omelette was really good 🙂
Teeheee! Reading food blogs ALWAYS makes me hungry 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
Yep, a new concept for me too! Breakfast and flower shopping! The parrot and cafe cat were new ones for me too!
Love finding little places like this. Even though it's part of a franchise, one of my favourite places for breakfast is Le Pain Quotidien on Rue Antoine Dansaert,in Brussels, not too far from the Grand Place and the Bourse. Sitting at a large communal table, full of spreads (Specaloos, and chocolate of all persuasions), preserves, honey & jams. A basket of wonderful hand baked bread of different kinds, plus many other breakfast items. There are other braches in the city, but this is by far the best one, and a place we never miss when in the city.
Ooh, speculoos is my favourite! That sounds like a perfect breakfast option to me, if I'm ever in Brussels, I'll definitely head over and find it 🙂