Café Kalwil

I didn't feel welcome

I enter and the waitress seats us at the table. She brings us two photocopies of what were supposed to be the menu, which were in German. I tell her I don't speak the language, and she smugly turns over the sheets of paper with the English translation. I tell her I'm looking for gluten-free food, and she points to the dessert refrigerator, clearly annoyed at 3 PM. I tell her that the desserts definitely contain gluten, and I'm looking for something savory. She tells me I should have chosen from the menu and that I should have guessed which dishes would contain gluten. An unheard-of response from a waitress. We eat, get up to pay, and she insistently asks me if I want to leave a tip. I've never seen such poor service. Terrible. Never again.

A fantastic opportunity to enjoy a truly wonderful, lavish, fresh, and incredibly delicious breakfast in a very special atmosphere. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we couldn't manage to finish all the delicacies on the tiered stand; there was such an unbelievable selection. The service was also excellent, attentive, and friendly. Our group composition (one woman, two men – friends and family) played little to no role in the service (contrary to some reviews in the forum). Upon entering, we did get the impression of being briefly "scanned," but ultimately, we felt very comfortable! Thank you!

A really cool café right in the heart of Berlin. Delicious homemade cakes. Super friendly owner.

Stepping into this place feels like a genuine trip back in time. The vintage atmosphere is incredible—so well-preserved and elegant, with every little detail carefully thought out. Even though we didn't have a reservation and were just looking for a quick bite, the staff was incredibly kind and accommodated us without any issues. The coffee was delicious and the service was genuinely warm. That said, the place is clearly popular for a reason, so I’d definitely recommend booking a table in advance to make sure you don't miss out on this beautiful spot!

Simply beautiful, run in a classic style, hopefully for many years to come!!!

I've been there a few times and usually found the decor, the selection, and the service quite alright. However, the "wait here, we'll seat you" policy completely ruins any good atmosphere. You stand there like a beggar in the entrance until one of the not-so-few staff members finally deigns to assign you a seat. If you dare to find a seat yourself, you're initially ignored, and then eventually someone comes along and says something like, "Looks like this is your first time here!" Sorry, I'm not having any of that. No wonder the self-service café on the corner is packed, while Kalwill is practically empty.

A truly charming café with a wonderful atmosphere. The service was incredibly friendly and attentive, and the breakfast was outstanding. I'd gladly return when I'm in Berlin.

So good !