OPEN HOUSE

A wash of rust-red flooring and the clean line of a long stainless steel counter define the space at OPEN HOUSE, a neighborhood cafe in Prenzlauer Berg’s Winskiez. The rest of the room is kept simple and modern, with concrete walls and a few tables, giving it a calm, almost Copenhagen-like feel. Music is usually jazz or Bossa Nova, and baked goods are displayed on a classic Stikkenwagen, a tiered metal bakery trolley. The whole concept is built around high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Coffee comes from founder John Darcy’s other project, Sincerely Coffee, and filter coffee is served with refills. The food menu is straightforward and focused on breakfast and brunch. Sourdough from Gorilla Bakery is the base for a simple Danish-style breakfast with cheese from Alte Milch and a perfectly boiled egg. You’ll also find an egg salad sandwich, house-made granola with yogurt from Ökodorf Brodowin, and savory Aussie-style pies from Nice Pies, including a vegan mushroom and truffle version. It’s a relaxed spot where working on a laptop is common, and dogs are welcome. The staff is international, so ordering in English is standard. Beyond the cafe menu, the stainless steel shelves double as a retail space, stocked with natural wines, teas, and other pantry items. For pastries, there are house-baked options like double-baked almond croissants and sausage rolls. The fresh pastries from Albatross bakery are a big draw, but it’s good to know they’re not delivered until after 10 am.