My very favorite café at the moment is Fürst & Iven, tucked away under the Savignyplatz S-Bahn stop. It's attached to the lovely Autorenbuchhandlung, but merits a stop whether you're looking for books or not.
Despite its location in the little alley under the train tracks, the café manages to be both light-filled and airy. The tables are perfectly spaced, just far enough away for privacy without feeling totally lost. The music is never too loud, the service is always friendly. It's just a very peaceful place to be.
I like to order boiled eggs at Fürst & Iven because they always manage to arrive at the table perfectly cooked, if you like a set white with a fiery orange molten yolk. But the case of cakes and pastries should not be overlooked either, because they're very, very good.
The other day, I saw Gugelhupf on display and because I'm incapable of passing up something as old-fashioned and traditional as that, I had to have a slice. It was tight-crumbed and fragrant with butter. I didn't think I could finish the whole piece, but then, with my cup of tea, I did.
All the details at Fürst & Iven are just right. Their coffee comes from local roaster Andraschko and they use only organic milk and eggs. They make their own lemonades and ice teas. And their breakfast menu is just adorable, especially for those of us with literary inclinations.
Fürst & Iven
Else-Ury-Bogen 599-601
10623 Berlin
Tel: (030) 313-0151