Sunlight streaming in the windows, a riverfront view enjoyed from the outdoor deck, the smell of…read moreraisins and cinnamon as baked goods are made in-house; the Kranhaus is perhaps the best Café in Berlin. The setting is decidedly Instagrammable with neon signs, reclaimed wood furniture, and wildflower centerpieces. Service is always quick and very kind. Best of all, though, is the free and unlimited Wifi that makes this cafe a great place to sit and get some work done, especially with other like-minded students from HTW just up the river. If you're not trying to concentrate on your laptop, the Kranhaus is also a great spot to relax with a snack and their chilled out/classy-feeling Jazz playlist. Best of all, it's located in the base of a crane that used to unload cargo for the factories along Wilhelminenhofstraße, so you get an interesting mix of history in the space.
The downsides are that the furniture is a bit eclectic and can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially to sit at with a laptop, and sometimes it is difficult to locate a outlet to charge up. That being said, it's often easy to find a place to sit and let the afternoon go by.
Thank you Kranhaus for helping me maintain my sanity.