Graffiti, Beans and Friends

Day two of my Germany adventure started the best way possible—with a craving for coffee. After last night’s amazing schnitzel, I woke up ready to explore Ehrenfeld, one of Cologne’s coolest neighborhoods, and check out its local coffee scene.

The weather was perfect, so I took my time strolling down Venloer Straße, soaking up the sun and stopping often to admire the street art. Ehrenfeld is packed with graffiti and murals, and every corner seemed to have something new to look at—bright colors, bold designs, and little details that made the walk feel like a mini art tour.

My first coffee stop was Schamong, Cologne’s oldest roastery. It’s a small, super cozy spot that somehow blends old-school charm with a modern touch. The staff really knew their stuff, and the coffee? Absolutely spot on. Great service, great vibes—definitely the kind of place I could’ve hung out in for hours.

Next up was Cologne’s Roastery, which had a more modern, spacious feel. The coffee was just as good, but something about it didn’t quite click for me the way Schamong did. Maybe it was the atmosphere? The warmth? Hard to say, but I found myself missing that little extra personality.

With two coffees down, it was time to find breakfast. Wandering through streets lined with trees and blooming flowers, I ended up at Café Franck, where I met Lisa, Alex, and Chris. Good food, great company, and a slow morning—exactly what I needed. Then, completely out of the blue, another good friend, Franzi, showed up. She had a reservation there too, with visitors of her own. Totally unplanned, but such a fun surprise. And as it turned out, not the only surprise of the day…

To be continued.Read more