"Isla was named for the owners' desire to create an island, of sorts, away from the busy, occasionally chaotic, Hermannstraße, the main artery in Berlin's southern neighborhood of Neukölln. Inside, this wish comes true: Minimalist, locally made furniture, sparse light fixtures, and plants—lots of plants—turn the cafe into a Zen setting to caffeinate and enjoy brunch. Isla's tasty brunch offerings aim to incorporate the idea of a circular economy; leftover steamed milk from lattes, for example, becomes the ricotta for an incredible bread pudding, itself made from leftovers. This approach has been turning heads: The cafe won the German Gastro-Gründerpreis in 2018 for its zero-waste efforts. For brunch, those efforts translate into creative plant-driven dishes, with eggs and seasonal vegetables, as well as hearty breads. There are a few sweets on the menu too; the savory porridge and pumpkin pancakes with date maple syrup are recent favorites." - Krystin Arneson
