Best Specialty Coffee Roasters in Düsseldorf (2026)
Carl Ferdinand roaster and coffee shop in Pempelfort.
In this article
Introduction
Düsseldorf’s specialty coffee scene is massively underrated. Overshadowed by cities like Berlin or Hamburg, Düsseldorf’s identity as a coffee city has been thriving while going relatively under the radar.
The coffee community is very tight, just like the city itself; it truly feels like a “Dorf” (village) sometimes. Because of this, it’s quite easy to approach baristas and coffee shop owners, as many of them haven’t had as much spotlight as some household names like Five Elephant or The Barn in Berlin.
As an expat who has lived in Düsseldorf for over eight years and as someone who has developed into a specialty coffee lover, this is my definitive guide to the top roasters.
Let’s first define what specialty coffee is:
Legally and technically, coffee is deemed “specialty” if it scores 80+ on a 100-point scale developed by the Specialty Coffee Association, graded by a certified Q Grader (the coffee equivalent of a sommelier).
Holistically, there’s a commitment to high-quality at every stage of the coffee process from farm to café.
Below are roasters that not only produce high-quality roasts, but are major contributors to fostering this tight-knit community, be it through their inviting space or international network.
Rösterei Vier
Key Strengths:
Transparent and inviting roastery that blends into the seating area
Human touch with each roast
Impressive showroom showcasing their complete coffee range and equipment
Favourite Bean:
🇨🇴 Diego Bermudez - El Parariso (currently out of stock)
I’ve labelled Rösterei Vier the most complete coffee shop in Düsseldorf for a few reasons.
It’s not just a coffee shop; it’s not just a roaster; it’s not just a co-working space; it’s all of that and more.
Rösterei Vier is a beloved local shop whose origins started and remain in the Old Town, where they combine their love for coffee, music, and community all in one. When you enter their showroom, you’re immediately greeted by the faces of the farmers from whom they source each bean. They emphasize the source to give each bean a face—a sort of human touch—which adds to the allure of each roast. Their range is simple, yet compact, tailoring to every taste without overcomplicating the process. While you won’t find the most experimental roast out there, you will find something you’ll enjoy
This past summer, they offered a locally co-fermented series, which had me coming back multiple times because of how fresh each brew was. They also offer their own branded nitro coffee all year round, which is both refreshing and smooth. When the weather gets chilly, you can guarantee you’ll warm up if you sit in the roasting area, where the heat waves of the machines emanate throughout the space.
For more info:
💻 Website
Lightroast
Key Strengths:
Roaster/coffee shop combo
Experimental co-fermented roasts
Spacious roastery
Favourite Bean:
If you’re looking for a roaster that pushes the boundaries, look no further than Flingern, where Lightroast and its sister coffee shop, Jaenner, call home.
Lightroast has made it clear that they “roast light to show depth.” Finding that right balance of roast level amplifies the underlying notes of the bean, which can be tasted quite prominently with every cup.
Since 2022, twins Max and Paul have taken over a large space in Flingern to give the grungy neighbourhood some funk.
In 2023, they opened up the more accessible Jaenner, just a 6-minute tram ride from the main station, where you can sample their own roasts as well as high-quality guest roasters.
For more info:
💻 Website
Cøffe
Key Strengths:
Roaster/coffee shop combo
In-house arabica Q Grader
Free coffee cuppings offered regularly
Favourite bean:
Since diving into specialty coffee, Cøffe, has become my favourite coffee shop and a very common local favourite in the heart of Carlsplatz.
Since taking over the small space of a former apothecary in the Old Town in 2017, they were among the pioneers of specialty coffee in Düsseldorf. Their storefront has naturally become a hotspot for influencers and a common pitstop for those perusing through the Carlsplatz market.
In early 2025, they opened up their roastery in Heerdt to the public, where they’ve hosted multiple events such as a Signature Drink competition and their regular free coffee tastings hosted by the recently formed Dus Cupping Club.
With a modest range of about eight different varieties, they keep their flavour profiles simple, focused, yet of the utmost quality. Their in-house Q Grader, Tianran, is there to ensure each bean reaches its full potential.
For more info:
💻 Website
Schvarz
Key Strengths:
Pioneer in the specialty coffee scene in Düsseldorf
In-house Brewers Cup champion
Coffee is widely served in coffee shops in Düsseldorf
Favourite Bean:
Located in the grungy outskirts of Flingern, Schvarz has been a pioneer in the specialty coffee scene since they started out as a micro roastery in 2015. Today, you can find their coffee served at its sister coffee shop, Orange Coffee, and occasionally in some supermarkets like Rewe.
For those willing to make the journey, jumping through hoops across the city, a visit to this roastery is worth every step. Having been a first mover, their beans are found all over the city, a sign that they have been a key contributor to the coffee scene in Düsseldorf.
They pride themselves on building strong partnerships with their farmers while remaining accessible to the local Düsseldorf community.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get your coffee served by the 2024 Germany Brewers Cup champion, Luthfan.
For more info:
💻 Website
Brew
Key Strengths:
Cozy coworking area
Free batch brew refills for the first hour
Zero-waste coffee containers
Favourite Bean:
🇵🇪 Finca La Palma (out of stock)
Before Brew entered the scene, Bilk was in need of a strong player in the specialty coffee scene. Since 2023, they’ve been brewing high-quality roasts while offering a cozy space for visitors.
In my opinion, they have the nicest packaging of all roasters in Düsseldorf, with a modern and clean design surrounding their zero-waste tins.
Upon my most recent visit, the barista allowed me to sample the scent of some beans that were out of stock, showing me that they truly care about their customers.
They also regularly offer barista courses, uplifting the caliber of coffee lovers in the local community.
For more info:
💻 Website
Carl Ferdinand
Key Strengths:
Deep-rooted family history of coffee
Multiple locations across Düsseldorf
Affordable, high-quality roasts
Favourite Bean:
Deeply rooted in coffee lover traditions, Carl Ferdinand Jr. recounts four generations of history on their website. From the beginning, Carl Ferdinand Sr. could be found on ships transporting coffee beans to Europe in the early 1900s. Since 2022, Carl Ferdinand Jr., Pempelfort’s top roaster, has been roasting high-quality coffee, which can also be found right behind the Medienhafen.
What’s impressive is how they manage to undercut the local competition by offering lower-priced bags of beans without sacrificing quality. They’ve made high-quality coffee even more accessible while adding a fresh perspective to the ever-growing coffee scene.
While their primary roasting location in Pempelfort is more spacious, I find their location in the Medienhafen more lively, with a regular biking community stopping by for a quick hit of caffeine.
For more info:
💻 Website
