Being a college town, Lüneburg unsurprisingly has a wealth of cute coffee shops to frequent when you want to study, socialize with friends, or just try out a German pastry. All of these cafes are within walking distance from the main Am Sande square, and easily accessible from any bus route. I was lucky enough to be living with a host family to let me know the best places to go, or I might not have been able to find these particular shops. With the exception of Bell & Beans, I tried to list places that are more off the beaten path for a truly unique experience. If you’re looking for a large, international coffee shop, the locations on this list probably aren’t for you, but trying out more unique, “underground” stores will really give you a truly Lüneburg feel.
Samowar Tea & Records (Am Sande 33)
It’s a little overwhelming walking into this shop at first; they have a huge wall of different assorted teas to choose from (250+ according to their website). Along with teas, Samowar also has a selection of indie music on CD to shop for if you’re looking.
Not knowing much about tea personally, I asked the woman working there for a suggestion on what to try. With over 250 teas, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I recommend going with a friend or two, all ordering different teas, and getting to try a variety of options. One of the teas my group tried was a ginger tea, styled with sliced ginger on a skewer.
Bell & Beans (Glockenstraße 1)
Probably the most hipster coffee shop in LG, Bell & Beans got me through many days of studying. It’s close to the main square downtown but also down a cute brick alleyway so it doesn’t feel so mainstream. Bell & Beans has pastries, coffee, and a cozy loft to overlook the bright interior. (Try their hot chocolate, too!)
Kaffeerösterei Ratzsch (Am Berge 19)
A unique coffee shop with local charm, this place roasts their own coffee! If you know any German, you probably knew this, as “Kaffeerösterei” means “Coffee roasters.” It has a really cozy, homey feel from old wood cladding and sacks of coffee beans providing authentic decor and delicious smell. Pro tip: get one of their gourmet small chocolates to enjoy with an espresso, it’s a match made in heaven.
DreiTeiler (Untere Schrangenstraße 2)
At first glance, you won’t notice a cafe here, as it’s located on the second floor of a clothing boutique. Thankfully, my host mom knew the spot and I’m so glad she did! Not only does this place have great espresso, we also had homemade quiche which was a nice touch on a rainy day. The interior gets a lot of light from being on the second story, even on rainy days which helps illuminate the otherwise cozy room. This place also has a piano and filled with large, colorful homemade paintings which are a nice touch. DreiTeiler is definitely a hidden gem, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to go to this adorable location.
Amy Cantrell is a Cal Poly, SLO student. She studied abroad in Lüneburg in Fall 2017. During her time abroad she served as a Digital Communications Intern for USAC.
