Miss Brömse invites you to the café

Adelheid would have loved it: the café that bears her name and its incomparably charming interior. Yes, Fräulein Brömse really existed. The eldest daughter of the former mayor Heinrich Brömse, she was an influential woman from 1517 onwards as abbess of St. John's Monastery. Running a monastery was demanding, requiring diplomatic skill and a high level of education. Religious centers often had close ties to politics and business and significantly influenced secular affairs. Adelheid was strong-willed, and that brings me directly to the two managers of Café Fräulein Brömse, Jana Leitzke and Tanja Wolff.

A magical place

These two are also impressive women, but they live entirely in the present and have clear conceptual ideas about how their "Fräulein Brömse" should ideally present itself: as an authentic meeting place. An inviting haven of peace with an outdoor terrace and a unique view over the red-brick walls of the old town. A café offering all kinds of delicacies: cream cakes and chocolates, lactose- and gluten-free options, fruity treats, and vegan options.

Hidden behind confessional walls

The café, somewhat hidden in the courtyard of the European Hansemuseum, is a true gem. With its two lovingly designed rooms, it had been slumbering since October 2020, a slumber from which Jana and Tanja, together with Holger Schubert and Katharina Boye – the owners of the popular "Kaffeehaus Lübeck" on Hüxstraße – thankfully awakened it. Jana and Tanja met there as colleagues and seized the opportunity when it arose to revive the slumbering beauty and breathe new life and fresh ideas into it.

Sunday tableware in a designer setting

The café was already a beloved Lübeck institution before its closure. This explains the great enthusiasm of its patrons for Fräulein Brömse's "second life." The new owners have set themselves the goal of carefully preserving the building's history while simultaneously creating something innovative and creative.

So, from Adelheid's first café life, only Grandma's Sunday china remains. The "special china" that, during the economic boom, was only taken out of the cupboard for the most important occasions. Although, in the café, there isn't just one set of china, but a colorful collection of coffee and tea cups, gold-rimmed cake plates, and teapots with delicate designs, which—hardly have you sat down—immediately sparks conversation: "Oh, I know that pattern, my great-aunt Hildegard had it too!" "Look, isn't that the rose pattern that my cousin Brigitte had as a 24-piece set?" Instantly, that feeling of home, of security, of "this is my past too" arises. Many lovingly chosen details have also remained, like the key tassel on the antique sideboard. It immediately catches my eye, because my grandparents also had similar ones hanging on their wardrobes. In pleasing contrast – elegantly curved leather-covered chairs, minimalist ceiling lights, warm wall colors.

Barista duo meets pastry magician

Tanja and Jana learned their trade from the ground up. Jana sort of stumbled into the world of coffee, as she puts it. She loves bringing a smile to people's faces and creating little moments of happiness for her guests with unobtrusive yet attentive service. After completing her hotel management training, Tanja set off to explore the world. Always on the go and eager for new career opportunities, she gained valuable experience that she can now bring to Café Fräulein Brömse. Treating people with respect and on equal terms is important to her.

As seasoned baristas, they naturally know the secrets of the coffee bean and its perfect grind. The coffee's flavor profile develops depending on the type, variety, cultivation, processing, roasting, and preparation. Whether you prefer a frothy cappuccino, a strong espresso, or a creamy latte macchiato – Tanja and Jana are true artists in their field. The two complement each other perfectly, it seems to me. Although, to be honest, the duo is more of a trio. Nothing would be possible without Natalie Schulz, the pastry chef, who conjures up the most exquisite creations in the small bakery next door. She translates Tanja and Jana's ideas into delicious pastries, into harmonious compositions that enchant Brömse's guests: chickpea brownies, apple meringue, cheesecake, chocolate mousse cake with passion fruit seeds, or chocolate quinoa cake balls.

My not-so-secret favorite

Natalie's vegan Franzbrötchen have become a real insider tip at the café. This caramel-cinnamon yeast treat, made according to a vegan recipe, is incredibly delicious. Luckily, this crispy pastry is always a good choice – whether for breakfast or afternoon coffee. It got me wondering:

Can happiness be molded into something else?

Thanks to Natalie, just a few weeks after reopening, there are already a number of Franzbrötchen addicts. And I'm telling you, there are guaranteed to be more. The menu will soon be expanded to include breakfast options and a daily lunch special. Natalie is working on sugar-free baked goods. This is another trend that the café's management team wants to embrace. The dates have already been ordered.

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