In the former craftsmen's quarter
Today, for Lübeck ZWISCHENZEILEN to the Aegidienviertel, more precisely to Café Konvent, where I meet its owner , Julian Alm , for a cappuccino to take a look behind the scenes of his popular café.
We start at Klingenberg and walk down Aegidienstraße, descending the old town hill towards St. Annenstraße. In the upper section of Aegidienstraße, you'll see some post-war buildings, while further down the street presents itself with picturesque facades in the stylistic mix so typical of Lübeck. Here a stepped gable, there a baroque town palace, all blended with a touch of classicism. Here and there, your gaze is caught by a narrow entrance leading to a hidden passageway. This, too, is a familiar feeling that often arises when strolling through the UNESCO-listed old town. In the Aegidienviertel, for example, you'll discover the passageway between Wahmstraße and Aegidienstraße. We locals affectionately call it "Unnerbüx" – underpants – because the passageway has one entrance and two exits.
Finally, at the bottom of the street, we reach St. Giles' Church (Aegidienkirche) . You'll understand that I couldn't simply ignore it on my way to the café, even though it's not the main focus of this post. After all, the church of the craftsmen and farmers was first documented in 1227. These farmers largely earned their living by running small farms. If you like, join our tour guide Anna inside the church and watch this video here and there around the church mean in our "Stopovers" section.
Convenire in the Convent
Café Konvent is located on a street corner at St. Annen-Straße 1, directly behind St. Aegidien Church. For over 700 years, various charitable institutions existed at this location near the church. And for over 200 years, until the Reformation, Beguines lived in the Aegidien and Michaelis convents on St. Annen- and Stavenstraße. Beguines were members of religious lay communities who were primarily engaged in charitable work, caring for the sick, the poor, and the dying.
The neo-Gothic building housing Café Konvent was built in 1890. It belongs to the Aegidienhof social housing project. The café's name is therefore very apt. People gather here every day. Many are regulars who frequently bump into each other and strike up conversations across the tables. Providing opportunities for exchange is important to him, says Julian Alm, a Lübeck native with the courage to start his own business.
Julian comes from a long-established Lübeck family of entrepreneurs. His great-great-grandfather founded the company Farben Alm in 1888. From him and his father, Julian learned to think ahead. He values traditional Hanseatic principles such as the handshake, which sealed an agreement.
Julian has been working in the restaurant industry since he was 16 and has somehow "stuck" in it. After stints in various cities, he returned to Lübeck. Here, he was and still is very well connected. Julian made the decision to open the café very quickly. His gut feeling whispered a clear "yes" to him when he saw the premises.
And their success proves him and his team right. Thanks to its somewhat hidden location in a part of the old town, many visitors to our city discover this culinary gem by chance, for example, after a visit to the St. Anne's Museum . At the Konvent, you'll meet café patrons from the neighborhood. Tradespeople and students take their breaks here. The high ceilings and partially exposed brick walls create a feeling of spaciousness. The mix of tables and chairs made from different materials perfectly reflects the idea of being a welcoming place for everyone.
It's especially lovely to sit outside in a shady spot right by the church wall of St. Aegidien. As a book lover, I naturally appreciate the bookcase, where I've already discovered the occasional little literary surprise.
When it's over, it's over.
Breakfast is extremely popular at Konvent, especially since it's served all day. My favorite is the Eggs Benedict, served with incredibly delicious sourdough bread and avocado cream. The open-faced sandwiches made with homemade sourdough bread – also available as a vegan option – are a true classic at Konvent, the only café in Lübeck to offer this type of bread baked in-house. Sourdough has been known for around 6,000 years and is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Unlike other breads, the slow fermentation of sourdough, combined with lactic acid bacteria, improves the bioavailability of these important nutrients. However, producing this healthy product is quite time-consuming: Julian prepares the dough on Mondays, it's folded and prepared in proofing baskets on Tuesdays, and baking day is on Wednesday. And no more bread is baked during the rest of the week. "When it's gone, it's gone," says Julian. Luckily, the team also offers a variety of other treats and freshly baked cakes. And if you're not in the mood for a specialty coffee, a long drink is of course also an option. Especially since the café is open until the evening.
Organic, regional, and sustainable. These aren't just buzzwords for Julian. He places great importance on knowing his producers and suppliers personally. In some cases, close friendships have developed. His concept also includes a partnership with Too Good To Go. Furthermore, he maintains strong ties with the Aegidienhof , perfectly embodying the spirit of the verb "convenire." Julian encourages self-management within his team and offers dedicated individuals opportunities for professional development.
My interview with Julian develops into a lively exchange about the challenges currently facing the entire restaurant industry. Julian is convinced that good gastronomy doesn't happen at the push of a button. A large dose of idealism is essential. It also doesn't hurt to have legal knowledge, be skilled with your hands, and have a bit of an understanding of psychology. And, of course, entrepreneurial vision. Which, fortunately, Julian has in his blood.
This café isn't just any café. Julian and his team are equally passionate about coffee roasting. All the coffees from the Konvent roastery are fair trade, direct trade, and/or organic. You can buy your favorite variety on-site or have it conveniently delivered to your home. online shop also offers various products with the slogan "Caffeine instead of cocaine." I like Julian's philosophy that guests and team should ideally treat each other as equals. I think that's very much in line with current trends.
Visit Café Konvent on Instagram
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