Vero Café and cocktail bar - genuine Italian café flair in Karlsruhe's Waldstraße

Together with Alexandra Kirsch and Patricia Wolf, owner Hannes Schmitt has fulfilled a dream with Café Vero: "My original idea was to open a pop-up bar in Karlsruhe. However, the premises of the former Espressione opened up spontaneously. I used it straight away," explains Hannes. In just a few days, the interior design and the Vero concept were ready. "We were able to take over a lot of the Espressione, so we were actually ready to go straight away," explains Hannes. The café opened on February 2, 2024 after just four days of renovations.

Café Vero - Italian vacation in the middle of Karlsruhe

With a deep love for Bella Italia, Hannes has managed to create a cozy, authentically Italian café atmosphere in Karlsruhe. Cozy seating by the window, an outdoor area overlooking the northern part of Waldstraße, rotating art exhibitions, exquisite culinary delights, and a friendly team. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Italy myself, especially in Venice, and brought back a lot of inspiration for the café from there,” he says. As a result, the drink menu features exclusively Italian spirits and coffee specialties. “The only exception is a German wine on the menu. We chose it because it pairs very well with our tiramisu,” Hannes reveals. 

• Cake
• Cantuccini
• Ameretti

everything is homemade. A very special culinary Italian highlight for guests are the homemade cicchetti - small sandwiches or snacks. If these don't awaken a longing for Italy, especially Venice, because "this specialty is particularly synonymous with Venice. There, it is customary to serve these snacks with wine or coffee," explains the owner.

After-work and cocktails to go at Vero in Waldstraße, Karlsruhe

It was also very important to Hannes to include high-quality alcoholic drinks in the new restaurant concept. These include highballs, sour cocktails, and two stirred cocktails. From fruity and tart to floral and fresh—there’s something here for every taste.

The owner and his team already have ideas for the Karlsruhe summer: "We will offer our cocktails to go so that our guests can also enjoy our drinks in front of the palace or in the city center," says Hannes. 

Sustainability and changing art exhibitions at Vero in Karlsruhe

Sustainability in the food service industry is also important to the owner of Vero. “We reuse nearly all of our ingredients. For example, the orange zest from our homemade lemonade doesn’t end up in the trash—it’s used in our cocktails,” explains the owner. The café also offers local artists a platform and an opportunity to showcase their work. The first to do so is Vanessa Jonuzi, followed by the Karlsruhe-based artist: FLIX. “Anyone interested in exhibiting here is welcome to contact us at any time. We’d be delighted,” says Hannes.

It's definitely worth stopping by Vero, because the café is like a little trip to Italy - here you can relax and indulge your taste buds! 

For more information, including details on upcoming events, visit Instagram.