Café Zeppelin: A Spacious, German-Owned Café

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Café Zeppelin
Front room at Café Zeppelin
Outdoor seating
Outdoor seating is slightly raised above the sidewalk

Café Zeppelin is a German-owned café a few short blocks from the Segundo Parque de Laureles.

I first learned of it from Ryan, as he’s been closer to the developing café and restaurant scene over there. Back in May, I made it a point to schedule a few meetings there one afternoon in order to get a feel for the place.

I’d given my taxi driver the address, but he’d blown right by it, and didn’t realize we’d missed it until the following block. I told him I’d be fine to get out and walk back at that point, but as often is the case, the driver insisted on turning around and delivering me to the exact address I’d provided.

The sign is dark and very easy to miss from a passing car. It may be easier to look for the slightly raised outdoor patio, which offers diners preferring to people watch a few tables and chairs.

Café Zeppelin
Front room at Café Zeppelin

Walking inside for the first time, I knew this was my kind of café. The walls were bright white, aside from sections of brick which were purposefully left exposed.

I like it when businesses choose to show the history of a building, what’s underneath the fresh paint and stucco. It’s like a glimpse back in history.

The furniture is an eclectic mix, as though the owner raided a used furniture store. Nothing seems to match, yet it all works well together.

Back room with lots of natural light
Back room with lots of natural light

Arriving before a few friends, I took a seat on the sunlit back patio, which I think of as a garden on account of the skylight and plants.

For some reason, there’s a mannequin in the rear, though it seems a bit less odd having walked passed a TV-turned-fish bowl, complete with goldfish.

Sandwich
Sandwich

Once my everyone had arrived, I ordered a cappuccino (4,000 pesos, $2) and a chicken pesto sandwich with tomatoes and cheese (13,000 pesos, $7). The sandwich was good, something I’d certainly order again.

Additional sandwiches include: smoked salmon, roast beef with mushrooms, serrano ham and three vegetarian options offering plenty of veggies and cheese.

They’re all budget-friendly, priced between 12,000 to 16,000 pesos ($6 to $8).

There are also some meat and cheese plates perfect for sharing and a selection of German sausages (something I chose to enjoy during the final match of the 2014 World Cup).

Chai tea shake
Chai tea shake

After my lunch meeting, I moved to the front room where I met Melissa to discuss writing for Medellín Living. Not only did she live nearby, she’d worked at Café Zeppelin previously.

In an effort to continue learning the menu, I ordered a chai tea shake for 7,000 pesos ($3.50). As you can tell from the photo above, it was like a milkshake.

Other cold concoctions include coffee with ice cream, chantilly cream and chocolate or caramel sauce (7,000 pesos, $3.50) and café frappes with coffee and chocolate or caramel sauce (4,000 pesos, $2).

Regular green and black organic teas, and herbal teas are also available.

You can bump it up a notch and go for Irish Coffee too (12,000 pesos, $6), or skip the coffee altogether and choose from a nice selection of domestic and imported beers, wine and even cocktails.

Chocolate and red wine cake
Chocolate and red wine cake

Last, but not least, I ordered a slice of chocolate and red wine cake (4,000 pesos, $2), as the combination is something you don’t see very often. It was served with a drizzle of chocolate sauce to add some moisture.

Additional desserts include cheesecake with strawberry sauce, a chocolate cookie, an apple strudel with ice cream and a brownie with ice cream.

Sausages during the World Cup Final
German sausages during the 2014 World Cup Final

I enjoyed my first visit to Café Zeppelin so much, I began scheduling more meetings there.

When Germany made it to the 2014 World Cup Final, it was Café Zeppelin that earned my business.

The owner had set up a TV in the front room, and I arrived early to ensure a table. There was a larger screen set up in another room too, and by the time the match began, the place was packed with German fans.

If I lived in Laureles, Café Zeppelin would be my second home. I’d take my computer there, knowing there’s enough space to ensure seating, enough quiet to allow me to focus on my work and enough of a menu to keep me well fed.

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