Frau Polda - Buchbistro - Top 10 Reading Cafes and Literary Cafes

Frau Polda in Maxstraße on Leopoldplatz is a bookstore and Italian bistro in one, opened in 2025 by a publishing professional and a restaurateur from Tuscany. Between novels, children's books, and English titles, there's focaccia from 3.40 Euro and Aperol Spritz. In this reading café in Wedding, a chapter is often followed by focaccia under the tree.

Frau Polda – Book Bistro: Books and Focaccia at Leopoldplatz

In May 2025, Svenja Monert and Alessandro Fino opened the Frau Polda book bistro at Maxstraße 10C. Monert comes from the publishing industry, and Fino from the gastronomy scene in Tuscany. The name refers to Leopoldina, an old Italian form of the name, shortened to Polda, and thus to Leopoldplatz right next door. In three small rooms of a former hair salon, covering around 70 square meters, you’ll find novels, non-fiction, children’s books, and English titles, with a focus on diversity and non-discriminatory content. Frau Polda is considered the only owner-managed bookstore in Wedding.

Focaccia, Aperol, and Book Club under the Tree

From the kitchen come plain focaccia for 3.40 Euro, with topping for 4 Euro, or filled for 6.50 Euro, along with Cecina, cakes, waffles, and brownies, many of which are also vegan or gluten-free. An Aperol Spritz from 5 Euro pairs well with espresso. Outside, tables are set up on the pavement under a large tree; for children, there’s a reading corner with a craft table and the playground next door. Once a month, a feminist book club meets, and there are also readings and events like “Leo liest” and the summer cinema at Leopoldplatz.