It was hard to miss the grand opening of 9 to 5 Cafe and Brunch in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The fanfare featured a DJ, whose beats echoed through an otherwise quiet evening downtown.  

What sounded like an all-night dance club was actually a coffee and breakfast hot spot that closes at the early hour of 5 p.m.  

Since opening in late September, the place has seen a steady stream of patrons, filling the tables set up along the pedestrian zone.   

I stopped in for coffee on a recent Friday and sat inside. My expectations for food were low as I was maxed out on the usual lineup of croissants, hams and jams. But I ended up eating a big breakfast, ordering dessert and coming back with a friend.  

The menu at 9 to 5 offers modern brunch food like bagel sandwiches, omelets, quinoa-and-chicken bowls and homemade sweets. In addition to coffees, 9 to 5 sells fresh-squeezed orange juice, chai lattes and wines. 

There is homemade cream cheese on the bagels, avocado toast with the eggs, Turkish sausage and hummus, all served with German touches and local ingredients when possible. 

The restaurant is hip, for K-Town. It boasts a cool, cozy vibe. Although its minimal decor isn’t stylish, 9 to 5 stands out with welcoming service. The young staff is attentive and speaks English with ease, using friendly phrases like “see you next time” and promptly bringing the check. It’s a comfortable place to do a little work with password-free Wi-Fi or linger with a friend.

I ordered an espresso and the Green Dream, one of the four omelet options. The others are the organic omelet, the farmer’s omelet with potatoes and tomato and one with Turkish sausage and feta. 

The healthy Green Dream breakfast represented a break from the sausage and carb fest that makes up most German meals. The eggs were well-cooked and garnished with chives. 

The plate comes with seasonal veggies like zucchini and a lettuce salad with cucumber and tomato. In a trendy and tasty touch, the cafe adds an avocado spread and toast.  

The espresso was strong for my taste, so I ordered a chai latte. It was creamy and sweet, like a dessert, topped with froth and served beautifully. 

Even with a caffeine buzz from the drinks, I couldn’t resist piling on with something sweet and ordered a slice of kaesekuchen, which had been teasing me. 

The texture of the crumbly crust balanced with the smooth, sweet cheese made it the best restaurant or bakery cheesecake I’ve eaten in Germany.

When I reported back to an American friend about 9 to 5’s culinary creations, she told me there was already buzz around the restaurant in the spouses groups. I returned with her to try a bagel sandwich and hummus plate and enjoy the outdoor seating. 

The Hummus Fusion Bliss came with a plate of the eponymous dip and pita bread, which was stiff and slightly overbaked. The dish would be improved with the addition of carrots and more cucumber. The homemade hummus was delicious, though, and worth ordering again.

The Sucuk Heaven, a bagel sandwich with egg whose name refers to a Turkish garlic sausage, was another hit. The sucuk added a spicy flavor that would have been missing if the sandwich were made with a run-of-the-mill German sausage. 

Although the outdoor experience came with an unpleasant encounter with a wasp and a minor tussle between canine patrons, those around us looked happy.

With good vibes, fresh food and reasonable prices, 9 to 5 lived up to the hype. See you next time.

9 to 5 Cafe and Brunch

Address: Pirmasenser Strasse 1A, Kaiserslautern, Germany

Hours: Open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Prices: From 5 euros for a cream cheese bagel to 13 euros for a chicken and feta bowl. Most food items are 7-9 euros.