When Lukas Tralmer and Viktor Walther opened 08 COFFEE in May 2024, they weren’t just starting a café — they were bringing a piece of their friendship to Rosenheim. Both come from creative and fashion backgrounds, and for years they had joked about opening a bar or café together. The jokes turned serious when a great location became available in the Bavarian town. “The first hypothetical talks turned into an actual business plan,” they recall.
The name “08” is a nod to the month that defines their friendship. Lukas and Viktor met in Paris in 2015 and have never lived in the same city since. Starting in 2017, they travelled together every August — Iceland, Costa Rica, Korea, Turkey, and more. “It’s the month where all the crazy stories took place. The month that shaped our friendship into brotherhood. That’s where the 08 comes from.”
In Rosenheim, they knew their concept would stand out. “People here are used to traditional German cafés and bakeries. Bringing specialty coffee and contemporary baked goods to the city was definitely a daring move,” says Viktor. But it paid off. “We always say: 08 Coffee is an educational program to the people of Rosenheim. We’ve shown people what high-quality, carefully selected coffee is and how good this drink — that many see only as a wake-up aid — can be.”
Their menu reflects that balance of familiar and new. While the cappuccino is still the bestseller, demand for V60 pour-overs and cold brew is growing. “We are still in southern Germany — people want what they know. But cold brews and V60s are ordered more and more. Back to the ‘08 educational program’,” Viktor says with a grin.
They keep their sourcing simple, working exclusively with Munich-based roaster Pacandé. “I’d been ordering beans from them for home use and was so convinced by the quality and the vibe with their team that one of the first things we knew was that we wanted to work with them. We’re not planning on changing that anytime soon.”
The 08 COFFEE experience goes beyond the cup. Their interior design reflects their own style — cool, personal, and a little provocative. “We want to be the cool spot and stand for high-quality products, but also to trigger, challenge and educate people — through very selected music and a personal interior design language.” They’ve also launched 08 WORLD, a merchandise and events label releasing clothing and other items every few months, with an online shop coming soon.
Behind the bar, they lead with patience and clarity. “Our first rule is to always stay friendly and calm. We do it ourselves the first five times before someone else should do it, so there’s no room for confusion or frustration.” This approach has helped them build a motivated, stable team who understand the café’s vision.
From a shared dream to an award-winning café, 08 COFFEE proves that friendship, creativity, and a little risk can transform a small-town coffee scene. In their own words, they’re just getting started.
This specialty cafes is featured as the winner of ECT Awards 2024 in Germany ☕️🏆 See the results!
