Your questions for the Café Nordlicht
Opening hours, custom cakes, celebrations and reservations: here we answer, in order, the questions most frequently asked at our café by the harbour in Eckernförde.
When are you open?
We're open Tuesday to Sunday; on Mondays the kitchen stays cold and the dining area is closed – that day belongs to preparation in our bakery.
Our hours on Hafenstraße
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday–Friday
- 8:30–18:00
- Saturday
- 9:00–18:00
- Sunday
- 10:00–18:00
We serve breakfast until 11:30 am, on Saturday and Sunday until 1:00 pm. Hours may vary on public holidays.
Until when is breakfast served?
During the week, breakfast runs until 11:30 am, and longer on Saturday and Sunday – if you want to sleep in, you have until 1:00 pm on weekends.
Tuesday to Friday
From opening at 8:30 am, we set the breakfast tables. The last order from the breakfast menu is taken at 11:30 am.
Saturday and Sunday
We start at 9:00 am on Saturday and at 10:00 am on Sunday. Breakfast is served until 1:00 pm on both days.
Then it's cake time
After breakfast, the display case stays filled until 6:00 pm – cakes, tarts and coffee from our own in-house bakery.
How do I order a cake?
We take cake orders with seven days' notice – by phone at +49 30 23125101 or directly at the counter if you'd like to discuss the toppings right away.
- 1
Request with a date
Tell us the day on which the cake should be ready. At least seven days must pass between the request and pickup.
- 2
Choose a size
Available in 18, 22 and 26 centimetres in diameter. Two-tier cakes are made by arrangement.
- 3
Flavour and notes
We discuss the filling, decoration and anything to consider – for example, ingredients that shouldn't end up on the table.
- 4
Pickup at the café
On the agreed day, your cake will be ready and chilled for you at Hafenstraße 12.
Bakery
Ordered cakes in detail
Most questions concern the size, structure and pickup of an ordered cake.
We bake every cake in-house in our own bakery, which is why we ask for seven days' notice: during this time we schedule the sponge layers, filling and decoration around our daily operations. The following tabs answer, in order, how many portions each size yields, what a cake consists of, and what to keep in mind on pickup day.
18 centimetres
The small round for the coffee table at home: about eight slices, depending on how generously it's cut. Fits in any standard fridge.
22 centimetres
Our most popular size for birthdays and christenings: about twelve slices. If there's also a sheet cake on the table alongside the cake, it will stretch to serve more guests.
26 centimetres
For larger gatherings: about sixteen slices. From this size upward, we recommend a lighter filling, since the cake will be sitting on the table for longer.
Two-tier by arrangement
We make two-tier cakes by prior arrangement. We'll discuss the date, height and transport route together in person, since a two-tier cake needs to be supported and kept cool during transport.
Sponges
You can choose between Viennese sponge, a light, airy sponge, or a pound-cake-style sponge, which is a bit firmer and better suited to moist fillings.
Fillings
Cream, buttercream, quark-and-cream, or a seasonal fruit filling. Cream and quark-cream are light but keep for a shorter time; buttercream holds its shape better and is the better choice for long celebrations.
Decoration
We work with cream, chocolate, fruit and marzipan. Lettering and simple designs are possible; we do not offer licensed characters or photo printing.
Allergens and intolerances
Please tell us about any intolerances when ordering. We disclose our ingredients openly and will let you know in advance if a request can't be properly accommodated in our kitchen.
Collection window
Collection takes place during our opening hours, ideally in the morning. Monday is our closed day, so for Monday celebrations we schedule collection for Saturday or Sunday morning instead.
Transport
Every cake comes in a sturdy box. Place it on the floor of the vehicle, not on the seat, and bring a cool bag for the journey if it's warm out.
Storage until the celebration
Cream and quark cakes should stay in the fridge until shortly before cutting. Take them out about twenty minutes beforehand so the filling tastes its best.
Changes and cancellations
Up until three days before the date, size or decoration can usually still be adjusted. After that, the cake is already in production; in that case, please call us directly.
Tables at the café
Celebrations and reservations
For two or three people you don't need to book a table in advance – there's almost always a seat available. From six people upwards, and for family celebrations, it's worth calling ahead, as we'll then put tables together and plan the cake accordingly.
What we need to know for your celebration
Four details are enough for us over the phone to set the framework. Everything else – choice of cake, seating arrangement, timing of the cake-cutting – we'll sort out closer to the date.
- Date and time, plus an approximate duration
- Number of adults and children
- Whether you'd like a layer cake, a sheet cake, or both on the table
- Pram, walker or high chair, so we can set aside the right table area
How the afternoon unfolds
Celebrations with us take place during normal café hours: you'll sit at your table while the other tables remain occupied. This keeps things simple, but it has two consequences you should know about. Your own music or decorations with garlands aren't possible, though candles on the cake certainly are. And we won't clear your table until you leave – the space is yours until closing time.
- Cake and drinks are ordered at the table and billed together
- Breakfast celebrations end at 11:30 am on weekdays and 1:00 pm on weekends
- For hygiene reasons, we can't serve cakes you've brought yourself
Still have questions, or ready to visit?
Drop us a quick message and we'll sort out times, cakes or celebrations directly with you.