It’s the sweetest time of year: the festive season will soon be upon us – time for leisurely Christmas shopping trips wandering around Berlin with a cup of glühwein in hand, admiring the lavish delights in the shop windows and mulling over which gifts to pick up for loved ones. There’s no better time of year to sample some of the city’s most mouth-watering sweet treats. Here’s a round-up of 11 of the best spots to find fabulous delicacies on relaxed winter strolls around Berlin.
Tip 1: Taste the nostalgia at Schokoladenhaus Hamann
Established in 1928, Erich Hamann’s Berlin confectionery store quickly became a byword for haute chocolaterie in the city and beyond. Known for slabs of rich dark chocolate – some classic, others flavoured with unusual ingredients like ginger and chilli – wrapped in stunning packaging, the store remains a Berlin institution to this day. Stop by to taste a little of the flavour of 1920s Berlin.
Where: Brandenburgische Straße 17, Wilmersdorf
Tip 2: Enjoy majestic marzipan at the Wald Königsberger Marzipan-Shop
Once a delicacy enjoyed by Kaisers and kings, Wald Königsberger marzipan is now beloved around the world. Made to a traditional recipe – parts of which remain secret to this day – the classic marzipan served up at this store follows in family footsteps from over a century ago. Stop off on a Charlottenburg Christmas shopping trip for a right royal treat.
Where: Pestalozzistraße 54a, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Sample lovely liquorice at La Kritzeria
This little shop in Prenzlauer Berg is a love letter to all things liquorice, welcoming all sorts of products from all over the world. Sweet or salty, in teas, toothpastes or tasty treats, liquorice here comes in many forms – 450 and counting, to be exact. Head down to La Kritzeria for a refreshing change from the classic Christmas flavours and take the chance to taste and try this very special delicacy as you’ve never had it before.
Where: Stubbenkammerstraße 3, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 4: See candies come to life at Bonbonmacherei Heckmannhöfe
In this nostalgic little sweet shop in charming Heckmannhöfe, you’ll find over 30 varieties of delicious traditional Berlin bonbons to choose from – making it a real candy paradise for people with a sweet tooth. On special days, the confectioners let the eager-eyed public watch them at work bringing their candies into the world. Stop off on your Christmas shopping trip for a different kind of window-shopping.
Where: Oranienburger Straße 32, Mitte
Tip 5: Check out Sawade’s stunning new store on Ku’damm
Sawade is Berlin’s oldest chocolate factory – serving up sweet treats since 1880. Its latest addition is a brand-new store on Kurfürstendamm. A walk along Berlin’s most storied shopping boulevard is always an event, particularly at Christmas time – and a glimpse at the delights on offer in Sawade’s shop window is guaranteed to get your mouth watering. Don’t miss it.
Where: Kurfürstendamm 32, Charlottenburg
Tip 6: Discover chocolate heaven at Rausch Schokoladenhaus
Over three floors and 1,500 square metres, chocolatier Rausch serves up the biggest chocolaterie experience in the world. Featuring a chocolate display of the Berlin skyline that looks good enough to eat, an elegant chocolate café and the chance to create your own custom confections with Rausch’s team of chocolatiers, it’s a must-see for any lover of the cocoa bean.
Where: Charlottenstraße 60, Mitte
More about Rausch Schokoladenhaus
Tip 7: Step back in time at Winterfeldt Schokoladen
This stunning chocolate café and store, housed in a former apothecary dating back to the 19th century, takes you on a culinary journey back in time, with old wooden shelves and drawers now filled with chocolates rather than medicines. As well as classic flavours, it stocks weird and wonderful chocolates from around the world, featuring everything from sheep’s milk to vegan nougat. An incredible journey awaits.
Where: Goltzstraße 23, Schöneberg
More about Winterfeldt Schokoladen
Tip 8: Swap cigars for chocolate at old-timey Süßkramdealer
Another indulgent trip down memory lane awaits at Süßkramdealer, a magnificent confectioner located in a former cigar store. This time, think lavish Gründerzeit architecture and wood-panelled interiors from the turn of the 20th century, delicious chocolate, indulgent coffee and tasty patisserie in the adjacent café. The perfect pit-stop for a refreshment on your culinary tour of the city.
Where: Varziner Straße 4, Friedenau
Tip 9: Discover Fred's wonderful meringue
Fine craftsmanship at its finest awaits you at Fred in Wilmersdorf, where traditional specialties from Flanders are on display - including the namesake Merveilleux de Fred. These are fine desserts made from meringue, which are lovingly made either to share or as small individual portions. In the store, you can watch the team prepare these delicacies. And then let one of the Merveilleux de Fred melt in your mouth.... hm, simply wonderful
Where: Olivaer Platz 2, Wilmersdorf
Tip 10: Drink a shot of chocolate at Schokoladenmanufaktur Franz
Established in 2005 by Susanne and Martin Franz, this Friedrichshain chocolate factory is a fabulous spot to try delicious and unique chocolate creations handmade by Berliners. One recent addition to the menu is a deeply indulgent shot of pure chocolate, served up in an espresso cup. If you need a hit of the bean – cocoa not coffee – after a tiring shopping trip then step right up.
Where: Ebertystrasse 26, Friedrichshain
More about Schokoladenmanufaktur Franz
Tip 11: Square up to a giant of the chocolate world at Ritter Sport Bunte Schokowelt
Last but not least, the globally renowned geometric icon of the German chocolate world has its flagship chocolate store – or ‘world of chocolate’ – a stone’s throw from Berlin’s bustling Friedrichstraße. A sugar-laden shopping trip isn’t the same without a trip to try the many different flavours of Ritter in all their glory. If you can’t choose your favourite, it’s worthwhile giving them all a try so you can decide – fair and square.
Where: Französiche Straße 24, Mitte
