Munich’s finest traditional shops - connoisseurs and aesthetes
in short…
small shops where the customer comes first and the staff know their stuff
for anyone who likes traditional niche shops
handcrafted paper, classic woollen felts or selected flours - our favourite specialist shops from Max Vorstadt to the Gärtnerplatz district
When someone dedicates themselves entirely to a certain thing, evolving from an enthusiast into an expert and standing fully behind their product, we are likely to also become inspired by things that weren’t previously on our radar.
Suddenly, it sounds appealing to own a beautiful, handmade hairbrush that can last us for decades.
Appreciating the aesthetics of natural colour pigments or fine papers becomes a real source of enrichment.
And just how fabulous is it to be able to buy exactly the correct flour for every baking idea?
Here, we’d like to introduce you to some particularly fine examples from long-established specialist shops in Munich that we love.
Johanna Daimer – all kinds of felt
Johanna Daimer, on Dienerstraße, right next to Marienplatz, has been selling woollen felts in the most wonderful colours for over 140 years.
With the experience of several generations, the team here are true experts and the perfect advisors.
The small shop, situated in the stunning neo-Gothic town hall complex, is dedicated to traditional felt-making.
You’ll find bespoke items for curtains, rugs or wall coverings here, as well as custom-cut pieces in all shapes and sizes.
Colourful fabric by the metre is stacked right up to the ceiling.
The soft feel of the woollen felts makes a visit to Johanna Daimer’s a warm embrace.
It’s a real splash of colour in Munich’s Old Town.
adress:
Johanna Daimer
Marienplatz 8
(entrance via Dienerstraße)
80331 München
Carta Pura – a paper shop with a sense of beauty
Paper lovers and everyday aesthetes will find here on Schellingstraße exquisite papers – hand-made in Japan or colourfully printed in Florence.
In dozens of small compartments, you’ll find clips, fountain pens, pencils, heavy scissors and rulers - each item more beautiful and meticulously crafted than the last.
Since 1985, Jonathan Osthoff, with his calm demeanour and passion for beauty, has been bringing like-minded people together.
This wonderful shop is an oasis of refinement and style, turning our desk into our favourite spot.
adress:
Carta Pura
Schellingstraße 71
80799 München
Kamm Weniger – Brushes and Combs
This fabulous family-run shop has been at the Viktualienmarkt for over 80 years.
Sustainability was already a way of life here before it became a buzzword.
You’ll find brushes, combs and other haircare products here, all made entirely in Europe to the highest quality standards.
With expert advice, we can, for example, choose a brush that’s perfectly suited to our hair type – and the knowledgeable staff aren’t shy about touching our hair to help.
They’ll explain, without needing to be asked, how best to maintain the brush so it stays in perfect condition for decades.
And if anything were to go wrong, we’d be welcome to pop in without any hassle and could expect skilled help.
However, it’s been almost ten years since we treated ourselves to some great natural-bristle brushes there.
And they’re still as good as new.
No wonder this shop – with its almost endearingly quirky charm – has become something of an institution.
And our hair really has become noticeably silkier.
adress:
Kamm Weniger
Viktualienmarkt 2
80331 München
Hofbräuhaus Kunstmühle – Mill, Flour, Bread
The flour shop just round the corner from the Hofbräuhaus, in one of Munich’s oldest districts, has been in business since 1988.
However, the mill associated with it was first mentioned way back in 1570 as a malt mill for the brewery and has been a wheat mill since 1870. Today, it is the only one of its kind in the whole of Munich.
But the products sold in the shop on Neuturmstraße could hardly be more contemporary.
Regional organic flours, artisanally processed and sustainably produced, are finely tailored to their intended use – pizza flour, spaetzle flour, strudel flour…
It goes without saying that we receive expert advice on every query.
At the same time, traditions are upheld and heritage grain varieties are revived, such as Oberkulmer Rotkorn spelt or Warberger Ruf cracked wheat.
A small bakery is right next door.
Here you’ll find milk rolls and pretzel sticks, plum dumplings and Munich dark rye bread - all baked, of course, using the fine flour from the Kunstmühle.
adress:
Hofbräuhaus Kunstmühle - Mehl & Brot
Neuturmstraße 3
80331 München
Kremer – natural colour pigments
Since 1977, the Kremer family has made it their mission to revive rare natural colour pigments.
Whilst this may sound highly specialised and could perhaps be regarded primarily as part of the art of restoration, it actually appeals to anyone with an affinity for the subtle world of colour.
Ir you appreciate the rich intensity of genuine cinnabar red and find yourself captivated by the delicate mineral undertones of lapis lazuli, you will love Kremer’s shop, situated opposite the Museum Brandhorst – itself quite colourful – on Theresienstraße.
For here, the entire focus is on the subtleties, shades and delicate nuances. An approach that is well worth pondering.
Naturally, the shop, with its in-house paint kitchen in Aichstetten, is aimed at professionals - but also at anyone who wants to try their hand at working with colours purely for the sheer joy of it.
adress:
Kremer Pigmente
Theresienstraße 46
80333 München
Glatteis – Crime Bookshop
Monika Dobler has been running the corner shop in the Gärtnerplatz district for more than 25 years.
She specialises in crime literature in her bookshop and has, over time, become a true authority on the subject.
Anyone who says that crime novels can easily be ordered online has no idea how much fun it is to benefit from Ms Dobler’s expertise.
„A light-hearted crime novel for my sister in hospital to enjoy solving the mystery?“
„No problem – I’ll also make sure the book itself is light, as she’ll be lying in her hospital bed feeling a bit weak.“
„A crime novel, not too dark, for my father-in-law to read on his holiday in Tuscany?” „Certainly! I have a humorous crime series here that’s set exactly there.”
Ms Dobler knows every single one of her books inside out and clearly takes great pleasure in assisting her customers.
And if you're looking for a Bavarian crime novel as a Munich souvenir, there's no doubt you'll leave Glatteis with the perfect book.
adress:
Glatteis - Die Kriminalbuchhandlung
Corneliusstraße 31
80469 München
more of our favourite shops in Munich
