Sweet tooths, coffee lovers, and connoisseurs are in for a real treat in the city center, because if you want to treat yourself to something delicious in between meals, you certainly don’t have to end up in a boring spot. From a bakery that’s been baking its own goods for nearly 70 years to a coffee get-together in a former Shell gas station from the 1950s —these little moments of indulgence in Berlin are guaranteed never to be boring. And if you’re in the mood for something even sweeter, there’s a very special spot waiting for you right in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg, just a few steps from Winterfeldtplatz: Winterfeldt Schokoladen, a specialty chocolate shop with a café in a historic setting.
What makes it special isn’t just the huge selection of chocolate, but above all the extraordinary location: The shop is located in a historic, listed former pharmacy dating back to 1892 at Goltzstraße 23, on the corner of Pallasstraße. Winterfeldt Schokoladen was founded in 2005 by Natascha Kespy. Originally, the shop was located directly on Winterfeldtstraße, which is where its current name comes from. However, the original space soon became too small. At the same time, the idea arose to expand the concept to include a café. In June 2009, Winterfeldt Schokoladen finally moved into the former Pallas Pharmacy on Goltzstraße.
What’s particularly impressive is that this isn’t a modern store that’s simply been designed to look like a historic pharmacy. The original pharmacy furnishings from the Wilhelminian era have been preserved to this day. Tall, dark wooden cabinets, old shelves, and numerous small drawers still serve as reminders of the rooms’ original purpose.
The last pharmacist, Werner Liebheit, had the historic building designated as a historic landmark. When no successor could be found for the Pallas Pharmacy, it closed in 2009. Shortly thereafter, Winterfeldt Schokoladen moved in . Where medicines and prescriptions were once stored in the cabinets and drawers, you’ll now find chocolate bars, pralines, and other sweet specialties. The historic setting is therefore not a retro-style decoration created later on, but actually dates back to a 19th-century pharmacy.
The selection of chocolates is also exceptionally large. Winterfeldt Schokoladen describes its selection as the widest range of chocolates in Berlin. Reports indicate more than 1,000 different types of chocolate and around 65 brands. The focus is on high-quality chocolates from various manufacturers and bean-to-bar producers.
The selection includes—or rather, included—chocolates from France, Italy, and Spain, among others. In addition to classic varieties, there are also more unusual flavor combinations, such as those with pink pepper, salt, or walnuts. Rather than referring to “handmade chocolate,” it’s therefore more accurate to highlight the enormous selection of high-quality chocolates from various producers.
Winterfeldt Schokoladen is also a café. Visitors can settle in among the historic apothecary cabinets and enjoy various hot chocolate drinks alongside coffee and fresh cake. Especially during the cold season, this fits perfectly with the place’s special atmosphere. In the past, for example, flavors such as honey-cinnamon, chili, and premium almond were offered . Since the selection may change, however, these flavors should not be assumed to be currently available without checking first.
