Europe's second-largest department store, a Berlin institution since 1907. The legendary 6th floor 'Feinschmeckeretage' (gourmet food hall) is a destination in itself, with over 1,300 cheeses, 1,200 cold cuts, 34 bars, and fresh seafood counters. The store carries all major luxury and fashion brands across seven floors. Located on Tauentzienstraße in Charlottenburg.
KaDeWe, short for Kaufhaus des Westens, occupies a full city block on Tauentzienstraße in the Charlottenburg district and has operated as Berlin's flagship department store since 1907, making it Europe's second-largest by sales area after Harrods. Visitors move through seven floors of designer fashion, jewelry, and homeware, but the destination for most is the sixth-floor Feinschmeckeretage, a food hall stocking over 1,300 cheeses, 1,200 varieties of cold cuts, and rows of seafood, sushi, and champagne bars where shoppers can eat standing at counters rather than sitting for a formal meal. A visit focused on browsing the food hall alone takes about an hour, while covering the fashion floors as well extends a trip to 2 to 3 hours. The store's exterior, a restrained 1950s postwar reconstruction after the original building was destroyed in WWII bombing, is less remarkable than the interior; the real spectacle is the food hall's glass roof and the sheer density of specialty counters. Weekday mornings soon after the 10:00 opening are calmest, before lunchtime crowds fill the food hall's standing bars from around midday. KaDeWe is closed on Sundays like most German department stores, so a Saturday or weekday visit is necessary.
| Admission | Free to enter |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Sat 10am-9pm |
| Typical visit | 1-3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings for the food hall |
| Address | Tauentzienstraße 21-24, 10789 Berlin |
Location
Tauentzienstraße 21-24, 10789 Berlin
Highlights
- 6th floor gourmet food hall
- Champagne bars
- Designer fashion floors
- Berlin-exclusive products
Tips for visiting
- Visit the 6th floor food hall even if not shopping; the sushi and oyster bars are excellent for a luxury lunch
When to visit
Weekday mornings soon after opening are calmest, before the food hall's standing bars fill up around lunchtime; the store is closed on Sundays.
Accessibility
The store has elevators and escalators connecting all seven floors and is fully wheelchair accessible.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to KaDeWe take?
Browsing the sixth-floor food hall alone takes about an hour, while covering the fashion floors as well extends a visit to 2 to 3 hours.
Is KaDeWe worth it for kids?
The food hall's variety can be interesting for children, though the store is primarily a luxury shopping destination rather than a dedicated family attraction.
Is photography allowed inside KaDeWe?
Casual photography is generally tolerated in the food hall, though staff may ask visitors to stop photographing specific luxury brand displays on the fashion floors.