Pfunds Molkerei is a historic dairy shop at Bautzner Straße 79 in Dresden's Äußere Neustadt district, in Saxony, Germany, and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most beautiful dairy shop in the world. Founded in 1880 by Paul Pfund, the shop was a pioneering dairy business that produced and sold milk, cream and cheese, and it also made the first condensed milk in Germany. The interior, decorated between 1891 and 1892, is covered from floor to ceiling in hand-painted tiles made by the Villeroy & Boch factory in Dresden. The tiles show floral patterns, children, animals and scenes of rural life, in relief and colour, and the ceiling, walls and floor are all decorated, so that the shop looks like a ceramic jewel box. After the Second World War, the building was used as a state-run dairy shop, and after 1990 it was restored and reopened. Today the ground-floor shop sells cheese, milk products, cheese specialities, wine, chocolate and souvenirs, and the first-floor restaurant serves cheese-based dishes, fondue and local food in the evenings. Visitors can enter the shop without charge, and a visit takes 20 to 30 minutes, longer if tasting cheese or eating upstairs. The best moments are on weekday mornings, when the shop is quiet and it is easy to see the tiles without crowds. Weekends and summer afternoons bring tour groups. Photography of the tiles is common, though visitors should be considerate of other customers. The shop is a short walk from the Kunsthofpassage and the lively streets of the Neustadt, so the two sights combine easily into a morning in the district, with a stop for lunch or coffee nearby.
| Admission | Free to enter; cheese and dairy products priced per item |
|---|---|
| Hours | Shop typically open daily, Sunday later opening; first-floor restaurant open evenings |
| Typical visit | 20-30 minutes |
| Best time | Weekday mornings when it is quiet |
| Getting there | Tram to Pulsnitzer Straße or Alaunplatz, 3-minute walk |
| Address | Bautzner Straße 79, 01099 Dresden, Germany |
Location
Bautzner Straße 79, 01099 Dresden, Germany
51.0663, 13.7546 View on map
Highlights
- See the hand-painted Villeroy & Boch tiles covering the whole interior
- Taste or buy cheese and dairy specialities
- Eat cheese dishes in the first-floor restaurant
- Photograph the tiled ceiling and walls
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a weekday morning to see the tiles without crowds
- Entry to the shop is free, and products are priced per item
- Book the first-floor restaurant for evening meals
- Look up at the ceiling as well as the walls
- Combine with the Kunsthofpassage nearby
When to visit
Weekday mornings when the shop is quiet. Evenings suit those wishing to eat in the restaurant.
Accessibility
The shop is at street level and small, which may be tight for wheelchairs when busy. The restaurant is on the first floor, so visitors needing step-free access should inquire at the shop.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Pfunds Molkerei take?
About 20 to 30 minutes to see the shop and buy something. A meal in the restaurant takes longer.
Is there an entry fee?
No, entry to the shop is free. Visitors pay only for cheese, dairy products or meals.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, photography of the tiles is common. Visitors should be considerate of other customers and staff.