Want to spoil yourself? Head to Lehel
Is Munich good for shopping or not? That depends where you look. Limit yourself to the city center and you’ll struggle to find anything other than cheap chains or exclusive boutiques. But, as soon as you extend your retail trawl, you’ll be amazed at what goodies there are on offer. To spare you hours pounding the streets, we’ve put together a special series on the various areas of the city and a guide to the top of their shops. This month: Lehel.
Nestled between the Isar and the English Garden just east of the Altstadt is Lehel, one of Munich’s oldest (and most desirable) neighborhoods. Though it’s only a hop, skip and a jump from the consumer mecca at Marienplatz, the shopping here is worlds apart from what you’ll find in the center of town. Lehel’s best shopping begins just behind the Nationalmuseum on Prinzregentenstrasse and goes southward toward Isartorplatz, where shoppers enjoy tranquil streets and refreshing alternatives to the big chains and department stores up the road.
Don’t let Lehel’s ritzy reputation fool you—there are plenty of bargains to be had in this neck of the woods. Praid outlet store (Oettingenstrasse 29) sells designer labels for less, with apparel from Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani and Jean Paul Gaultier, just to drop a few names. Two second-hand shops, Top Second (Thierschstrasse 42) and Déjàvu (formerly First and Second Exclusiv, Thierschstrasse 23), also allow you to strut in style without having to pay an arm and a leg for it. At Déjàvu, friendly Frau Schwermer stocks her shop with only the finest formal and casual wear from designers like Gucci, Prada, Escada and René Lezard at just a snip of the original prices.
For some 20 years now, Virmani (Maximilianstrasse 54) has been keeping the women of Munich fashionably clad in classic designs with a hint of inspiration from the Far East. Lilian occupies the corner of Liebherrstrasse and Thierschstrasse in style, offering attire for the ultra-feminine Frau. Staffed by a group of tango dancers, the store’s tango theme is apparent throughout, with tango shoes as well as flirty skirts and dresses fit for the dance of seduction. “When I started dancing tango years ago, the number of places to go for dancing apparel were limited,” says owner Elisabeth Monatzeder. “So I decided to incorporate dancing gear into the store.” Across the street is Monatzeder’s junior version of Lilian, Lilian Boys and Girls. Perfect for the style-conscious and enlightened tot, the store has adorable ensembles in sizes from baby to pre-teen, as well as children’s versions of Goethe and Schiller.
Lehel is also a perfect place to shop if you’re looking to spruce up your décor at home. Often imitated but certainly never duplicated are the gorgeous arrangements by Klaus Strasser at his florist shop Unverblümt (Liebherrstrasse 8). Take a worthwhile trip to thiersch15 (Thiersch-strasse 15) for a tasteful selection of contemporary living-room and bedroom sets, as well as Stern Galerie (Liebigstrasse 16), whose ceiling drips with dozens upon dozens of antique and vintage chandeliers from all over Europe. There’s a sensuous shopping experience in store at the newly opened Mogador (Thierschstrasse 39), with stunning antique mirrors, lamps and furniture pieces. It also features a silk studio selling custom-made designs and a lavish tea salon, fully equipped with French-imported teas.
Speaking of France, the charming Dolphin & Dauphin (St.-Anna-Strasse 13) devotes itself to French treats and gifts. A native of France herself, owner Florence Feuillet carries a fancy assortment of chestnut marmalade, liqueur, linen sprays, porcelain dishes and good-luck charms to give us an authentic taste of her home country. “The French living here in Munich are familiar with these items,” she says. “They’re things French families use every day that you can’t find anywhere here in town.”
Whether you’re in the market for a brand-new bicycle or just need to fix up your old one, head across the street to Bike Schmiede München (St.-Anna-Strasse 18) or down to Griesbeck Zweiräder (Lerchenfeldstrasse 11).
The teeny tiny Der LukasLaden, hidden away at Mannhardtstrasse 4, is making a big difference with its Fair Trade groceries, gifts and household items, all of which are made in third-world countries. Wines, organic gummy bears and dried fruits, coffees, pottery, rose-petal stationary and more are available. “We believe in what we’re doing, selling our goods for what they’re worth, so the people who produce them are able to support themselves,” says employee Eva Nockemann.
Last but not least, Lehel shimmers with a load of jewelry stores for those looking to spoil themselves. Atelier Aura (St.-Anna-Strasse 14) is certainly among the pick of them with its unique, eye-catching pieces, as is the itty bitty Kunst Antik Ecke (Kanalstrasse 11) selling antique jewelry and silver and mariannenplatz eins (Mariannenplatz 1), boasting a selection of unusually colored gems—Mandarin garnet or turquoise Paraiba, anyone? <<< Next month: Isarvorstadt
