Last updated on 10/21/2026
Beautiful shoes not only make an outfit perfect, they also convey a feeling for life and carry us through the day. In Berlin there are shops that go far beyond the usual chains and combine genuine craftsmanship with character. At Schuhmacherei Hannah Haak in Prenzlauer Berg, made-to-measure shoes are created that fit the foot and the wearer exactly. At Meisterschuh in Kreuzberg, traditional craftsmanship meets a fine feel for form and material. If you like it special, you will discover felt slippers at Junemann's Pantoffeleck in Mitte that are hard to find anywhere else. From the made-to-measure leather shoe to the idiosyncratic one-off, the range delights every shoe lover. At which shop will you find the pair for life?
Ellen Mehrhoff-Roddewig
I have a weakness for well-made shoes where you can still feel the craftsmanship. Chains appeal to me little, real workshops all the more. From Schuhmacherei Hannah Haak in Prenzlauer Berg to Meisterschuh in Kreuzberg, I have tracked down the city's most special addresses for you.
Custom-made shoes, crafted in over 200 steps and more than 100 hours of manual labor, Goodyear-welted or brass-nailed, are created after digital foot measurement in Blücherstraße. The company includes four Berlin locations and a manufactory in Mitte. In addition to Oxfords, Budapesters, and Boots, they offer diabetic and orthotic shoes, as well as custom-made sneakers.
Master shoemaker Hannah Haak runs her own workshop on Oderberger Straße, where custom-made shoes are created through personal measurements, handcrafted lasts, and a trial shoe. In addition, shoe and bag repairs are offered, from detached soles to torn straps. The establishment was supported by the state of Berlin as a master craft business, and advice is provided bilingually.
In the transparent manufactory on Schönfließer Straße, Lieblinge produces barefoot shoes for children and adults entirely in Berlin, from crawlers and first-walkers to sneakers. Nadine Klein is an orthopedic shoe technician specializing in children's feet; custom-made shoes are available in three widths. First-walker shoes cost 69.90 Euros, adult models start from 129 Euros.
Berlin's last slipper maker, located on Torstraße, handcrafts around 15,000 pairs each year using machines from 1936 and 1952. The felt soles are stitched with tarred thread instead of glued, making them quiet and suitable for parquet floors. Four lines from 25 to 33 Euros, sizes 36 to 46 and oversized up to 52, plus custom orders from customer-supplied fabric.
Behind glass in the middle of the store is the workshop, which owner Udo Robakowski calls the 'Aquarium,' where you can watch repairs in progress. Exclusive partner for Ludwig Reiter and Heschung, restorations for luxury brands using original materials, own label Tim Luis Shoemaker made from chrome-free leather. Also shoe cosmetics and shoe care seminars.
Since 1991 on Oranienstraße, about 170 meters from Görlitzer Bahnhof: Goodyear-welted Western boots from Sendra, Mayura, Sancho, and Hobo, plus Australian Blundstone, Blue-Heeler, and Scippis boots. Specializing in handcrafted snake boots. Oilskin coats, hats, and studded belts complement the range, with personalized advice.
Loveco Kreuzberg, located on Körtestraße in the Gräfekiez, offers vegan shoes and fashion from over 70 labels, including Veja, NAE, Novesta, and Grand Step Shoes, across 130 square meters. Everything is made without animal materials, and many items carry GOTS, Fair Wear, or Fairtrade seals. A Hiking Bootie costs 109 Euros, a NAE boot 145 Euros.
Since 2012, Atheist Shoes has been designed in Berlin and handcrafted in Northern Portugal: three leather parts in the upper instead of ten, Blake stitch, leather from Wegberg, Tuscany, and Chicago, with the inscription ICH BIN ATHEIST in the outsole. Sizes range from 34 to 51 on a unisex scale. The Blue Shoe costs 290 Euros, consultations are held in Sophienstraße.
In the Gethsemane district, Juliane Mecklinger exclusively sells her own shoe brand: approximately 65 models named after first names instead of numbers, produced in Portugal and Spain, available in sizes 37 to 41 and often in multiple colors. Prices range from 69.95 to 159.95 Euros. Online purchase with in-store pickup is possible, and dogs are welcome.
