Must-see restaurants in Hamburg

  • Vlet in der Speicherstadt

    Hamburg

    Right by the pedestrian bridge, Vlet has three different menus (plus a children's version) and the recurring theme is the intersection between…

  • Clouds

    St Pauli & Reeperbahn

    Arguably St Pauli's most prestigious table, Clouds, on the 23rd floor of the Tanzende Türme, is an elegant space with marvellous views out over the city…

  • Laufauf

    Altstadt

    A bastion for northern German and Hamburg cooking, Laufauf is something of a Hamburg institution. The Hamburger Pannfisch (locally fried fish),…

  • Deichgraf

    Altstadt

    In a prime setting, with the water on one side and long streetside tables on the other, Deichgraf excels in Hamburg specialities cooked to a high standard…

  • Café Gnosa

    Hamburg

    With its abstract art and in-house bakery, Café Gnosa draws an affable gay and straight crowd in St Georg. The curved glass windows give it an art deco…

  • Fischbrötchenbude Brücke 10

    St Pauli & Reeperbahn

    There are a gazillion fish sandwich vendors in Hamburg, but we're going to stick our neck out and say that this vibrant, clean and contemporary outpost…

  • Bullerei

    Hamburg

    One of the coolest dining spaces in the city, Bullerei inhabits a converted former slaughterhouse with lovely high ceilings and a real buzz that bounces…

  • Zum Spätzle

    Hamburg

    Specialising in Spätzle (a pasta-like dish from Schwabia) and Maultaschen (a filled pasta, also from further south), Zum Spätzle is a terrific place to…

  • Restaurant Kleinen Brunnenstrasse 1

    Hamburg

    The heart of northern Germany's slow food movement beats in this exquisite bistro. Menus change daily and always reflect what's in season and fresh…

  • Mö-Grill

    Altstadt

    You can smell the curry and see the crowds from two streets away at this very popular venue for that beloved German fast food, the Currywurst. Locals…

  • Altes Mädchen

    Hamburg

    The lofty red-brick halls of a 19th-century animal market have been upcycled into a hip culinary destination that includes a coffee roastery, a celebrity…

  • Mikkels

    Hamburg

    Even if you miss the morning at this cheery spot which mixes affability with pastel style, you can still sit outside and catch the afternoon sun. Baked…

  • Pauline

    St Pauli & Reeperbahn

    Tucked away on a residential street and as good for breakfast as for lunch, this classy cafe is enduringly popular with locals, but they can't keep it all…

  • Café Paris

    Altstadt

    Within a spectacularly tiled 1882 butchers’ hall and adjoining art-deco salon, this elegant yet relaxed brasserie serves classical French fare like croque…

  • Old Commercial Room

    Hamburg

    Around since 1795 and opposite the entrance to St Michaelis Kirche, this fine old bastion of tradition has long been serving some of Hamburg's best…

  • Atlantik Fisch

    Hamburg

    It doesn't get fresher than this Elbmeile gem. One of Hamburg's top seafood vendors has a simple cafe where top-notch dishes are served to thankful diners…

  • Das Dorf

    Hamburg

    There are lots of reasons to visit this wonderfully traditional restaurant with its wood-panelled dining room. But we love it especially for its homemade…

  • Von Der Motte

    Hamburg

    In a tiny little pedestrian street, Von Der Motte does soups, sandwiches and salads, or what they refer to as 'fast slow food' – service is rapid, but the…

  • Ahoi by Steffen Henssler

    Altstadt

    German-born but always with his eye on the horizon, celebrated local chef Steffen Henssler has made a name for himself as a sushi chef. He also does…

  • Eisenstein

    Hamburg

    Altona's best pizza is only part of the story here, in an artfully conceived space where the food is consistently good and the atmosphere clicks along…

  • Otto's Burger

    Hamburg

    Eight different burger types, including one with truffle mayo and two veggie options, washed down by craft beers – need we say more?

  • Fleetschlösschen

    Hamburg

    Timelessly cute, this former customs post overlooks a Speicherstadt canal and has a narrow steel spiral staircase to the toilets. There’s barely room for…

  • Kartoffelkeller

    Altstadt

    One of numerous good choices along pretty Deichstrasse, Kartoffelkeller is true to its name and lives for the potato – Kartoffelsalate (potato salad),…

  • Lusitano

    Hamburg

    As unadorned as a piece of salt cod, this little restaurant in Hamburg's old Portuguese neighbourhood captures the bright flavours of the Mediterranean…

  • Tide

    Hamburg

    Part of the growing gourmet reputation of the Ottensen district of Altona, Tide is part cafe (sandwiches, soups, cakes and coffee) and part delicatessen …

  • Fischerhaus

    St Pauli & Reeperbahn

    Arguably the pick of the sit-down fish restaurants down in the Fischmarkt, Fischerhaus has three different dining spaces – the views are better from the…

  • Casa di Roma

    Hamburg

    One of the better and classier Italian restaurants among many in St Georg, Casa di Roma is cool, contemporary and has well-priced pasta dishes. The other…

  • Se7en Oceans

    Altstadt

    At first glance, Se7en Oceans looks like an extension of the food court atop the Europa Passage shopping complex. Look a little closer and you'll find a…

  • Matsumi

    Hamburg

    Celebrated sushi chef Hideaki Morita creates excellent Japanese fare at this 2nd-floor restaurant where virtually everything is unassuming, except for the…

  • Klippkroog

    Hamburg

    We lost track of the number of times a local told us this was their favourite cafe. Their classic dish of green asparagus, new potatoes and local ham is…

  • Oberhafen Kantine

    Hamburg

    Since 1925, this slightly tilted brick restaurant has served up the most traditional Hamburg fare. Here you can order a 'Hamburger' and you get the real…

  • Fillet of Soul

    Altstadt

    Creative fusion cooking is Fillet of Soul's philosophy and meats are the mainstay – the Oldenburger, dry aged beef, is a true classic among carnivores…

  • Kiez Curry

    St Pauli & Reeperbahn

    All manner of Currywurst (there's even a vegan version) have made this an icon of St Pauli's nights – a Currywurst at 4am after a hard night of partying…

  • Trattoria Da Enzo

    Hamburg

    Checked tablecloths, wooden chairs and down-home Italian cooking make this one of the city's more intimate Mediterranean choices. In addition to the…

  • [m]eatery

    Hamburg

    Tucked away on a quiet street in Neustadt's north, [m]eatery stays true to its name and prepares what many Hamburgers believe to be the best steaks in the…

  • Fischereihafen

    Hamburg

    Near the Elbmeile waterfront, Fischereihafen serves some of Hamburg’s finest fish, including regional specialities, to a well-heeled clientele. No-frills…

  • Thämer’s

    Hamburg

    The leafy Grossneumarkt is a relaxed change from the more chichi parts of the Neustadt, and for decades Thämer's has anchored a prime spot with dozens of…

  • Markt Koenig

    St Pauli & Reeperbahn

    Don't be fooled by the location, surrounded by a food hall and next to a supermarket. Markt Koenig is a bright modern place that does a range of local…

  • Erikas Eck

    Hamburg

    This pit-stop institution originally fed hungry workers from the nearby abattoir (today the central meat market) and now serves wallet-friendly but waist…

  • Le Kaschemme

    St Pauli & Reeperbahn

    The perfect place for a meal while you plan your night out in St Pauli, this clean-lined pub has a good menu of dishes that range from Italian to German…

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