Hamburg
Right by the pedestrian bridge, Vlet has three different menus (plus a children's version) and the recurring theme is the intersection between…
Must-see restaurants in Northern Germany
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…
Altstadt
A bastion for northern German and Hamburg cooking, Laufauf is something of a Hamburg institution. The Hamburger Pannfisch (locally fried fish),…
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…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
Choose your pleasure (smoked fish for a picnic, or a sit-down meal) from the glass-fronted counters, order up, get a beer and wait for your meal's arrival…
Northern Germany
Although historic and half-timbered, Buschstrasse is very much the modern bistro. Enjoy seasonal, regional foods with a few French inflections at an…
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…
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…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
Simply roasted fish is one of the stars of this excellent casual restaurant in an old turreted building on the waterfront. There are great tables out…
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…
Rügen Island
One of the region's top restaurants has value to match its relaxed vibe. Exquisitely prepared seasonal dishes, sourced locally, are combined in set menus …
Northern Germany
The aroma of fresh coffee fills this chic cafe, which roasts its own coffee in-house and sells beans as well as gourmet chocolates. Drop by for an…
Northern Germany
The most appealing place to eat in Neubrandenburg is this renovated guardhouse set into the wall. Waiters zip up and down the narrow stairwell carrying…
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…
Schleswig-Holstein
You'd come here just for the location set among dunes. From the terrace you can hear the crash of the surf, muted by blowing grasses. But chef Johannes…
Lübeck
This narrow, elongated bar leads through to a garden out the back. Enjoy bistro fare amid chic, retro-minimalist style. The long drinks menu goes well…
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…
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…
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…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
An exquisitely presented meal at the ‘fisher’s house’ might start with Wieck-style fish soup and move onto the house speciality – smoked herring. You know…
Schleswig-Holstein
Flensburg's best bakery serves up flaky Danish pastries straight out of the oven. The Wienerbrot with cinnamon is delicious, but then so is everything…
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…
Northern Germany
With outdoor tables that face the castle, the location here is the best in town. The food, too, is excellent, ranging from soups and risotto to steaks and…
Schleswig-Holstein
Wander through the covered passage built from old ship timbers into a courtyard of goodness at this wine restaurant in the old town. Greeted by the…
Rügen Island
For some of the most delicious and certainly the cheapest fish on Rügen, follow your nose – literally – to the southeast end of the Strandpromenade, where…
Coastal Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania
Amid a few galleries, this artful cafe serves Wismar's finest coffees. Breakfasts are as beautiful as they are delicious, while the meat and cheese…
Schleswig-Holstein
The site of Gosch’s original kiosk in List harbour is now this nationwide chain's maritime-themed flagship, Alte Bootshalle. But across the island you’ll…
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…
Altstadt
Within a spectacularly tiled 1882 butchers’ hall and adjoining art-deco salon, this elegant yet relaxed brasserie serves classical French fare like croque…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Schleswig-Holstein
One of Sylt's best restaurants, Alte Friesenstube does fab fish and meat dishes – we've never North Sea Pannfisch quite this nice. The setting is superb,…
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…
Northern Germany
Light fittings made from cutlery, stripped floorboards and bare tables provide a minimalist contrast with the historic half-timbered walls of this house…
Northern Germany
Not just the best place to stay in Neustrelitz, Alter Kornspeicher is also the best restaurant, with assured cooking and a seasonal menu in a range of…
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…
Lübeck
This classic deli has been serving all manner of fresh and smoked seafood for decades. There's no better place in town to assemble a picnic.
Hamburg
Eight different burger types, including one with truffle mayo and two veggie options, washed down by craft beers – need we say more?
