With over 1,200 restaurants serving culturally rich cuisine, Hamburg does not fall short in its gastronomic presentation of global and local fare. Many of Hamburg’s restaurants have earned Michelin star status thanks to award-winning chefs, while other eateries serve an opulent variety of Portuguese, Italian, Greek, Mexican, Spanish, Indian, Japanese and Swiss dishes. With restaurants in virtually all of Hamburg’s 105 districts, visitors will find different delights to satisfy any palate and any pocketbook.
This waterside metropolis boasts a handful of Michelin-awarded restaurants serving exquisite meals prepared by chefs from around the globe. One famous venue is the two-star Michelin restaurant, Jacobs Restaurant, located within Hotel Louis C. Jacob. Headed by chef Thomas Martin, it serves contemporary, light, and fresh French cuisine for lunch or dinner and has an amazing selection of more than 400 wines; guests will experience fine dining in a warm and welcoming setting.
Landhaus Scherrer is one of seven Hamburg restaurants recently awarded a Michelin star. Chef Heinz Otto Wehmann presents his dishes using regional products in composed variations. Bullerei, located in Hamburg’s historical cattle halls, is run by star chef Tim Malzer, who works on culinary delights in the kitchen, and Patrick Ruther, who manages this impressive restaurant serving a wide selection of dishes including its popular “bull feed.”
For those searching for the flavors of France, Cafe Paris serves authentic Parisian flair. Its regulars revere breakfast, and other popular dishes are the fried turbot fillet along with its signature steak tartar, which is prepared at the table.
The roots of German gastronomy leap from the plate at Zippelhaus where food from northern Germany takes center stage alongside international cuisine. Another German hotspot is Fischerhaus at the Fischmarkt where fish of all variations are served in this long-established restaurant, frequented by locals and visitors. Favorites include authentic Hamburg eel soup and pan-fried fish.
It’s all about location at Restaurant Brook on the Bei den Muhren waterfront where patrons enjoy breathtaking views of the historic Speicherstadt facades in the evening. Featured dishes include fillet pike-perch on a bed of lemon spinach with lobster ravioli and lobster sauce.
For clients interested in mixing a little bit of architectural history with their dinner, recommend a stop at Eisenstein, situated in the former Zeise ship propeller factory in the Ottensen district. Oh, and they can order up bread-crusted Muscovy duck with asparagus or pan-fried scallops on a tongue of veal. An exceptional restaurant, raved by locals and visitors alike and serving Asian-inspired cuisine from butterfish nigiri to mariniated black cod and miso and spicy duck roll is Coast by East, situated in Hamburg’s emerging district, HafenCity.
Travelers unfamiliar with Hamburg’s traditional eats should not miss savoring pan-fried fish, eel soup and labskaus—a dish of herring and corned beef.
Nightlife
At night Hamburg is alive and kicking. From trendy nightclubs to cabaret theater and music bars, travelers will find a different and fascinating city to explore once the sun goes down.
Most of the excitement can be found in the St. Pauli district, especially along REEPERBAHN, which is home to Hamburg’s racy red-light district. Here visitors can stroll along GROSSE FREIHEIT, lined with nightclubs, bars, strip clubs, erotic theater performances and venues like INDRA CLUB (where the Beatles played and came to fame in the 1960s) and the KAISERKELLER. For authentic jazz there is the COTTON CLUB—the oldest jazz club in Hamburg.
For those who want to see and be seen BAR HAMBURG is the place; it’s a chic hangout serving over 90 cocktails. BAR ROSSI, located in the bohemian SCHANZENVIERTEL district, is a happening club/bar where Hamburg’s most beautiful come out to play. Decked in 1970s decor, it’s known for its techno and house music. PRINZENBAR is ideal for travelers looking for live music in a small and unique venue.
As this is Germany, beer connoisseurs will enjoy GRONINGER PRIVATBRAUEREI, a beer house that has been brewing its own since 1750. On the cooler side of Hamburg’s nightlife is the city’s only ice bar, ALPHA NOBLE ICE BAR. The entrance fee includes Artic clothing and a Belvedere Vodka shot. For a perfect spot on a warm, sunny summer day, meanwhile, there is the popular beach bar, STRANDPERLE, serving beer, wine and bites to eat.
