Culinary in Hamburg

Food Trends in Hamburg

Culinary delights between the Elbe and the Alster: Hamburg is a city with a taste for bold flavours and genuine hospitality. Its culinary landscape is shaped by tradition, international influences and a growing passion for sustainability. From MICHELIN-starred restaurants and creative street food spots to traditional Nordic cuisine with lots of fresh fish: the Hanseatic city is a dream destination for foodies.

Honest Cuisine meets Culinary Innovation

There is no better way to explore Hamburg than through its flavours. The city serves up authentic, down-to-earth dishes alongside innovative fine dining. Whether it's a hearty portion of fried potatoes at the legendary Erika's Eck or crispy fried fish at the Veddeler Fischgaststätte, Hamburg's culinary roots lie in simplicity, quality and local charm – all without the fuss or "Tüddelkram", as the locals say.

At the same time, Hamburg's fine dining scene is gaining international recognition. Progressive, Nordic-influenced cuisine is being redefined in places like haebel, where owner and chef Fabio Haebel offers sustainable, seasonal surprise menus in the heart of St. Pauli. Just down the road, HACO by Björn Juhnke brings elevated Scandinavian dishes to life. Also award-winning: Thomas Imbusch's 100/200 Kitchen, which, like haebel and HACO, has been honoured with the prestigious MICHELIN Green Star for sustainable gastronomy.

All Together at the Table in Hamburg

For centuries, Hamburg has been a gateway to the world – and that's reflected on its plates. Spices, coffee, seafood and global ideas have long landed in the city's harbour and kitchens. Today, food culture is more than a lifestyle, it's part of Hamburg's DNA. From casual dining to pop-up supper clubs, from urban farm-to-table concepts to international street food, food brings people together in Hamburg in exciting and meaningful ways.

Whether you're craving Japanese bento boxes from Café by Dokuwa in the Karoviertel, tacos from Taquería Mexico Strasse or a fine meal at the historic and MICHELIN-starred restaurant Landhaus Scherrer, the city offers a taste of the world – and always with a view: over the Elbe, the harbour or the Alster.

Hamburg's Soul means Nordic by Nature

Fish is as essential to Hamburg as the sound of seagulls and the sight of container ships on the Elbe. With an annual per capita fish consumption of 6.8 kilograms, Hamburgers top the German charts. From traditional snacks to fine seafood cuisine, the city's love of fish is unmistakable.

Classic venues such as Daniel Wischer serve fried fish the way it's been done for generations, while the Restaurant Waterkant in St. Pauli adds a modern twist to maritime favourites. A true culinary gem is Große Elbstraße, just steps from the famous Altonaer Fischmarkt. Here, restaurants and fish shops line the waterfront for nearly two kilometres – from traditional fish rolls at Brücke 10 to lobster at Hummer Pedersen, sushi by HENSSLER HENSSLER or elegant seafood at Fischereihafen Restaurant.

Hamburg's fish masters have so much to offer: international, seasonal, regional, vegetarian, vegan – dishes from all over the world share a taste of Hamburg. If you have some time to feast, you can look forward to casual fine dining with special fish and seafood menus at the well-known and MICHELIN-starred restaurant Jellyfish which is rather inconspicuously located in the trendy Sternschanze district. Other insider tips include the restaurant of the Hotel Louis C. Jacob with a incomparable view of the Elbe, the restaurant CLAAS in Lohsepark, where you can enjoy freshly caught fish straight from the cutter, or as already mentioned the rustic Veddeler Fischgaststätte which serves fried fish according to the original recipe from 1932.

Whether it's plaice "Finkenwerder" style, Hamburg's pan-fried fish, Labskaus with herring or the beloved fish sandwich: Hamburg serves fish in all its variations.

Franzbrötchen: The Sweet Icon of the North

No visit to Hamburg is complete without tasting a Franzbrötchen – the city's iconic cinnamon pastry. Sweet, flaky and comforting, it's a local favourite, whether enjoyed classically or with a modern twist.

The culinary cosmos of the Hanseatic city is endless. And it is not only found at the table, but also on the bar stools of St. Pauli, at weekly markets such as the Isemarkt in Eppendorf, in the Hobenköök-Market hall in the Oberhafen district, at grandiose events or simply on the go. From the Waterkant to the beautiful sightseeing routes, from the Elbe suburbs to the city's creative art districts. On their next visit to Hamburg, smart city snackers can take advantage of the Schlemmerglück upgrade of the Hamburg CARD which offers exclusive promotions and discounts on Hamburg's gastronomy.

Culinary Hotspots and Markets

Hamburg's culinary culture doesn't stop at restaurant doors. It thrives in the Hobenköök Markethall in the Oberhafen district, at vibrant events and street food festivals and on the bar stools of St. Pauli's night scene. Weekly markets like the Isemarkt in Eppendorf and scenic riverside dining offer unforgettable foodie moments – all across the city.

Tip: The Hamburg CARD with its "Schlemmerglück" gourmet upgrade offers exclusive discounts and promotions at selected restaurants and gourmet experiences across the city.