The international trading metropolis has always been a transshipment point for goods of all kinds. Coffee, exotic fruits, fish and, of course, wine. Hamburg’s gastronomy scene is correspondingly diverse. From Kevin Fehling’s 3-star restaurant “The Table” to the crispy matjes roll at the “Fischbeisl” in the market halls: the Elbe metropolis plays in the culinary Champions League, regardless of the price segment.
Things get particularly exciting and delicious in Hamburg when demimonde and gentrification collide — for example, in St. Georg, the rainbow-colored district directly behind the main train station. Institutions again, delicatessen merchant Mutterland or the noble The George Hotel by Kai Hollmann stand in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle on the notorious Steindamm. If you love oriental cuisine, you have to get involved in this part of the city. There is hardly any other district in Central Europe where you can eat so good Turkish, Syrian or Afghan food. It smells of freshly baked bread and grilled lamb. Sirens wail. Hectic hustle and bustle. 24 hours a day. Grand!
The East Cosmos:
One of the most influential restaurateurs in the Hanseatic city is Christoph Strenger. He has come a long way since he opened his first location — the Brooklyn Bar — in Ottensen over 30 years ago. For example, he and his partners developed the Bolero chain and sold it to an investment company a few years ago. Today, with his company Gastro Consulting, he runs the Störtebeker in the Elbphilharmonie and the Herzblut St. Pauli on the Reeperbahn, among others.
However, Strenger’s greatest international success to date has certainly been achieved with the east — one of the icons of the design hotel industry, designed by the wonderful JordanMozer. The adjoining bar and restaurant have been attracting guests from near and far for over 15 years. On the basis of this success, Strenger has successively expanded the east cosmos. On floors 23 and 24 of the Dancing Towers, designed by architect Hadi Teherani, the restaurateur awaits his guests at clouds. The restaurant, bar and rooftop terrace is located 105 metres above the level of the Elbe and offers guests a unique panoramic view over the Elbe, Spielbudenplatz and St. Michael’s Church. The coast by east, on the other hand, has remained grounded. The chic “Enoteca-Weinbar-Seafood-Grill-Bar” is located in Hafencity and has developed into an after-work sundowner “place to be” in recent years. Certainly one of the most beautiful places in the city to enjoy our St. Antony Chardonnay!
A perfect day in the Elbe metropolis…
… starts, of course, with a coffee. In a city with Europe’s largest port for green coffee imports, the selection of roasters and coffee bars is of course impressively large. Our favorites are the Nord Coast Coffee Roastery right on the Nikolaifleet and Playground Coffee in St. Pauli.
Breakfast
Kissed awake by coffee, the gourmet tour through Hamburg can really begin. Australian-inspired Marshall Street serves a breakfast that couldn’t be better at Sydney’s Bondi Beach — the home of owner Tristan Corbin Garrett. The “Poached Eggs with Feta Avocado Smash on Sourdough” and the “Blueberry Chia Bowl” are particularly recommended. To burn off the calories you’ve just eaten, a small stand-up paddle tour on the Alster is a good idea — the SUP Club Hamburg offers the right equipment for hire. Exploring Hamburg on the water is always a very special experience.
Brunch:
Enough moving, now comes the next highlight of the pleasure tour: Purely culinary, it’s off to Tel Aviv. On weekends, Salt & Silver offers a Levantine brunch. The mezze and the fruity shakshuka with freshly baked bread are irresistible. The TUBI 60 drink with Israeli herbal schnapps, citrus fruits, ginger, grapefruit and soda goes well with it. Cheers!
Now it’s time to go shopping. Hamburg offers everything your heart desires. From luxury labels around the Alsterhaus to high-street brands on Mönckebergstraße to countless small boutiques and galleries that are present in all districts of the city. If you enjoy limited-edition sneakers, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the Glory Hole, for example. Handmade one-of-a-kind pieces, on the other hand, are created by Benjamin Klemann in his shoemaker’s shop in Poolstraße.
Tea & Cake
Whether modern or classically soled — after your shopping work is done, you should treat yourself. A visit to the sugar monarchy, for example. The name says it all. From macarons and tarts to cupcakes and pies, those with a sweet tooth will get their money’s worth here. Don’t miss: the Baron Banana Caramel Cupcake and the Madame Pompadour Tartlet with Raspberry Tarragon Mousse. Denise Urdahl’s team also offers a modern afternoon tea variant that delights with scones, macarons and hearty mini sandwiches.
Evening:
Before you go to dinner, you need a suitable aperitif. Ideally by the water. Let’s go to the mother of all beach clubs: the Strandperle with a magnificent view of the docks. Here you can enjoy an ice-cold beer in your hand. With the hustle and bustle, it is also good to ponder the evening program. Are you going to Stefan Fäth’s seafood restaurant Jellyfish today? In any case, his philosophy arouses curiosity: “We don’t have tablecloths because you don’t need them for eating and drinking. They are unnecessary. Our glasses, on the other hand, are hand-blown, the tables are made of solid wood and the cutlery is made of silver. Because that’s essential.” Alternatively, the Klinker restaurant entices with its exciting creations for heart and stomach. Special mention should be made of the buttery tender lamb with salted lemon, celery and baba ganoush, as well as the grilled cheese sandwich with spicy mountain cheese, kimchi and pear. Soul food at the highest level! Or will you opt for a Nordic-French-inspired surprise menu at hæbel? This is where the best of flora and fauna comes to the plate. Whether vegetables from the cooperation with Gut Haidehof, game from local hunting, hand-caught fish or wild herbs and mushrooms. Owner Fabio Haebel attaches great importance to the selection of his food. The results on his plates speak for themselves!
Nightcap:
A perfect day in Hamburg should end with a drink in one of the many excellent bars in the Hanseatic city. Whether this nightcap is ultimately enjoyed at Bar DaCaio, Le Lion or Christoph Strenger at clouds is not as decisive as the realisation that Hamburg is always worth a culinary journey. Honour to whom honour is due — the concluding words belong to the great Hans Albers: “Today, nothing is too dear to me. Tomorrow the journey starts. Slowly I stroll all alone. Up the Reeperbahn to freedom!” With this in mind: Have a good trip!
