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Before deciding what to eat when you visit Hamburg, you must first realise what type of city it is. Hamburg is a very unpretentious, no-frills, port city located along the Elbe River which connects it to the north sea. It was once a place for dock workers and sailors, tough men living tough lives who required nothing fancy in their dining. This led to an abundance of very working class establishments, as well as some incredible seafood, becoming readily available. Hamburg is a really cool city with a really cool and delicious food scene.
Bruecke 10
With Hamburg being a port city, it is only natural to expect great seafood to be readily available. One of the most famous places in the city for great fish is Bruecke 10. Located right on the docks, they serve a fantastic selection of fresh sandwiches all containing different yet very tempting fillings. On a member of staff’s recommendation, I went with Herring which had been pickled and fried. “Not the best looking but very delicious”, his words not mine. I loved it! Everything tasted so fresh and it was quite filling. It is no surprise that Bruecke 10 is so popular. Grab a sandwich and a beer and admire the view for one of the best bites to eat you will have in Hamburg.
Opening Hours = 10:00 – 22:00
Price = All Sandwiches >€5
Address = St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken 10
Karofisch
As you walk along Feldstraßem you will have no problem spotting Karofisch. It is the restaurant with packed outside seating and, more often than not, a group of people hovering, waiting for a seat to become available. The reason for this is simple, the huge variety of delicious fresh fish is unbeatable, especially considering how low the prices are. You can choose from one of their many grilled fish options or instead chow down on some of their deep-fried fish. My personal choice was a mix of five different fillets of fish and, like everybody else, I returned my plate pretty much licked clean. I doubt that with everything considered, freshness, price, etc that there is a better fish restaurant in Hamburg.
Opening Hours = 12:00 – 22:00
Price = All fresh fish >€10
Address = Feldstraße 32
Mö-Grill
Before trying Currywurst on a previous trip to Munich, I had no idea what to make of it. I imagined it to be a fast-food meal that tasted artificial and cheap. It is safe to say, I totally underestimated how good the sausages in Germany can be. Yes, it is primarily fast-food but I can’t get enough of it. The curry flavoured ketchup that the meat is swimming in is amazing and the more curry powder sprinkled on top the better. Getting myself some good currywurst was my first stop when I arrived in Hamburg and the renowned Mö-Grill was where I wanted to try it. Great value and delicious food, its popularity is very justified.
Opening Hours = 10:00 – 20:00
Price = Depending on portion size and sides, prices range from €2-€6.50
Address = Lilienstraße 36 and Jungfernstieg 7-8
Die Kleine Konditorei
Franzbrötchen is a small pastry native to Hamburg. Although found in pretty much every bakery, Die Kleine Konditorei is widely regarded as the best place in the city to try one of these delicious, sugary treats. Baked with butter and cinnamon, this sticky pastry can also include raisins or chocolate. It makes for a delicious breakfast, best enjoyed with a cup of coffee. Whilst there are plenty of central locations where you can try a Franzbrötchen, a trip to one of the three Die Kleine Konditorei bakeries is more than worth the effort, guaranteeing you a pastry you won’t forget in a hurry.
Opening Hours = 06:00 – 19:00
Price = €1.25
Address = Lutterothstraße 9-11, Osterstraße 176 and Langenfelder Damm 75
Der Kiezbacker
It might not look like much from the outside but Der Kiezbacker is one of the most popular and best bakeries in all of Hamburg. Located in the grubby Reeperbahn suburb, they have an excellent selection of pastries and cakes as well as many fresh, open-faced sandwiches. It is a great place to grab some breakfast or a snack throughout the day. There is a high turnover, almost guaranteeing freshness of your food and they do a great cup of coffee to go with it.
Opening Hours = 05:00 – 16:00
Price = >€5
Address = Silbersackstraße 8
Zum Spätzle
Spaetzle is a type of pasta commonly found across central Europe. It is not a dish often found in Hamburg, something which is surprising given the huge popularity of Zum Spatzle, a small, busy and cramped restaurant serving many varieties of this pasta dish. English is limited there so deciding which dish to choose can be difficult. However regardless of your choice, I am certain that you will enjoy it. I went with the meatloaf and gravy dish which was very hearty, filling and felt very traditional and home-cooked. My girlfriend went with a fried variation that included pesto and parmesan. I loved the different textures in this dish with the soft pasta that had, in parts, turned somewhat crispy.
Opening Hours = 12:00 – 22:00
Price = All dishes >€14
Address = Wexstraße 31
Erika’s Eck
Erika’s Eck is a Hamburg institution. Originally opened to feed hungry workers from the nearby abattoir, Erika’s Eck now serves up waist-expanding portions of schnitzel for a budget-friendly price. Most of the menu consists of different sauces that are spread over the breaded and fried, thin piece of pork. All of which are guaranteed to leave you stuffed to the brim. A common theme among reviews for Erika’s Eck is the rudeness of staff members. Whilst this was not my experience, it would never be a reason not to eat what is potentially the best schnitzel in Hamburg.
Opening Hours = 17:00 – 09:00
Price = Schnitzel’s cost an average of €12
Address = Sternstraße 98
I feel that Hamburg’s food scene perfectly sums up the city. The best food is often found in one of two places. You are either eating in very working-class establishments, nothing pretentious just good simple food or you are enjoying the city’s outdoors. This includes taking advantage of Hamburg’s industrial waterfront. There is no need to opt for anything fancy, it is not that type of place. The food has an identity which resonates from the city itself. This list, I feel, is a fantastic starting place when deciding what to eat when you visit Hamburg. It allows you to try the best of what the city has to offer.
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