Restaurants in Hamburg

The clichéd notion of German cuisine consisting exclusively of schnitzels, spuds and pickled veg has been a relic for years now, but of all the cities in Germany in which to enjoy a wealth of gourmet experiences, Hamburg ranks high among the very best. The finest restaurants in Hamburg make full use of the abundance of fresh seafood, as fishermen bring in a daily catch that includes lobster and shrimp, turbot and sole. Eel soup is a traditional dish of the region that’s still popular, as is the internationally famous Stubenküchenor ‘hamburger steak’.

Being a truly cosmopolitan city, the choice of dining experiences in Hamburg is totally international, from gourmet French cuisine, to Italian pizzerias, high-end sushi or a taco to go. For those who like to push the boat out, as of 2017, Hamburg boasts 17 Michelin-star restaurants, placing it almost on a par with Berlin. But whatever your budget or preference, you can be virtually certain you’ll find somewhere to suit in Hamburg.

The Hamburg restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:

Expensive (over €75)

Moderate (€35 to €75)

Cheap (up to €35)

These Hamburg restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one without drinks.

Haerlin

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: International

Boasting two stars in the 2017 Michelin guide, Haerlin is a treat for the senses, for both its original and creative food, but also a very interesting wine list. Situated at the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, its menu is varied, full of surprises – and while the prices reflect the quality, it’s nothing but a very special treat.

Address: Neuer Jungfernstieg 9-14, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 3494 3310.

Landhaus Scherrer

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: German

Many of the best restaurants in Hamburg have a tendency to ignore their German gastronomic heritage, not so this highly regarded eatery, located in a beautiful period property dating from 1827 (once an old brewery) and set near the edge of the Elbe River. The north-Germany speciality here is the Vierländer duck for two.

Address: Elbchaussee 130, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 8830 70030.

Le Canard Nouveau

Price: Expensive
Cuisine: International

Michelin star-rated, this fine-dining restaurant in Hamburg has a reputation for excellence that has reached far beyond the city limits. Décor is light and modern, and the decked terrace, with its splendid view across the harbour, is very popular in summer, however, making reservation here is essential year-round.

Address: Elbchaussee 139, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 8812 9531.

Anleger 1870

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Italian

This waterside restaurant is at its best in summer, its outdoor dining terrace affording great views across the Alster lake. The varied but not over-long menu includes the full range of Italian/Mediterranean flavours, complemented by a suitably high quality wine list. Fixed price menus-of-the-day are also available, as a buffet breakfast at weekends.

Address: Hartwicusstraße 7, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 4134 6991.

Restaurant Nil

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: German

A favourite amongst Hamburg’s creative and media types who love its unconventional location. Once an old shoe shop with much of the original 1950s décor maintained, this is certainly a restaurant with both an aesthetic and a culinary style all of its own. The food itself is high-end bistro fare prepared by a skilled team of chefs and served at prices that are extremely reasonable for such a sophisticated menu.

Address: Neuer Pferdemarkt 5, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 439 7823.

Fischereihafen Restaurant

Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Seafood

This restaurant has been an institution in Hamburg for nearly 40 years and is generally regarded as the best seafood place in town. Demurely squeezed into a space between two warehouses by the fish market, this is a classic example of a restaurant for those in the know. Inside, the cosy layout consists of the restaurant and a separate oyster bar.

Address: Große Elbstraße 143, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 381 816.

Café Mimosa

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: German

In the heart of the St. Pauli district, this is a small café serving snacks, breakfasts, lunch ‘specials’ including soups, pasta, pizzas and salads, on weekdays, and a variety of other snacks and sandwiches. Home made cakes are another feature of this budget eatery.

Address: Clemens-Schultz-Straße 87, St. Pauli, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 3203 7989.

Hummer Pedersen

Price: Cheap
Cuisine: Seafood

This harbour-side business concern founded in 1879 still supplies lobster and shellfish to many of Hamburg’s best restaurants. However, within the establishment’s bistro, opened here in 2003, you can enjoy the same delicious luxury seafood at a fraction of the cost. Some locals come to eat here on a daily basis.

Address: Grosse Elbstrasse 152, Hamburg, Germany
Telephone: +49 40 5229 9390.
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