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 the demimonde and gentrification meet — for example in St. Georg, the rainbow-colored district directly behind the main train station. Institutions once again delicatessens 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 Turkish, Syrian or Afghan food so well. It smells like freshly baked bread and grilled lamb. Sirens are wailing. 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 so far has certainly been with the east — one of the icons of the design hotel industry, designed by the wonderful JordanMozer. The adjoining bar and restaurant has 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 the Hafencity and has developed into the 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 with a coffee, of course. In a city with the largest European port for green coffee imports, the selection of roasteries 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 the coffee, the gourmet tour through Hamburg can really begin. Australian-inspired Marshall Street serves breakfast that couldn’t be better at Sydney’s Bondi Beach — home of owner Tristan Corbin Garrett. Especially recommended are the “Poached Eggs with Feta Avocado Smash on Sourdough” and the “Blueberry Chia Bowl”. To burn off the calories you have just eaten, you can take a short stand-up paddle tour on the Alster – 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: Tel Aviv from a purely culinary point of view. On weekends, the Salt & Silver invites you to 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 this. 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 will find what you are looking for in the Glory Hole, for example. Handmade unique 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 the shopping work is done, you should treat yourself to something. A visit to the sugar monarchy, for example. The name says it all. From macarons and tarts to cupcakes and cakes, those with a sweet tooth will get their money’s worth here. Be sure to try: the Baron Banana Caramel Cupcake and the Madame Pompadour tart 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 beach pearl with a magnificent view of the docks. Here you can stand it with an ice-cold beer in your hand. The hustle and bustle is also a good way to reflect on the evening program. Are you going to Stefan Fäth’s seafood restaurant Jellyfish today? In any case, his philosophy makes you curious: “We don’t have tablecloths because you don’t need them to eat and drink. 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 tempts you with its exciting creations for the heart and stomach. Special mention should be made of the 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 do you opt for a Nordic-French-inspired surprise menu at hæbel? Here 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 of the Hanseatic city. Whether this nightcap is enjoyed at the end at Bar DaCaio, Le Lion or Christoph Strenger at clouds is not as decisive as the realization that Hamburg is always worth a culinary journey.
Honor where honor is due — the concluding words belong to the great Hans Albers: “Today, nothing is too expensive for me. Tomorrow the journey starts. Slowly I stroll all alone. Up the Reeperbahn for freedom!” With this in mind: Have a nice trip!
Other tips:
- XO SEAFOODBAR — what Fabio Haebel touches is simply good. The newbie from St. Pauli. Cool & cozy.
- Bread. — perfect sourdough. Plenty of time for ripening. Three loaves of bread. The pure taste!
- Teikei — “Community supported coffee” — sustainably produced coffee to think about!
- Hotel Henri — the centrally located hotel pearl with a feel-good factor
- 24hours Hotel Hafencity — the cosy design hotel in the heart of Hafencity
- Superbude St. Pauli and St. Georg — casual boutique hostels by Kai Hollmann
Source: https://www.st-antony.de/aktuelles/sta-magazin/roadtrips/roadtrip-hamburg/
Editor’s Tip:
To relax and enjoy, we recommend the elegant Parkview restaurant at The Fontenay. It is located in a beautiful park landscape directly on the Alster.
