Back to Blog

My recommendations for Hamburg

Written on 16 Feb 2024

I grew up in Hamburg and also stayed at home during my Bachelor studies. I moved to my own place close to the harbor after my studies and only started exploring the city more as an adult. However, since September 2019 I don't live there anymore, so my food and drink spot recommendations could be outdated.

Food

• Fish buns: Brücke 10, Schnellimbiss am alten Elbtunnel, Ponton Op'n Bulln
• Burger: Ottos Burger, Dulfs Burger (may be quite full but unfortunately you cannot book tables)
• Pizza: Überquell (they also have nice beer!), Pizza Social Club, Luigi's
• Portuguese: Porto or Nau (share the same kitchen), Cafe Sul for their pastel de natas
• Japanese: Daruma, Takumi, Sakura Sushi (only open at lunchtime, more of a bistro than a restaurant)
• Korean: Asia Imbiss at Max-Brauer-Allee 108, 22765 Hamburg
• Indian: Badschah
• Chinese: Dim Sum Haus, Man Wah, Cai Kitchen (more a lunch spot)
• (Special) Ice cream: Luicellas, Schlecks
• Falafel: Kimo > Falafelstern

Drinks

• Coffee (+pastries): Elbgold, Cafe Johanna, Mit Herz und Zucker, Cafe Kofje, Knuth, Ponybar
• Cocktails: Liquid garden, Dripbar (Speakeasy), 20up (dress code, but with clear skies you have a great view on the sunset from here)
• Beers: Ratsherrn brewery (Altes Mädchen, they also have German food but I never tried it), Überquell

Favorite spots (no particular order)

• Sternschanze (a more alternative vibe): Thrifting, flea markets, relaxed drinks or going out (Haus 73, Katze, Goldfischglas).
• Alsterperle and Rudererdenkmal: Best spots to see the sunset around the Alster.
• Strandperle (go there with public transport ferry): For a coffee or beer and fish sandwich with view on the harbor.
• Strand Pauli: Watching ships & occasional campfires in the summer.
• Lange Reihe: Lively area with restaurants and shops, LGBTQ center of Hamburg.
• Mühlenkamp: Cute and lively area with restaurants, boutiques and cafes. Close by is a place to rent boats for exploring the canals.
• Hafencity: It's free to go to the platform of the Elbphilharmonie from which you can see almost the whole city. Dalmannkai is a perfect place to take a coffee/tea in the sun.
• Planten un Blomen: Nice park and occasional water concert Fridays.
• Walk through the old Elbtunnel & have a view on the city
• Altona/Ottensen: Cute and lively area with restaurants. From the Altonaer Balkon you can walk back to the city alongside the river.
• Close to Eppendorfer Baum is also cute, with restaurants/cafes, and the older architecture still intact. Great weekly market.
• Speicherstadt is a tourist must-see!
• Jenischpark in Klein Flottbek. Great place for a picnic with view on ships.
• Dove Elbe for swimming (beware of the rowing boats!)
• Entenwerder1: A cute ponton cafe, a great destination for a bike trip from the city center.