A Taste of Hamburg: Coffee, Cocktails & Food Culture

How do you get a taste of Hamburg? Gulps of coffee, sips of cocktails and bites of captivating food culture define this port city’s recipe for success. In this post, I share my culinary highlights to make your wanders extra interesting when in Germany’s “Gateway to the World”. This trip was sponsored by Hamburg Tourist Board.

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Here’s the thing: Hamburg wasn’t on my radar as a foodie’s destination. A music mecca, with the iconic Elbphilharmonie glass and steel concert hall – yes. Maritime flair due to its location along the Elbe River and Lake Alster – yes. Major cruise destination with three passenger terminals – also yes. Now, after warming gulps of coffee, cooling sips of cocktails and bites of captivating food culture, Hamburg’s recipe for success is also ripe for feasting.

From the cultural hot spots to the city centre to the lively districts, Hamburg has many things to excite culinary travellers.

Hamburg’s canvas of creative and culinary expression is as colourful as its arty streets. With a magpie of flavours, waterfront charm, artisan cafes, hip bars and thriving nightlife, it is quite the catch for an exciting city break.

If you’re planning a visit to Hamburg, I’m here to share some culinary recommendations to make your wanders extra interesting. If you aren’t thinking of one yet, here’s hoping this post inspires you to do so.

First things first…

Getting there: There are a number of direct flights from London to Hamburg, with an average time of 1 hour 40 minutes.

Check-in: GINN Hotel offers a prime spot on the Elbe River next to Hamburg’s iconic fish market – a “must visit” on Sunday mornings. Don’t skip breakfast at the hotel; it’s really good.

Getting around: The Hamburg CARD is your ticket to discovering Hamburg at an affordable price. This includes unlimited travel on buses, ferries, underground (U-Bahn) and tram (S-Bahn). It also offers up to 50% discounts in over 100 restaurants, museums and attractions. Prices start from €10.50

1. A Taste of Hamburg: Coffee

Hamburg is a cool coffee city for those who love their brew.

Hamburg’s coffee connection goes back centuries. Capitalising on its port, the thriving cafe culture is a nod to Hamburg’s status as a traditional trading hub for coffee.

A walk through the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt warehouse district is an exploration of Hamburg’s coffee heritage. Threaded by a network of streets, canals and bridges along imposing red brick warehouses, this district was built as a free zone in Hamburg’s port. The historic Speicherstadt is right next to HafenCity, Europe’s largest regeneration project slated for completion in 2025-2030.

Fun fact: Hamburg has over 2500 bridges – more than Venice and Amsterdam combined.

Hamburg nurtures a coffee scene full of gourmet roasters and cosy cafes, with a side of homemade cakes and pastries. Stop for a brew at Elbgold, one of the cafes championing “third wave” coffee culture in Hamburg. With four branches in Schanze, Eppendorf, Innenstadt and Winterhude, Elbgold brings a cool, hipster vibe to the scene. Interiors come doused in natural light and subtle touches of gold. The buzz is vibrant, punctuated with the ever present aroma of coffee. There’s also intriguing behind-the-scenes action, complete with live roastings.

2. A Taste of Hamburg: Cocktails

You’ll be spoilt for choice with Hamburg’s cocktail of drinking options.

A city known for its nightlife would not be short of places for libation, right? In Hamburg, folks head to the Reeperbahn – or “Kiez”, as it’s locally called – the premier hotbed of nightlife activities. With its mix of bars, music clubs and sex shops, the Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s pleasure mile.

Bold, bright and sometimes garish, you’d be forgiven for wanting a quieter place nearby to linger over drinks and nibbles with friends. Enter Bar Standard, which brings aperitivo culture to Hamburg with zesty cocktails and a changing selection of appetizers known as stuzzichini.

For cocktails with a view, head to Skyline Bar 20up at Empire Riverside Hotel. It’s located on the 20th floor and has panoramic vistas over the port, the river Elbe and the city itself.

If you prefer something a little different, opt for a gin-tasting workshop with Tins & Tales.

3. A Taste of Hamburg: Food Culture

Hamburg’s food scene is deeply traditional, yet endlessly creative.

With a growing crop of chefs, farmers and culinary enthusiasts, Hamburg’s food scene has a strong focus on fresh, seasonal eating. The secret ingredient holding to it all together? “Love,” says one chef.

Here are three stops on the food culture menu.

3.1 Hearty in Hobenköök

A former warehouse turned happening restaurant, market hall and catering company, Hobenköök (“Harbour Kitchen”) is fairly new to Hamburg’s food scene. Inside the spacious and high-ceilinged building, head chef, Thomas Sampl, and team are making all the right moves.

Meals at Hobenköök are simple, yet hearty.

The restaurant’s soul converges around an open kitchen with a giant board showing the daily specials. At the back where the market is, chefs make selections for the meals of the day. Meanwhile, shoppers buy produce including seasonal vegetables, craft gin, fresh fish, cheese and more purchased directly from farmers within the region. It’s one display of Hamburg’s food culture where sustainability and slow food emphasise grassroots, farm-to-table cooking.

3.2 Live at the Fischmarkt (Fish Market)

Hamburg’s proximity to the Elbe River and the North Sea has long made it a haven for seafood lovers. One of the best places to see this in action is the legendary Fischmarkt. Early on a Sunday morning, it bustles with liveliness you simply have to be part of. Locals and tourists congregate to see bands play, eat, drink and shop from vendors plying their trade. You can find almost anything, from fish and fresh fruits to clothes and souvenirs.

Anything is possible at Hamburg’s fish market…where there’s plenty more than fish.

Here, you can grab a hot drink and boogie to reggae at Jessy’s spot, sample a fischbrötchen (fish sandwich), or pick up a potted plant at an auction. Whether you’re at the end of a bleary night or waking up to a new day, there’s always something to see and buy at Hamburg’s fish market.

Opening hours

Summer (April – October) Sundays 5:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Winter (November – March): Sundays 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

3.3 Riveted at Rindermarkthalle

Rindermarkthalle is a multi-purpose space with restaurants, community hubs and gym. On the ground floor, various food stalls, regional products, seasonal menus and live cooking stations make it a great place to see, taste and experience facets of Hamburg’s food culture.

With the diversity of culinary experiences, Rindermarkthalle is effectively somewhere to “taste” Hamburg under one roof.

Never tried a currywurst (sausage in curry sauce), Germany’s famous street food option? You’re in luck at Rindermarkthalle. Looking for chocolates, sweet treats and more? Confiserie Paulsen, one of Hamburg’s oldest chocolate shops, has you sorted. Make sure you try some hot chocolate with cocoa from Ghana while there – it’s delicious.

4. Don’t Miss: Beach Vibes at Övelgönne 

Acting on a local tip, I caught sunset at Hamburg’s harbour…where life is a beach. I imagine Övelgönne is where to go for a sundowner with loved ones in the summer while watching oddly mesmerising cranes in the distance. As it was a cold, autumnal day, I made do with a bracing walk and some warming apple strudel at an indoor cafe. Ahem – you can’t blame a girl for making seasonal adjustments.

Suffice it to say Hamburg was an exciting revelation; one I’m keen to explore further in future. Do you have your own favourite taste of Hamburg? Share your wanders in the comments below…

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With thanks to Hamburg Tourist Board for organising and supporting my trip. My accommodation was provided by GINN Hotel. For more information on visiting Hamburg, check out www.hamburg-travel.com. Views expressed in this post are mine.

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