Hamburg is one of Germany’s largest and most significant cities, and its culinary culture is no small thing. From pastries to fish dishes to beer, Hamburg is a great place to sample classic German dishes as well as the unique offerings in Hamburg. Here are ten of the best foods and drinks in Hamburg, Germany.
Fischbrotchen at Bruecke 10
Hamburg is a port city, which means you can expect a lot of fish-related cuisine. One of the classic examples is fischbrotchen, the fish sandwich. It may not sound like anything extraordinary, but it’s a traditional food option in northern Germany in particular. The fish, from Bismarck herring to salmon, will be fantastically fresh, and most restaurants will add such toppings as onions, pickles, horseradish, or remoulade. Try it at Bruecke 10, a small establishment that is known for fischbrotchen perfection!
Finkenwerder Scholle at Fischereihafen Hamburg
Named after Hamburg’s Finkenwerder district, this traditional fish dish uses baked or pan-fried plaice. However, the fish is accompanied by parsley, onion, and bacon, making for a crispy, crunchy meal. If you’re looking for a great place to try this classic dish, try the Fischereihafen. With an elegant setting that has welcomed even the Prince and Princess of Wales, this upscale establishment is first-class.
Rote Grutze
If you’re looking for something sweet, try rote grutze. It’s a red fruit pudding, usually made with summer berries like red currant, black currant, raspberries, or strawberries. The berries are cooked in their own juice then thickened with cornstarch or potato starch. The dish is typically served with cream, vanilla sauce, or ice cream. You can find this sweet treat all over Hamburg, so you’ll have ample opportunities to try it.
Aalsuppe at Alt Hamburger Aalspeicher
If you’re feeling adventurous, try aalsuppe—eel soup. First introduced in the late 1700s, aalsuppe is a sweet and sour combination of meat broth, cured meat, vegetables, baked fruit, and eel meat. The end result is a potent soup with a strong, complex flavor, usually served as a main course. Alt Hamburger Aalspeicher is a good place to try it—they know how to cook the eel just right.
Franzbrotchen at Kleine Konditiorei
If you’re looking for something particularly unique to Hamburg, try Franzbrotchen. Originally found only in the Hamburg region, these sweet pastries are a classic option for breakfast or coffee accompaniment. Literally translated as ‘the French roll’, Franzbrotchen are fluffy pastries likely inspired by the French croissant. These German treats, however, are made with lots of sugar and cinnamon. Kleine Konditiorei, a classic Hamburg bakery, is the perfect place to try this sweet pastry.
Coffee at Tornqvist
Much of the world’s coffee shipments travel through Hamburg at some point, and the port city has played a big role in coffee shipping for quite some time. That being the case, coffee drinkers should appreciate what Hamburg has to offer them. Be sure to check out Tornqvist—the owner, Linus Koster, used to serve coffee out of his VW but has since settled down in a brick and mortar location. Tornqvist might just be the best coffee bar in Hamburg, even Germany as a whole. Coffee lovers will find the Tornqvist coffee heaven!
Schnitzel at Erika’s Eck
Schnitzel is basically meat thinned by a meat tenderizer, often coated with flour, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs, and then fried in oil or fat. It’s a popular dish all over Europe, but in Hamburg most schnitzel is pork and served with fries or potato mash. German schnitzel is also accompanied by a sauce, in most cases, mushroom or horseradish. Visit Erika’s Eck, a beloved Hamburg establishment serving enormous schnitzel and offering a plethora of schnitzel options—including Hawaiian style, with pineapple and cheese!
Spatzle at Zum Spatzle
Spatzle is a unique German pasta, a simple but tasty option made with eggs, flour, salt, and a little bit of water. It usually accompanies a hearty meat dish, but when cheese is added spatzle becomes German mac and cheese. If you want to try spatzle, there’s no better place than Zum Spatzle.
Astra Beer at Zum Silbersack
Beer is a big deal in Germany, so it’s pretty much impossible to narrow down your beer options to just one. But Hamburg natives and visitors alike would agree that Astra is a Hamburg classic. Brewed under German purity law and therefore containing only malt, water, hops, and what better place to try some Astra than Zum Silbersack, a Reeperbahn institution since 1949? Packed full of loyal customers, and with an instantly memorable atmosphere, this is easily one of the best bars in Germany.
Currywurst at a Street Vendor
If you’re looking for street food, currywurst is one of Germany’s most popular offerings. It’s a pretty straightforward dish: grilled pork sausage smothered in a blend of ketchup and curry. You can get it from street vendors all over the city, most of whom will serve it with fries or a roll. Don’t visit Hamburg without trying this flavorful dish.
Hamburg is a great place for foodies to visit, but you don’t a particularly refined palate to enjoy its culinary offerings. Currywurst might end up being your favorite street food, or you might find yourself craving Franzbrotchen. Do yourself a favor and explore the wide variety of dishes Hamburg offers.
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