Jonathan's Guide to Hamburg City and beyond
Food scene
We love Asian food, so our selection below is heavy on Asian restaurants. If you are looking for something else or a specific style of food, please ask us.
This is our local pub. Traditional German food (the fried potato dishes are recommended). Great atmosphere, not too rowdy neither too quiet. Awesome selection of beers and wines.
11 íbúar mæla með
Blaue Blume
95 HarkortstraßeThis is our local pub. Traditional German food (the fried potato dishes are recommended). Great atmosphere, not too rowdy neither too quiet. Awesome selection of beers and wines.
Best Ramen in Hamburg, and we have tried them all! Doesn’t take reservations so sometimes you have to wait a long time, but its worth it.
14 íbúar mæla með
Ramen Bar Zipang
62 Eppendorfer WegBest Ramen in Hamburg, and we have tried them all! Doesn’t take reservations so sometimes you have to wait a long time, but its worth it.
The best Japanese restaurant in Hamburg, very pricey but worth it! Book ahead on weekends and most weeknights too. Try one of their set meals and discover authentic Japanese cuisine beyond sushi.
Matsumi
96 ColonnadenThe best Japanese restaurant in Hamburg, very pricey but worth it! Book ahead on weekends and most weeknights too. Try one of their set meals and discover authentic Japanese cuisine beyond sushi.
Tibetan cuisine which you need to try! They are part of a Tibetan center that also offers great meditation and Buddhism classes.
12 íbúar mæla með
Tibet Restaurant Altona
4 HarkortstiegTibetan cuisine which you need to try! They are part of a Tibetan center that also offers great meditation and Buddhism classes.
Peruvian tapas, the food is amazing and the atmosphere very hipster! Very popular especially on weekends, make sure to book ahead.
34 íbúar mæla með
Tigre
32-34 NernstwegPeruvian tapas, the food is amazing and the atmosphere very hipster! Very popular especially on weekends, make sure to book ahead.
Probably the best burgers in town! In Karolinenviertel, a few stops on line 3 bus or a few minutes by bike or car. Second location in Winterhude, which is about half an hour from our place.
40 íbúar mæla með
Dulf's Burger (Karo)
2 KarolinenstraßeProbably the best burgers in town! In Karolinenviertel, a few stops on line 3 bus or a few minutes by bike or car. Second location in Winterhude, which is about half an hour from our place.
Best Thai restaurant we have found so far. It’s a bit far from our place, but if you are near the Alster or Stadtpark it is well worth a visit.
7 íbúar mæla með
Samui Thai Cuisine
33 Adolph-Schönfelder-StraßeBest Thai restaurant we have found so far. It’s a bit far from our place, but if you are near the Alster or Stadtpark it is well worth a visit.
Xeom Vietnamese
25 KarolinenstraßeGreat Vietnamese food, Pho and more. In Karolinenviertel.
Upscale restaurant right in Hafencity with a great terrace and views of the river, serving sushi and Asian fusion inspired dishes. Pricey but a great spot for a date. Dress to impress.
29 íbúar mæla með
coast by east Hamburg
14 Großer GrasbrookUpscale restaurant right in Hafencity with a great terrace and views of the river, serving sushi and Asian fusion inspired dishes. Pricey but a great spot for a date. Dress to impress.
Upscale steak house down by the river. Great steaks in an upscale setting. Not far from our place.
MASH Hamburg
148 Große ElbstraßeUpscale steak house down by the river. Great steaks in an upscale setting. Not far from our place.
Authentic Turkish food right next to Altona station. Don´t go here to order a Döner, try some real authentic Turkish food from their menu – the eggplant garlic sauce dishes are to die for. They don´t serve alcohol but are busy throughout the night, arrive late and enjoy the atmosphere.
25 íbúar mæla með
Köz Urfa
2 Paul-Nevermann-PlatzAuthentic Turkish food right next to Altona station. Don´t go here to order a Döner, try some real authentic Turkish food from their menu – the eggplant garlic sauce dishes are to die for. They don´t serve alcohol but are busy throughout the night, arrive late and enjoy the atmosphere.
Great and fairly authentic Mexican restaurant, specialising in Tacos. Great place to start a night out in St. Pauli.
17 íbúar mæla með
Mexiko Strasse Taquería
43 Detlev-Bremer-StraßeGreat and fairly authentic Mexican restaurant, specialising in Tacos. Great place to start a night out in St. Pauli.
Right on the river, this is a local favourite especially in Summer. Hang out, grab a beer or some food and watch the huge container ships cruise into port.
261 íbúar mæla með
Strandperle
60 ÖvelgönneRight on the river, this is a local favourite especially in Summer. Hang out, grab a beer or some food and watch the huge container ships cruise into port.
Great and authentic Chinese food, just around the corner from our place. Bit pricey but the food is good.
HALF THE SKY
1 Platz der ArbeiterinnenGreat and authentic Chinese food, just around the corner from our place. Bit pricey but the food is good.
Great Italian restaurant, in the Winterhude area. Good wines and food. Book ahead.
16 íbúar mæla með
Gallo Nero
46 SierichstraßeGreat Italian restaurant, in the Winterhude area. Good wines and food. Book ahead.
Neighbourhoods
The center of urban cool. This is a very hip area full of bars, restaurants and little boutiques. With the "Rote Flora" alternative culture center like a big F*** you! to capitalism in the middle of it all. Schulterblatt is the main drag with lots to see in the side roads especially Susannenstrasse.
11 íbúar mæla með
Sternschanze
The center of urban cool. This is a very hip area full of bars, restaurants and little boutiques. With the "Rote Flora" alternative culture center like a big F*** you! to capitalism in the middle of it all. Schulterblatt is the main drag with lots to see in the side roads especially Susannenstrasse.
Being hipster central, you will see plenty of tattooed chicks and hip dudes on bicycles, plenty of graffiti and original street art – even Banksy has a piece here.
70 íbúar mæla með
Karolinenviertel
Being hipster central, you will see plenty of tattooed chicks and hip dudes on bicycles, plenty of graffiti and original street art – even Banksy has a piece here.
St. Pauli is the beating heart of Hamburgs nightlife. The Reeperbahn is probably the most notorious street in Germany and on some corners, especially towards the river, you will be confronted with prostitutes soliciting customers on the street, whereas on the other side towards Schanzenviertel the vibe becomes distinctly more hipster and less seedy. However, mostly the area is filled with bars and clubs galore, some good some not - all crowded and filled with locals, tourists and youth from the countryside having a blast. Cheers!
93 íbúar mæla með
Saint Pauli
St. Pauli is the beating heart of Hamburgs nightlife. The Reeperbahn is probably the most notorious street in Germany and on some corners, especially towards the river, you will be confronted with prostitutes soliciting customers on the street, whereas on the other side towards Schanzenviertel the vibe becomes distinctly more hipster and less seedy. However, mostly the area is filled with bars and clubs galore, some good some not - all crowded and filled with locals, tourists and youth from the countryside having a blast. Cheers!
The Alster is the posh and scenic heart of Hamburg, surrounded by multi-million dollar mansions and filled with sailing boats, it’s a great place to see and be seen in good weather. St. Georg and especially the street Lange Reihe is the heart of Hamburg’s LGBTQ community, and offers great bars, restaurants and people watching.
St. Georg, Hamburg
The Alster is the posh and scenic heart of Hamburg, surrounded by multi-million dollar mansions and filled with sailing boats, it’s a great place to see and be seen in good weather. St. Georg and especially the street Lange Reihe is the heart of Hamburg’s LGBTQ community, and offers great bars, restaurants and people watching.
Historic neighborhood full of Spanish and Portuguese restaurants. Historically Portuguese sailors settled in Hamburg in large numbers and this quarter has retained that distinct identity.
24 íbúar mæla með
Portugiesenviertel
Historic neighborhood full of Spanish and Portuguese restaurants. Historically Portuguese sailors settled in Hamburg in large numbers and this quarter has retained that distinct identity.
Winterhude together with Uhlenhorst form the northern and eastern shores of the outer Alster lake. The area is crisscrossed with small canals and borders the huge central park of Hamburg. On a nice summers day there are numerous boat rental services so you can head out onto the waterways and see Hamburg from a different perspective. Also, around Muhlenkamp/Gertigstrasse there is a cluster of great bars and restaurants that cater to a somewhat upscale bohemian crowd.
13 íbúar mæla með
Winterhude
Winterhude together with Uhlenhorst form the northern and eastern shores of the outer Alster lake. The area is crisscrossed with small canals and borders the huge central park of Hamburg. On a nice summers day there are numerous boat rental services so you can head out onto the waterways and see Hamburg from a different perspective. Also, around Muhlenkamp/Gertigstrasse there is a cluster of great bars and restaurants that cater to a somewhat upscale bohemian crowd.
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants
Hamburg has a large and growing vegan/vegetarian population. Therefore, most meat-serving restaurants offer vegetarian dishes and some offer vegan dishes. In recent years, many dedicated vegan/vegetarian places have opened as well. If you find yourself with no such place nearby, look for any Indian restaurant. They are always a great fallback option and offer plenty of vegetarian choices.
Vegan bowls, salads, quiches, burgers and a great brunch. Right in Karolinenviertel.
51 íbúar mæla með
HAPPENPAPPEN
36 FeldstraßeVegan bowls, salads, quiches, burgers and a great brunch. Right in Karolinenviertel.
Vegan “Meats” – Fast food vegan style, with burgers, currywurst, chicken nuggets and other fast food classics but all 100% vegan. They have several locations around the city, both in Altona and in the city center.
Vincent Vegan
10 Ottenser HauptstraßeVegan “Meats” – Fast food vegan style, with burgers, currywurst, chicken nuggets and other fast food classics but all 100% vegan. They have several locations around the city, both in Altona and in the city center.
Vegetarian & Vegan Italian food, a little more upscale, perfect for dates. Near the outer Alster Lake.
6 íbúar mæla með
La Monella
12 Hallerpl.Vegetarian & Vegan Italian food, a little more upscale, perfect for dates. Near the outer Alster Lake.
American Dinner style restaurant offering only vegetarian & vegan choices. Come here for the breakfast with pancake stacks and maple syrup or wolf down a burger before hitting the bars and clubs close by. Located in Schanzenviertel.
58 íbúar mæla með
Mamalicious
277 Max-Brauer-AlleeAmerican Dinner style restaurant offering only vegetarian & vegan choices. Come here for the breakfast with pancake stacks and maple syrup or wolf down a burger before hitting the bars and clubs close by. Located in Schanzenviertel.
Vegan Pan-Asian food, using mostly organic, local produce without MSG and gluten free. Two locations, city center and St. Georg.
11 íbúar mæla með
Loving Hut Hamburg-Vegan
2 MarkusstraßeVegan Pan-Asian food, using mostly organic, local produce without MSG and gluten free. Two locations, city center and St. Georg.
Sightseeing
The harbor is the heart of Hamburg! We locals are proud of our maritime history and enjoy seeing the huge ships come into port and the industrial scenery on the other side of the river. Take a stroll along Landungsbrücken and through the old Elbe Tunnel, sit on the Elbstrand or take a harbor cruise. There are also good beach clubs to enjoy when the weather is fine, particularly Strand Pauli.
83 íbúar mæla með
Port of Hamburg
The harbor is the heart of Hamburg! We locals are proud of our maritime history and enjoy seeing the huge ships come into port and the industrial scenery on the other side of the river. Take a stroll along Landungsbrücken and through the old Elbe Tunnel, sit on the Elbstrand or take a harbor cruise. There are also good beach clubs to enjoy when the weather is fine, particularly Strand Pauli.
Squatted since 2009 by 200 artists, it’s a pocket of old houses right in the city center near Gänsemarkt that are now a heaven for alternative culture and art.
44 íbúar mæla með
Gängeviertel
34A ValentinskampSquatted since 2009 by 200 artists, it’s a pocket of old houses right in the city center near Gänsemarkt that are now a heaven for alternative culture and art.
The oldest remaining residential houses in the city date back to the 17th century. Cute little courtyard filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. Come here early or late to avoid the crowds.
9 íbúar mæla með
Grocers' Apartments
The oldest remaining residential houses in the city date back to the 17th century. Cute little courtyard filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. Come here early or late to avoid the crowds.
Wether you have been partying on Reeperbahn until the break of dawn or you got up with the sun, the Fischmarkt by the river is worth it. Buy practically anything or eat and drink whatever you like, its there! Filled with tourists but still worth it. Open Sundays 5-9:30 am (summer) or 7-9:30 (winter).
21 íbúar mæla með
Altonaer Fischmarkt
Wether you have been partying on Reeperbahn until the break of dawn or you got up with the sun, the Fischmarkt by the river is worth it. Buy practically anything or eat and drink whatever you like, its there! Filled with tourists but still worth it. Open Sundays 5-9:30 am (summer) or 7-9:30 (winter).
This visually stunning concert hall has quickly become the No 1 sight of Hamburg. The acoustics inside are the most refined in the entire world, truly a heaven for music lovers. Tickets tend to be sold out months in advance, so plan ahead. If you missed out on tickets, its still a great place to go and marvel at the building and take in the great views from the viewing platform.
277 íbúar mæla með
Elbphilharmonie heimsóknarstöð
62 Am KaiserkaiThis visually stunning concert hall has quickly become the No 1 sight of Hamburg. The acoustics inside are the most refined in the entire world, truly a heaven for music lovers. Tickets tend to be sold out months in advance, so plan ahead. If you missed out on tickets, its still a great place to go and marvel at the building and take in the great views from the viewing platform.
Bars
Hamburg has no shortage of bars, there is one on every corner! Most people will start the night in the Schanzenviertel on Schulterblatt or the surrounding streets where you can find local favorites such as the bars Thier, Goldfischglass, or Berliner Betrüger. The night continues with a slow walk towards St. Pauli stopping in other bars along the way (Zoe 2 or Walrus Bar for example) or simply grab a beer at a kiosk on the corner of Wohlwillstraße and Thadenstraße and join the crowd on a warm summer night. Once you have made it onto Reeperbahn there is bars galore, some good some not - all crowded and filled with locals, tourists and youth from the countryside having a blast. Cheers! Below are some personal favorites.
Great drinks, great atmosphere, not too rowdy. Plush leather sofas in the back, entertaining conversations with the staff or your fellow drinkers at the bar. 20 minutes’ walk or the same on public transport from our place. Look for the corner building with the weird “bunny man” logo and no name.
16 íbúar mæla með
The Rabbithole
42 Kleine FreiheitGreat drinks, great atmosphere, not too rowdy. Plush leather sofas in the back, entertaining conversations with the staff or your fellow drinkers at the bar. 20 minutes’ walk or the same on public transport from our place. Look for the corner building with the weird “bunny man” logo and no name.
Another great cocktail bar, downstairs a DJ lights up the crowd on weekends, upstairs you can get bespoke drinks in a quieter setting. 20 minutes away, walk or public transport.
39 íbúar mæla með
Clockers Hamburg
27 Paul-Roosen-StraßeAnother great cocktail bar, downstairs a DJ lights up the crowd on weekends, upstairs you can get bespoke drinks in a quieter setting. 20 minutes away, walk or public transport.
Hamburg’s original sofa bar, basically it’s just a fairly rundown flat filled with old sofas, but it’s always filled to the brim and the young and hip love it. Not the best drinks but the atmosphere and relatively cheap prices make up for it.
55 íbúar mæla með
Mowe Sturzflug
96 Clemens-Schultz-StraßeHamburg’s original sofa bar, basically it’s just a fairly rundown flat filled with old sofas, but it’s always filled to the brim and the young and hip love it. Not the best drinks but the atmosphere and relatively cheap prices make up for it.
Small upscale bar with probably the best drinks in town. You need to ring the bell to get in and, on the weekends, its best to have reservations. Pricey! Very close to the town hall, around 25 minutes on public transport from our place.
67 íbúar mæla með
Le Lion Bar de Paris
3 RathausstraßeSmall upscale bar with probably the best drinks in town. You need to ring the bell to get in and, on the weekends, its best to have reservations. Pricey! Very close to the town hall, around 25 minutes on public transport from our place.
Clubs
Hamburg is famous for its nightlife! Every weekend planeloads of tourists from across Europe arrive to party the night away. While it´s not Berlin in size, it has an outsized party scene serving all musical styles. The party starts fairly late and especially in techno clubs, it’s not uncommon to arrive after midnight and leave only when the sun comes up. That being said, weeknights can be slow and not every venue is open Monday – Thursday. However especially on Reeperbahn and its side streets like Hamburger Berg, you will always find somewhere to dance the night away. Below are some of the best electronic music clubs. See here for current line-ups for your dates: https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/de/hamburg
One of the original homes for electronic music in Hamburg. Cave-like interior under a railway perfect for forgetting what daylight looks like. Also hosts great Hip Hop nights.
43 íbúar mæla með
Waagenbau
204 Max-Brauer-AlleeOne of the original homes for electronic music in Hamburg. Cave-like interior under a railway perfect for forgetting what daylight looks like. Also hosts great Hip Hop nights.
Located in the huge WWII bunker on Feldstraße this is another favorite club for throbbing techno nights. Lot of concerts here too, so check their website before you go.
97 íbúar mæla með
Uebel & Gefährlich
66 FeldstraßeLocated in the huge WWII bunker on Feldstraße this is another favorite club for throbbing techno nights. Lot of concerts here too, so check their website before you go.
Best location in town right on the river’s edge, and the perfect way to end your night. It`s a sublime felling to step out of a club and see the sun rise over the river, then head of to the famous fish market on Sunday mornings and have a hearty breakfast and another beer. Doesn’t get more Hamburg than that.
22 íbúar mæla með
Hafenklang
84 Große ElbstraßeBest location in town right on the river’s edge, and the perfect way to end your night. It`s a sublime felling to step out of a club and see the sun rise over the river, then head of to the famous fish market on Sunday mornings and have a hearty breakfast and another beer. Doesn’t get more Hamburg than that.
An institution that has been a center or rock/punk/alternative music in Hamburg for decades. Lots of live concerts happen here. Check the lineup before you go.
25 íbúar mæla með
Molotow Music Club
14 NobistorAn institution that has been a center or rock/punk/alternative music in Hamburg for decades. Lots of live concerts happen here. Check the lineup before you go.
Great vibes for a mostly young student crowd. Cool location by the river.
61 íbúar mæla með
Golden Pudel Club
27 St. Pauli FischmarktGreat vibes for a mostly young student crowd. Cool location by the river.
Day Trips
The baltic sea coast is about 1,5 hours by car from Hamburg and in summer definitely worth a trip. Surprisingly clear water and white sands await you for a relaxed day in the sun.
45 íbúar mæla með
Scharbeutz
The baltic sea coast is about 1,5 hours by car from Hamburg and in summer definitely worth a trip. Surprisingly clear water and white sands await you for a relaxed day in the sun.
The North Sea town of St. Peter Ording is favourite getaway for Hamburg city folk to breath some fresh ocean air. Great for wind- and kitesurfing and all sorts of outdoors activities. Great for kids too. About 1,5 -2 hours drive.
135 íbúar mæla með
Sankt Peter Ording
The North Sea town of St. Peter Ording is favourite getaway for Hamburg city folk to breath some fresh ocean air. Great for wind- and kitesurfing and all sorts of outdoors activities. Great for kids too. About 1,5 -2 hours drive.
Lübeck is a mid-sized town that used to be the center of the mighty Hanse trading association during the middle ages. Form that glorious past it retains an impressive old-town full of churches, old traders buildings etc. Lively location by the water. Overall a very pleasant day trip and easily reached by train.
172 íbúar mæla með
Lübeck
Lübeck is a mid-sized town that used to be the center of the mighty Hanse trading association during the middle ages. Form that glorious past it retains an impressive old-town full of churches, old traders buildings etc. Lively location by the water. Overall a very pleasant day trip and easily reached by train.
Another smaller city in the vicinity that charms visitors with its historic old town center. Think cobble stone streets and classic German buildings set beside a little river. Great day trip in good weather. Easily reached by train in about 40 minutes from central station.
112 íbúar mæla með
Lüneburg
Another smaller city in the vicinity that charms visitors with its historic old town center. Think cobble stone streets and classic German buildings set beside a little river. Great day trip in good weather. Easily reached by train in about 40 minutes from central station.