A Foodie’s Guide to Hamburg Restaurants, Hamburg, Germany

Around seven years ago, I couldn’t decide what to buy Mr Foodie for his birthday. I came up with three options: a trip to Dublin (to visit his Irish roots), a skydive, or a trip to Hamburg. I put each choice in an envelope with an image on the front, feeling sure he would pick one of the city trips. He picked the skydive. My heart sank. I was just past 30 and feeling my mortality - in that moment I realised there was no way I could jump out of a plane with him. To this day, I never have taken him skydiving… In the end, we went to Dublin (I know, I am such a chicken) and put the Hamburg trip on the back-burner for a later date. So when I was contacted about a press trip to the north German city, I jumped at the opportunity. For 48 hours, I ate and drank my way around as many Hamburg restaurants and bars as I could… And here’s the result: my foodie guide to restaurants in Hamburg.

When I asked people what Hamburg’s cuisine is known for, I got three clear messages: seafood (Hamburg is a harbour city), Franzbrötchen (cinnamon buns) and Labskaus (a potato/corned beef/egg dish).

When I asked people what Hamburg’s cuisine is known for, I got three clear messages: seafood (Hamburg is a harbour city), Franzbrötchen (cinnamon buns) and Labskaus (a potato/corned beef/egg dish). The prevalence of fish is evident across the city’s menus everywhere, but you mustn’t leave Hamburg without trying their Fischbrötchen (fish rolls). Plus, the local Bäckereien(bakeries) won’t disappoint you in your mid-morning quest for a cinnamon bun with your coffee. Labskaus is a little harder to come across, but we’ve got you covered. So let’s get down to foodie business… ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).