10 Things to Eat in Hamburg and Where

Vanessa Korovina

Updated: 14 August 2025 ·
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10 Things to Eat in Hamburg and Where

The bold flavors of sausages, presented in every sauce and texture, paired with the most exquisite seafood recipes, made with strictly fresh fish. If you think that Hamburg's cuisine fully embodies the typical German austerity, you couldn't be further from the truth. The indulgences in "junk" food make way for the most delightful desserts in the entire nation, accompanied by excellent beer and the inevitable conviviality of diners and restaurateurs.

Let's explore together what the 10 things to eat in Hamburg are, a young city that gave birth to the most famous, eponymous sandwich in the world.

See also: What to see in Hamburg

1 - Franzbrötchen

on the table is a baking tray with fresh cinnamon rolls ingredients for their cooking and an appetizing bun on a plate concept of tasty homemade pastries and a cozy atmosphere top view
on the table is a baking tray with fresh cinnamon rolls ingredients for their cooking and an appetizing bun on a plate concept of tasty homemade pastries and a cozy atmosphere top view

Let's start this top ten of the best dishes to try in the German city with a sweet one, whose simplicity of preparation is directly proportional to its exquisite nature: we are talking about franzbrötchen, a sweet roll of puff pastry with butter and cinnamon, available in a thousand variations: pumpkin, raisins, chocolate, just to name a few of the most known.

  • Recommended for breakfast, snack
  • Average cost $3.00
  • Main ingredients butter, cinnamon, flour, raisins

2 - Currywurst

german currywurst sausage curry wurst served with french fries dark background top view
german currywurst sausage curry wurst served with french fries dark background top view

As mentioned earlier, German sausages (the wurst, which is what they are called) are prepared in Hamburg in an almost infinite variety of ways and are accompanied by bread, sauce, and vegetables. One of the most beloved variations by Germans and not only is the one where the wurst is served with a side of french fries, ketchup, and curry. This is called currywurst, boiled or grilled sausage.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner, snack
  • Average cost $4.00
  • Main ingredients sausage, curry, french fries

3 - Hamburger Pannfisch

delicious fish dish hamburg pannfisch
delicious fish dish hamburg pannfisch

Contrary to what one might think, Hamburg does not only serve meat. In this German city, which also boasts a significant port, you can also enjoy delicious fish dishes, such as Hamburg Pannfisch, breaded salmon or perch fillet served with a generous portion (and super seasoned) of potatoes.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $18.00
  • Main ingredients salmon (or perch), potatoes, butter

4 - Flammkuchen

flammkuchen or tarte flambee with cream cheese bacon and onions wooden background top view
flammkuchen or tarte flambee with cream cheese bacon and onions wooden background top view

This is a recipe of Alsatian origin and could be defined as a variant of our pizza: we are talking about flammkuchen, a very popular dish in the best venues in the city.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner, snack
  • Average cost $11.00
  • Main ingredients flour, sour cream, speck, onions

5 - Lübeck Marzipan

mini stollen or stollen candy in a tin on a background of fir branches and cones
mini stollen or stollen candy in a tin on a background of fir branches and cones

It is one of the must-try sweets of Hamburg: marzipan from Lübeck, also known as marzipan, a high-calorie sweet made with marzipan flavored with rose water, is absolutely something to taste. A joy for the palate.

  • Recommended for breakfast, snack
  • Average cost $2.00
  • Main ingredients powdered sugar, almonds, rose water

6 - Fischbrötchen

fischbrotchen
fischbrotchen

One of Hamburg's specialties is undoubtedly the fischbrötchen, a luscious sandwich filled with fish (especially herring, a must-try in Hamburg cuisine), pickles, and onions, which you must try at the famous local fish market: not to be missed!

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner, snack
  • Average cost $5.00
  • Main ingredients bread, herring, pickles

7 - Grünkohl

grunkohl substantial dish based on kale
grunkohl substantial dish based on kale

The black kale loses its role as a diet food in Hamburg kitchens and transforms into a super substantial dish to accompany potatoes and the inevitable sausage. If you have the chance to visit the German city during the Christmas season, then you must try the festive dish: grünkohl.

  • Recommended for side or main dish for lunch and dinner
  • Average cost $10.00
  • Main ingredients black kale, sausage, potatoes

8 - Bratwurst

fried delicious sausages
fried delicious sausages

An authentic evergreen in Hamburg's kitchens is the bratwurst, grilled sausage served alone or with a delicious side of french fries: a true must-try of German cuisine.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $10.00
  • Main ingredients grilled sausage

9 - Rote Grütze

high angle shot of a delicious red dessert with white cream berries and nuts in a black bowl
high angle shot of a delicious red dessert with white cream berries and nuts in a black bowl

The rote grütze was imported from the Danes, a spoon dessert made from red fruits and served with milk or ice cream, making for a beautiful ending to a royal meal.

  • Recommended for dessert or snack
  • Average cost $7.00
  • Main ingredients strawberries, raspberries, cornstarch

10 - Aalsuppe

bowl of pea soup with mushrooms on an old wooden table
bowl of pea soup with mushrooms on an old wooden table

What could be better than a warm bowl of soup to revive you after a hectic day of exploring the city? The recommendation is to try the aalsuppe, a soup made with eel, strictly fresh, peas, and dried fruits.

  • Recommended for lunch, dinner
  • Average cost $7.00
  • Main ingredients eel, peas, broth

Where to Eat in Hamburg: Best Restaurants, Local Spots, and Street Food

hamburg speicherstadt wasserschloss
hamburg speicherstadt wasserschloss

The hometown of the famous hamburger boasts a culinary panorama that goes far beyond the well-known ground meat preparation. The bold flavors of traditional meat recipes combine in this Teutonic city with exquisite seafood recipes, prepared with freshly caught fish, and make way for suggestions from Northern Europe combined with exotic flavors. Sausages and bratwursts join menus with smoked herring, stuffed geese, and delicious desserts like the famous marzipan. Everything is typically complemented with numerous sauces and accompanied by excellent local beer.

There is certainly no shortage of places: from traditional German beer gardens to international cuisine restaurants, from small stalls where you can taste typical street food to haute cuisine restaurants for a romantic dinner. Just be careful with the timing: here they eat early, as many kitchens have already closed by 10:00 PM!

Here is where to eat in Hamburg.

1 - Daniel Wisher

  • Description this venue has been serving fish since 1924, and is a guarantee for the locals
  • Specialty fish
  • Average price from $25.00 per person
  • Address Große Johannisstraße 3 - Get directions / tel: +494036091988

2 - clouds Heaven's Bar & Kitchen

  • Description the tallest restaurant in Hamburg, located in the clouds, with a beautiful view of the city
  • Specialty clouds Classic Beef Tatar -
  • Average price from $50.00 per person
  • Address Reeperbahn 1 - Get directions / tel: +494030993280

3 - Edelcurry

  • Description one of the most famous spots in Hamburg for currywurst, really excellent
  • Specialty currywurst
  • Average price from $5.00 per person
  • Address Große Bleichen 68 - Get directions / tel: +494035716262

4 - Thamer's

  • Description an informal pub that satisfies cravings for burgers and schnitzel
  • Specialty hamburgers
  • Average price from $15.00 per person
  • Address Großneumarkt 10 - Get directions / tel: +4940345077

5 - Restaurant Kartoffelkeller

  • Description a restaurant whose name says a lot, serving dishes based on kartoffel, or potatoes
  • Specialty potato dishes
  • Average price from $25.00 per person
  • Address Deichstraße 21 - Get directions / tel: +4940365585

6 - Heimathafen

  • Description a well-known German restaurant where you can taste traditional dishes
  • Specialty Mamas Best: Spiegeleier mit Bratkartoffeln
  • Average price from $20.00 per person
  • Address Baumwall 5-7 - Get directions / tel: +494037503730

7 - Oechsle Restaurant & Weinbar

  • Description a haute cuisine restaurant, with creative dishes and paired wines
  • Specialty tasting menu
  • Average price from $70.00 per person
  • Address Bundesstraße 15 - Get directions / tel: +49404107585

8 - Oberhafen-Kantine

  • Description this venue has the peculiarity of being slanted to one side, serves excellent fish and meat dishes
  • Specialty house hamburger
  • Average price from $20.00 per person
  • Address Stockmeyerstraße 39 - Get directions / tel: +494032809984

9 - Fischauktionshalle

  • Description Hamburg's fish market, popular with locals and loved by visiting travelers, offers fresh fish, music, and entertainment on Sunday mornings
  • Specialty fresh fish prepared on the spot
  • Average price from $10.00 per person
  • Address Große Elbstraße 9 - Get directions / tel: +4940570105200

10 - Bun's Streetfood

  • Description a venue specializing in hamburgers, among the finest in the city
  • Specialty burgers
  • Average price from $20.00 per person
  • Address Schulterblatt 108 - / tel: +494053549566

11 - WASSERSCHLOSS Speicherstadt

  • Description a unique restaurant inside an old repurposed warehouse, serving German and European cuisine
  • Specialty Hamburg Pannfisch
  • Average price from $30.00 per person
  • Address Dienerreihe 4 - Get directions / tel: +4940558982640

12 - Restaurant Freudenhaus St. Pauli

  • Description a German restaurant in the red-light district, offering traditional dishes and great beers
  • Specialty Alstertaler Kartoffelsuppe
  • Average price from $25.00 per person
  • Address Hein-Hoyer-Straße 7-9 - Get directions / tel: +4940314642

13 - Dulf's Burger

  • Description a venue where you can enjoy one of the best hamburgers in all of Hamburg
  • Specialty burgers
  • Average price from $15.00 per person
  • Address Karolinenstraße 2 - Get directions / tel: +494046007663

14 - Schanzenbäckerei

  • Description a bakery with both sweet and savory baked goods, ideal for a snack or a quick lunch
  • Specialty Franzbrötchen
  • Average price from $20.00 per person
  • Address Ida-Ehre-Platz 12 - Get directions / tel: +494030092380

15 - ALEX Hamburg

  • Description a venue along the famous Jungfernstieg, open from breakfast to late at night
  • Specialty brunch, typical dishes
  • Average price from $15.00 per person
  • Address Jungfernstieg 54 - Get directions / tel: +49403501870