With the help of the Hamburg Convention, we have put together a guide to the city for event attendees. Discover top restaurants, bars and cafes in Schanzenviertel, Karolinenviertel and St. Pauli – three of Hamburg's most exciting neighbourhoods renowned for their food and drink scenes – as well as post-event activities including Fussball championships and beer pairing dinners. Read on to discover how to make the most of your time in Hamburg at World Travel Catering & Onboard Services.
Hamburg City Guide
Where to eat?
XeÔm Vietnamese and Lesser Panda Ramen
A five-minute walk from Hamburg Messe, in the hipster Karolinenviertel district, XeÔm Vietnamese transports diners to the streets of Hanoi through its décor and classic dishes like glass noodle salads, Phở and fresh spring rolls alongside Vietnamese beer and coffee. A few doors down, Lesser Panda Ramen is another trendy spot that's ideal for a casual lunch or dinner with punchy pickled vegetables and locally-sourced organic meat completing their hearty bowls. Vegan options are also available along with grilled cheese sandwiches and craft cocktails created with house-made syrups.
Otto's Burger and Bistro Carmagnole
In neighbouring Schanzenviertel – arguably the coolest district in Hamburg thanks to its boutique cafes, cheap eats and casual vibe – Otto's Burger is just a fifteen-minute walk from Hamburg Messe. Run by former investment bankers who spent years living in London, the eatery takes inspiration from the English capital and was one of the first in Hamburg to serve contemporary brioche bun burgers. Nearby Bistro Carmagnole is a more refined affair serving French classics – think moules frites, steak tartare and whole artichokes – against a charming backdrop of rustic wood furnishings, retro floor tiles and large chalkboard menus.
Photo credit Philipp Burkart
Krug and Restaurant Nil
With historic links to Hamburg's blue-collar and artistic communities, the St. Pauli neighbourhood has successfully retained its gritty, bohemian edge while also transforming into one of Hamburg's best foodie hubs renowned for its low-key neighbourhood restaurants. One such restaurant is Krug, a charming candlelit tavern where locals gather all throughout the week.
Another lovely candlelit venue in St. Pauli is Restaurant Nil where a seasonal menu is created using produce sourced from local organic farms.
Wohlers
Wohlers, meanwhile, is set within a former 19th-century pub and serves hearty German and French classics such as veal schnitzel and moules frites against a low-key backdrop of wood furnishings, exposed brickwork and striking blue walls.
Underdocks
Nearby, Underdocks offers a contemporary take on a traditional fish stall. Rustic wooden benches, industrial corrugated metal and bright neon lights along with an oversized mural of a sea captain create the perfect urban backdrop for feasting on fresh lobster rolls, pulled salmon tacos and crispy fish and chips. This is fast food at its gourmet finest.
NENI Hamburg
The NENI Hamburg is a culinary mosaic of Persian, Russian, Arabic, Moroccan, Turkish, Spanish, German and Austrian influences. The concept of family Molcho is that everyone is able to try a little of everything, and pots and pans are taken from the kitchen and placed directly on the table without any airs or graces.
Lakeside Restaurante at The Fontenay
For a fine dining experience, travel to the scenic shores of the nearby Außenalster lake where you'll find high-end hotels The Fontenay and Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. Both properties boast Michelin-starred in-house eateries with the latter laying claim to Restaurant Haerlin – one of only three two Michelin-starred restaurants in the city.
At The Fontenay, the one-Michelin-starred Lakeside Restaurant pairs contemporary cuisine with panoramic views across the lake and the city while The Fontenay Bar offers unrivalled.
For restaurants opening hours and reservations, visit Open Table and secure your booking in less than a minute.
Where to drink?
Photo credit Drip Bar
Standard
Bringing a taste of the Amalfi Coast to Hamburg, Standard is the city's first authentic aperitivo bar. Taking inspiration from the Italian tradition of stuzzichini – the southern Italian equivalent of antipasti – the venue serves a selection of daily changing small plates alongside Italian negronis, spritzes and Prosecco. With delicious plates of cheese, chutney and olives served to groups on long, convivial tables, it's a welcoming spot to begin or end an evening. A few doors down, Drilling is an intimate cocktail bar with a fairy tale quality. Vibrant green moss and exposed wood line the walls, fairy-lit tree branches stretch across the ceiling and rustic wood details make up the bar.
The Chug Club and Drip Bar
In the southern end of St. Pauli, The Chug Club and Drip Bar are two more of the city's best cocktail bars. The latter is a tiny speakeasy that specialises in molecular concoctions created by dripping spirits through a filter filled with flavoursome ingredients for up to 24 hours. Everything from tequila-dripped beetroot and bourbon-dripped juniper to rum-dripped salty peanuts and gin-dripped chamomile features in the unique, flavoursome cocktails. At The Chug Club, tequila is the headline act with experimental creations served in moody gothic surroundings.
Photo credit Weinladen
Weinladen
If wine is your preferred tipple, be sure to pay a visit to Weinladen wine shop and bar. Here, more than 200 varieties are stocked in the shop with a different selection available each night in the bar alongside platters of cheese, bread and charcuterie.
The stripped-back setting brings together exposed brick walls and flooring, metal tables, and classroom-style chairs, creating a laid-back spot for serious wine drinking.
Braugasthaus Altes Mädchen
In Schanzenviertel, close to Hamburg Messe, Braugasthaus Altes Mädchen is a beer hall, restaurant, and brewery in one. A line-up of beers brewed on-site is available alongside a selection from all around the world with everything from pilsner and pale ale to IPA and red beer on offer. Tasting trays are available as well as a hearty menu of sandwiches and daily specials. A large open fire and armchairs make it a cosy spot for winter while the expansive patio is ideal for summer drinking. Long wooden tables also make it well-suited for group drinking and dining.
Where to get coffee?
Photo credit Elbgold
Elbgold Schanze
You don’t need to travel far from Hamburg Messe to find a decent cup of coffee, with Elbgold just a short walk away. Specialising in direct-trade coffee with a rotation of seven filters and seven espresso roasts, the artisan coffee roasters have five cafes across Hamburg and the Schanze branch is the biggest. Here silky flat whites, creamy lattes and well-balanced filter coffees are served in an industrial setting next to a large open roastery.
Hermetic Coffee Roasters
Also in Schanzenviertel, Hermetic Coffee Roasters sits within a graffiti-covered former industrial building. The café fits well with its hipster surroundings, placing slatted chairs and tables inside and out along with retro accents and a rustic wooden display cabinet showcasing packets of beans and coffee equipment that are available to buy. The café serves hand-brewed speciality coffee from its own roasts with everything from cold brew to fresh filter coffee on offer.
HappenPappen
Over in Karolinenviertel, HappenPappen is a friendly vegan café serving plant-based food and coffee. Choose from plant-based milk options such as almond, soy and oat to have with your coffee and tuck into a daily changing lunch menu during the week – expect dishes such as quiche and curry – and plant-based burgers in the evenings.
Photo credit Robert Bye
Klippkroog
Klippkroog is another popular spot among locals drawing regular crowds to feast on hearty breakfast and lunch dishes in either the bright and airy dining room or the bustling outdoor area.
Playground Coffee
Putting a more playful spin on proceedings, Playground Coffee serves flat whites, cappuccinos and filter coffee made with in-house blends that have been given names such as Skywalker, King Kongo and Love. The cheery interiors place hanging plants and bespoke artworks – created in line with the coffee packaging – against a bright pastel-coloured chairs and walls while bench seating against large floor-to-ceiling windows allows for some excellent people watching.
Where to go for post-event fun?
Photo credit Jonas Walzberg
Freundlich und Kompetent
On the other side of the Außenalster lake, Freundlich und Kompetent offers a beach-style bar that gives patrons that holiday feeling whilst serving up music and good drinks. Braugasthaus Altes Mädchen, again, features a brewery bar and restaurant with a line-up of events and activities such as brewery tours and beer pairing dinner.
Kixx
For a beer with a side of Fußball, head to Kixx for the evening. With 18 Fußball tables spread across two rooms as well as a bar serving reasonably priced beer and drinks, it's a fun spot to while away an evening. You can also enjoy unlimited play during your visit with the option to hire the place for private events as well as join in on group training sessions and non-professional tournaments.
Photo credit ÜberQuell
ÜberQuell
Occupying a historic landmark building overlooking Hamburg's harbour, ÜberQuell is another brewery, restaurant and event space in one. The original red brick façade and cobblestone flooring along with the harbour views give it an authentic Hamburg vibe and the large terrace and indoor space are ideal for group gatherings. The venue presents a regular programme of events with everything from comedy nights to beer pairing dinners, and the on-site microbrewery is open for group tours with a beer tasting included.
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