Tired of German sausages and cold cuts? Take a trip to Hamburg to sample seafood specialties and other delicacies.

A Hamburg specialty, we had to try the fischbrötchen. Comprising a piece of bread, a nice piece of fish, usually fresh or breaded, and a sauce, there’s something for every taste.

You’ll find a wide choice of fish on the market stalls: Bismarck herring, fried herring, salmon, mackerel, cod, rollmops (marinated and rolled herring fillet), crab, European sprat, etc. Some of these little sandwiches are also served with a sauce. Some of these little sandwiches also come with crudités and remoulade. For our part, we opted for the simplest: breaded cod with garlic sauce, as we enjoyed it at 9am.

A word of advice: go to the fish market early on Sunday morning to taste these specialties. From around 7am-8am, the stalls were packed, and we had to elbow our way to the counter to order our snack. When tasting at the side of the market, be careful not to get your food snatched by seagulls and other shy birds.

A mix between a cinnamon roll and a croissant, the Franzbrötchen is a typical specialty of the port city. In fact, this pastry is often only available in and around Hamburg.

Served with coffee and cakes or for breakfast, Franzbrötchen is sure to delight the taste buds of those with a sweet tooth. This cinnamon-flavored delicacy is sometimes embellished with raisins, chocolate chips, marzipan or poppy seeds.

We tried this pastry at the “Elbgold Innenstadt”café. Renowned as the 2nd best Franzbrötchen in the city, we were tempted by a piece and a drink each. The pastry is very similar to a cinnamon roll, but with a slightly different dough. We found it tasty but too sweet. However, we can’t say whether this was due to our taste buds or to these particular Franzbrötchen. As for the café itself, the place is rather cold and modern (at the same time, we’re in the chic district), but the drinks are very good and made with strange materials…

Embark on a pirate ship right in the heart of Karolinenviertel and enjoy fine seafood at“Fisch Pauli“.

Discovered one lunchtime, somewhat by chance, following our stroll through the Parc Planten un Blumen, we stop off at this fish restaurant for our last lunch in Hamburg.

I opt for a salmon fillet on the grill, while Maxence chooses a Hamburger Pannfisch. So as not to have just a piece of fish on the plate, we also add potatoes. After ordering, against all expectations, the waitress brings us a starter of crudités, toasted bread with olive oil and herbs, and sauce. As we hadn’t ordered this, we were afraid it would be a compulsory extra.

Looking around at the other tables, we realize that everyone is getting this appetizer and no one is bothered by it, so we eat with our fingertips. Shortly afterwards, we receive our plates with the main course. Maxence, expecting a hamburger, is a little disappointed. After thinking it was a mistake, we realize that he seems to have ordered a Hamburg-style fish instead. This disappointment is quickly swept away by the very good taste of our dishes. The fish is very well cooked and grilled just right – it’s a delight! So you can venture to this pirate-restaurateur with your eyes closed!

Feeling a little thirsty after your visit to Reeperbahn? Have a Chug!

A real cocktail bar on the bangs of Hamburg’s pleasure district, you can enjoy Chug Chug, i.e. mini-cocktails. What’s the point? To be able to try out different assortments without spending all your money.

We opt for the discovery formula with 3 “Chugs” at €13, comprising:

• Choice of the day;
• Satiscface me: Tequila, apple juice, elderflower syrup, lemon water, sugar syrup;
• Gambling Chug: Tequila, lemon juice, sugar syrup, bitter lemon, cherry mousse.

The 3 cocktails offer different aspects and flavors to broaden our taste horizons. We’re also given a bar-specific scratch-off ticket, and if the 3 images are the same, we win a shot. Unlike Max, I win the game and the waiter offers me a shot of strong alcohol.

We really enjoyed the cocktails, which were remarkably well made by the bartender, and the cosy, intimate atmosphere.

Although an English dish, fish and chips are also a must in Hamburg.

We particularly recommend “Flottesschlösschen by Daniel Wischer“. Not only is the food very good, in the right quantity and at the right price (you can even have sweet potatoes instead of the traditional ones), but the place is also part of Hamburg’s history.

This little house, set between two streets and on the banks of a canal leading to the old docks, has seen a lot of life. Originally, it was a customs building for inspecting barges and registering merchandise. It was later transformed into a fire station, sanitary block and coffee hatch for the dockers. Today, it’s a small but historic restaurant, as evidenced by the large clock on the walls, which was located in the administration building opposite the Electricity and Port Construction Office.

The dining room is small, so be sure to book ahead to ensure you get a seat.