Hamburg

In a city that hosted the early gigs of Liverpool's original 'Fab Four', Hamburg once again claims its rock residency with the Hard Rock Cafe Hamburg. Situated near the banks of the Elbe River in one of the city's most historic buildings, the Landungsbrücken, it shares the port with local landmarks like the Old Elbe Tunnel, the Old Warehouse District, and the Harbor City. Hard Rock Cafe Hamburg is a must-visit destination.

Hamburg boasts several restaurants with one Michelin star, but Christoph Rüffer's establishment stands out with a second star. The chef and his team craft modern and creative menus rooted in classic French gourmet cuisine at the prestigious Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. Seasonal ingredients fresh from the market ensure the highest quality of food. The ambiance is elegantly understated, and the service impresses with its perfect balance of subtlety and attentiveness.

The Table, operated by Germany's youngest recipient of three Michelin stars, Kevin Fehling, captivates with its modern interior and unique culinary experiences. Situated in the heart of HafenCity, the restaurant showcases some extraordinary design choices. Notably, there is just one single, large cherry wood table, seating up to 20 guests. From here, diners have the opportunity to view the open kitchen and watch the preparation of exclusive dishes.

TV chef Tim Mälzer's restaurant is a crowd-pleaser. To snag a table, it's wise to book ahead. The grill's offerings, particularly the Argentine fillet steak, are impeccable and cooked to perfection. If you're indecisive, opt for a surprise menu with three or four courses. Rest assured, it's bound to be delightful.

Located at the Dockland pier, with harbour scenes adorning the walls and views from the window looking directly onto the water, this restaurant's focus is clear: fish. And for over sixty years, it's been prepared here in every conceivable variation, always freshly caught. In summer, visit the balcony for a beautiful view of the Elbe.

BLOCKBRÄU Brewery is located right in the heart of Hamburg's harbour. This successful restaurant chain belongs to Eugen Block, a star in Germany's gastronomy firmament. There, you can enjoy freshly brewed beer along with complementary dishes straight from the brewery's kitchen. The large terrace offers a beautiful view over the bustling harbour activity.

Cox is a charming establishment, captivating with its exceptionally charming bistro style. The atmosphere is always cosy, despite the bustling activity. This is primarily due to the excellent cuisine. Regional dishes are reinterpreted in a modern style, with no shortage of fish and meat dishes. Try and visit Cox later in the evening. At that time, the restaurant is pleasantly empty and the kitchen is even open until just before midnight, which is very accommodating to theatre-goers or visitors to the State Opera who would still like a meal after the performance.

Far from the typical menus found at Japanese restaurants in Germany, Zipang embraces its own 'Fusion-Style' to create novel dishes. The Iberian pork roulade with shiso herbs and a shibazuke sauce is just as intriguing as the crème brûlée made from Japanese green tea and mascarpone, served with a sorbet of seasonal fruits.

In the old Mellin arcade — Hamburg's oldest shopping arcade today — you can admire the ceiling paintings and stained glass from the turn of the last century. Here, you’ll find antiques, art and rare literature at Felix Jud, exclusive porcelain vases and dishware at the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur, and countless creatively designed bags at Tumi. The Mellin Passage connects the Alsterarkaden with the luxury shopping street Neuer Wall. With the picturesque ceiling paintings the shopping mall is a real find for tourists alongside their shopping spree.

Colourful, alternative, creative and enticing, the market street in the Karolinen district shows that it can be on par with the big shopping streets and centres in the Hanseatic city. Nevertheless, the area retains its particular vibe. The exceptional position of the Karolinen district has helped maintain its vibrant, village character.

Ironically, the most sensual and intense district in the heart of Hamburg bears the name of a saint. This apparent contradiction is characteristic of Saint Georg. The residents call their district a 'world village'. On just 1.8 square kilometres, in a crossover of cultures, a unique scene has developed, both explosive and fascinating. St Georg is quirky and sinful, chic and gay, and always good for sensational headlines.

Jungfernstieg provides a diverse connection between the Inner Alster and the surrounding shops and attractions. Set a date at this central location and start shopping in the nearby department stores — especially the famous and traditional Alsterhaus but also small but refined shops. After a break and refreshment in the Alsterpavillon, continue through the surrounding shopping areas and arcades.

Europa Passage is more than a shopping centre — it is a real attraction in Hamburg. There are over 120 shops on five floors. Whether you're into fashion, books or electronics, the shopping mall in the city centre between Jungfernstieg and Mönckebergstrasse has it all. You can spend a lazy afternoon protected from the wind and weather in this impressive building designed by Hamburg architect Hadi Teherani.

Mönckebergstraße, or just Mö for short, is Hamburg’s major shopping street. Until 1907, this area between the main train station and the City Hall was known as Gägenviertel; here, the city's poorer residents lived on narrow streets with half-timbered houses. When Mönckebergstraße was constructed, Hamburg's administration created the boulevard that could best represent the pride and economic power of the Hanseatic city. Even today, this boulevard displays an impressive variety of large department stores, fashion boutiques, retail shops, cafés and food stalls. The Levantehaus is among the city’s smallest and finest shopping arcades.

The Alsterhaus in Hamburg is one of Germany’s major department stores. The exclusive range of products, the classy sense of trends and the artful presentation have shaped the image of the Alsterhaus significantly. On six floors the premium department store presents many shopping highlights — from international luxury brands to home accessories and prime groceries — and therefore links tradition and modernity.

Schanzenviertel is home to many bars, restaurants, small foreign traders, fashion boutiques and associated clientele dominate the streets in the centre. Just recently in 'Schanze' (as the Hamburg natives say) a series of new stores have opened that make the area attractive and versatile for shopping.