What We Ate in Hamburg

Hamburg is full of little surprises at every turn. The historic ports, lively streets, and buzzing neighborhoods are exciting to explore, but for me, the best way to get to know the city is through its food. On my latest trip, I decided to spend the day tasting my way through Hamburg, from cozy cafés in the morning to hearty lunches and festive market treats, discovering flavors that were comforting, bold, and sometimes delightfully unexpected.

Ericus-Contor

We started the day at Ericus-Contor, a small, inviting spot that immediately felt fresh and welcoming. The smell of baked pastries hit us as soon as we walked in, and it was impossible to resist. We enjoyed buttery, flaky pastries with smooth, creamy caffe lattes, sitting back and watching the city wake up around us. It was the perfect way to start a day of eating our way through Hamburg.

Hofbräu Wirtshaus

For lunch we went to Hofbräu Wirtshaus, a cozy place where the aromas of sizzling schnitzels and the clinking of steins make you feel like you are in Munich. Their weekday lunch menu serves up hearty classics at very reasonable prices.

I had the Jägerschnitzel with Pommes Frites, a tender breaded pork cutlet covered in creamy mushroom gravy with crispy fries on the side. My husband chose the Hofbräu Currywurst with Pommes Frites, a tasty sausage in tangy curry ketchup with golden fries. He washed it down with a stein of Hofbräu Original, Munich’s classic pale lager, while I stuck to a Coke. The meal was generous, comforting, and full of authentic flavors.

Rathaus Christmas Market

Later, we wandered through Hamburg’s Rathaus Christmas Market. The festive lights and smells made it hard to resist stopping for a few treats. We started with a warm cup of Glühwein, rich with spices and citrus, which felt perfect in the chilly air.

We also had Kartoffelpuffer, crispy potato pancakes that were golden on the outside and soft inside, served with a side of sweet applesauce. To take a little piece of the market back to our hotel, we picked up a Spritzkuchen, a fluffy, sugar-dusted Berliner that was the perfect sweet ending to our visit.

By the end of the day, we were full, happy, and a little bit in awe of Hamburg’s food scene. From fresh pastries in the morning to hearty Bavarian classics for lunch and sweet treats at the Christmas market, every bite told a story. It was the kind of day that makes you want to wander the streets a little slower, soak up the atmosphere, and plan your next visit back for even more tasting adventures.