Because face it, you're in Germany.

• Johannes Albrecht near the Rathaus - amazing not run-of-the-mill schnitzel and kraut, beer brewed in-house, quick service, great price, lots of seating (seats on a canal if you reserve in time, reservations recommended for dinner hours esp. on weekends)
• Hofbräu Hamburg near the Alster - although a bit of a tourist trap, they have tons of seating, really good and typical food from all of Germany (even season stuff like goose for Christmas), and a huge brunch buffet.
• Captain's Dinner at Landungsbrücken - a great place to stop for lunch and get fish, fish, and more fish made Hamburg-style after showing visitors around the harbor! Fischereihafen is supposed to be good for fish but I've actually somehow never been there before be since they are pretty pricey for dinner.
• Café Charade in Winterhude - cozy atmosphere and excellent German brunch options including a fish brunch! Literaturhauscafé is another good German brunch spot, located in a nice old building and on the Alster (reservations for weekend brunch a must!)
• Paulaner's on Großneumarkt - also great for nice weather because of the cozy outdoor seating, this also has some yummy German classics like one of my favorites, Käsespätzle.

Because you're in Hamburg, a big harbor city, and need to relax and enjoy the view!

• Tower Bar – spectacular 360° view over the harbor, best to reserve if you don’t want to wait. Worth it for a night out on the town or to take visitors to. A personal favorite too since I had my first date with my husband there!
• Clouds in the Tanzende Türme – a fairly new spot with floor-to ceiling windows and a view. Specialty cocktails and coffee during the day.
• ALEX Hamburg – The biggest draw here is the location, which is ideal for people-watching or a coffee break while right downtown since it is right on the Alster. AlsterCliff is another nicer/pricier option (with nice lounge seats on a pier outside) if you want to enjoy a walk around part of the Alster to get there.
• StrandPauli – one of the few beach clubs in town with open-air as well as covered seating. Nice harbor view!

• Café Paris – my favorite café in Hamburg because of: how it embodies “old Europe’s” history and style, the cake and torte and macaroon selection, and the view of the city hall and people-watching opportunities while sitting outside when it’s nice out. It’s classy but not stuffy, and you can enjoy a bite of French food too of you are hungry.
• Ti Breizh Haus der Bretagne – take a day trip to the coastal area of France by enjoying a very affordable lunch menu here – drink and 2 galettes (1 savory and 1 sweet, sort of like a buckwheat crepe). Plus it’s in the cute Deichstrasse, one if the only streets downtown that didn’t get destroyed in WWII, so you can admire that as you walk about t minutes to the harbor.
• O Frango – hard to choose a favorite here, but this one wins out for best fish in town for me! Famous for fresh grilled fish and fish stews in ceramic pots, this popular place is located in the Portuguese quarter right at the harbor. With Hamburg being a harbor city, fish is a must! If you didn’t like fish before, you will love it after eating here or another place in this area like O Pescador or Porto. If you want the experience, you won’t forget what you get for the pricier Casa Franco.
• Altamira – big, open Spanish tapas place. You get the menu and can check off what you want.
• Cuneo – Italian food as you would imagine being cooked by an Italian mother with an insider/mafia feel. This place is easy to overlook from the outside, but very, very good. Definitely reserve a seat.

• Man Wah – best Chinese food in Hamburg, no contest. Awesome selection of Dim Sum.
• Karl’s Café – a very special experience! There is no menu, you get a 3 course Ethiopian meal, all you can eat for quite cheap. And I did not say “experience” by accident, there are several unique aspects of a meal here (like your hands being washed by the waitress before the meal)!
• Roatan – yummy and fresh Caribbean food, interesting cocktails, and the place is completely covered with Caribbean under-the-sea decorations!
• Mansaaf – so, so, delicious Middle Eastern food. Great appetizer plate to share too if you want to try lots of different things. Definitely reserve a table since it’s pretty small.
• Ashoka – nicely-decorated Indian restaurant, excellent food and selection. A close runner-up would also be Breitengrad, but it technically serves Sri Lankan food.

Because face it, sometimes you just need a bite from back home.

• Starbucks at the Alster – not only the American-style coffee house feel but also a pretty Euro-style ceiling, cozy sofas, and a nice view of the Alster and passers-by.
• Hard Rock Café – touristy, but actually really good (and well-made), typical food from back home. Steak, burgers, the works. Only place I’ve ever found BBQ chicken!
• The Bird – really good burgers! Haven’t ever had anything else there but have heard their cheesecake is excellent as well. I am always too full for dessert…
• Brooklyn Burger Bar – another burger place, hipster-style with non-typical burger toppings.
• Montgomery Champs – further out of downtown but has that sports bar fee and really yummy ribs and pulled pork.
• **Insert a good Mexican place here**!!! I am still waiting for an amazing Mexican food place to appear here! I have seen a few new ones pop up but haven’t been to any of them yet. Until then, as I say, the best place to get Mexican food is in my kitchen, ha!