Fish Restaurants in Hamburg, Germany

What would Hamburg be without fish?

As a famous and historic European port, you would expect fish to be a traditional part of Hamburg's culinary culture. It is as much a part of the city as the cry of the seagulls and the trawlers on the Elbe.

So it's no wonder that the Hanseatic people lead all Germans with a per capita fish consumption of 6.8 kilograms per year.

Tucking into Hamburg's traditional fish roll at the docks

You'll find small snack bars, bistros and restaurants with a variety of fish dishes all over the city: sometimes very classic and traditional, as in Daniel Wischer's branches, or creatively prepared, as with the dishes in the Jellyfish restaurant in the Schanzenviertel.

The Große Elbstraße is just a stone's throw away from Hamburg's fish market. In recent years it has developed into a real centre for fish and seafood specialities.

The former fish auction hall in Altona

On a leisurely walk of less than two kilometres, you will find honest fish rolls and crispy fried fish along with traditional wholesalers such as Hummer-Pedersen, where the Hamburg residents buy their lobster and oysters on a Saturday morning. All naturally accompanied by a glass of bubbly.

Some typical Hamburg fish dishes that a visitor should try are: plaice "Finkenwerder style" (roast or fried with bacon bits); Hamburg pan-fried fish ("Pannfisch") with a mustard sauce, labskaus with herring (the origins of the Merseyside "scouse" stew) and, of course, a good fish roll.

Try some of the options below for an experience of Hamburg's fishy heritage:

Daniel Wischer
This traditional fish restaurant offers the whole range of Hamburg's fish specialities, from fish rolls to fish 'burgers' ("Fischfrikadellen") as well as the more substantial Pannfisch and Labskaus. There is a branch right next to Hamburg city hall as well as one on Steinstrasse.

Visitors rate the fish soup especially highly.
Price: €
Website: www.danielwischer.de

Jellyfish
Jellyfish is committed to sustainable fishing, exclusively using line-caught fish and wild seafood. This innovative eatery in the Schanzenviertel is among Hamburg's top fish and seafood restaurants. Visitors choose a fixed number of courses from a menu.

The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star.
Price: €€€
Website: www.jellyfish-restaurant.de

Liman
The Liman seafood restaurant (Turkish for harbour) is located near the Mühlenkamp ferry station on the Außenalster. The establishment prides itself on preparing fish dishes using only fresh ingredients.

House specialities include starters such as gambas in a garlic cream sauce and grilled calamaretti.
Price: €€
Website: liman-fisch.com

Alt Helgoländer Fischerstube
This traditional seafood restaurant is on the open square just above where the fish auction house and near where the Hamburg fish market takes place on Sundays. As you might expect, the freshest of fish features on the menu.

Visitors can try a small version of Labskaus as a starter or plunge in and go for the Seaman's portion on the main menu!
Price: €€
Website: althelgolaenderfischerstube.de

Underdocks
Those who believe they've tasted all fish dishes need to visit Underdocks, where conventional recipes receive a contemporary twist. They describe it as 'urban fish-food' at their two locations - one in St Pauli and one at the Landungsbrücken.

Try their seafood salad bowls, salmon tacos, or battered fish container for two.
Price: €
Website: underdocks.de

Veddeler Fischgaststätte
Hamburg's oldest fish restaurant has no frills and graces. It sits in in a car park between a motorway and the railway lines on the Veddel island. The atmosphere is 50's retro charm, with a mouthwatering aroma of fried fish dishes.

In fact, this eatery might just serve the best fried fish in Hamburg, made from a secret recipe originating in 1932.
Price: €
Website: veddeler-fischgaststaette.de