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.

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.

The restaurant in the stylish East Hotel offers excellent Asian and European cuisine, just a stone's throw from Hamburg's entertainment district. Top chefs regularly create new and extraordinary dishes here. The menu features sushi and sashimi, as well as international meat- and fish-based main courses.

The gourmet restaurant stands out with its exceptional location on a former viewing platform, alongside the Elbe. But head chef Tarik Rose understands that ambiance alone isn't enough. He excels in the kitchen by giving classic dishes a modern twist, all while paying homage to French culinary art.

For over 20 years, El Tequito has been located at the St. Pauli Fish Market. Here, the highlights of Mexican, American and Creole cuisine are crafted into distinctive dishes. Pair your dinner with a delicious cocktail in the lounge before a stroll through the district.

Le Plat du Jour is a hidden gem close to the city hall. Right in the heart of the city centre, yet almost free of tourists. It's tucked away on Dornbusch, a tiny street just a six-minute walk southeast of Rathausmarkt. This is where the wealthier ladies and gentlemen from publishing houses and law firms spend their lunch break, but the restaurant is also well frequented in the evenings.