Lunchtime in HafenCity

Those who work in HafenCity – or simply exploring the new district – will find a wide variety of restaurants offering many different flavors to spice up their lunch breaks. Our insiders’ guide provides you with plenty of inspiration to savor HafenCity’s culinary side. If you want to start your lunch break a little bit earlier, why not take a look at the recommendations in our recently published breakfast guide?

Rudolph’s 

If you happen to run a restaurant right at the entrance to HafenCity, not far from the German magazine Spiegel publishing house, you should offer something good purely out of self-interest. At Rudolph’s, guests really do eat in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere – the view of the water certainly plays its part too. The furnishings in the spacious room are pleasantly matter-of-fact and modern; the overall style is relaxed. In summer, a long outdoor terrace and a spacious backyard offer a refreshing atmosphere.

At lunchtime, of course, things can get a bit busy. Much of the food is traditional and home-cooked, so some dishes take a little longer. The menu isn’t cluttered, which suggests sensible kitchen planning. Pasta, Italian fish and meat dishes are served, along with a small selection of appetizers and desserts. All the quality dishes are full of freshness. And people with gluten intolerance are catered for too – you can get gluten-free pizzas that taste like real pizza as well as non-allergenic brownies for dessert.

Google rating: 4.4
Tripadvisor: 4

Poggenmühle 5
20457 Hamburg
phone: +49 40 182 977 89

https://www.rudolphs-hamburg.de/

Tue – Thu: 12:00 noon – 22:30 pm
Fri: 12:00 noon – 23:00 pm
Sat: 13:30 pm – 23:00 pm

Coca-Cola index: 0.3: €3,70

Markthalle HafenCity

Markthalle in HafenCity is a very popular place for residents, businesspeople from the surrounding offices and tourists alike because of its perfectly central location in the Speicherstadt. It is only a few minutes away from the Miniatur Wunderland and the Elbphilharmonie. On top of that, you get a wonderful view of the Brooksfleet from the Kibbelsteg which is right in front of you. 

The Markthalle’s entrance is a bit hidden. Once in, you can choose between several small restaurant islands that are perfect for a quick lunch: La Bella offers pasta and pizza as well as Anatolian specialties. At Momo, Asian and European cuisine is combined into light meals. There’s also Lee’s Sushi Bar, the Flamm’Hus for tarte flambée, an Indian stand, and an American F-Burger, which offers US patty melt sandwich burgers – connoisseurs love this dish.

The atmosphere is lively in keeping with the market hall. It’s quite busy, especially at lunchtime, because tourists also like to mingle with businesspeople and employees of the surrounding offices. Nevertheless, you still should be able to find a seat.

Google rating: 4
Tripadvisor: 4

Am Sandtorkai 23/24
20457 Hamburg

https://www.info-inside.de/hamburg/markthalle/

weekdays: 10:00 am – 18:00 pm
weekend: 11:00 am – 16:00 pm

Carls Brasserie

It’s easy to find a restaurant in HafenCity that has the advantage of a water view, but CARLS Brasserie is in a prime location: opposite the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, with a beautiful view of the harbor. The bright, modern-designed rooms have a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. The outdoor terrace also treats you to a wonderful panoramic view over the Norderelbe.

CARLS at Kaiserkai has three different gastronomic areas – including lunch. CARLS Brasserie not only offers beer (brasserie is the French word for brewery), but a rather extensive wine list and, of course, classic French cuisine. Boeuf bourguignon, steak tartar, and bouillabaisse are all popular. CARLS Bistro serves smaller and quicker dishes such as tartines – as the various sandwiches are called – and bowls with regional vegetables. CARLS Wine Bar also offers smaller dishes, but here it’s all about the cheese selection, classic croque monsieur or Hanseatic fish&chips accompanying a good wine.

Google rating: 4.2
Tripadvisor: 4

Am Kaiserkai 69
20457 Hamburg
phone: +49 40 300322400

https://carls-brasserie.de/ 

Brasserie
daily 12:00 noon – 15:00 pm, 16:30 pm – 23:00 pm

Bistro
daily 12:00 noon – 23:00 pm 

Wine bar
Wed – Sun: 13:00 pm – 21:00 pm

Coca-Cola index: 0.2: €4,90

Oberhafen-Kantine

You will have to walk a few hundred meters if you want to go to the Oberhafen-Kantine. But it’s well worth it because this little restaurant is a real insider’s tip. The cozy-looking building nestles under the Oberhafen rail bridge, which connects Hammerbrook with HafenCity. In the past, the restaurant was a canteen for dockworkers. Today, employees of the offices in HafenCity like to dine there and a few tourists sometimes find their way here too. The down-to-earth ambience is still part of the Oberhafen-Kantine to this day.

The menu offers a variety of typical Hamburg dishes, such as pan-fried fish, kale – of course – and more substantial ‘raclette burgers’ with melted cheese; or simply meatballs, with a side salad if desired. In addition, there are homemade products such as mustard or lemonade syrup, which can be enjoyed here or at home.

Good to know: because the Oberhafen canteen only offers a manageable number of seats, it is always a good idea to reserve in advance. Especially if you want to eat with several people. 

Google rating: 4.5
Tripadvisor: 4

Stockmeyerstrasse 39
20457 Hamburg
phone: +49 40 32 80 99 84

https://oberhafenkantine-hamburg.de

Mon – Thu: on request
Wed – Sat: 12:00 noon – 22:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 noon – 17:30 pm

Coca Cola index: 0.2: 2,90€

Neni

Levantine cuisine is trendy. The dishes inspired by Middle East recipe books offer a wide range of delicacies that are perfect for your lunch break – whether you are part of the office people crowd, the vegetarians, vegans, or those with a gluten intolerance. Mezze, salads, sandwiches, and shakshuka are now part of everyday life in HafenCity. 

Neni certainly makes sure of that. The restaurant is right in the middle of the bustling neighborhood on Osakaallee. A snug location with a lot of style has been created there in the old rooms of the Altes Hafenamt, the former port authority offices. Neni serves Middle Eastern delicacies, mostly with delicious humus. In addition, all kinds of falafel, babaganoush, homemade Labane cream cheese and shakshuka – a typical pan dish of tomato ragout and eggs – represents the entire region gathering peacefully at one table. For those who like something more substantial, there are pulled beef burgers and rib-eye steaks as well as other meat dishes.

Google rating: 4.5
Tripadvisor: 4.0

Osakaallee 12
20457 Hamburg
phone: +49 40 555575442

https://www.nenihamburg.de/

Mon – Fri: 6:30 am – 23:00 pm
weekend: 7:00 am – 23:00 pm

Coca-Cola index: 0.2: €3,50

dean&david

If you want to keep up with the latest Hamburg style and eat healthy green food at lunchtime with a view of the Fleet and Speicherstadt, you can find whatever your heart desires at Dean&David in the center of HafenCity. The restaurant near the Überseeboulevard shopping center creates a nice ambience with its sleek modern furnishings. There is also an outdoor terrace where you can relax and watch the hustle and bustle of the world passing by. 

The idea behind Dean&David is to offer top-notch dishes made from healthy food, high-quality ingredients and sustainable production. That means there is an abundance of salads, bowls, curries, smoothies, and more. 

Dean&David make it a point to hand-prepare their food. This means that some dishes take a little longer, but the serving staff are surprisingly quick. Perfect for a short lunch break without a soup overdose.

Google rating: 4.1
Tripadvisor: 4

Osaka Avenue 2
20457 Hamburg
phone: +49 40 40185852

https://deananddavid.com/ueberseeboulevard-hamburg/

Mon – Fri: 08:00 am – 20:00 pm
weekend: 11:00am – 8:00 pm 

Coca-Cola index: 0.25: €3,40