Hamburg Food

• La Sepia, Schulterblatt 36 (www.la-sepia.de), This Spanish and Portugese restaurant serves some of the most affordable and generously served seafood in town. See your meal prepared in front of you fresh from the harbor. The lunch special (€4-6) is a steal; try the grilled salmon, served with potato soup and a heaping side of (more!) potatoes and vegetables. U3,S11, S21, or S31: Sternschanze. Entrees €7.50-22. Open daily noon-3am. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
• Hatari Pfälzer Cantina, Schanzenstr. 2 This eclectic restaurant is decorated with Chinese Ddragons and hunting trophies. A young student crowd flocks to this busys street corner for hamburgers (€7.30-7.90) and people watching. Hatari also serves German specialties, including the misleadingly-named French pizza, a Bavarian dish of thin cooked dough spread with cream and piled with toppings. U3 or S11, S21, or S31: Sternschanze. Entrees from €7. Open noon-late. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
• Hin and Veg, Schulterblatt 16 If you've been holding back on trying the meat-heavy German classics, this is your chance to fill up on some Deutschland staples served up by an Indian owner. Hin and Veg is a completely meat-free restaurant that serves up vegetarian versions of currywurst (€3) and döner (€4), all with vegan sauces. U3, S11, S21, or S31: Sternschanze. South Asian specialties €5.50-8.50. Open M-Th 11:30am-11:30pm, F-Sa 11:30am-midnight, Su 12:30pm-10pm. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
• Omas Apothek, Schanzenstr. 87 Omas serves up large meals at low prices in a retro-themed bar, outfitted with floral wallpaper and the apothecary drawers that give the restaurant its name. The food is as eclectic as the decor: a mix of German, Italian, and American cuisine, and some of the friendliest bar staff on Schanzenstraße, draws in a relaxed crowd of all ages. A popular pick is the breakfast platters, served M-F 9am-noon, and Sa-Su 9-3pm (€7.30, students €6.30). U3, S11, S21, or S31: Sternschanze. Schnitzel platter €7.50. Hamburger and fries €6.60. Open daily 9am-1am, F-Sa until 2am or later. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
• Hoffski Müsli Bar, Bartelsstr. 8 A wholesome change from the German diet, this cereal bar lets you design your own perfect bowl of nuts, grains, cornflakes, chocolate chips, and even the fierce German gummy ubears. Also enjoy the bircher müesli, a Swiss morning specialty of cereals soaked over-night in yogurt. Antique white chairs and dark wood floors with gilded accents give this cafe an elegant touch, while keeping the vibe relaxed and low-key. U3, S11, S21, or S31: Sternschanze. €1.80 for 100 grams, about €3 for a large bowl. Open M-F 8:30am-7pm, Sa 10am-5pm, Su 11am-4pm. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol.
• Transmontana, Schulterblatt 86 Transmontana serves up all tapas all the time to a local following that can't get enough of this Portuguese snack bar. Sandwiches, grilled on fresh bread with serrano ham, chorrizo, tomatoes, and lettuce, are one of the best deals on popular Schulterblatt. Get a real taste of Portugal from the pastries, especially the flavorful natas. U3 or S11, S21, or S31: Sternschanze. Sandwiches €2.10. Open M-Sa 7am-10pm, Su 8am-10pm. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
• Balutschistan, Bahrenfelderstr. 169 Pakistani owners cook up authentic Middle Eastern specialities for diners seated at thickly brocaded chairs. In an area crowded with ethnic eateries, Baluschistan stands out with its fantastic tandoori dishes and tasteful wood carved doorways and hanging tapestries. Try the Kofta curry lichi (vegetable balls in curry with sweet lichee fruit and almonds) or the pink, nutty doodh soda. S1, S2, S3, S11, or S31: Altona. Lunch plates €5-6. Entrees €8-15. Open daily noon-midnight. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
• Geo Pizza aus dem Holzbackofen, Beim Schlump 53 This popular pizza joint is low-key despite the marble counters on the bar and dark wood walls. Students from the nearby university flock to Geo for the flammkuchen special, huge plate of thinly cooked dough spread with cream and piled high with olives, tomatoes, spinach, and salami. Ingredients are fresh, and pizzas are cooked up in a big brick dutch oven. U2 or U3: Schlump. Open M-Th 11am-midnight, F 11am-1am, Sa 10am-1am, Su noon-1am. Does not take credit cards. Has outdoor seating.
• Mensa, Von-Melle-Park 5 (www.studierendenwerk-hamburg.de‎), Anything but fancy, this student cafeteria draws swarms of budget-conscious youngsters with big appetites. Pack as much food as you can onto your plate and enjoy cheap prices when you flash that plastic (translation: student ID). S21 or S31: Dammtor, then bus #4 or 5: Staatsbibliothek (1 stop). Turn right into the courtyard past the bookstore, Heinrich-Heine Buchandlung, on Grindelallee. Entrees €3-3.50. Non-students add an additional €1. Open M-Th 10am-4pm, F 10am-3:30pm. Limited summer hours. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol.
• Kumpir, Schanzenstr. 95 Kumpir does one thing, and one thing only—baked potatoes. That is, we think they're baked potatoes; it's hard to tell under the mountain of salad and vegetables and meat piled on top. U3 or S11, S21, or S31: Sternschanze. €3-4 per spud. Open M-Th and Su noon-midnight, F-Sa noon-1am. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
• Cafe Oriental, Markstr. 21A It's hard to miss this magenta-colored restaurant, even under the thick cover of an ivy trellis. Deep red and purple walls lit by golden lanterns make this bar a stand-out in an area full of ethnic eateries. Cafe Oriental serves mostly drinks, and a few small entrees. Their specialty is Yogitee (€2.80), honey tea with piles of cinnamon-dusted milk foam. U2: Feldstr. Wraps €3.50, warm sandwiches €2.50. Cocktails €6, beer €2.80-3. Open daily noon-1am, later on weekends. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.

• Schanzenviertel

The Schanzenviertel overflows with fruit stands, Asian Imbiße, and avant-garde cafes. Schulterblatt, Susannenstraβe, and Schanzenstraβe host a slew of inexpensive yet tasty restaurants with an eccentric ...more

• University

Slightly cheaper establishments can be found in the university area, especially along Rentzelstraße, Grindelhof, and Grindelallee. Mensa, Von-Melle-Park 5. S21 or S31 to “Dammtor,” then bus #4 ...more

• Elsewhere In Hamburg

In Altona, the pedestrian zone along Ottenserstr. next to the train station is packed with ethnic food stands and produce shops. A decidedly younger and more boisterous crowd eats and drinks at Altona’s ...more