Quality Hamburg Cafes You Can’t Miss On Your Next Visit

We all discover places in our own ways and travel style. I’ve recently dived deep into Hamburg’s history through a self-planned coffee tour. Originally, I only just wanted to check out a few quirky cafés and coffee roasteries in Hamburg’s city centre. But then I noticed something: the quality that the Hamburg Cafes offered was exceptional! I was onto something way bigger than a mere coffee comparison. Let me tell you, my content developed just like a fine aroma comes from a slow roast.  

So, what’s the deal then with Hamburg Cafes and coffee? Well, it turns out the city is Europe’s central hub with a very thriving coffee past, present and future. 

Brief Historical Overview of The Coffee Trade in Hamburg 

The coffee culture in Hamburg has a longstanding tradition rooting way back into the 17th century. The UNESCO declared Speicherstadt (storage city) was entirely built to cater for the high demand of the flourishing coffee industry in the North of Germany. Today, Hamburg is a coffee lovers’ paradise. The coffee trade is still the city’s number one industry and the German Coffee Association has its HQ here. Over 50 companies, established commercial names and small family-run, are still actively trading.  

• 700.000 tonnes of coffee are traded in Speicherstadt annually
• Coffee hub monopole in Europe, only Brazil or China can top those numbers
• The first coffee houses in Hamburg opened in 1677; since then high demand and interest
• The high era started in imperial times and lasted until the end of the 19th century
• Sandtorkai in Speicherstadt was the biggest coffee exchange (1887); the third most important coffee hub in Europe after London and Le Havre 
• Until today a significant and leading centre for the coffee trade
• Coffee is still Hamburg’s number one industry. More than 50 companies (et alia commercial ones like Tschibo) and small independent family-run businesses are involved in the coffee trade today

Hamburg Cafes & Coffee Roasteries Today

Most roasteries are specialised in fair trade and place sustainability at the core of their companies’ mission. They are interested in achieving the highest standard in their roasting process. This allows for quality and a very competitive market resulting in a diverse coffee landscape. All Hamburg Cafes and roasteries strive to develop unique aromas through a variety of special roasting techniques. Products taste super fresh. Many also offer guests the chance to immerse themselves in the experience.

For my self-guided coffee tour around the centre of Hamburg, I researched and selected cafés and coffee roasteries within walkable distance. The standard order for my comparison was always a cappuccino. To be honest, I didn’t know anything about Hamburg’s position as a central coffee hub, having naively associated the city with “harbour”, “container ships” and “fish rolls”. During my tour though, I visited a total of ten cafés and discovered Hamburg’s coffee side. 

From my Hamburg coffee research, I discovered the following: 

• All cafés and coffee roasteries visited are originals with one or two branches across the city 
• The average price for a large cappuccino is around 4€
• Eppendorf seems to be another popular area for coffee as most roasteries have a branch there
• The focus is on filtered coffee and espresso
• Fairtrade and sustainability are core values. This comes as no surprise, as Germans are big on that aspect. Environmental friendliness plus local equals quality. 
• Extensive range of own products for home-consumption
• Coffees are artisanal and very stylish in presentation 
• Milk alternatives (e.g. soy and oat) are available upon request
• Public WiFi is not common in Germany and is often reserved for staff only. I assume this has something to do with our extensive privacy & data protection laws. Germans are still a bit old-skool in their ways. They rather live in the moment than be on a screen. Other café owners regard WiFi as a freebie that doesn’t sit right with many. The perception of offering free WiFi is changing, though very slowly. 

Good To Know: Large cappuccinos are classed as a “Café Latte” in Hamburg. Just to avoid confusion if the waiter calls out a different name. Ask for (tap) water as it is not common to serve it automatically. 

Here are My Favourite Hamburg Cafes 

Let me take you around the city centre by exploring Hamburg Cafes along the way. They are all conveniently located within walkable distance. Here’s the order of Hamburg Cafes you must visit on your next trip:

1. Die Zeit | Torrefaktum
2. Marshall Coffee
3. Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei
4. Nord Coast Roastery
5. Public Coffee Roasters
6. Elbgold 
7. Bäckerei Junge

Top Tip: Between 2 & 3 you could take a little detour through Hafen City and also check out the Hamburg Cafes Elbfaire as well as Small & Imperial near the Elbphilharmonie. After visiting 6, you could also stop at Café Paris which is nearby.

Die Zeit Café | Torrefaktum Roastery

Torrefaktum* is a local bio-certified coffee roaster that specialises in espresso and filtered coffee. They’ve been going since 2009 and have been continuously voted as Hamburg’s best coffee roastery (2022). In 2017, they teamed up with the newspaper “Die Zeit” and opened their café. It has been a huge success and is classed as Germany’s best café by food magazine “The Gourmet”. Apart from coffee and snacks, guests can take part in coffee seminars or buy fresh coffee blends. The café also changes its artwork and hosts several events throughout the year. Talks & book readings connect its journalistic roots to a thriving coffee culture and make it an intellectual hub.

*Torrefacto is a special roasting process common in South America, Spain & Portugal. The technique adds sugar in the final stage which creates a sweet glazing to the beans. 

Why Should You Come Here: This is a creative & modern place with a trendy mix of grey walls, wooden tables and yellow colour spots. The design is super chic, yet down to earth. The café is spotless. Imagine cool chill-out music playing in the background. You can feel an instant attraction the moment you’ll step into this Hamburg Café. Seats by the generously arched window allow for people-watching; small sofas and a gorgeous light installation take centre stage to create a homey atmosphere. There are more seats available upstairs on a balcony. The intimate setting and artistic atmosphere carry a flair of culture & intellect without appearing presumptuous. 

Coffee & Food: My large cappuccino with oat milk came 4.20€. My coffee was creamy and very tasty. Within a few sips, I noticed a full-bodied flavour developed on my taste buds. The profile was well rounded, not too bitter. Perfect for me. The ratio of foam to drink was well-balanced and just how I like it. The consistency was spot on and the composition worked heavenly. I only ordered coffee here, but they also serve cakes and small snacks. 

I loved it because the interior, design and down-to-earth atmosphere were very me and the coffee was heavenly.  

Good To Know: WiFi is easy to connect to and super-fast. You can easily work here undisturbed and kill some hours. Other branches are in the boroughs of Eppendorf and Ottensen. 

Marshall Coffee

This Hamburg Cafe is a brand-new addition to the city centre. Marshall Coffee only opened in February 2020. The café is run by Aussie Tristan and German Marie who wanted to bring some Australian coffee culture to Hamburg. The name “Marshall” pays homage to Tristan’s first flat in Sydney’s Marshall Street in Surrey Hills. Their filtered coffees and espressos are roasted blends sourced from Mexico & Guatemala. In true Australian brunch style, the food takes breakfast to the next level. 

Why You Should Come Here: If you have had the chance to experience Australian coffee and brunch culture, you appreciate that this nation knows how to do breakfast. Australians simply know how to make delicious avo on toast, crunchy granola and tasty Birchers. They also have a ridiculous talent for presentation, so Australian dishes look and taste the part. Marshall Coffee is such a place. The café inside has a minimalistic but spacious design. Bright and light with white-washed wooden tables and green monsteratas hanging from white flowerpots make for a relaxed atmosphere. The kitchen is tiny but you can watch the staff prepare instagrammable dishes in front of your eyes. You can also sit outside and snuggle up in a warm woolly blanket. A quick and very friendly service makes sure you’ll get your coffee fix in no time. 

Coffee & Food: I ordered an energy booster full of apple, carrot and ginger goodness for 3.50€. My granola came 6.90€ and my big cappuccino with oat milk cost me 4.20€. Not bad at all having a quality breakfast for 15€. 

The cappuccino had a great taste and kick to it. There was no lingering aftertaste. The oat milk added a subtle flavour but contributed immensely to the overall well-balanced body of the drink. Its quality and consistency were similar to Elbgold Café. The creamy and thick foam had a good ratio to the drink. I appreciated the pretty artisanal barista-style flower pattern. Thanks to a solid cup, my drink kept warm for a long time.  

My granola was outstanding and I’m very happy to have a café in Germany that serves this style of quality and food presentation. The vegan granola came with a velvety smooth coconut yoghurt and seasonal fruits. The yoghurt didn’t take any of the crunch from the granola away and complimented the composition perfectly. There was also honey melon alongside maple syrup to provide enough sweetness. The composition of textures and flavours was simply delicious. 

I loved it because my granola was so so good and really brought me back to my brunch days in Brisbane. The combination of creamy dreamy yoghurt & honey sweetness was addictive. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Even though the building throws shade, don’t be put off choosing an outside table. The benches were cosy and the provided blankets provided great comfort whilst sitting outside and enjoying the breakfast.  

Good To Know: Marshall Coffee is one of the very few Hamburg Cafes that is open on Sundays. Come here early or book in advance to avoid waiting times. WiFi is available. 

Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei

Located in one of Hamburg’s iconic warehouses from 1888, this is a small private coffee company founded in 1994. It’s a family-run business by two local coffee trader families, the Drews and Wessell-Ellermanns. Its central place in Speicherstadt is intentional. Being an important coffee hub and the family’s extensive travels to Colombia sparked the idea for a roastery. And so, the Kaffeerösterei experience opened in 2006.

Why Should You Come Here: please don’t be put off by its initial chaotic vibe and touristy feel. Once you enter there’s a loud noise from the coffee tumble roaster which takes centre stage. It can feel overwhelming as there’s so much going on. Once you’ve had a minute to arrive, the place unfolds its charm. There are old-skool coffee grinders everywhere. The warehouse features include old metal windows; wooden panelling and merge impressively with the modernity of the bar area. Filtered coffee and espresso are constantly roasted and ground; sometimes up to 20x a day! The demonstrations are all part of the experience, but there’s also zero storage place. This ensures fresh products and a sensational smell. The lazy piano jazz music in the background is completely superfluous and you can fully immerse yourself in this coffee chaos. 

Coffee & Food: The coffee gets dished out left, right and centre front. The speedy service meant I had my coffee in no time. My large cappuccino with oat milk cost 4.20€. I was offered the choice between a light or a dark roast. I decided on the latter. My coffee was made specifically from IL gusto espresso which consisted of 60% arabica and 40% robusta (bio). The cup was piping hot. My drink was strong at first and had little profile afterwards. In comparison to my Torrefaktum coffee, I found this one a bit thin and not as smooth. However, I liked that the aftertaste wasn’t lingering, and I could taste the freshness of the blend. The fresh coffee kick definitely woke me up from my afternoon slump!

There’s also a menu with light snacks, sandwiches, Afternoon Tea cakes and waffles. The waffles are served after 2pm and cost 6.50€. 

I loved it because even though it was touristy and busy, it was all about the experience. How often can you sit in an old warehouse with the smells and hustle of a constantly rotating coffee grinder?

Good To Know: The menu includes breakfast, bagels with a variety of toppings (around 6€), smoothie bowls (around 8.60€), light lunches, waffles and snacks. No WiFi.

Nord Coast Coffee Roastery

My tour around Hamburg Cafes continues. Home to the picturesque and historic side street, Nord Coast Coffee Roastery can be found easily in Deichstraße. Just follow the smell! The quirky cafe was founded in 2015 by Jörn Gorzolla and Paula Mendes Alio. Their mission is to offer high-quality coffee in Hamburg following the values of fair trade & environmental sustainability. 

Why Should You Come Here: The place is a popular spot and waiting times can take up to 20-30minutes. The wait is totally worth it! Right at the entrance rotates a tumble grinder. Eggs Benedict, waffles and avo on toast float out of the kitchen every other minute. The urban decor with black metal and wood is cosy. Window seats overlook the canal. A lazy Frenchie snores in the corner. A spiral staircase leads to a second floor which has a huge bookcase and extra sofas for a homey feel. My coffee here tasted great – but the real star is the food.  

Coffee & Food: Again, I opted for a dark roast. The focus lay on a balanced body with a well-rounded flavour profile. There was a fine sweet aroma which met nuances of dark chocolate, nuts and a subtle hint of spice. The foam was creamy and blended in well with the rest of the drink. The drink’s dark character was not too overpowering. A glass of water came with the coffee. I also ordered a vegan and gluten-free waffle with maple syrup and fruits. It was absolutely heavenly and super filling! The overall costs came to just under 15€ (8.90€ for the waffle and 4.10€ for the coffee). 

I loved it because my waffle was outstanding. It was freshly made with a substantial and filling chia dough. The maple syrup and fruits added sweetness. A snoring Frenchie is always a plus!

Good To Know: There are two more branches in the borough of Eppendorf. Nord Coast grinds coffee daily and there’s a variety of blends on offer for your home consumption. Book online if you don’t want to miss out. 

Public Coffee Roasters | AD

This young local company was founded by Argin, an Iranian expat with Armenian roots. His love for coffee and coffee culture were inspired by his dad. Argin and his dad used to share a special weekend ritual. Having meaningful exchanges and thought-provoking discussions whilst enjoying a good cuppa of coffee. After graduating uni, he then founded the PCR Public Coffee Roasters GmbH in 2013. In true Hamburg quirky style, the main roastery floats on a houseboat on the river Elbe. Since then Argin has focused his knowledge on speciality coffee and perfecting roasting techniques. One of his main missions is to make speciality coffee accessible to the “public”, hence why the name. 

Why You Should Come Here: There are a handful of PCR branches around the city. I visited the branch in Goldbekplatz. This particular one is located within a historic metal factory from 1899. The manufactory which used to have a laundry, turnery and lathe machines, was carefully refurbished in 2007. Now it’s a quirky hot spot in the borough of Winterhude. Though it might require some effort to get here, this quirky spot is relaxing and very inviting. You almost feel like a local!

Coffee & Food: My complimentary cappuccino was made using their espresso blend called “Black Pearl”. This dark roasted blend promises an intense aroma with notes of dark chocolate, honey and hazelnut. A normal size costs 3.10€. My cappuccino had a creamy top which had a perfect ratio to the actual drink. I got a rich dark flavour from the drink and even noticed a subtle hint of dark chocolate. The overall consistency was a bit thin in comparison to Elbgold or Torrefaktum. For food, I tried some of their energy balls. The choices were pistachio & walnut, chia & chocolate, peanut & coconut, fig & cherry. All very tasty and filling. 

I loved it because the old warehouse has a lot of character. Together with a nice coffee, this was a very laid-back experience and I can totally understand Argin’s origins with his PCR company. The place would make for a potential working spot as they also have outdoor spaces available and you could easily connect with locals. 

Good To Know: The tube station is a bit of a walk away but there’s a bus station right outside which runs services No 1 & 25 into central frequently. A WiFi code is available upon request. For a more central location, visit their branch on Wexstraße 28.

Elbgold

A classic amongst Hamburg Cafes, Elbgold looks back at a 17-year-old history. It all started with a small roastery in Mühlenkamp 6a in 2004, which is also the name giver for their bestselling espresso blend “Sechs A” (Six A). Fast forward to 2010 and the roastery moved to a bigger space in Schanzenhöfen. Here, the space even allowed for Elbgold’s very own bakery which produces crunchy nut corners and, of course, creamy dreamy cheesecake. Today, the speciality coffee is sourced mostly on travels from all around the world including Ethiopia, Kenia, and Honduras. The focus lies on sustainability and fair trade. Connections with local coffee producers are also made through the “Cup of Excellence”, a competition and development project.

Why You Should Come Here: The smallest branch in Schauenburgerstraße appealed to me with its minimalistic, urban design. Inside is a bar area, seats by the windows and a display to purchase any of their speciality blends. The black marbled table tops with gold applications look chic without appearing pretentious. The menu is basic and unfuzzy. The overall atmosphere was laid-back – a perfect start for a Saturday morning. Some 60s surfer music played softly in the background.

Coffee & Food: My Saturday morning started with a modest order: a bite-size nut corner (1€), a raspberry tartlet (3€), and a regular cappuccino (regular is 3€, large 3.90€).

The nut corner was a bit tough to chew but its caramel flavour was delightfully intense. The tartlet had a crumbly shortcrust filled with a light vanilla custard and the perfect ratio to the zingy sharpness of raspberry.

The first sip of my coffee gave me a good punch. I’ve never been more awake! The blend was strong and dominating over the milk. I could make out a very subtle milk taste, but the coffee demanded my full attention and took centre stage. Luckily there was no lingering aftertaste and there was no need for sugar. Its consistency was super creamy and overall delicious. I would say this coffee comes second after Torrefaktum.

I loved it because the atmosphere was very unfuzzy & laid-back. The urban style appealed to me. There’s something about minimalistic designs in cafés that I find calming and relaxing. My coffee demanded my full attention and I respect a strong character. I would have loved to check out their flagship branch in Sternschanze but I guess they have to reserve a piece of cheesecake for me for another time. 

Good To Know: For cheesecake and more snacks you’d have to visit their flagship branch in Schanzenviertel. Elbgold coffee is also served in other establishments e.g. Hobenköök Restaurant & Markthalle. No WiFi. As the focus lies on speciality coffee, the tendency is towards lighter blends. The darkest blend is called “Neunbar” and uses coffee from Honduras, Nicaragua & Brazil. 

Bäckerei Junge

This North-German bakery chain celebrates its 125th birthday this year. It’s a very traditional place with typical German breads, cookies, biscuits and snacks such as bagels and sandwiches. Their signature bake is the Hamburg original “Franzbrötchen” – a sweet pastry baked with cinnamon and butter. Not to be mistaken with a croissant, locals will feel VERY offended (and I’m speaking from first-hand embarrassment). 

Why You Should Come Here: Ok, you caught me! Bakery Junge is actually a chain and more commercialised than any of the other Hamburg Cafes visited before. You know the quality might be a bit lower than at a stand-alone café. However, the branch in Kirchenallee 19 is right next to the train station and offers a great view of the hustle and bustle outside. The interior is a wonderful 1920s design with scarlet red velvet booths and an overall charming atmosphere. This Hamburg Cafe is incredibly tidy and a wonderful spot to meet up with friends.

Coffee & Food: My medium sized cappuccino cost 3.55€ and was one of the more affordable coffees I’ve had in Hamburg. Its quality was average but it did its job to wake me up. The consistency was slightly thin, and the flavour profile wasn’t as well developed as from the previous tastings. The ratio of coffee to milk was ok. The foam was fluffy and of good substance. Overall it was ok, nothing special but I didn’t regret coming here.  

I loved it because the Junge café is very nice to sit in and enjoy the company of your friends. On the final day of my trip, I found myself amongst a charming company of new colleagues and travel blogger friends before heading home. We all found space in those cosy booths to enjoy a bit of privacy, yet we were still in the middle of the action.  

Good To Know: Junge is a go-to bakery for Franzbrötchen. The standard version is made with butter and cinnamon but I’ve also seen variations with fruits, chocolate or pistachio. Give it a try! Personally, I’m not a big fan as I find the pastry too dense and prefer a lighter croissant instead.

Next Time

Hamburg Cafes I’d like to check out for my next visit are Café Paris, Copenhagen Coffee Lab, Café Small & Imperial.

Café Paris has a beautiful Viennese tea room with a tiled ceiling that pays homage to Hamburg’s Hanseatic character. I’d love to sit here and enjoy the traditional environment alongside an artisanal coffee, macarons and a slice of cake.

Copenhagen Coffee Lab caught my interest whilst exploring the Winterhude neighbourhood, but there’s a branch opposite the Rathaus tube station. The modern style and chic interiors, alongside a huge display of their coffee products and cute patisserie cakes, have me intrigued.

Café Small & Imperial located in Hafen City was a top contender on my initial Hamburg Cafe tour. I’ve missed out on visiting, as they are not open on Mondays and Tuesdays. They are, however, a good address for a Sunday brunch. The interior is a modern mix of the Viennese traditional coffee house meets Imperialism with green jacquard wallpaper all around.

FAQs For Quality Hamburg Cafes

I appreciate this is quite a lengthy post and you may have some quick questions about any Hamburg Cafes for your next trip. You can, of course, always come back to any section of my post and consult it in more detail for your travels.

How Did You Find & Select The Hamburg Cafes For Your Coffee Tour?

I consult Google Maps and start looking around the area for any Hamburg Cafes of interest. My criteria are a minimalistic style, but with quirky features, such as wooden tables or black metal installations. Those add character to a place. The place also needs to have a modern vibe and appealing aesthetics. Then I check the reviews. Usually, I look at the negatives first, because I want to know what the catch is. Often reviews tell you which products are the best to order. This way, I’ve been able to find some top tips and local recommendations. If a café looks of interest, I pin it. Then I check out the next one nearby. Street by Street. I literally spent hours and evenings just doing that to ensure I go to the best places when I’m travelling. Researching when I’m already at my destination has resulted in a few mishaps in the past. Now I’m better prepared and go straight to my chosen ones.

What Is The Average Price For a Coffee In Hamburg?

The Hamburg Cafes visited for this post revealed a price bracket between 3.10 to 4.20€. The average price for a large cappuccino in the city centre sits around the 4€ mark. The prices are current and correct, as of April 2022.

Are All Hamburg Cafes Of Great Quality?

All roasteries and Hamburg Cafes visited served excellent quality products. The standard was high and the bar for quality coffee is definitely raised for any of my future travels. If you visit Hamburg, make sure you check out places of interest beforehand. The ones that offered a high-quality service were the smaller, local roasteries. I’ve not been disappointed at all and I’m looking forward to returning and reviewing more Hamburg Cafes in future.

Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed the post and would like to support my blog & research, you can do so via Buy Me a Coffee.

Till next time,

Carolin

*Disclaimer: As part of my Traverse Conference ticket, I was treated to complimentary coffee and snacks at Public Coffee Roasters. All opinions expressed & words are my own.

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