Hamburg's defining lunch is a fresh-baked roll filled with pickled herring (Matjes, Bismarckhering, Rollmops), fried fish (Backfisch) or North Sea brown shrimp (Krabben), with onion and remoulade.
Where to eat it: 5 restaurants across 1 city.
The Fischbroetchen tradition grew from the Hanseatic harbour in the 19th century, when herring-curing was Hamburg's biggest export industry. Kiosks at the Landungsbruecken sold fish in rolls to harbour workers from the 1870s; by 1910 Hamburg had 200 dedicated Fischbroetchen counters. The Bismarckhering style (vinegar-cured raw herring) was patented by Hamburg merchant Johann Wiechmann in 1900. Today Bruecke 10 and Fishbar Originale on the Landungsbruecken cook the canonical Hamburg versions.
Common allergens: Fish, Gluten
Tip from the editors. Don't rinse the Matjes; the cure is the flavour.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Bruecke 10 on the Landungsbruecken in Hamburg sells Fischbroetchen at €4 to 7 from a harbour-side kiosk counter, the city's defining cheap-eats lunch.
Try: Fischbroetchen
Tip: Daily 09:00 to 22:00 in summer. Sit on the bench facing the harbour.
Fishbar Originale on the Landungsbruecken in Hamburg sells the harbour-front classics in Fischbroetchen form, Backfisch, Krabben and Matjes from a kiosk counter.
Try: Backfisch and crab Fischbroetchen
Order: The Krabben Fischbroetchen with North Sea brown shrimp.
Tip: Cash and card both accepted; queue moves quickly on weekday afternoons.
Fischbroetchen Koenig (also Restaurant Fischpfanne) on the St Pauli Landungsbruecken in Hamburg runs a year-round Fischbroetchen counter and sit-down room with maritime decor and a harbour view.
Try: Traditional Fischbroetchen
Order: The Matjes Fischbroetchen with onions; the Krabben Fischbroetchen.
Tip: Open 365 days a year. Inside and terrace seating; cash and card both accepted.
Underdocks on Neuer Kamp in Hamburg's St Pauli runs creative Fischbroetchen on roasted spelt rolls at €6 to 10, with house Lachs Roeschen and Krabben mixes.
Try: Creative Fischbroetchen on roasted spelt rolls
Tip: Open daily; weekday lunches busiest 12:30 to 14:00. Vegetarian options available.
The Fischbroetchenbude at Strandweg in Blankenese serves Fischbroetchen and beach snacks on the Elbe sand beach below the Treppenviertel staircases.
Try: Fischbroetchen and beach snacks
Order: The Backfisch Fischbroetchen and a bottle of Astra.
Tip: Cash only; closes Nov to Mar. Bus 488 to Suellberg from S-Bahn Blankenese.
More cities are in research. Want fischbroetchen covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.