History
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.
Book a food experience
Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
.jpg){kind=link}
Common allergens: Fish, Gluten
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 4 fresh white rolls (Schrippen or Broetchen)
- 400g Matjes herring fillets, drained
- 1 small white onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 100g remoulade (mayo with capers, gherkin, parsley)
- Iceberg lettuce or rocket
- Optional: 4 slices Bismarckhering or 200g North Sea brown shrimp (Krabben)
- Lemon wedges to serve
Method
- Halve the rolls horizontally; toast lightly cut-side down on a dry pan if desired.
- Place a small handful of lettuce on the bottom half.
- Lay a Matjes fillet across the lettuce; fold gently to fit.
- Scatter onion rings; spoon over a tablespoon of remoulade.
- Close the roll. Serve with lemon and an optional cold beer.
Tip from the editors. Don't rinse the Matjes; the cure is the flavour.
Where to eat fischbroetchen
Fischbroetchen in Hamburg
Bruecke 10 ★ 4.6
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.
TryFischbroetchen
TipDaily 09:00-22:00 in summer. Sit on the bench facing the harbour.
Fishbar Originale Hamburger Fischbroetchen ★ 4.4
Fishbar Originale on the Landungsbruecken in Hamburg sells the harbour-front classics in Fischbroetchen form, Backfisch, Krabben and Matjes from a kiosk.
OrderThe Krabben Fischbroetchen with North Sea brown shrimp.
TipCash and card both accepted; queue moves quickly on weekday afternoons.
Fischbroetchen Koenig ★ 4.2
Fischbroetchen Koenig (also Restaurant Fischpfanne) on the St Pauli Landungsbruecken in Hamburg runs a year-round Fischbroetchen counter and sit-down room.
OrderThe Matjes Fischbroetchen with onions; the Krabben Fischbroetchen.
TipOpen 365 days a year. Inside and terrace seating; cash and card both accepted.
Underdocks ★ 4.4
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.
TryCreative Fischbroetchen on roasted spelt rolls
TipOpen daily; weekday lunches busiest 12:30-14:00. Vegetarian options available.
Fischbroetchenbude Blankenese ★ 4.0
The Fischbroetchenbude at Strandweg in Blankenese serves Fischbroetchen and beach snacks on the Elbe sand beach below the Treppenviertel staircases.
OrderThe Backfisch Fischbroetchen and a bottle of Astra.
TipCash 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.