What to Eat in Hamburg Each Season

What is in season in Hamburg, and what to order when the market changes.

Next up in Hamburg

Santa Pauli

9 Nov to 23 DecGlühwein, hot cocktails and apple Glühwein

Spring

Beelitzer Spargel (White asparagus): Brandenburg's white asparagus arrives at Hamburg markets in late April and runs to 24 June. The season ends on St John's Day; Spargelsilvester last-night menus run at most traditional rooms.
Matjes herring (first run): The first Matjes herring catch arrives at the Hamburg Fischmarkt in early June. Bruecke 10 and Fishbar Originale on the Landungsbruecken sell the season's first plate from a kiosk.
Wild garlic (Baerlauch): Wild garlic appears in north German forests and Hamburg organic markets from March to May. Used in pesto, butter and soups; disappears with the first hot weather.

Going to Hamburg Hafengeburtstag?

Hotels in Hamburg, 6-9 May 2027

Holidufrom USD 78 a night

Krabben (North Sea brown shrimp): The North Sea brown shrimp catch reaches Hamburg through June, July and August. Krabben Fischbroetchen are the canonical summer Imbiss order at the Landungsbruecken.
Rote Gruetze (Red berry pudding): Red currants, raspberries and cherries combine into Rote Gruetze at every Hamburg dessert menu through July and August, served cold with vanilla cream.
Sylter Royal oysters: Sylter Royal oysters from Sylt are at their best from June to September. Henssler & Henssler in Altona has them on the menu year-round; July is the canonical Sylt visit.

Birnen Bohnen und Speck (Pears, beans and bacon): The Hamburg autumn dish of green beans, Kochbirnen and smoked bacon arrives at Old Commercial Room from August through to mid-September, while Brandenburg pears are in.
Helgolaender Knieper (Crab claws): Helgoland crab claws are at their best from August to October. The Helgoland ferry from the Landungsbruecken runs through October; Hotel Atoll on the harbour serves the canonical claw plate.
Schlachtfest (Pig slaughter season): October to November marks Schlachtfest at Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein farms. Hamburg butchers and taverns run Blutwurst, Leberwurst and Eisbein specials through both months.

Going to HafenCity Weihnachtsmarkt?

Hotels in Hamburg, 16 Nov to 30 Dec

Holidufrom USD 78 a night

Martinsgans (St Martin's goose): Martinsgans (St Martin's goose) arrives on 11 November and runs through Christmas. Roast goose with red cabbage and Kloesze fills Hamburg's family Sunday tavern menus through December.
Gluehwein at the Christmas markets: From late November through 23 December the Hamburg Christmas markets pour Gluehwein and Feuerzangenbowle on Rathausmarkt, Jungfernstieg, Spitalerstrasse and the Santa Pauli market on the Reeperbahn.
Stollen and Marzipan: Hamburg's bakeries bake Stollen from the first Sunday of Advent. The Luebeck Niederegger marzipan tradition reaches Hamburg's Christmas markets; Nur Hier and Dat Backhus run Stollen from November.