In a city that has hosted the early gigs of Liverpool’s original “Fab Four,” Hamburg once again claims rock residency with Hard Rock Cafe Hamburg. Located near the banks of the Elbe River in one of the city’s most historic buildings, the Landungsbrücken, nestled in the port near local landmarks, including Old Elbe Tunnel, the Old Warehouse District and the Harbor City, Hard Rock Cafe Hamburg is a must-see destination for visitors and locals alike.

You can find a few restaurants in Hamburg with one Michelin star. Christoph Rüffer easily stands out with a second star. The chef and his team present modern and creative menus based on classic French gourmet cuisine in the prestigious Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. With seasonal ingredients fresh from the market, an emphasis is placed on the highest quality of food.The ambience is elegantly reserved and the service is impressive with its balance of subtlety and attentiveness.

The Table, run by Germany’s youngest holder of three Michelin stars, Kevin Fehling, fascinates with modern interior and unique flavor experiences. The Table is located in the centre of HafenCity and offers some extraordinary design decisions: For example, there is just one single, large table made of cherry wood offering seats to up to 20 guests. From here, the visitors have the chance to take a look at the open kitchen and observe how the exclusive meals are made.

TV chef Tim Mälzer's restaurant enjoys great popularity. If you want to get a seat, you should take care of that in advance. Once you get to enjoy the cuisine, you will quickly understand why it is so crowded. The meat from the grill, especially the Argentinian fillet steak, is cooked flawlessly. But the"Kris Kross", Arctic trout with mussel broth, root vegetables and celery leaves, can also stand up quite well as a main course.If you are unable to make a decision, go for a surprise menu with three or four courses. It will certainly be good.

The location itself is a dream: if you manage to get one of the desired window seats, you can dine with a wonderful view of the Hamburg harbour – especially in the evenings, the guests are treated to an atmospheric panorama. But also in culinary terms, the Fischereihafen is one of the city’s best addresses: Since 1981, the Kowalke family has been host to a mixed crowd of young fish lovers, Hanseatic haute volée and tourists, with a large selection of excellent specialities.

The BLOCKBRÄU opened beside the Landungsbrücken in April 2012.This successful restaurant chain belongs to Eugen Block, a star in Germany's gastronomy firmament. In his brewery, located directly beside the Landungsbrücken, freshly brewed beer is served together with specialities from the brewery's own kitchen. From the terrace, you get a great view of the colourful thronging dockland and port scene.

The atmosphere is always welcoming, despite the large size of this lively establishment, which is easily explained by the excellent cuisine. Regional dishes are rediscovered with a modern interpretation here, and there is no lack of seafood and meat dishes. A helpful tip is to visit the Cox later in the evening. At that time it is pleasantly empty and the kitchen is even open until just before midnight, which is very accommodating to theatre-goers or visitors to the State Opera who would still like a meal after the performance.

Far from the usual Japanese menus in this country, "fusion style"is used in the creation of new dishes. The Iberian pork roulade with shiso herbs and a shibazuke sauce is at least as interesting as the Japanese green tea crème brûlée and mascarpone sorbet with seasonal fruit. All of this takes place in a somewhat elegant, but very welcoming atmosphere.

In the old Mellin arcade — Hamburg's oldest shopping arcade today — you can admire the ceiling paintings and stained glass from the turn of the last century. Here, you’ll find antiques, art and rare literature at Felix Jud, exclusive porcelain vases and dishware at the Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur, and countless tea varieties at the Arka-Teepavillon. The Mellin Passage connects the Alsterarkaden with the luxury shopping street Neuer Wall. With the picturesque ceiling paintings the shopping mall is a real find for tourists alongside their shopping spree.

Colourful, alternative, creative and enticing: The market street in the Karolinen district in Hamburg shows that it can also hold its own with the big shopping streets and centres in the Hanseatic city, but it is always different despite that! The exceptional position of the Karolinen district has retained its vibrant, village character: in the middle of Hamburg, the small quarter is bordered by Messe, Schlachthof and Heiligengeistfeld.

St. Georg is unusual and sinful, chic and gay and always good for lurid headlines. Life plays out on an iconic stage here. Prominent artists and creatives feel at home on the colourful streets, just as much as business people, yuppies, junkies and lost souls. It's just the allure of difference that makes this area so attractive to tolerant people.

Jungfernstieg provides a diverse connection between the Inner Alster and the surrounding shops and attractions. Set a date at this central location and start shopping in the nearby department stores — especially the famous and traditional Alsterhaus but also small but refined shops. After a break and refreshment in the Alsterpavillon, continue through the surrounding shopping areas and arcades.

Europa Passage is more than a shopping centre — it is a real attraction in Hamburg. There are over 120 shops on five floors. Whether you're into fashion, books or electronics, the shopping mall in the city centre between Jungfernstieg and Mönckebergstrasse has it all. You can spend a lazy afternoon protected from the wind and weather in this impressive building designed by Hamburg architect Hadi Teherani.

Mönckebergstrasse is Hamburg’s major shopping mile. It has been the central link between the town hall and the central train station since 1909. The buildings on Mönckebergstrasse pay witness to the city’s merchants’ pride and economic stability. And even today, this boulevard displays an impressive variety of large department stores, fashion boutiques, retail shops, cafés and food stalls. The Levantehaus is among the city’s smallest and finest shopping arcades.

The Alsterhaus in Hamburg is one of Germany’s major department stores. The exclusive range of products, the classy sense of trends and the artful presentation have shaped the image of the Alsterhaus significantly. On six floors the premium department store presents many shopping highlights — from international luxury brands to home accessories and prime groceries — and therefore links tradition and modernity.

Schanzenviertel is home to many bars, restaurants, small foreign traders, fashion boutiques and associated clientele dominate the streets in the centre. Just recently in 'Schanze' (so the Hamburg natives say) a series of new stores have opened that make the area attractive and versatile for shopping. The selection in the fashion boutiques ranges from fresh labels such as Chica Bandita, Indian Rose, Diesel, Lee and Levi up to Hamburg cult label Derbe. But also hip hop and skate shops, vinyl shops and shops with colourful knick-knacks and fun gift ideas provide a shopping experience away from the mainstream.