Hamburg Bound: Tips?
My new friend at TineKHome in Denmark is traveling down to Hamburg on Thursday and would like some advice on what to see there. She's looking for some stylish shops and cafes. I have a little list below of some of the places I suggest... If you've been to Hamburg what suggestions do you have?
Shops:
- Habitat - Downtown near the water and old town hall - and by the way, you cannot go to Hamburg WITHOUT seeing the old town hall. My goodness, it's amazing. Wow.
- While you are downtown make sure you go to the store/cafe Flamant. Very, very nice and quite large so plan to spend at least 30 minutes browsing. They also make their own paint in some of the best chalky colors. If you have time for cake and coffee, visit their cafe.
- Stilwerk: a large building with design shops, mostly Knoll and big names, but also a great tea cafe/shop with Hamburg's specialty tea brand, Samova. It's also near the port and all the yummy places for fresh seafood.
- milchmaedchen: small shop owned by a nice lady who has lots of independent brands). I visited and photographed the shop here in 2008.
- craft2eu: small gallery shop with mostly ceramics and contemporary art and sculpture. Nice.
- Die Wohngeschwister - furniture and home accessories.
- TH2 White - Gorgeous! That's all I can say! Go!
- Eden Living (I loved this store - typical "Hamburg style" which is a good thing!) It's also nearby to other nice cafes and shops -- pretty area.
- Lütt & Fien - shop for mostly children but very unique and special. Also happens to be in a very nice part of the city with other shops and cafes nearby. I wrote about them recently here.
- Andreas Linzner - shop with mostly plush animals but also very original and he is just the nicest man, I met him a few years ago at his shop. He is also located in a very busy area with lots of stores.
- Charlotta's - Lots of Amy Butler fabric, patterns in English, Amy Butler books, and fabric from all over the world, lots from America. The shop owner, Karin Fuchs, is a delight and her store is stocked with beautiful things. It's near craft2eu so you can hit both at the same time.
- Herzallerliebst - More pretty things, fabrics and notions, gifts, but most of all they have gorgeous leather bags and wallets that they make. They even sell my favorite tea, The o dor, from Paris. This shop is around the corner from milchmaedchen so you can see them both easily.
- Dedon - Gorgeous furniture showroom.
- Patio Antiques - came suggested to me by my friend Yvonne as a "must-see" shop.
Food:
- Personally, I've not dined out too often in Hamburg but when I have I found East to be exquisite for dinner and cocktails.
- I also loved TH2 for breakfast and lunch, it's near the shop Eden Living so you can hit both at the same time. TH2 is such a pretty cafe and is owned by a couple who are both named Torsten and who happen to be designers who own TH2 White.
- I've also been told by the owner of Milchmaedchen to try Bistrot Vienna (cozy and great food) and
- Rocco (Italian)
Okay so I know I've missed a ton of shops and cafes -- and I personally would like to know what you do in Hamburg -- so please comment with your suggestions below!
(image: holly becker for decor8, taken of the milchmädchen shop)