In the venerable Ratskeller directly below Bremen’s town hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cellar master poured the first drop as early as 1409. Today, it houses the largest collection of German wine with 650 fine varieties. But the menu is also impressive. Bremen and regional specialities are served to guests in the historic hall of the Ratskeller. During a guided tour, you can take a look into the “treasure chamber”, savour the aroma of the “rose cellar” and, of course, sample a drop or two.
The Schiffergesellschaft restaurant in Lübeck’s Old Town is a truly historic place, founded in the 16th century. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Germany and is characterised by its unique atmosphere. You sit on long wooden benches or dine elegantly at festively laid individual tables. Hanging from the ceiling are countless historical ship models, some of which are also several hundred years old. The cuisine is excellent and no guest should miss out on savouring the traditional red wine “Lübecker Rotspon” with their meal.
Lübeck marzipan, an irresistible mixture of high-quality almonds, fine sugar and a hint of rose water. Its history dates back to the 15th century and the traditional production technique is still passed down from generation to generation today. Whether classic marzipan bread, artistically designed figurines or exquisite chocolates – Lübeck marzipan is not only a delicious treat, but also stands for centuries of craftsmanship that originated in Lübeck and that you will encounter again and again in the city.
Hamburg is one of the leading international trading and transshipment centres for the brown gold and has a large number of coffee roasting plants, museums and catering establishments where you can discover many exciting secrets about the precious beans. If you want to find out more about the history of the coffee bean, the “Burg” coffee museum is the place to go. Here you can learn interesting facts about the cultivation, trade and processing of the popular coffee beans. Of course, you can also sample coffee during a live roasting session in the museum’s own café.
Lower Saxony offers a wide variety of culinary specialities. In the manufactories and refineries in Lower Saxony, you can enjoy these directly on site. Delicious products with unique flavour creations are produced in the manufactories under fair conditions. The special thing about visiting manufactories is that you often get a direct insight into the production process and can even try something at one or other of the locations.
One of Lower Saxony’s typical regional specialities is kale. This healthy superfood, which is harvested in winter, is honoured with kale tours. This firmly rooted tradition is very widespread in Lower Saxony. Oldenburg in the north-west of Lower Saxony has even been able to call itself the “Kale Tour Capital” since 2010. As soon as the first night frosts arrive, the handcart is filled, a game of bowling (a type of outdoor bowling) is played and drinks are consumed before a meal of kale is served in a pub.
Lower Saxony is the home of asparagus. Every fifth asparagus comes from Lower Saxony and the asparagus fields characterise the landscape. The “Lower Saxony Asparagus Route” connects the most important asparagus-growing regions of Lüneburg Heath, Hanover and the surrounding area, Braunschweig Land, Mittelweser and Oldenbürger Münsterland. From April to June, all kinds of asparagus-related culinary specialities are offered here and the “white gold” is sold directly from the field.
Freshly caught fish, tender dyke lamb, savoury cheese or fragrant Katenschinken ham – anyone embarking on a culinary voyage of discovery in the land between the seas has plenty to choose from. Here you can savour regional and seasonal products of the highest quality. The best place to try them is in one of the typical local inns or in the cosy farm cafés. And if the flavour is convincing, the products can often be purchased directly from the producer in the farm shop or in one of the many regional manufactories.
Craft beer, rum and the finest distillates. In Schleswig-Holstein, many expert enthusiasts have set out in recent years to produce liquid delicacies with meticulous craftsmanship. From trendy gin to new types of beer and a wide variety of fruit brandies, there is something for every taste. Even wine is grown here! You can either round off an exciting day of sightseeing in the bar or buy a few bottles for your home bar, and tours and workshops can also be booked in many places.
No other city in the country is as closely associated with the word “coffee” and its history as Bremen. From the first coffee factory in Europe to the invention of decaffeinated coffee and the important centre for coffee bean culture, the city’s long coffee history is still being written every day. In Bremen, there is even a special word for the cultivated enjoyment of coffee: kaffeesieren. It’s time for a coffee in the Hanseatic city.
