• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

From left, Poletto, located near Hamburg's Hayns Park, also exhibits artwork; the sleek dining room at Schauermann.   (Photo: Courtesy of Poletto; courtesy Schauermann)

With more Michelin-starred eateries than any other German city, Hamburg is a mecca for gastronomes. One of them is Poletto— an elegantly appointed, ocher-colored Mediterranean spot. The chef cooks with seasonal ingredients, and her sommelier husband parses the wine list. Hope to see fried scallops on a bed of purple artichokes with aged balsamic on the menu.

Scenesters eat at the new brasserie Die Bank; observe them from the bustling bar before moving into the double-height dining room. Under striking Swarovski chandeliers, feast on chef Fritz Schilling's handiwork — standbys such as steak-frites or fillet of sole with clams and ginger.

On the harborfront, the new Schauermann opened in a bright space with clean, distinct lines. The New German food served here — like rack of lamb with an olive-goat-cheese crust and tomato risotto wrapped in a wine leaf — will dispel any doubts about the native cuisine.

La Bottega Lentini (Eppendorfer Weg 267; 40-4696-0263) is among Hamburg's best Italian restaurants, where the pasta (try the spaghetti vongole or spaghetti with black truffles) is as good as the thin-crust pizzas (get a slice of ruccula or parma).

Published on Oct 11, 2006 as a web exclusive.