A Guide to Wine and Food Tasting Tours in Hamburg Old Town

Whenever visiting Germany, one must always explore the culinary and wine traditions of the local region. For this reason, the country is one of the top tourist destinations for food and wine sampling. The city of Hamburg is especially well-known for its plethora of amazing restaurants, wine and beer selections and even a wide array of interesting food and wine tours. One of the most popular (and certainly one of the most delicious) experiences travelers can have in Hamburg is exploring its Old Town’s incredible array of food and wine tasting tours.

So, to help you experience all that Hamburg’s Old Town has to offer, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to wine and food tasting tours in Hamburg Old Town. Whether you’re a gourmet connoisseur or just an adventurous foodie, we’ll explain everything from where to go and what to expect, to how to make the most of your lobster feasts, schnapps tastings and pub crawls. So, grab a glass – it’s time for an unforgettable gastronomic journey through Old Town.

Where to Go and What to Expect

The heart of Hamburg’s cuisine can be found in its many streets, alleys and canals of the city’s Old Town. During your tasting tour through the area, you’ll have the opportunity to sample some regional specialties such as fish rolls and Hamburg-style patties, while getting an insight into the local brewing tradition with beer tastings at breweries such as Die Freun des Hoppens und Biere in the Speicherstadt area.

Your tour will also bring you to some of the best eating spots in town, where you’ll get to sample traditional delicacies such as marinated herring, seafood platters and local cheeses. You’ll also take a traditional lunch break, giving you a chance to savor hotspots such as local bistros and pubs. All throughout, your knowledgeable guide will provide interesting commentary and helpful advice on where to find quality regional ingredients that you can take home as souvenirs. As Hamburg is also quite famous for its abundance of “apple wines” (known locally as apfelwein), you’ll also benefit from a guided tasting session of different variants of this cider-like product.

When it comes to getting around Old Town, there’s no better way than walking the cobbled lanes and discovering its gothic architecture and small squares. You can join a pre-planned walking tour or easily plan your own route with the help of an experienced guide. Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to find amazing places of interest along with picturesque corners where you can sample local favorites away from touristy crowds.

Different Tours Options for Visitors

When planning a visit to Old Town, chances are you’ll come across many tours packages – boasting different itineraries and boasting different levels of tasting experiences. To help make your life easier, we’ve researched some of the best food and wine tasting tour options available in Hamburg Old Town.

Small-Group Hamburg Old Town Wine Tasting Tour

This memorable experience allows you to explore the city’s best places while sampling several types of local wines. You’ll have an expert tour guide walk you through the area’s winding lanes and learn some interesting bits about local culture and religious structures. As you proceed on your walking tour, you’ll get to enjoy samples from up to seven different wineries offering the most exquisite wines from selected winemakers. This includes both traditional and modern German wines that tell stories about the country’s culture, history and methods of producing various grape varieties. To personalize your experience even more, you might also choose to bring your own unique selection into this tasting tour.

3-Hour Culinary Tour with Private Personal Chef

For those who would like a more personalized experience, this culinary tour with a private chef should definitely make the list! During this 3-hour private session, you’ll get a truly special opportunity to learn all about tradition German cuisine while sampling some of its most delicious specialities. You will get to explore the area accompanied by a professional chef who, in addition to uncovering Hamburg’s delicious food traditions, will also provide helpful cooking tips and introduce you to some interesting regional cooking techniques. As far as sampling goes, highlights include fish sandwiches in the harbor area as well as delicious German beers and Schnapps tastings in some of Old Town’s oldest pubs.
The tour also includes a refreshing stop at an outdoor Biergarten for traditional snacks such as pretzels and sauerkraut (which can be an acquired taste…), before finally exploring a historic brewery schnapps distillery in Schanzenviertel.

3-Hour Pub Crawl Through Hamburg’s Landungsbrücken District

If beer tastings and pub crawls are more your style, then this 3-hour small group tour through Hamburg’s oldest pubs might just be what you need! During this guided experience you will get an exclusive opportunity to explore four different pubs—known among locals as Kneipen—while perhaps taking a break along the way at some of the city’s coolest hidden spots. And don’t worry – along with discovering the city’s best nightlife hotspots on the way, your tour guide will make sure that there’s also time for traditional snacks—including pretzels, sausages and more—in between pub-hopping explorations.

Making the Most Out of Your Tour

Whether you opt for one of these three options or decide to book a customized tour according to your preferences, here are some tips on how to make the most out of your food and wine tasting experience:

• Book during convenient times. Make sure that you book your tour during convenient times that fit into your schedule. This is especially important if you plan on leaving during your lunch break for beer tastings at historic pubs or after work for winery visits.
• Wear comfortable clothing. We recommend wearing something that you can move comfortably in since all tours involve quite a bit of walking.
• Be prepared for a lot of food. Although there are many smaller snacks along the way, it goes without saying that at the end of your tour you should be more than full!

From outdoor markets filled with regional specialties such as marinated herring and cheeses, to beer tastings at historic pubs and even lobster dinner experiences— it seems that Hamburg indeed has it all!!! So if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience during your next visit, be sure to check out our selection of Hamburg’s incredible food and wine tasting tours! Plus now is the perfect time to book one before they all sell out!