Image by Kyra Garske

Every Saturday very early in the morning the place around the old slaughterhouse, the gallery of the “Schlumper” (art from handicapped people) and the Knust (concert hall and bar) become a flea market.

It’s a vibrant place which is calm & relaxing. You’ll see a lot of tradespeople trying to sell their old, rare, extraordinary hodgepodge, kitsch and curiosities.

On this expedition through history, you can find art, clothes, affordable furniture and sometimes practical stuff old and new.

Attention should be paid to the selection of the Flohschanze. You won’t find any brand-new-traders or special items like at other flea markets.

Here are people, who have cleared out their houses, and display their wares on a wallpapering table or a blanket on the ground. Just for this event they are rigorous traders that have fun selling their wares with their friends in an typical rummage atmosphere.

BTW: Every week there is a street musician with guitar playing his owns versions of popular old songs, sometimes you need time to realize which song it actually is. I give him always money and strongly believe that he brings luck for the day!

another BTW: check out the Photoautomat (check the Photoautomat article) right beside the flea market for a good souvenir of the day.

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Flohschanze | Shopping
Neuer Kamp 30 | Schanze
Sat 08:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Kyra Garske

I rummaged around outside in big overseas-boxes for some new kind of tea and was really impressed by the wide range. Then I went into the seems-like-chaotic-shop and my nose and my eyes went crazy. How absolutely amazing it smells like itchy feet, far away countries, teas and spices…

From classical sorts like Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Mate Tea, Pu Erh Tea, the famous Kusmi Tea, Yogi & Ayurveda Tea, … to extraordinary teas like Precious Lamp, a Chinese tea rose bloom, which unfold itself if you put hot water on it.

Beside that they have the biggest collection of chocolate I’ve ever seen. The same applies here: a big range of the black gold from milky to salty, from hot spicy to bitter, with flowers, fruits or alcohol.

If you’re looking for some coffee or espresso, this is your place, all kinds you can imagine are fresh ground in front of you.

For sure I will go there more often now. At Claus Kröger I get all I don’t really need, but – seriously – after all that’s exactly what I really need to sweet up my life! Claus Kröger is one of the oldest shops in my neighborhood – and not a chain store. I always try to support that kind of shops because it’s one of the last individual and real Hamburgian spots.

From my morning 100% Arabica-coffee, to my something-special-chocolate, to my afternoon tea and to a delicious Claus Kröger wine for the dinner. Fair trade!

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Claus Kröger | Coffee & tea, Shopping | Chocolat Hot Masala € 2.95
Große Bergstraße 241 | Altona & Ottensen | +49403806060
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 18:00, Sat 09:00 – 15:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Kyra Garske

You’re looking for yellow buttons, a wooden carpet beater, orange eggcups, a black handbag, an old coffee mill, kitchen curtains, 1000 pieces puzzles, champagne glasses, a grey coat, a meat chopper, a violette umbrella, lemon soap, brown-pink teapot, red shoes, beige lamps…?! Accidentally yes? Then you’ve come to the right place: Hamburgs kleinstes Kaufhaus (Hamburg smallest store)! If not, go there anyway!

For 27 years they’re selling everything from every time and everywhere. Few small rooms stuffed full to rafters with all you can imagine or never thought about. Under the roof thousands of lamps which they say it’s the central product .

The prices are very affordable, I’ve found some baking utensils (for only 0,20 Euro) and a weird psychedelic table cloth from the 70th. Go there, dig in and choose something.

Here’s a nice video about Hamburgs kleinstes Kaufhaus:

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Hamburgs kleinstes Kaufhaus | Shopping | Wooden spoon € 1.00
Bahrenfelder Straße 207 | Altona & Ottensen | +49403903485
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 14:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Kyra Garske

Since 20 years Lee Asia Shop is on Große Bergstraße in Altona. It was founded by a Korean couple and now managed by their daughter Gina Lee and her husband David. Lee Asia Shop is a small shop where you can buy everything from peanuts oil to Miso-soup. If you want to cook something different, go there.

Gina and David both have a huge knowledge about spices, how to prepare, what you need and which rice is the best for what. The expert advices are possible in German, Spanish, English or Korean – how cool is that?? Well-assorted, affordable prices, no frills! A shop where Asian people or chefs buy their secret ingredients! Try also the organic range of food, delicious!

My mouth just started watering, can’t wait to go there soon again.

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Lee Asia Shop | Shopping, Snacks | Teriyaki Marinade € 2.95
Grosse Bergstrasse 197 | Altona & Ottensen | +494038612946
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Frau Tulpe Hamburg (by: Kyra Garske)

People who like cooking, knitting, backing, working with wood, gardening, sewing are maybe the so called “do-it-youself (DIY)-individuals. But it’s not just a trend phase – it was, is and will be always up to date.

When I saw the shop Frau Tulpe (Mrs Tulip) the first time, I was a bit pissed because an old-Altona’er herbs shop Kräuter Kühne was forced out and Frau Tulpe moved in. I passed the shop so many time before I stepped in and it was … beautiful. Full of love, colors and knowledge. I found so many beautiful textiles that I was blown away. Colorful buttons, fabulous drapery, fantastic braids, new scandinavian and japanese pattern, … you can also buy some ready mades like umbrellas, handbags, washbags, … The drapery has wonderful names like: Fridolin, Teo, Yola, Roxanne or Singing Bird, Falling Apple, Moskau Matroschka.

The first shop was opened by Tanja and René in Berlin. Dagmar, a families friend, has now opened a new shop in Hamburg.

Beside that they offer sewing courses for beginners and intermediates.

Go there and be inspired!

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Frau Tulpe | Shopping | New collection drapery € 15
Große Bergstr. 213 | Altona & Ottensen | +494022604863
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Maren Beele

The basic idea of the Schmuckolädchen is to offer things that do your soul good (in case you are a woman): chocolate and jewelery. Thus they offer a very special and chosen range of fine chocolate specialties and favored selection of jewelery. It is a perfect place to buy some Christmas gifts!

The jewelery is created by designers from Germany, UK, Norway and Brazil and the owners just started their own range of jewelery products. You can find beautiful pieces in different price ranges. What I especially like is that you can get some extraordinary pieces that are affordable and that are not worn by thousands of other people (like it could be the case if you buy your jewelery at the big fashion companies).

In the chocolate section you may find everything your chocolate-loving heart desires: chocolate fondue, special sorts like mint-chocolate but at all time very fine and premium chocolate.

This place is a very cosy spot where you may find gifts for yourself or your friends and loved ones. 

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Schmuckolädchen | Shopping, Snacks | Chocolate € 5.00
Paul-Roosen-Straße 12 | City center | +494076753032
Tue – Fri 12:00 – 19:30, Sat 13:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Louise Kunth

As I LOVE everything about cooking, food and eating (I read cookbooks like other people read novels) this place is one of my favorite spots.

The Kochkontor is a mixture of bookstore and restaurant. They sell cookbooks of all shades, from different countries, about different topics – everything your culinary heart could wish for.

Included in this shop is a big open-space kitchen and a few tables. Every day they select one of their incredible plenty of books and cook one or two dishes for lunch. You should go there early as there are only a few tables for many potential guests. If you liked your dish you may just buy the appropriate book or any other book that caught your eye.

If you have the possibility and you speak German you can also participate in one of their cooking classes. I haven’t done this yet, but it’s definitely on my agenda. I would probably choose „Classique – French cuisine”. Have a look at the dates on their homepage. Many classes are booked out long before.

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Kochkontor | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants | Lunch dish € 8.00
Karolinenstraße 27 | Karoviertel | +494043216036
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Louise Kunth

I associate very special or at least just beautiful-days-without-a-special-cause with the Atlantik Fisch. Atlantik Fisch is a shop with diner located in the Große Elbstraße directly at the harbor. And guess what you get there: everything the ocean has to give away. From oysters, gambas, crabs to diverse shells and fishes – you will find everything.

I always go there on Christmas eve about noon to buy Irish oysters for my family and me and then I get a glass of white wine or champagne and have some oysters already for lunch. The interior is very simple and pragmatic, you sit on wooden benches between this great selection of sea-fruits and look at the flurry of activity.

We go there as well in summer times to have oysters, white wine and baguette, sitting in the sun and enjoying our lifes. Sad to say, that’s not our everyday program, it’s rather reserved for some special days.

Go there if you like high quality seafood or need something really special, you will find it here. Or just enjoy the harbor atmosphere and have a salmon sandwich – as you like.

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Atlantik Fisch | Bars, Shopping, Snacks | Seafood dish € 6.00
Große Elbstraße 139 | Harbour | +4940391123
09:00 – 18:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Human Empire

The Human Empire is a design and illustration studio that works for a lot of interesting and international clients, lots of them coming from the fashion-, music-, art- or culture-section. For example they designed for a lot of musicians including Feist, Deathcab for Cutie or Architecture in Helsinki. They do dazzling stuff, which you may see on their website.

Since 2007 they run a small store in the Schanzenviertel. You can buy awesome creative things there from posters to clothes and books and accessories. 

All posters are created by young and aspiring international illustrators, graphic designers or artist and so are most of the clothes. Meanwhile they carry some interesting international fashion brands which are not easy get in hamburg such as Happy Socks, Sitka or Rvlt and hence Sandqvist. The books they offer cover the latest in design, typography or illustration, furthermore they have a beautiful selection of kids books and accessories. Prices are very affordable; you can buy posters from 10 EUR.

I go there whenever I need a special gift or just to buy myself new stuff for my walls or for my collection of design books. You will love it, if you are into in design and creative things and fashion.

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Human Empire | Art & culture, Shopping | Poster € 10.00
Schulterblatt 132 | Schanze | +494022626811
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 19:00, Sat 12:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Ute Kreitz

The air is filled with the shouting and yelling of vendors, clusters of people are crowding around stands and trucks, empty cardboard boxes are flying, bags are stuffed with fish, baskets are filled to the rim with produce and sold for as little as € 20.

Hamburg’s fish market is legendary and simply a must for every visitor. Since 1703 merchants have been trading everything you can imagine. Today the choice of products ranges from a wide selection of seafood and meat, exotic fruits and veggies, pastries, household items, Hamburg souvenirs to live animals including guinea pigs, bunnies, geese and chicken.

A unique feature of this market is that many items are sold and traded in bulk, often directly from the truck. Things get very hectic and exciting for both merchants and customers when closing time is announced over the loud speaker – gotta make that last deal!

In addition to the early birds, many night owls come here to conclude a long night on Reeperbahn with a fish sandwich and some coffee. The brunch at the historic “Fischauktionshalle” (fish auction hall) with live music (Jazz, Country, Western, German classics) is special highlight!

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Fischmarkt | Art & culture, Shopping
Fischmarkt 2 | Sankt Pauli
Oct – Mar: Sun 07:00 – 09:30 | Apr – Sep: Sun 05:00 – 09:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg