Snacks

In my neighborhood lots of new buildings (like the innercity IKEA) and fancy offices are popping up, which brings more discussions and arguing about if it’s good or not. Well, if I can find such a lovely place like Saltkråkan, I am more and more torn.

If I’m thinking about Astrid Lindgrens stories: hot summer, white dresses, dancing with flowers in the sun… and if I only would say words, it’s on you to imagine summer holiday in Skandinavia: Äppelkaka, Blåbärstårta, Kanelbulle, Lussekatter, … mmmmmmh!

A house full of delicious sweet cake and rolls. Together with Hamburger Coffee you can just sit on one of the blue chairs or outside in the sun, and relax in the beautiful bright room. Huge map of fictitious Swedish Saltkråkan on the wall (based on Astrid Lindgrens story “Vi på Saltkråkan”), Skandinavian sweets you can buy (like Liquorice), books in a cupbord to exchange. 

Early birds can try Tjorven, Båtsman or Melker breakfast (sweet, savory or based of fish). For lunch they have quiche (paj) and soups and salad with different toppings (an idea from Finnland). Even the chocolate O’Boy and the bread is imported from Sweden. 

I love this place, the concept and will be there quite frequently (they have Wifi)! Even if highly controversial IKEA is still under construction, a small Swedish oasis is already there.

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.

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. 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.

Erika’s Eck is a place for taxi drivers and all kinds of stranded people to have a coffee and a lusty snack at night. It is a very colorful mix of party people and people who finished their shift. The food is the best antidote for an upcoming hangover.

It’s good and simple German food. They sell sandwiches with roast pork, tartar or salmon. If this is not enough you can order a “Wiener Schnitzel”. Drink your last beer and enjoy this original atmosphere. Don’t go there before midnight, because that’s when they start selling their sandwiches.

If we are too tired to stay there we take our sandwiches to go and eat them at home. Believe me, you’ll feel better the next morning.

I think black delight is on a mission. They want to make you addicted to coffee. Thus the coffee they offer is a true delicacy. Besides their coffee specialties they offer some delicious snacks like small salads, tartes, sandwiches and some sweets. For me, the greatest thing of all is a small cake called „death by chocolate”. This needs no further description, just go there and try it.

Apart from all this I really like their interior design, outdoors as well as indoors. It is simple, elegant and warm. Back in the time when I worked for my last agency I often spent really inspiring and relaxing lunch times there with my favorite colleague. After an hour talk, two coffee and a „Death by chocolate” for two we always felt strong enough for the second half of the day.