Image by Kyra Garske

Sometimes after exercising (my sport club is nearby) I meet friends in Aurel for a sparkling rhubarb juice or caipirinha (happy hour daily till 21:00, Caipirinha €4,00 and Mojito €5,50).

Especially around 18:00 it becomes very crowed and often too loud for profound talks. After work people let the day fade away in a cozy gold-red atmosphere. They have a very uncommon but tasty beer called “Große Freiheit” (great freedom) for €1,50 (small) to €2,50 (big). If you are with your wine lover friends, this is the first place I found for ordering a bottle (0,75l) of really good wine for only €11.00, last time it was even an 1-l-bottle!

The ambience is retro and mainly red, good music, mixed people, free pretzel sticks on every table. A big self-service bar, an amazing room with coloured windows in the back of first room. Beside that there is a cozy booth for only two people (in love?). Cute!

Don’t be surprised or afraid on the toilet. First of all it is volitional! Cheeps of whales in the ocean. Cute!

In summertime you can sit outside, if you can find a chair – if not: many people sit on the most frequented (of Hamburg?) road kerb with their drinks and immerse themselves in the vibrant life of Ottensen.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Aurel | Bars, Coffee & tea | Small beer € 1.50
Bahrenfelder Str. 157 | Altona & Ottensen | +49403902727
Mon – Thu from 12:00, Fri – Sat from 10:00, Sun from 11:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Kyra Garske

Close to 1-Euro-shops, cheap bakeries, turkish snack bars, vegetable bazars and the big deconstruction area (formerly Frappant, they will build an Ikea soon) Laib & Liebe (in English: Loaf and Love) is located on the Große Bergstrasse, right beside Claus Kröger.

The café Laib & Liebe offers delicious delicatessen like mediterrian Focaccia, Antipasti, sinful cake – all homemade. The lunch dishes are super-yummy and affordable (for what you get it’s fair in price). Their salads, fresh pasta, soups, fish- and meat and vegetables are based on seasonal ingredients and always different. Fresh paninis start at 2.00 Euro.

Ginger tea is my favorite, but during the summer time I adore the lemonade. For all coffee junkies out there: go there – it’ll leave nothing to be desired: there is an espresso bar too.

Upstairs you’ll find a wonderful dinning room – lovely made with every nut, bolt and screw. Outside you can sit in the sun with blankets and a view of the heavily contested deconstruction area.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Laib & Liebe | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Mediterran) | Pasta Beef bourguignon € 6.90
Große Bergstraße 243 | Altona & Ottensen | +494038904950
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 09:00 – 15:00

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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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:

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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 LilliSu Hamburg (by: Kyra Garske)

Actually the Café LilliSu looks a bit kitschy and if I would describe most of the people who go there as young mothers with well-behaved children called Richard or Leonard. On the other hand: it’s a good spot for young ladies to chat about everything.

I would say this place is not alternative enough for me to become my favourite place but in a way I really like it. The atmosphere is light, simple and cosy. The furniture is mainly Nordic white. Inside there are big shelves with lovely organic products like coffee and tea, chocolate and self-made jam you can buy as presents for friends or just for yourself.

The owners are two women who have been living in Ottensen for many years, always creating new, really tasty dishes like filled pasta (some with tomato-mincemeat and fresh-fruity sauce, others with ricotta-spinach and red-pesto-sauce). Or if you are more into sweets, check out the cake-counter! Fair-trade, organic (therefore political correct) coffee rounds out the time at LilliSu. They have great breakfast too, mmmmh.

Wonderful, lovely place -outside in the sun as well (during the wintertime with warm blankets).

Details about this spot (Show on map)
LilliSu | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Latte Macchiato € 2.60
Große Rainstraße 18 | Altona & Ottensen | +49403902491
Mon – Fri 9:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 19:00

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.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
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 Kyra Garske

Beside the Aurel in Ottensen you can find the Familieneck (family corner) which is always a nice spot for listen to different music every night from electronic to reggae and a last beer before going home.

The DJ is under the roof in the middle of all the alcoholic beverages and can watch down to the whole scenery. The barkeeper, especially Hubertus, is like a diva and always up for chats. If you come here you never know how the night end. Everything seems to be unpredictable. The bar is always full, also late at night!

The people at Familieneck are weird, extroverted and muddle-headed – don’t mind if a woman dances on a table with a Tequila in one hand or three guys with cowboy hats trying to order their 17th beer.

Small, dark, loud, crowd – Familieneck.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Familieneck | Bars | Beer € 2.80
Friedensallee 4 | Altona & Ottensen | +49403907497
18:00 – 04:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Kyra Garske

Around the corner in my neighborhood, a cosy Café/Bar in Altona Altstadt was established – the El Brujito!

El Brujito means little witch and is a small, pretty comfortable place. You’ll get breakfast with fair-trade coffee, awesome cakes, all kind of toasts and (ordered in advance) fresh Argentinean empanadas, South American stuffed pastry.

The always smiling, amiable crew has a good knowledge of their large wine list (house wine starts at €2,50). My favorite is the cheese plate (also available: meat plate) in two different sizes.

You can sit inside on chairs and armchairs, in front of the door on a bench (great during the day) or in the beer-garden in the backyard.

Last week I enjoyed a surprise concert in this cosy ambiance! Absolutely new: poetry slams at Brujito (Brujito slam) every 2nd Thursday of the month (starts 20:30, entry 19:00, costs: 3 euro).

Have a look at the revolutionary wall paintings and quotes, and the awesome photos of revolution.

All in all one of my new favorite spots in Hamburg and I hope it stays in Altona Altstadt for a looooong time. Viva la revolution, viva El Brujito!

Important facts: Sunday is brunch-time (from 10:00 to 15:00 for 8 euro) and Tatort-time (from 20:15 for free)

Details about this spot (Show on map)
El Brujito | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cheese Plate € 4.00
Lornsenplatz 7 | Altona & Ottensen | +494080607103
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 00:00, Sat 12:00 – 00:00, Sun 10:00 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg

Image by Kyra Garske

The black box with big white letters stands inconspicuously on the Altonaer Balkon (Altoner balcony) in the beautiful harbour scenery. If the sun is shining – don’t be scared, just go in and close the door behind you.

You have to wait few minutes till your eyes acclimatise to the dark. You’ll see the harbour upside down moving projected picture on a white wall.

The Camera Obscura is deemed to be the forerunner of photo cameras. Invented in times of Renaissance also know as pinhole camera. It is a camera without a lens and a single very small aperture. The smaller the hole, the sharper the projection, an upside down and right-left reversed picture.

It’s a pretty nice experience! And for free!

BTW: The current projected picture can also be seen in the foyer of the Altonaer Museum.

You could also try to take a picture (without flash) of the projection and yourself.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Camera Obscura | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Palmaille 75 | Altona & Ottensen
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Hamburg