Between Schanze and Grindel you’ll find a very beautiful old building that once was a hospital. Nowadays, there is a very beautiful café, the Hadley’s, located in the former emergency room area. Don’t worry, there is nothing left, that might remind you of a hospital. During the daytime the Hadley’s is a café with a fantastic breakfast and delicious cake.

In the evening it turns into a bar. They offer a great selection of wines. On every first Monday in a month you can go to “Monday meets Jazz”, a live Jazz night. You can check their homepage for their current program.

Another really nice offer is their “Abendbrot”. You can have the typical German supper with bread, cheese etc. together with some friends. We spent a beautiful birthday-party there, with many friends on a long table, covered with dozens of good things.

In summer you can enjoy the great outdoor seats in the garden. You’re sitting in the backyard, very green and calm. Just beautiful.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hadley’s | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (Mixed) | Breakfast from € 10.00
Beim Schlump 84a | Grindelviertel | +49404505075
Mon – Sat from 10:00 – open end, Sun from 11:00 – open end

The service is always amiable, sometimes with their heads up in the clouds, sometimes serving at the table, sometimes self-service, in this seventies furnished Pony Bar. As it’s situated beside the campus of the University of Hamburg, you will meet lots of students shortly before seminars or relaxed after class.

I really adore the red wine there; not really cheap (€ 3.00 to € 4.50), but affordable. Merlot costs € 3.00. All the other beverages are cheap. They offer milk-coffee (€ 1.90) with soy-milk with no surcharge. Try out the fresh mint tea (€ 2.10 ).

The red back room is the music-area. On Mondays songwriters give their best, on Tuesdays there are very good! Open-Mic-Sessions (HipHop), contemporary Life-Jazz on Wednesday, and … and … and …

Beside that I love to watch “Tatort” (famous German criminal series) on Sunday, readings, listen to DJ’s, or watch an exhibition.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pony Bar | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music | Milk coffee € 1.90
Allende Platz 1 | Grindelviertel | +4940428387895
Mon – Sat from 09:00, Sun from 10:00

The Philosophenturm, short Philturm, is one of the (not really beautiful but) biggest buildings on the campus of the University Hamburg. In 1960/61, the Philturm was built by Paul Seitz for the studies of arts and humanities.

After a really affordable lunch in the canteen (Mensa) in the first floor (check menu and prices on this website), you could go to the top by elevator or by feet (uff!) and have a nice break and watching the beautiful city from above FOR FREE. Take a coffee with you and relax in between students running e.g. from room 267 to room 865.

Take the elevator to the highest floor (I think it’s 12) and take the steps for the last two ones. It’s a bit irritating that there are no signs for the stairway but at least you could find it out by yourself. You need to go through glass doors and corridors to find the last step. There you can sit on the steps, let your legs dangle.

You can see the main train station, the Binnenalster (inner Alster Lake), the inner city (see picture), on the other side you can see the campus, the TV tower, the St. Michaelis Church (short Michel), the port of Hamburg, everything!

I love it & it’s free.

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Philosophenturm | Relaxing | Free
Von-Melle-Park 6 | Grindelviertel
08:30 – 19:00 daily (not sure about weekends)

Many of my American friends in Hamburg have been complaining that they can’t find any good burgers around here. Well, my friends, your search has come to an end: at Doris’ Diner!

Situated in the Jewish quarter of town, the diner – tucked between two apartment buildings – is not very easy to spot. Its white and silver exterior with glass blocks vaguely resembles that of a mobile home and the mandatory neon signs in the windows give it a nostalgic appeal that will draw you inside.

As you enter the restaurant, you’re met by a friendly staff who are quick to seat and serve you either at the counter, a comfy booth, or a table for two. The large, shiny jukebox, red furniture, and wood-paneled walls decorated with beautiful photographs create a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

With a broad palate appeal at a reasonable price, the menu offers great upscale American diner fare including traditional dishes such as sumptuous burgers and hearty spare ribs, savory sandwiches and chili fries, alluring French toast and milk shakes. If you prefer to go meatless or a bit more exotic, Doris’ Diner also has a small selection of vegetarian and Mexican dishes on offer, such as veggie burgers, vegetarian fajitas, chicken burritos, and chili tacos. Breakfast is served until 17:00 and the first-rate lunch specials are available daily.

The quality and presentation of the food is impeccable and service is quick! Definitely worth a visit!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Doris’ Diner | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (American) | Burger € 8.40
Grindelhof 43 | Grindelviertel | +4940440278
Sun – Thu 10:00 – 00:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 01:00