Old Commercial Room

The Old Commercial Room stands right beside St. Michaelis church and has been part of Hamburg's dining history, by its own account, since 1795. It was founded by an English shipowner and began as a pub in the mahogany and brass style of a ship's interior, and today it is one of the oldest and best-known restaurants in the city. If you want to try traditional Hamburg food in a setting that feels rooted in the port's past, this is the obvious place to start.

The dish to order is Labskaus, the North German classic the restaurant names first on its menu and a good introduction to the city's seafaring food. Other classics include lobster soup and Rinderroulade, braised beef roulade. The wine list includes bottles from well-known international producers.

The restaurant suits visitors who want a sit-down meal with tradition rather than a modern menu, and it works well for families and groups. It has a main dining room and the Red Lounge on what it calls the A-Deck, which can be used for celebrations and events, and groups of up to 150 people can be booked. Prices sit in the mid to upper range, in keeping with the location.

Its origins as an English shipowner's pub in mahogany and brass are still central to the restaurant's identity, and the sense of history is a big part of the experience. If Labskaus is not for you, the lobster soup makes a lighter starter and the beef roulade a filling main course.

A big practical advantage is that the kitchen is open all day, from 12:00 to 23:00 daily. That makes it easy to fit in a late lunch after climbing the Michel tower, or an early dinner before a concert. Reservations are taken by phone and are sensible in the evening and at weekends.

You will find it on Englische Planke, in the shadow of the church tower, so a meal combines naturally with a visit to the Michel next door. Eat first and then ride up to the church's viewing platform, about 83 metres above the street, or climb the tower beforehand to build an appetite.