Hamburg is full of classy cafés. far from all serve great home-made cake, however. For a number of places that offer really delicious cake and pies, see out list below!
Die Pâtisserie (Ottensen)
Bahrenfelder Str. 231, 22765 Hamburg
Located in the heart of Ottensen this adorable bakery should be your go-to for madeleines, fondant au chocolat, éclairs, tarte au citron, brioche and many other French delicacies. Seating is limited, but why not take your treats (including hot and cold drinks) to go and explore the neighbourhood? Ottensen has never seemed more Parisian!
Kafayas (Winterhude)
Semperstraße 64, 22303 Hamburg
Kafayas is a true insider tip for anyone looking for French cafés in Hamburg. It is extremely hidden on the corner of the Glindweg and Semperstraße streets, not too far from the famous shopping areas of Winterhude. Nevertheless, it is almost always full to the last seat. Not surprising since wonderful tarts and quiches are all baked in-house. Kafaya's owners bake around 20 different types of tarts, which can be ordered ahead. In addition to home-baked products, the Kafayas also offers sandwiches with bread from the organic bakery Bahde.
Hermetic Coffee Roasters (Sternschanze)
Sternstraße 68, 20357 Hamburg
One of the first Hamburg cafés to offer cold brew, Hermetic Coffee Roasters are serious about serving up deliciously simple modern coffee and espresso drinks. Their baked goods are a delight as well, with some of the best New York-style cheesecake in the city. And even though the little shop gets crowded, those looking for a spot to hunker down and work with a laptop are welcome, as long as they keep ordering drinks, of course.
Herr Max (Sternschanze)
Schulterblatt 12, 20357 Hamburg
Housed in what was originally a dairy shop, the old tiles still adorn the walls of this Sternschanze café today and go perfectly with the eclectic light-coloured furniture. Herr Max and his wife bake excellent cakes, tarts, muffins and biscuits, plus there is delicious coffee and a view of the hustle and bustle in the Schanzenviertel through the large shop window. It's always quite crowded here on weekends, so to go is also an option. And one more tip - Herr Max also sells homemade ice cream in summer!
Gretchens Villa (Karoviertel)
Marktstraße 142, 20357 Hamburg
In charming Gretchens Villa on Marktstrasse you can eat like royalty. From breakfast treats to foccacia, salads and other tempting dishes from the menu of the day to sweet treats from the cake buffet, there is plenty to choose from. The café is decorated in turquoise and gold, and croissants, cookies and cakes are piled high on the countertop displays. The creamy coffee or fresh mint tea can also be enjoyed on the benches outside the shop. If you can't get a free spot, you might have more luck next door at Gretchens Zuckerbude - Patisserie & Cafe, which opened in August 2015.
Speicherstadt Kaffeerösterei Café (HafenCity)
Kehrwieder 5, 20457 Hamburg
In the café section of the eponymous coffee roastery, visitors can enjoy beverages from freshly-roasted coffee and espresso as well as homemade cake. The old warehouse from 1888 adds to the unique atmosphere. Coffee lovers can watch the ships pass by while surrounded by decorative antique coffee machines and roasting equipment. Make sure to check out their second café location in Eppendorf as well!
Klein und Kaiserlich (HafenCity)
Am Kaiserkai 26, 20457 Hamburg
The coffee house on Kaiserkai quai offers traditional Austrian coffee specialties, cake and breakfast. The look is modelled after classic Viennese coffee houses and channels this special inspiration well. Spots on the terrace offer a beautiful view of Vasco-da-Gama square and the museum port.
Café Gnosa (St. Georg)
Lange Reihe 93, 20099 Hamburg
Café Gnosa on St. Georg's Lange Reihe is a Hamburg institution. It was one of the first 'official' gay cafes in town, and it's still going strong more than 20 years later. It's not just the out and proud atmosphere that has kept it so popular all this time though - it's also known for having one of the largest and most beautiful cake selections in the city. It's a hot destination for queer and straight patrons alike, so don't be surprised if the queue for a table stretches out the door at times. But rest assured that a table at Café Gnosa is well worth the wait.
Liebes Bisschen (Ottensen)
Spritzenpl. 5, 22765 Hamburg
Liebes Bisschen, one of the original purveyors of American-style cupcakes in Hamburg, started as a tiny operation in Sternschanze over a decade ago. But since April 2016 the café has found a new (and bigger) home in Ottensen. The cake designer Laura Seebacher offers a delightful selection of artfully decorated cakes and biscuits with great dedication. All products are homemade and prepared with the best ingredients. The cupcakes, of course, are the house speciality and come in a plethora of varieties and flavours. In addition to the usual varieties such as buttermilk-lemon, mousse-au-chocolat, cookies & cream or white chocolate-blueberry, The selection is often complemented by seasonal fruit mixes. Vegans are not neglected either and will find menu items catered to their needs as well.
Tarterie Jolie (HafenCity)
Am Kaiserkai 27, 20457 Hamburg
The small tarterie in HafenCity offers French delicacies like croissants, tarts, éclairs and quiche and breakfast is served from morning to night. In addition to delicious coffee and hot chocolate, the drinks menu also includes cocktails, wine and champagne. The space also doubles as a gallery, with works by a variety of artists on display.
Café Unter den Linden (Sternschanze)
Juliusstraße 16, 22769 Hamburg
Café Unter den Linden is a small oasis of peace in the middle of the bustling Schanzenviertel. The friendly café has been spoiling its guests with home-made cakes and dishes since 1982. The furnishings are fondly reminiscent of a classic Viennese coffee house. In summer you can relax on the terrace with a coffee or a beer from 9:30 a.m. until 1 a.m., and the large selection of newspapers and magazines also ensures you'll never be bored.
Würfel & Zucker (Eilbek)
Eilbeker Weg 39, 22089 Hamburg
The game café Würfel & Zucker has been offering gamers a home in Eilbek since 2017. Würfel & Zucker, which translates to ‘Dice & Sugar’, (or ‘Cube & Sugar’) is half open game collection, half café, where patrons can try out any of the over 800 games on offer while enjoying a variety of beverages, homemade cakes, sandwiches and snacks. And don’t worry about trying out something new: there’s always a helpful member of the staff on hand to explain or clarify rules — in German or in English. Würfel & Zucker also offers regular theme nights, including a ‘prototype day’ when local game designers can present their latest creations to players happy to test them out. And if you’d rather take it easy on your brain, there’s even a bowling alley in the basement.
Zuckermonarchie (St. Pauli)
Taubenstraße 15, 20359 Hamburg
This small café off the Reeperbahn on Taubenstrasse offers guests an enticing variety of cupcakes, cake pops, slices of cake and other sweet treats, as well as hot and cold drinks. These delicasies can also be packed up and taken to go. There is even a breakfast menu at the weekend.
Hüftgold Café (Winterhude)
Winterhuder Weg 142, 22085 Hamburg
You needn’t be a morning person to enjoy breakfast at Café Hüftgold on Winterhuder Weg - the most important meal of the day can be enjoyed all day long. Visitors can also browse daily newspapers while the hearty flan, soup or salad is prepared. All cakes are homemade and highly recommended.
El Rojito Café Ottensen (Ottensen)
Große Brunnenstraße 68, 22763 Hamburg
Located in the heart of Ottensen, this lovely café sells vegan cakes made with spelt flour from the Eichel organic pastry shop in Eimsbüttel. In addition to other sweet pastries, you can satisfy your hunger with hearty dishes, rolls and baguettes. A soy latte or cappuccino goes nicely as well, and it's worth noting that the fair trade coffee is particularly tasty here.
Café Lindtner (Eppendorf)
Eppendorfer Landstraße 88, 20249 Hamburg
At the Konditorei Lindtner café you can experience the traditional German coffee house culture of old. The freshly brewed coffee is served in a pot with a warmer, the cakes are traditional favourites like black forest, petit fours and German baumkuchen. Breakfast at Lindtner is a treat as well. Monday to Friday mornings diners can choose from a variety of à la carte options and on weekends there is a buffet.