5 relaxing breakfast joints in Hamburg

Nothing beats a Sunday afternoon stroll on the Elbstrand, passing the ships in the Museumshafen Oevelgönne, till you reach Grosse Elbstrasse 212. Inconspicuous Café Schmidt is across the road from fish shacks and fishmongers. Between canvas and shabby industrial look, order this for the perfect close to your weekend: a Leichtes Mädchen (beetroot-raspberry tartlet) and a cappuccino with Waterkant beans.

This gem for all-day breakfasters lies between Sternschanze and Kiez. Kaffee Stark, great in every way: a great buffet with or without animal products, great vegetable quiches, gateaux, toasted sandwiches and plates of soup.

Everyone has a friend or acquaintance with an insatiable morning appetite. The ‘All-You-Can’ breakfast at Café May is the unbeatable answer to hunger pangs. The generous buffet with fresh fruit, salmon, sliced meats, eggs, salads, cheese, cake, bread and rolls is just under seven euro.

Five minutes to train time and you’ve had no breakfast? Only got three days in Hamburg and haven’t tried any local specialities yet? Rescue is at hand: there’s always franz & friends in the central station. However tempting the Franzbrötchen may look, order the classic with no add-ons and build up gradually.

There’s room for all the family in the cafe with its own bagel bakehouse and coffee roasting facility, but do book in advance. This is the best place to stoke up ahead of a hard Saturday’s lounging around. The anonymity of the spacious original cafe (there are five others in Hamburg) provides the perfect opportunity to study your shopping rivals.