Lübeck

Marzipan is Lübeck’s sweetest ambassador, and is inseparably linked to the city’s history. The exotic ingredients and recipes for making the exclusive delicacy – which originally came from the Orient – arrived in the old Hanseatic city of Lübeck via newly established trade routes. It was first mentioned in written passages as early as 1530. In the Middle Ages, marzipan was considered a medicine due to its high nutritional content, and was long reserved for a wealthy upper class. The Marzipan Museum tells the story of Lübeck marzipan. Impressive creations made from the sweet almond paste are also on display here – perhaps more so than anything else, all twelve life-size marzipan sculptures of prominent marzipan lovers such as the famous Lübeck writer and Nobel Prize winner, Thomas Mann.

In the listed premises of the traditional Restaurant Schiffergesellschaft, you feel transported back to the time of the Hanseatic League. As early as the 16th century, a convivial meeting place was established here in the former guild house of the boatmen’s society – founded as the “St. Nicholas Brotherhood” or “St.-Nikolaus-Bruderschaft” – which today serves typical North German dishes such as the classic “Labskaus” or “Pannfisch”. Authentic seafood dishes are also served at the stylish location, The Newport, which has its own marina and unrivalled views of the old town. Located directly on Lübeck’s “Drehbrückenplatz”, the crew of Restaurant Fangfrisch has created a paradise of pleasure for fans of straightforward, honest and Hanseatic food. Where possible, all dishes are made from regional products. A special tip: take a fish sandwich (“Fischbrötchen”) or a sandwich to go (“Stulle auf die Hand”) at the restaurant’s own kiosk, and enjoy the sunset on the water steps of the “Untertrave”.

Travemünde is Lübeck’s seaside resort directly on the sea, and has everything to offer that the holiday-hungry heart longs for: fine sandy beaches with countless wicker beach chairs, many small and large ships to marvel at, three promenades for strolling and shopping. Especially here on the Baltic coast, people love to eat fish sandwiches in all their variations, topped with salty and sour “Bismarck herring”, with mackerel, with eel, with crabs, baked fish or a homemade fishcake and some lettuce, onions and other vegetables. Be it plain with just a dollop of tartar sauce or with different dressings, whether as a vegetarian option or a luxury sandwich – there are no limits to creativity when it comes to fish sandwiches. At Travemünde’s fishing harbour, one fish stall follows the next, and each has its own unique style. Königs Fischbrötchen sells this delicacy true to the classic style, Fin & Grete more as modern street food, Fisch Stengel as a freshly caught speciality.

Directly on Drehbrückenplatz in Lübeck, the crew of “Restaurant Fangfrisch” has created a paradise for friends of straightforward, honest and Hanseatic food: The menu includes captain’s soup and cod fillet, salmon burgers, fish and chips and, of course, matjes with homemade sauce creations and potatoes from the local farm shop “Bauer Schramm”. Where possible, all dishes are made from regional products. One special tip: Take a fish roll or a sandwich to go at the restaurant’s own kiosk and enjoy the sunset on the water steps of the Untertrave.