Aalkate Fehmarn in Fehmarn

We had reserved a table for two. Upon arrival, we stood somewhat bewildered in the room… there was no one to speak to, and a young woman we approached didn't understand us and simply pointed to the counter! There, we were informed that we were supposed to choose our food at the table and then order at the counter. Our table was in the boathouse, meaning we had to walk through the rain to a kind of conservatory heated by ceiling lamps. To order, we had to walk back through the rain, and to pick up our food, we had to walk back through the rain again. The trays were so small that the plates didn't fit on them, so it was either two trips or stacking and balancing plates, side dishes, and drinks… The plaice and the curry were tasty, but the fried potatoes were unfortunately burnt, and the creamed savoy cabbage was swimming half-raw in cream! Not enjoyable at all 🙄 Value for money: we paid €60 for two drinks and two main courses. That's too much without any service whatsoever!!! Unfortunately, I won't be returning to the Aalkate!

A wonderful place for fish lovers. Would gladly return every holiday 👍👍👍👍

A very delicious dinner; the appetizers, the fish, and the side dishes were all very good.

Super delicious food. I'd go back anytime.

We had pre-booked and were seated in the small VIP area. I personally found this very nice, as we were seated there with two other couples (very friendly, fond of children and animals). The food has to be ordered at the counter and picked up yourself, so if you consider that service, I would give it 3 stars. The staff was friendly and attentive. The food itself was excellent. My wife had plaice, I had tuna with sesame seeds, and my son had shrimp. Everything was delicious and cooked to perfection. For dessert, we had tiramisu (unfortunately rather bland) and a chocolate cake (so good that my son didn't share any with anyone). The ambiance is rustic and cozy, however, the restrooms don't live up to the rest of the experience and the quality of the food and staff. Therefore, the food gets a solid 5 stars, and the ambiance gets 4 stars. Would I recommend this restaurant? Yes, I would, and I would come here again, since I visit a restaurant for the food and not for the sanitary facilities.

Delicious fish dishes in a cozy atmosphere. Orders are placed at the counter and picked up by yourself. A visit is worthwhile!

The fried fish and the tuna were very good. The rest was probably good too, though I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

Six of us went to the Aalkate and were unfortunately disappointed overall. It was our first time there and initially we were completely overwhelmed, as we didn't realize it was a self-service restaurant, which we didn't think was made clear online. The prices (approx. €35 per person) are significantly too high for a self-service restaurant. The fish was fresh, but the portion of cod fillet with mustard sauce was very small – especially the mashed potatoes as a side dish were very limited in quantity. Furthermore, the sauce clearly outweighed the fish content on all the plates. The ambiance also didn't impress us, at least not where we were seated. Despite having a reservation, we were seated on uncomfortable high chairs right by the entrance, cramped and in the middle of the aisle. In a larger group, the ordering process was also difficult, as we had to write down the entire order in advance and pay immediately. This made it inconvenient to potentially reorder drinks or desserts, which we then decided not to do. In our opinion, the visit was therefore difficult for larger groups. On the positive side, the food was visually appealing and the emphasis was on regional products. However, the entire evening felt rather anonymous and impersonal, and we didn't feel welcome. Overall, the price-quality-comfort ratio wasn't right for us—a shame, because we had hoped for more! We can't unreservedly recommend this restaurant to our holiday guests.

We had delicious fish, very good value for money. Highly recommended. You can even take fish to go, with a good selection of smoked fish and other delicacies. You have to order and pick up the food yourself at the counter, but we didn't find it a problem.

Self-service but friendly staff, food served quickly and very tasty. Some of the dishes were a bit salty, though. The atmosphere was fantastic.

Small but perfectly formed. It's worth a visit, but please call ahead to reserve. The turkey roast with bacon and beans and fried potatoes was absolutely delicious, and the gravy was heavenly.

Very tasty dishes with friendly staff and a great atmosphere! The Wiener schnitzel was almost perfect: extremely thin and nicely breaded. The fish always tastes fresh and delicious. I highly recommend it!👌

We had dinner at the Aalkate today, our first visit to the restaurant because we were impressed by the reviews. Had we known it was a better self-service restaurant, we would have preferred to go to the competitor across the street. We had been there two days before and felt completely comfortable with the service! Since the food at the Aalkate was also only average (my fish was drenched in mustard sauce and my steakhouse fries were very soft and soggy. The mashed potatoes tasted sour), we can't explain the good reviews for a better cafeteria. We were very disappointed.

Absolutely 😋 delicious, again and again.

Delicious food and fish products to take away

The fish was as always. Only this time the staff was reserved and grumpy.

It's a shame it's self-service only. No one comes around to clean or ask for drinks or if everything is okay. The food is first-class, and the location is unbeatable.

Very good food, excellent ambience, always worth a visit!

Delicious fish, freshly smoked eel is super tasty. Everything is self-service.

Incredibly good food. I've tried a lot of restaurants, especially those that primarily serve fish. But the food at Aalkate has topped them all so far.

Aalkate Fehmarn – we need to talk. I've never been to the actual restaurant – and I'll say that right up front. What I'm reviewing is the fish counter, the heart of Aalkate. And what's there isn't for sale – this is North German craftsmanship in its purest form. The fish sandwiches? The best on the island, period. Fresh, honest, filling – the kind you'd expect by the sea, but rarely get. No tourist kitsch, no one-size-fits-all flavor. Here you can taste the north, the smoke, the salt, and the sea. But the real highlight are the fish specialties. Smoked fish, herring, fish cakes – all homemade, all made with love. Nothing seems industrial, nothing seems careless. And then this sherry matjes – my absolute favorite. Delicate, aromatic, with that delicate, slightly sweet note that lingers. A piece of the coast you can taste. The service is typically Nordic: friendly, direct, genuine. No small talk, no drama. You buy, you laugh, you leave – and think to yourself: "That's how it should be." The prices are fair, the quality beyond reproach. Here, you're not paying for show, but for skill. The Aalkate isn't a place that panders. It's like the North itself: honest, robust, and full of flavor. A must for anyone who truly loves fish – not just the smell. Five stars – for craftsmanship, heart, and the island's best herring. Sincerely, Your Byron Ison.

We sat in the wonderful beer garden directly on the Baltic Sea coast

A dream! We sat right by the water and enjoyed the sunset. That alone was worth 5 stars. We also had incredibly delicious sea bream fillet and perfect zander. The fish was cooked to perfection, super fresh, and simply a delight. The combination of excellent food and this unique location makes the Aalkate an absolute highlight for us on Fehmarn.

Simply an institution. The eel was eaten right at your table, and the second course was wolffish with mashed potatoes. Simply world-class. The friendly service and the rustic ambiance complemented it perfectly. Simply wonderful.

Very, very tasty. It's always worth waiting in line. If you leave, it's your own fault. The price/performance ratio is excellent.

We ate sea bream and calamari here. The fish was very small (baby fish), and the rings were placed very listlessly on the plate. The last time we ate here three years ago, it was great. Nothing to compare to this time. Oh well, they cut corners everywhere, just not on the price. We won't be coming back. Every fish stall in the harbor offers better value, sorry.

Very nice location, delicious fish sandwiches, very good smoked fish, good service

Everything is top-notch I'd be happy to come back Keep it up

Great selection of smoked products. The food on site is also excellent, and the staff is extremely friendly.

We only buy fresh and smoked fish. Delicious

In our opinion, this is the best fish restaurant in the far north. A large selection of dishes, plentiful in quantity, and reasonable prices. You can dine in or order takeaway. We give it a definite 5-star recommendation.

The food was very tasty. However, it was a self-service restaurant. It was very cold. The price/performance ratio wasn't right for me. Also, the plates were broken. What a shame!

Delicious smoked delicacies and freshly prepared dishes. Excellent quality and service.

Yes. Beautiful view. Good food.

The Aalkate is no longer an insider tip on Fehmarn, but it's still worth a visit. If you like smoked fish, this is the place to be. Fish in all its forms is plentiful. The facilities are also perfect for everyone: from outdoor seating by the water, to a modern glasshouse with a view, to a rustic smokehouse, there's a lovely spot for everyone. If you're on Fehmarn, don't miss the Aalkate.

The best fish sandwiches! Definitely worth a visit. Super friendly service and reasonable prices. Everything is very clean and the ambiance is lovely. You can sit inside or outside.

There were delicious matjes … as always excellent

A must-visit when you're on Fehmarn. Great fish dishes, albeit not exactly cheap. But no matter, you don't go here every day.

Very nicely decorated, delicious fish

The service here isn't really worth rating, as you order your food at the counter. You get a pager when you order, and when it goes off, you can pick up your food at the counter. The service at the counter is professional. It's a very comfortable place to sit, with a fantastic view of the sound bridge. We had the fish curry, which was absolutely amazing (assuming you like Asian curries); we've never had such a good curry!

There was great smoked salmon and the smoked shrimp were very light.

We've been coming here sporadically for over 25 years. We enjoy every change of ambiance. The fish has been of the highest quality for years, whether it's herring, rollmops, fish cakes, or eel! Today I had smoked shrimp, a true dream. 😘 The rest of the group enjoyed herring or fried herring. Regarding service: It's a self-service restaurant, and that's what makes it so charming. Let them prepare great fish and side dishes for you, find your favorite spot, and enjoy. See our great spot with a view of the water in the picture.

With views over the Baltic Sea and the Fehmarnsund Bridge, the restaurant offers a wonderful atmosphere for a romantic evening for two or for other occasions. One small drawback of the restaurant: there are only two vegetarian dishes on the menu, which severely limits the variety. However, these taste wonderful. In contrast, the fish dishes are very diverse. For dessert, we highly recommend the tiramisu and the cheesecake!

I remembered the Aalkate from years ago. We always ate very, very well there. Today I'm extremely disappointed! The grilled salmon and the potato wedges were completely dry. Both must have been kept warm for a very, very long time. Far from freshly prepared!!! For the hefty price per dish, you'd expect something different! This was definitely our last visit!!! The price/performance ratio is completely out of proportion!

Self-service. Still a very nice atmosphere. Great!

Aal Kate has managed to transform its original, fantastic ambiance into a modern, fantastic one! There are plenty of covered and sheltered tables. Unfortunately, the quality of the fish has taken its toll on mass production. The smoked salmon, smoked trout, and scampi are dry, and the eel hasn't absorbed the smoke.

Grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes were very tasty, the fish and potato wedges were a bit over-seasoned

Good food, well-organized with self-service. Friendly restaurant overlooking the bay.

Delicious fish?? Definitely the Aalkate! Surf'n Turf and cod fillet in mustard sauce. Definitely a must-try.

Unfortunately I can only give 5 stars, simply delicious 👌👌👌

Highly recommended: the front area sells their own fish and fish sandwiches. Continuing further, you'll reach the restaurant. There are various seating areas. The boathouse is also a highlight for children; here you can watch the sailors and surfers while you eat. What's different here from other restaurants is that you have to order your food and drinks at the counter and pick them up yourself. The food is very good, and there's something for every taste.

There's no service, not because it's bad—it's a different concept, very unusual—but the food was excellent. The only negative thing was that the people working there didn't speak German, and even their English seemed to be a little lacking. This caused some communication problems on our evening, and we noticed this at other tables as well.

The wait at the counter was worth it. A very nice place with excellent fish dishes. The seating is also very pleasant, some with a view of the water.

Very tasty food. Super friendly service and a very nice atmosphere.

Unfortunately, we were very disappointed with our visit. • The salmon we ordered was very small, and we had to pay €21 for it. • The fish was dry, the vegetables were cold, and the extra portion was a disgrace, costing almost €6. • Positive: The curry was delicious. • Negative: The service – purely self-service, with no sense of hospitality. Overall, the value for money is not at all good. I would have expected significantly better quality for the money.

Well, we were a bit surprised at first. Entering Aalkate through the front door, you find yourself in a sales area selling smoked salmon and other items. Waiters scurry around the restaurant, initially uninterested in the new arrivals. We had a reservation, and after speaking to someone, we were assigned our table. It had been cleared, but it was still clingy from previous guests, and then we realized it was self-service! The prices on the menu weren't cheap, but they didn't include service. So we placed our order at the cash register, paid, and returned to the table with our drinks and a pager. When the signal was given, we picked up the food ourselves from the counter. But then... the quality is truly outstanding and it tasted very good. I can highly recommend the tuna in a seam crust. It's sashimi-quality, just like you'd get at a Japanese restaurant. If you like it, order it medium rare. The price/performance ratio is absolutely fine. So forget about the self-service thing. This place is highly recommended. The ambiance of the various rooms is also pleasant and lovingly designed. At the end, we picked up some smoked fish for the next evening.

Fish snack bar and fish dish bar. Good price and good quality.

For self-service the food was quite good

We always enjoy visiting the Aalkate. The team is always super friendly, and I'd especially like to mention Christian. He gave great recommendations to our friends who were there for the first time last year. He always has a good joke on his lips and is partly responsible for our continued return! ;) Even with a baby, there are plenty of high chairs available, and everyone is understanding (at least from the team; some guests could learn a thing or two from that).

Great ambience, good food - but everything overpriced

Delicious smoked fish and fresh grilled fish

A welcoming restaurant in Lemkenhafen. When it's too windy or wet outside, the pleasant interior is a great place to linger. Kudos to Christian and the team, who are the icing on the cake.

Top notch!!! Everything was great!

A must for lovers of fish in all its forms. A very nice atmosphere. Self-service. You'll need to bring your time, but it's definitely worth it.

The Aalkate is a self-service restaurant at Lemkenhafen harbor, with somewhat higher prices! There's an outdoor seating area overlooking the water! Due to the quality of the food, the restaurant remains very popular! Reservations are recommended at certain times, especially on days with bad weather! The fish soup and the fried cod fillet were top-notch!

Really delicious food, generous portion sizes, and excellent quality. We found the self-service concept odd; it was more like a snack bar or rest stop, but with very good food quality. I think the concept was set up this way for operational reasons, as it eliminates the need for waiter service at the table. Well, it's just a different concept, but the food is still delicious. :-)

A traditional smokehouse with a restaurant. The self-service restaurant is a bit inconvenient, as the walk to the waterfront is quite long, requiring a bit of organization. The atmosphere and quality are top-notch.

The food is very tasty but unfortunately too expensive for it being self-service

Super restaurant highly recommended, haven't eaten so well in a long time

Highly recommended, best to reserve a table in advance. Delicious smoked fish selection. Nice selection of all kinds of fish dishes. Freshly filled fish sandwiches are available even late in the evening. 👍👍👍👍

Very good fish specialties, very popular, very nice ambiance. Good value for money, we highly recommend it.

Great location, great service, great food. We really like it there and have been there several times during our vacation. Table service instead of self-service would be the icing on the cake.

Always nice, super delicious food and right on the water

Very, very good food and a great atmosphere. If you don't mind having to order at the counter and pick it up yourself and would like to enjoy something delicious by the water, this is the place for you! 🙂

We had hoped for more. Unfortunately, the price-performance ratio wasn't right, considering it's more or less a self-service restaurant. The currywurst cost almost €17, and the taste wasn't great. Friends also said the other dishes (fish dishes for children) and the plaice were rather bland.

Simply fantastic. You can almost sit in the water there :) The food is AMAZING and so beautifully presented. It's self-service, but it's cozy.

I visited the Aalkate for the second time with my husband and two dogs. The day before, we bought rolls with smoked salmon and honey mustard dressing – very tasty! We then ate it down by the water. This encouraged us to come back last night. Now, the concept of ordering and picking up food was a bit unusual. But it worked. We both opted for the fish curry with basmati rice. Our expectations were more than met: perfectly cooked rice. Colorful fried vegetables with a bite (zucchini, bell peppers, snow peas, mushrooms). The various pieces of fish tasted very good. The fried shrimp, with their roasted aromas, were also served on top. The curry sauce was aromatic with a slight spiciness. The consistency wasn't too thick. A sprinkling of fresh parsley rounded out the picture on the plate. Normally, the dish is served in a pan, but this time it was served in a blue-glazed deep plate. Very harmonious. I went to the kitchen counter and gave my positive feedback. The servers were very pleased to hear this sincere appreciation, especially the chef who prepared the dish. My conclusion: highly recommended!

Thank you for the good offer, the great service and the beautiful seats in the Aalkate.

Incredibly delicious 😋 Go/cycle/drive there, bring a decent amount of hunger, and let the freshly prepared food counter create your own meal: 😋🤙 Highly recommended!

Highly recommended for all fish lovers!!! Definitely a must-try if you're on Fehmarn. Great local recommendations. Generous sample portions for those interested in both sides of the menu. Many thanks from Hamburg. We'll be back!

They serve delicious seaweed salad, even to take away! Unfortunately, crabs are rare.

The food was good but not great. The service was nonexistent, which made the atmosphere uncomfortable.

The food was amazing until someone came up with the idea of ​​pouring balsamic vinegar all over the place as a garnish. How could anyone... Edit September 6: Balsamic vinegar has been discontinued. Therefore, it deserves 5 stars.

We've been coming to the Aalkate for over 25 years; it's a must-visit more than once on every vacation. We still remember the old, rustic ambiance, and we still mostly enjoy the delicious smoked fish. The self-service is perfectly fine, and the staff are all very friendly. What really bothered us today, though—the Aalkate was very busy—were the many large dogs running around or lying in the dining rooms, without muzzles, of course, shaking themselves, and dog hair flying around. In our opinion, this is absolutely unacceptable from a hygiene perspective. Dogs are OK outside, but a definite NO in the enclosed areas!

Everything was great.... Every year we come back for our vacation...

The food was good. BUT: For a restaurant in this price range (over 30 euros per person), the ambiance was subpar. Any other self-service restaurant would be more pleasant, unless you're into train station ambiance. A 15-minute line for drinks and ordering is followed by constant, loud orders from the kitchen about what the chefs should cook next, and in between, three water showers for the guests, because the folding roof seemed to open on its own, even in the sunshine, and the owner couldn't find a way to turn it off. Overall, you were glad to be able to quickly leave the restaurant and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful island.

The food was great, the staff very friendly. I highly recommend it.

Fish sandwiches are always freshly prepared, and the rolls are also freshly baked.

Very good fish, friendly staff. Expensive though; a baked potato with some quark and what felt like 15 crabs cost almost €16.

A top-notch restaurant with fantastic fish dishes. We had the zander fillet with lobster sauce, a very good choice. Our next visit is already planned.

A truly lovely restaurant. The courtyard is a surprise when you walk in from outside – we weren't expecting that! Everything was very tastefully decorated, and the food was truly perfectly seasoned, presented, and prepared to perfection – while not exactly cheap, it was definitely worth the money 👍

Very delicious dishes that you can customize. The restaurant is beautifully located on the water and has a great outdoor area. You have to line up at a counter to order your food and then pick it up yourself.

Highly recommended...we had a very good meal there. Great quality, superbly prepared, and perfectly presented. Great terrace right on the water, but also plenty of space in the conservatory. The service only gets 3 stars because it's all self-service. We'll definitely be back.

The fish here is super delicious.

From the outside, the ambiance is cozy, suggesting a traditional smokehouse. Inside, it's a self-service restaurant, whose decor is more reminiscent of a cheap theme park reenactment. The food is more for the average tourist than for the discerning fish connoisseur. The wolffish fillet was unfortunately overseasoned, so the delicate flavor of the fish was no longer evident. The salmon fillet, cooked "on the skin," was very dark on the top side and not cooked on the skin side, thus being correspondingly dry. But at least the price was comparable to a good fish restaurant. Conclusion: At that price, it's better to go straight to a good restaurant.

I can really recommend the location. Very delicious food (especially the thuna with sesame), nice location and fast service.

How wonderful it is to sit in a restaurant and be served by friendly staff. Here, everything is different. Everyone plays the role of waiter, in other words...it's a self-service restaurant...a better snack bar, so to speak. The indoor seating is very nice and comfortable. The outdoor terrace facing the water is sensational with a great view. The food was very good, but it's definitely too expensive for a self-service restaurant/snack bar. We won't be coming back; we'd rather look for a restaurant where you get waited on. It has nothing to do with Restaurant Aalkate; if you feel comfortable in a self-service restaurant, you'll be in good hands here.

Wonderful, great location, amazing sea view. A must-visit if you're on Fehmarn.

We had hoped for more from the prepared hot meal. The breading completely overpowered the taste of the fish, and the lobster sauce unfortunately lacked any flavor. However, we did pick up some fish from the fresh fish counter, which tasted excellent!

The food was delicious, but not legendary. The sesame-crusted tuna, however, was disappointing in terms of taste (it's simply not sashimi, which is certainly also a question of price). The man at the smoked fish counter at the entrance was friendly, knowledgeable, and funny, and the fish from there was very tasty. It took forever, though, probably due to a lack of staff. The atmosphere is very pleasant: outside by the water in good weather, in the courtyard when it's not so nice, and inside when it's not – you can feel comfortable anywhere. The value for money, however, is very poor, as it's a self-service restaurant with a lot of running around and waiting.