CARLS Brasserie in Hamburg

Top Location - Service Fail. There were three of us dining at this establishment, which looked very inviting from the outside. But upon closer inspection, we should have turned around: several tables still had the remains of previous customers. The waiter didn't even bother to wipe the table after our greeting. After about 20 minutes, we were finally allowed to place our huge order of two beers and a cappuccino. After another almost 30 minutes, the drinks arrived – the cappuccino lukewarm. After our almost 50-minute wait without an apology from the waiter, we asked for the bill – which also took 15 minutes. Or rather, we didn't receive it at all and left the outstanding amount in cash on the table, as the restaurant apparently didn't care about collecting the bill. Hopefully, things will improve here – a shame for such a great location.

Poor to no service—no friendliness. And it took a long time, too. Unfortunately.

It's super nice there, we sat outside on Saturday evening (port birthday) and had something to drink. We had to wait a moment until the waiter came, who kindly apologized for the wait, took our order and the drinks were quickly with us.

Great location right on the water and the Elphi. Extremely nice service!

Really good food and the most friendly service in Hamburg. Higher price, but worth the money. Even at 52, I mostly feel passively rejuvenated here - love that 😃

"An all-round outstanding afternoon that will be remembered fondly! The stylish atmosphere, the attentive waiter, Christian with wit and charm, as well as the menu prepared with great care and selected ingredients made the afternoon a real culinary experience. A heartfelt thank you for this exceptionally loving hospitality - we are already looking forward to the next time!"

A fairly nice spot by the philharmonics building

Asparagus season! Plates are very generous on asparagus. Wine is nice, and so is the water view. If you are with a group, can be a bit loud, tables are rather close to each other.

More appearance than reality Prices like in the Grand Hotel, portions like at a children's birthday party. The drink came like a joke – warm, small, without ice. You pay for the promise, not for the experience. A place that will quickly be forgotten.

We came here spontaneously in the afternoon, without a reservation. The food was delicious, the service was friendly.

Top ambience in the upper price segment My companion was convinced. I expect more for the prices. But that's probably a matter of taste. Sitting directly on the Elphi and by the water makes up for a lot. Good wine list. Service very friendly and attentive

The view of the Elbe is beautiful and the location is practical if you visit the Elbphilharmonie. The food is good, although the portions are a bit small for the price. What we had noticed on a previous visit is that the waiters really want to bring you water and will do so even if you have refused it, with a poor apology. A 0.75l bottle of water costs 8.90 euros. The service is a bit intrusive, with sayings that are not necessarily considered appropriate or funny by everyone.

The food was solid, but nothing extraordinary.

Super tasty, extremely friendly service, great view of the water

Delicious food! Arrive at six o'clock and go to Elfie at a quarter past seven, as the Hamburgers call their iconic concert hall. As a starter I had a smoked pink-red trout, in a fantastic sauce. That chef can do something. My wife had fried sole as a main course, delicious. Not really cheap, worth the price. Nice ambiance, nice waiters.

We were here before an event at Elphi. The food was great, the full restaurant was a bit noisy and the service was too short. We would have probably consumed double or triple the amount of drinks, but no one asked and there was hardly a chance of getting to the waiter.

It was absolutely excellent! A very classy atmosphere and an excellent waiter with wit and charm! The food was prepared with love and the best ingredients! We'll definitely be back! Thank you very much for this above-average VERY GOOD hospitality!

Our group of eight had the absolute worst experience at Carl Brasserie! Ms. Lena Franz, one of the servers, was very arrogant and disrespectful; she got angry and scolded us when we pointed out that the table assigned to us was too small for our group. We ended up paying for our drinks and leaving, therefore, all I can rate is the customer service, which is zero. I do not recommend this place.

It was another wonderful evening with fantastic food and a lovely atmosphere. The service was very friendly and accommodating - Carlslike 😊

Unfortunately, no recommendation from me. I can't understand the rave reviews. After all, this is a restaurant run by a top chef with high standards. Even if he doesn't cook himself. Without a doubt, the location is top-notch, but only if you sit by the window. And this location is naturally reflected in the prices. I was there for dinner with my wife. My wife liked it and enjoyed it. However, I noticed the following: Some tables were covered with white tablecloths. The majority, however, weren't? Not even ours. Bare wooden tables. Not even placemats. The menu and drinks menu arrived immediately, but there was no indication that there were two additional dishes offered on the blackboard at the entrance and not listed on the menu. In my opinion, fish dishes are "underrepresented" by Hamburg standards. Drinks were then somewhat delayed, even though it was "just" operating normally. The "additional dishes" had to be requested when ordering food. The bread arrived at some point, shortly before the starter. The main course was served at a normal distance from the starter. However, the bouillabaisse I ordered was absolutely not my taste. I'm not used to the dish. The fish pieces were tasteless in my opinion, with no fish flavor whatsoever, nor were the shrimp, and unseasoned; there was no fennel or tomato flavor in the broth. A slight taste of something burnt. And then the whole potato, which I'm not used to as a garnish, with a "potato flavor" from the day before. Unfortunately, I couldn't finish the entire portion and was forced to return at least a third. I then complained about it when the table was cleared away. The only response to this, apparently in consultation with the restaurant management/kitchen, was an offer of dessert and/or an espresso, which I politely declined. In my opinion, I would have expected at least a discount. But I was still charged the full price. Even if this is legal in your eyes, I cannot approve of such behavior and draw my own conclusions. That's just how the restaurant industry is! Check it off and you're done. And you're just a tourist who might not come back anyway. However, we had more positive experiences in other "normal" restaurants during our stay in Hamburg, and the food was also better in terms of service and quality.

Deplorable welcome and service, unpleasant waiters and mocking towards foreigners.

Great ambience. Super nice and courteous staff. Excellent cuisine.

Absolutely horrible service. Waiter got absurdly angry at me for no reason and then kicked me out. Food was decent but i’d stay away from this nightmare.

Absolutely. Yummy Ambiance Next to the Elbphilharmonie

Upscale gastronomy for well-heeled customers. A bit strange for me, an outdoorsman. But the taste of the skrei was great. A sandwich afterwards and you'll be full.

Very good restaurant. We were served very friendly.

Excellent food with a view of the Elbphi and the Elbe For me it's always a culinary pleasure with a nice atmosphere

A fantastic view over the harbor and a wonderful sunset rounded off the excellent, delicate meal. A nice ambience was included and conveyed a feeling of well-being

The view right from the window, no reservations during the week and the service is worth 3 stars to me, but unfortunately the food is not. I had truffled pasta (penne) for €29.50!!!!, the pasta came out of the bag and was just boiled with aldente, lightly sprinkled with truffles, and some cold spinach leaves were added as a garnish. For Hamburg in a prime location, that's not just a little but nothing at all. I go to restaurants a lot across Germany and therefore have comparisons.

A touch of France in Carls Brasserie. Our evening at Carls Brasserie was a pleasure from start to finish. As soon as we entered, we were greeted personally and with warm hospitality by the restaurant manager - a first indication that great value is placed on service and atmosphere here. The ambience is simply enchanting. There are cozy private corners between stylishly set tables, making the restaurant a perfect place for special occasions. The mix of French elegance and Hanseatic charm creates an inviting feel-good atmosphere. The kitchen? A true masterpiece. The chefs know their craft and present sophisticated dishes with finely balanced flavors. From the starter to the dessert, every dish was a culinary highlight - with fresh ingredients and creative compositions that perfectly reflect France's culinary culture. The service was consistently attentive and professional without being intrusive. We felt well looked after, our wishes were fulfilled with a level of ease that is rarely found in this level of perfection. However, the undisputed highlight of our evening was the fantastic view. A breathtaking panorama over the port of Hamburg and the Elbe River opens up through the large windows or from the terrace - an unforgettable sight, especially at sunset. We'll be back!

Always my pleasure! We went to Carls for the second time at the beginning of January. We had a great table, very tasty food and perfect service with a lot of charm and humor. What more could you want? Thank you.

If you manage to get a spot right by the window in the evenings with a view of the Elbe and Elphi, you will spontaneously fall in love with Hamburg visually and atmospherically. Bouillabaisse from northern fish complete the impression.

CARLS is always recommended! The 4 course menu Thomas Martin was very tasty, the portions are good, not "clear"! The walleye was on point. You can also sit very comfortably and have a view of the Elbe. Very friendly service! I always like to come back. Keep it up! Prices high but fair.

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, wir hatten kurzfristig einen Tisch für 2 Personen reserviert, da wir ein Konzert in der Elphi besuchten. Die Reservierung via Link hat sehr gut funktioniert. Auch der Service und die Schnelligkeit der Zubereitung hat uns gefallen. Leider wurde uns der Preis der Seezunge nicht im Vorfeld, bei der Bestellung, genannt. Das ist leider ein Punkt, der mir nicht gefallen hat. Wir wussten das ihr Restaurant etwas hochpreisig ist. Aber 78€ für eine Seezunge zu verlangen ist schon sehr ungewöhnlich. Bei der Bestellung hätte man uns darauf aufmerksam mach müssen! Alles in allem waren wir mit der Zubereitung und Geschmack zufrieden.

Cozy bistro with delicious rösti. Simple and good food before a concert. Friendly staff and fast service. If there had been someone else at the reception, everything would have been perfect.

Enjoyed the 4 course menu. Great service and an absolute taste experience. Always my pleasure…

We got a nice seat without a reservation and very good food. The prices are a bit too high that's why only four stars.

Excellent repas simple mais goûteux, bien présenté, en plus avec une entrée d’huîtres, dans cet endroit si particulier de Hambourg. On peut se promener Lelong des quais, et on est juste à côté de la très belle salle de concert et de la construction de Herzog et Demeurons

31 Dec 2024, 14h. Everything was perfect. We went there as we were walking in Hamburg. Food was perfect everything is fresh and tasty. The service was impeccable the waiters were very sweet. Definitely recommend

Very tasty menu, with good wine recommendations from the waitress. A clear recommendation, especially if you want to visit the Elbphilharmonie afterwards. The table and the ambience were very pleasant.

The atmosphere in the brasserie with a view over the Elbe and the Elphi is inviting and the service at the table was perfect. Thomas Martin's menu recommendation was a great pleasure as a whole, from the aperitif and then in all four courses. The main course I chose, Vierländer duck, gave me the best red cabbage I have ever eaten. We felt very comfortable and pampered.

Got the last free table and it wasn't in the middle and loud but in the corner. The service asked at the beginning whether we would go to the concert afterwards. He handled our orders accordingly quickly. 2 main courses: 1x sole perfectly cooked with great side dishes and 1x entrecote with sc. Bernaise. Perfectly fried, the Bernaise with a nice wine note and perfectly fried fries. Certainly not something for every day in terms of price, but it was perfect! Thank you for that!!

Top location and view of Elphi and Elbe, nice and attentive service in the Hamburg style. Very tasteful food

Fantastisk service og en udsøgt madoplevelse. Er man på forlænget weekend-tur i skønne Hamborg, så er dette klart stedet, der skal opleves og smages! 10/10 herfra!

My husband and I were there last Saturday and loved it! Thanks to Svitlana for the very pleasant service and advice! It was very nice there. We had the menu and loved it!

Vor einem Konzertbesuch in der Elbphilharmonie suchte ich Carls Brasserie auf und war im Großen und Ganzen mit der gebotenen Qualität zufrieden. Bei der "Maronenschaumsuppe" mit geräucherter Entenbrust war von Schaum leider nichts zu bemerken und vom Räucheraroma auch nicht viel. Die Suppe war okay, aber keinesfalls etwas Besonderes. Hingegen war ich begeistert von der Zubereitung der "Nordsee Seezunge Müllerin Art", zu der sehr gute Butterkartoffeln, ein großartiger Gurkensalat und eine extra Ration zerlassene Butter gereicht wurden. Schließlich stellte auch der Kokos-Limmettenespuma mit Ananassorbet, Rum und Crumble sehr zufrieden. Böses Erwachen dann bei der Rechnung: Für drei Gänge mit einem einzigen Glas Wein und einer Flasche Mineralwasser ohne sonstige Extras 111 Euro berappen zu müssen, das schmerzt doch sehr. Trotzdem hinterließ ich noch ein ordentliches Trinkgeld, denn die Betreuung durch den Service war freundlich und zuvorkommend.

Gutes Restaurant mit sensationellem Service. Svitlana unsere Bedienung hat einen unfassbar tollen Job gemacht. Würde haben uns rundum wohlgefühl und kommen gerne wieder

If the ambience wasn't great, that would be Quality of the products too...then 3 stars would be enough First of all, the service was super friendly After I paid and tipped generously, the waiter was a stranger and overlooked my search for the exit. I finally found this one. Lighting isn't that bright The Cerberus at the door then explained to me, "Yes, the carpenter left the hole there." I thought I misheard But he had already told me when I greeted him that I would only have the table for 2 hours. So I know. What are they practicing? Good sound is different!

End of Nov 24 Lunch 3 of us Need a quick lunch before going to the Miniatur Wunderland Hotel recommended this Bistro/Brasserie. Turns out to be a very nice Brasserie. They have a Bistro besides for the super quick lunch and coffee. Foods are fantastic View the best.. looking through the big windows to the canal and boats Service quick and attentive

Great atmosphere, friendly staff, good prices

The beef bourguignon is simply perfect, cooked for 6 hours, making it very tasty and tender. I'm really excited.

A must if you like quality and can afford it a little more.

Special service from Leonie is simply top

We went to this pub after the concert, we had some drinks. Drinks were not as good as expected and the waiter was impatient and not kind enough..

We were completely satisfied. Excellent food, very cozy atmosphere and extremely good service.

Good atmosphere, delicious food. Directly opposite the Elbphilharmonie. Wine selection somewhat limited (mainly France and Germany, few Italians). Otherwise fine.

Directly opposite the Elb Philharmonie. The food is very well prepared and the cake is excellent. The Carls is part of the Hotel Jacob - one of the best hotels in Hamburg. For me an absolute hot spot that you have to see. The Miniatur Wunderland is also nearby. So you can connect everything well together

Perfect location before visiting the Elphi. The food was delicious, the red wine was good and the service was personal and courteous. An all-round successful evening!

Unfortunately the young waitress is very unfriendly and arrogant

Long wait even though there wasn't much going on. Ordered hot chocolate and 2 pieces of sheet cake. After the coffee came, we had to wait another 15 minutes for the cake. Sheet cake burnt on the edge, lukewarm. It was probably defrosted (and that's how it tasted) because it was very warm on the outside and cold on the inside. It was also very dry. If the cake had at least come with the coffee you would have had something to wash it down with. Not acceptable given the prices. 2 stars for the atmosphere

The cappuccino I ordered was the worst in my 32 years lifetime … has nothing to do with cappuccino

The salad had parmesan, which wasn't on the menu, which was life-threatening for people with intolerances.

Very good food in beautiful Ambiance with a view of the Elbphilharmonie. Attentive service. You pay for the location, but that's ok.

My husband and I were really pleased to find this delightful establishment which overlooks the impressive Elbphilharmonie building. We were greeted warmly by our server, David, who was very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed a delicious tuna niçoise tartine and a chicken Caesar salad for lunch; perfect sustenance before our 5-hour long tour of Hamburg. We would not hesitate to recommend Carls 😊

A perfect evening before a concert at the Elphi! David is very attentive and highly professional 👍in service

So delicious and extremely friendly staff.

The apple pie and the buttermilk waffles were good, but the coffee crema and machiato espresso were rather thin and the cocoa was very sweet. Everything was okay, but the service was unmotivated, slow, avoided eye contact and almost had to be forced to order and pay. The ambience and the quiet atmosphere don't help either.

Went to the bistro for coffee and waffles. Ambience was very nice. Ordered four drinks but only received 3. Ordered waffles with powdered sugar but received none. No apology received for this. The waitress seemed unmotivated, but obviously expected a tip when paying. Prices very high. Too bad.

My friends had an excellent meal before the concert in the CARLS restaurant, opposite the Elbphilharmonie. The food was served in a very visually appealing way. The service at Carls was very accommodating and always kept an eye on the time that you went to the concert in the Elbphilharmonie across the street.

Take your thick wallet with you. Somewhat limited menu selection. Not everyone will find something suitable. My gnocchi were too hard, too much saffron. Wife mistakenly received porcini mushroom soup instead of the fish soup she ordered. However, the staff responded very courteously. The staff is very friendly - especially towards children.

This beautiful restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating is located directly on the harbor basin not far from the Philharmonic Hall. The prices are still OK. The staff is very nice and service-oriented. Unfortunately there wasn't my beloved decaffeinated coffee or hot chocolate as an alternative...hence a star deduction. So I chose the soup of the day... carrot and ginger soup...hmm very good... and it came with really delicious bread. The restaurant is very nicely decorated and I found the high-quality toilet area outstanding. Cashless payments are also possible.

We were there 2 weeks ago and were able to enjoy great ice cream cookies and delicious coffee. What is particularly noteworthy is that WARM milk was served with the coffee. This is extremely rare to find otherwise. I especially thanked the waitress for that.

Good for a little snack before or after visiting the Elbphilharmonie. Unfortunately, neither the bistro nor the brasserie comes close to the French models in terms of authenticity. Carls Bistro is the little brother of the brasserie. Both are connected via a corridor.

Very nice location with a great view of the Elbe. Very good service, friendly and funny. The food was excellent...that's what you pay for. Definitely worth it.

Food was 10 out of 10, phenomenal. Fish selections are amazing, location perfect for many sites to see. Service was great also, highly recommended

Good view and good food. A little bit pricey.

Excellent bar and restaurant for a happy hour or a meal enjoying the incredible view of the Hamburg River, a good choice is the waffer with strawberries, and latte machiatto, a delight of flavors, highly recommended and located in front of Hamburg's harmonious line

We sat outside for 30 minutes and were ignored. That's what I call good service.

...everything as always “GREAT”

Very well eaten... Salmon on potato pancakes 😍 Highly recommended 👍🏻 And that's directly opposite the Elbphilharmonie...

Fabulosa comida y gran selección de vinos El interior de la cervecería está maravillosamente decorado en un acogedor restaurante estilo club El servicio era de primera categoría también

We just wanted to have a coffee and were sent away straight away because we didn't want to eat (the restaurant was completely empty). In addition, the service was very unfriendly and didn't even offer us a table. Conclusion: you can only go to this restaurant if you want to leave 100 there.

A shame for such a wonderful restaurant to serve such a lousy Caesar's salad. To make others ashamed! I feel sorry for the management. To allow this, how bitter do you have to be? Poor!

The food was cold. The noodles are a child's portion. Warming up took about 1/2 hour. Not good! The waiter apologized

Thank you for the wonderful evening! The two of us were your guests for the “Delicious Summer Holidays” special. The service from reservation to farewell was simply excellent. Always courteous, not intrusive, very friendly and always with a little something to say. Super. The menu was extremely well coordinated and very tasty. The pace of the menu was adapted to our wishes. We had a cozy, enjoyable evening.

Die Lage 1A, der Ausblick ebenfalls. Der Service sehr nett und zuvorkommend. Die Nähe zu Elphi unschlagbar, wenn man vor einer Veranstaltung essen möchte. Aber…die Speisen waren alle quer durch alles, was wir bestellt hatten, lieblos abgeschmeckt und einfach fürs Gebotene viel zu teuer. Aber ich verstehe, dass die Lage mit bezahlt werden muss, deswegen hier nur die Kritik bezogen auf die Qualität des Essens: 1. Der Tatar als Vorspeise – sorry, das hatte Null Geschmack und auch mit nachsalzen und nachpfeffern kriegt man es nicht mehr hin (und das für 24 Euro) 2. Der kleine Fischeintopf als Vorspeise (18.50 Euro) und die Bouillabaisse als Hauptgericht (42.5 Euro) hatten denselben Sud, nur die Einlage war unterschiedlich. Sorry, aber für den Preis bei der Bouillabaisse, geht es gar nicht. Der Fisch bzw. die Krustentiere waren top gegart, keine Frage, aber der Sud war ein No-Go...wohl seit Tagen immer wieder aufgewärmt und schmeckte dadurch total versalzen. 3. Pasta mit Trüffel und Spinatsalat…sorry, aber versteht Ihr unter einem Spinatsalat fünf lieblos draufgelegte Spinatblätter? Und das für 29.5 Euro? Ich nicht! Nur ein kleiner Tipp am Rande…falls Ihr schmecken wollt, wie man Essen in einem gutbesuchten Restaurant zubereitet und abschmeckt, dann lasst Eure Köche verpflichtend einige Male in der Bullerei essen zu gehen…es gibt noch Hoffnung. Ich weiß, das ist nicht nett, aber nur so könnt Ihr besser werden, sonst kapiert Ihr das nie!

Excellent food and a great selection of wines. We'd love to come back!

We ate ice cream there. The ice cream tasted very tasty. Only the balls were very, very... small. I've never seen balls this small anywhere. Two of these mini balls for 6 euros. This is a disgrace 👎. Never again. Therefore only one star.

The food is delicious but a little expensive: 13 euros for just a sandwich, even with canned tuna. Excellent service, very fast delivery. The atmosphere is great

Wir waren am frühen Abend in der Elbphilharmonie-Plattform und hatten danach etwas Hunger und entdeckten zufällig diese tolle Brasserie! Die Lage ist einfach perfekt mit Blick auf die Elphi und auf den Hafen. Der Service ist extrem aufmerksam,freundlich,witzig und Charmant! Mein Mann bestellte sich das Tartar vom Ochsen und ich die Hausgemachte Pasta mit Trüffeln! Was sollen wir sagen?! Es war in einem Wort einfach nur PERFEKT! Hier stimmt einfach alles,vom Ambiente über den Service,die Portionen sind genau richtig und das Preis-Leistungs verhältniss passt einfach! Vielen Herzlichen dank das ihr uns so einen Perfekten Abend bereitet habt! Dieses Restaurant kann man mit gutem gewissen weiterempfehlen! Wir kommen wieder!!

Very pleasant atmosphere with a view of the Elbphilharmonie and parts of the harbor. Delicious warm apple sheet cake with a cappuccino after a super interesting tour of the brilliant music temple.

A bad shop. We sat outside for at least 10 minutes and were ignored. When two employees came out, I shouted "sorry" loudly and a waitress came, but walked past and past. The second time a waiter came, he went to the other table, took the order and didn't come to us again. Never again for such a service.

In the bistro, great apple pie and super nice service... everything came super quickly.

Were there for a small family celebration! Were well served and also well advised! The food was good, but nothing more. All dishes were missing somewhere... So the tartar had a good taste but without what you expect from a tartar, some egg yolk, onions, gherkins... The melon could have been given more of a kick. The tomato salad was creative. The fish soup was also good. Beef Bourgignone was a bit salty. The steaks were well cooked, little on the side. The prices were high, the ratio of performance to price was not sufficient! We were a little disappointed!

The location is of course fantastic. At the foot of the Elbphilharmonie and the harbor - fantastic. We liked the location, nice atmosphere and very friendly service. We each had a Rösti - one with salmon and the other with tartare. Extremely beautifully prepared and the topping was super fresh. However, we didn't have that feeling with the Rösti. In terms of taste, the edge was super crispy and partly black and I had the feeling that it wasn't freshly prepared. Considering the price, it's a shame!

I give all the points to the employees. They are very nice and very helpful.

An amazing place. Delicious food. David assisted me in my language (Spanish) and, with his colleague, they were very polite. Would come back many times.

Excellent food, great service and great water views. Everything was fine and I’d be happy to do it again 👍

Given its beautiful location, Carl's Brasserie at the foot of Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie is ideal for a drink before or after a concert. When the weather is nice, you can watch the hustle and bustle on the Elbe and the promenade from the terrace. Due to a closed society, the kitchen was unfortunately closed during my visit and the service was limited - so my rating must of course be put into perspective. Regardless, a visit is highly recommended.

The food was delicious. However, both the main course and dessert were too large portions for most of our party. I would like a little more attention when serving. When you forget one or two people to refill the wine and the rest of the party has to repeatedly flag if there is, this becomes an uncomfortable situation.