Elsa's Restaurant & Bar in Hamburg

Elsa's Bistro is a real insider tip in Hamburg! The food is fresh, creative, and prepared with great care. Perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented. The two women are very accommodating and very well-organized. It's very clean, and the atomic ferry is very pleasant and cozy.

I just love it – it feels like home to me.

Eritrean cuisine, served buffet-style. Very tasty, quite spicy. Very friendly service.

We ate at Elsa's during the week and received a very warm welcome. Since it was very quiet, she immediately told us there wouldn't be a buffet, but she would be happy to prepare a platter according to our preferences. So, we ended up with a vegan platter for two. When she brought the food, she explained the dishes to us and how best to eat them. The food was incredibly delicious! Each dish on the platter was seasoned differently, and I think there's something for every taste. When our leftovers were packed up, we even got a few extra small fried items in our box, how thoughtful :)

This is a fabulous little restaurant! The food is marvellous: a lot of variety (also for vegetarians and vegans) and fantastic tastes. And Elsa and her sister are very friendly.

I love Ethiopian and Eritrean food, and eat it relatively often in different places. Nevertheless, I was extremely pleasantly surprised by the food at Elsa's. Absolutely wonderful with so many different flavors that all fit together perfectly and made the food a real experience. The service was great and it was a nice restaurant to sit and enjoy the food at. Recommended and I will more than happy to come back next time I'm in Hamburg.

I was absolutely thrilled at Elsa's Bistro. The food was not only delicious, but also lovingly prepared and authentic. The Eritrean cuisine was a new experience for me: spicy, aromatic, and very wholesome. I would especially like to emphasize the friendly service, which was warm, attentive, and patient with all questions about the menu. The ambiance is cozy and inviting; you immediately feel at home. I will definitely be back and can highly recommend Elsa's Bistro to everyone.

Fresh herbs, fresh vegetables, delicious meat—everything prepared fresh and with great dedication. Elsa anticipates your every wish. A unique place with heart and culinary delights.

Very delicious food. We opted for the evening buffet. Very friendly and attentive service. All dishes were explained to us in detail. Highly recommended.

We ate at Elsa's buffet, and it was absolutely delicious. You can tell the love and care that goes into the cooking here. Since she's the only one, it would be great if we could help ourselves to some of the drinks. But it wasn't a problem for us at all. You can just tell that she runs her business with passion! We think one more server would help her better handle peak demand. That's the only thing we'd like to point out, though. Incredibly delicious food! Highly recommended ☺️

Eritreische Küche eine neue Erfahrung. Sehr gute Küche mit unbekannten, aber leckeren Geschmacksnoten. Muss man probiert haben

Very tasty food and super friendly staff :) We'll be happy to come back!

Great food and great service, highly recommended!

Really good! One of my favorite restaurants in Hamburg

I love Elsa's hospitality. We always enjoy going there; the food is world-class, and we occasionally even order her catering for birthdays and corporate events. I don't often give 5 stars, but for Elsa, this is a definite must!

Very delicious Eritrean and Ethiopian food. My highlight was the free homemade dessert. The restroom was simple but clean. All dishes could be ordered with beef, chicken, or vegetarian.

Very tasty food and nice atmosphere!

We were there today and were very impressed with the food and the service was also very friendly and accommodating. Always happy ❤️

So the food was really good! A large selection at the buffet, whether vegetarian or meat dishes, there is something for everyone! The lighting is very relaxing and inviting! Thank you Ezra

A place like a holiday. At least as long as you don't know how people eat in Eritrea. Very aromatic dishes are available at the well-stocked buffet, often with unusual flavors. Sour, spicy and fruity delight the palate and invite you to enjoy. The hospitality is good. Elsa explains what to eat and answers all questions. And if something is missing, a replacement is quickly provided. I'll take photos on the second visit; at first I was just busy eating.

Very good, I recommend the buffet, but be careful, you can't leave food on your plate, something that seems good to me so as not to waste food. The treatment was super good and everything was very delicious! There are also vegetarian and vegan options. ❤️✌🏼

Super delicious food, you had the feeling that mom was cooking for you and that's how you were treated... warmly and totally friendly... even the packed lunch wasn't missing. 😊 I'll come back and try the recipe (thanks again) at home!

The buffet is great. There is definitely something for everyone. A large selection and everything tastes delicious. I'll definitely come back.

The food at Elsa's is incredibly delicious and varied - a real revelation! Lots of great vegetarian options. Had to wait a bit at the beginning before Elsa came out of the kitchen to greet the new guests. Don't let this confuse you, it's worth the wait! Thanks Elsa :)

Very authentic and tasty food. We were welcomed very friendly and with a lot of warmth in a loving atmosphere.

Very tasty and varied buffet and atmosphere. Reservation recommended.

Super delicious food and everyone is always keen to make sure the guests feel completely comfortable. Always my pleasure!

Great restaurant - the food is absolutely delicious. The evening buffet has something for everyone, vegan, vegetarian and also meat. Raw vegetables, warm food, home-baked bread, dip. Everything is homemade and deliciously seasoned. The service is wonderfully attentive and always very friendly. The atmosphere is always pleasant. Really highly recommended.

A great restaurant with authentic Eritrean, Ethiopian and Arabic cuisine! The food was fantastic – I particularly enjoyed the injera and the spicy zigni. But the highlight was the Himbasha, which the friendly staff even gave me for free. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and you can feel that the cooking here is done with a lot of love. Absolutely recommended!

Very tasty and very friendly! We'll definitely be back

Excellent authentic food prepared and served with passion by Elsa

The restaurant is small, spartan. At least the table I was sitting at is very close to the neighboring table. The selection from the buffet is not large, lots of vegetables, only 2 meat dishes, no dessert. The containers are not filled enough. By the way, I imagined something different when I said it was traditionally African. But the big hit came when I paid, I paid with Visa, I would have had cash with me... Without any information, the owner simply added the fee she had been charged to my bill. It was only €0.94, but I don't think that's possible without information. I've never experienced anything like that before. The buffet costs €24.90, which I unfortunately don't think is justified due to the small selection, two meat dishes and no dessert. I would neither recommend the restaurant nor visit it again. Too bad!

Super tasty. A taste explosion. Elsa is very nice and explains the buffet beforehand.

The buffet is highly recommended! Freshly prepared salads, various vegetables, saffron rice, lentil dishes and also meat. Coleslaw with tangerines and red cabbage salad were great! The boss is very warm and describes the dishes.

Great niche restaurant (and apparently bar) only with reservation but it's worth it. The owner is kind-hearted and cooks really delicious food. Both vegetarians and vegans are not left out. Always happy to come back

The owners were very warm and accommodating. We opted for the evening buffet and it was exactly the right choice. We will come back!!

A very tasty, varied buffet where you can fill yourself up - it's healthy too!

There are restaurants that serve good food and then there are places like Esra's Eritrean Restaurant that take you to another world for a few hours. We don't just cook here - our heart and soul put our heart and soul into creating a culinary experience that you won't soon forget. As soon as you enter the small, cozy restaurant you can feel the warm, familiar atmosphere. Esra and her team have a way of welcoming guests that immediately reminds you of an evening with good friends. You feel welcome, almost like you're at home - except that there are flavors and spices on the table that you don't find every day in Hamburg. The kitchen? A feast for the senses. The traditional dishes are intensely spiced, aromatic and full of depth without being overwhelming. The various braised dishes, lentils and vegetable variations, served on soft, slightly sour injera, make every forkful a journey of discovery. What's particularly impressive is that the cooking here is done with attention to detail - each dish has its own character and its own story. The evening at Esra's was not just a visit to a restaurant, but a trip to Eritrea, an experience that resonates with us. Anyone who loves authentic cuisine and honest hospitality will quickly fall in love with this place. Unreserved recommendation!

Es gibt Restaurants, die gutes Essen servieren, und dann gibt es Orte wie Esras eritreisches Restaurant, die einen für ein paar Stunden in eine andere Welt entführen. Hier wird nicht einfach nur gekocht – hier wird mit Herz und Seele ein kulinarisches Erlebnis geschaffen, das man so schnell nicht vergisst. Schon beim Betreten des kleinen, gemütlichen Lokals spürt man die warme, familiäre Atmosphäre. Esra und ihr Team haben eine Art, Gäste zu empfangen, die einen sofort an einen Abend bei guten Freunden erinnert. Man fühlt sich willkommen, fast wie zuhause – nur dass hier Aromen und Gewürze auf den Tisch kommen, die man in Hamburg so nicht alle Tage findet. Die Küche? Ein Fest für die Sinne. Die traditionellen Gerichte sind intensiv gewürzt, aromatisch und voller Tiefe, ohne dabei überladen zu wirken. Die verschiedenen Schmorgerichte, Linsen und Gemüsevariationen, serviert auf weichem, leicht säuerlichem Injera, machen jede Gabel zu einer Entdeckungsreise. Besonders beeindruckend: Hier wird mit Liebe zum Detail gekocht – jedes Gericht hat seinen eigenen Charakter, seine eigene Geschichte. Der Abend bei Esra war nicht einfach nur ein Restaurantbesuch, sondern eine Reise nach Eritrea, eine Erfahrung, die nachklingt. Wer authentische Küche und ehrliche Gastfreundschaft liebt, wird diesen Ort schnell ins Herz schließen. Uneingeschränkte Empfehlung!

Great food, always delivered fresh in small quantities to the buffet. Very friendly and attentive staff. No chance without a reservation on Saturday!! Every time we are in Hamburg! Highly recommended!!

It was just the best food I had in a long time. Each dish of the buffet was nicely arranged and everything tasted delicious. Great friendly service, a nice crowd and reasonable pricing make it a definite 11 points out of possible 10.

The food was really good. I recommend the menu/buffet so you can try all the served food there. The variety is also good, for everyone.

Very special, highly recommended location! We spent an extraordinary evening here. The buffet is definitely worth the price! A variety of delicacies invite you to try them out, most of them vegetarian and vegan and all excellently seasoned. Truly a very special taste experience! The pleasantly friendly service rounded off our lovely evening at Elsa's. Big praise and thank you to the whole team!

We have been coming to Elsa for many years and have never been disappointed. It is an exceptionally beautiful atmosphere, the owner is incredibly kind and warm. We drive 60km every time because there is nothing comparable. The food is a taste explosion every time. Nowhere else is there such a diverse buffet as here! You feel like you're in a bubble of great music, incredible food and a unique charm. Our absolute favorite restaurant! Here’s to many more years with you Elsa, you’re incredibly great! Thank you for every single beautiful moment with you. See you again soon, best wishes, Malina ❤️

Für uns das schönste Ambiente, die liebste Besitzerin, geschmacksexplosionsvolles Essen! Unser absolutes Lieblingsrestaurant. Wir nehmen seit mehr als 5 Jahren immer 60km in Kauf und wurden nie enttäuscht. Für uns Hamburgs schönster Geheimtipp! Wir lieben dich und deine unfassbare Küche Elsa, danke das es dich gibt. LG Malina 😘

Highly recommended. Very friendly, cozy restaurant. Food from Eritrea/Ethiopia Buffet with a lot of choice. Everything was super very tasty. We were really positively surprised. We went to dinner for the fourth time today... simply fantastic and super varied cuisine with a buffet. We'd love to come back again.

Absolutely wonderful food and great service. Any time!

I cannot comment about the food. We had booked for 2 people and enquired whether we could share one dish (which is common). They were not very welcoming of this and rather rude. They explained a whole process with regards to changing our booking. We walked out.

Super friendly, the buffet had a lot to choose from, including vegan and vegetarian options and was very tasty!

Always very, very tasty! And a very friendly atmosphere. Creative and exceptionally tasty dishes.

Really delicious, extraordinary, freshly cooked and relaxed 😊👍 Absolute recommendation.

Totally friendly and accommodating. Elsa runs her business with love and it shows. The buffet tastes great, is homemade, is never empty and there is a good selection of drinks. Every time I'm in Hamburg, I go there. Can only recommend it.

We had a really nice evening! The food is very tasty and something very special. Friendly atmosphere and authentic! It's on my list of favorite restaurants! 😊

Here we cook with love, enthusiasm and competence. The buffet is varied, the dishes are freshly prepared - a wonderful taste experience. The service was also great, competent, attentive and personal. We felt completely comfortable and ate incredibly delicious food. Many thanks to Elsa and her team.

As a vegetarian, I got my money's worth. The homemade creations are incredibly delicious, and I can especially recommend the aubergine to everyone!

The food is really incredibly delicious!! We all had the buffet and were so happy. The selection is really diverse and there is everything from vegan and vegetarian to meat dishes and salad and it is delicious from start to finish. There is also a real feel-good atmosphere and Elsa and her team are super welcoming!! Thank you for a great evening!! I was very happy to be able to spend my birthday with you😊

Inspired by the Haspa Insider list, we chose this restaurant today. An inconspicuous restaurant from the outside. When you enter, you have the oriental soil at your feet. Colorful walls and a beautiful ambience bombard you. The welcome was warm and personal. The lady explained individual dishes at the buffet. That was quite good because a lot of things are unknown to the German palate. We noticed how much love the individual dishes were prepared with. It wasn't mass-produced, but a buffet that was created with heart and love. I put a little bit of everything on my plate. Excited about the new flavors... Before I went to the table, my plate looked very colorful, light and extremely healthy. About the taste: Every bite is a taste explosion. A tingling sensation on the palate that warms the soul. You could taste every single dish. Every dish had a recognition mark. It felt wonderful. Dessert was off the buffet. At first glance, not particularly. But a work of art that melts in your mouth. Plus point: The buffet was constantly replenished and the lady always kept an eye on the customers and their wishes. Some seating options were too high in relation to the table and plates. We recommend it and will come again.

Exceptionally good food! Also very suitable for vegetarians and vegans :) Be sure to get the buffet!

A real insider tip! At Elsa you immediately feel welcome - as if you were a guest of friends. Eritrean cuisine is simply fantastic: authentic, diverse and really tasty. There are many vegan and vegetarian dishes, all freshly prepared with love. If you're looking for good food and a warm, family atmosphere, you should definitely stop by. A big thank you to Elsa for this great experience! We always like to come back. :)

Just wow! From the incredibly friendly welcome, to the really attentive service, to the highlight - the food - simply a great experience! Elsa's is on my list of recommendations for anyone looking for something special in Hamburg.

Delicious food, I had to try everything and get back to the buffet. Desert are delicious too! It goes without saying but you end up eating much more than what is reasonable.

Everything homemade. A great owner with a lot of love and passion, thank you, I will come back...

Amazing food and many vegan options (most is). The dinner buffet offers great value and you can even do takeaway.

SECRET TIP!!! For the price there is incredibly delicious food. The service was super friendly and you felt welcome. Even for me, as a picky eater, there was so much that I enjoyed. 🤤

That was just great! Wonderful food, wonderful guests and a really great Elsa!

It was super tasty, super cozy, great service, highly recommended!

Great food, very nice, will definitely come back. Lunch buffet is highly recommended

Exceptional atmosphere Food is fresh and delicious. An evening full of surprises. You should be a bit flexible. Unconventional but good.

We went to Elsa's for the first time yesterday. With the whole family on the occasion of a birthday: parents, two (almost) grown children. The restaurant is manageable, simple and functional. It's cozy, without a lot of fancy. It doesn't need that either. Because the authentic Elsa radiates warmth, is so hospitable and in a good mood, welcomes us very warmly, asks about the well-being of her guests and explains every question about the buffet with dedication and great hospitality. We try carefully from the buffet, initially choosing small portions of each, only to realize that EVERYTHING - really everything - tastes super delicious! A variation of many warm vegetable, meat and lentil dishes, side dishes, home-baked bread and salad. An absolute delight for the palate. Some people obviously know this, because the restaurant is filled with many guests within a short period of time. We'd love to come back. Even if the path is a little further for us. We would be happy to stop by again on our next visit to Hamburg. Thank you very much for so much freshness! When it comes to the food and the service to the guests ;-)). Sonja with family a.d. Lüneburg Heath.

Were there for the first time today. I was impressed by the variety of dishes. Everything homemade, everything seasoned so deliciously. Absolute recommendation!

Very varied evening buffet with a well-stocked selection. The buffet has class rather than quantity of Eritrean vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes at fair prices. The braised chicken thighs and beef in particular are beautifully strong and seasoned; Something like this is rare in Hamburg, along with perfectly seasoned rice and lots of matching vegetable side dishes and salads. A culinary pearl in Hamburg.

Lovely food and ambience. I love the touch of fresh peppermint and lemon in many of the dishes. Looking forward to our next visit!

Absolute 10/10 food, nice atmosphere, very nice owner and the food...incredibly good...you have the feeling that your own mother is cooking you the best food. Absolute recommendation!

The food is simply fantastic. For me, a visit there is always an experience. My absolute favorite food in all of Hamburg. Freshly cooked and delicious.

Wir haben mit dem Buffet zum ersten Mal die eriträische Küche ausprobiert und sind begeistert. Alle Gerichte schmecken fantastisch und die herzliche und aufmerksame Besitzerin, die alle Köstlichkeiten gerne erklärt, hat das Erlebnis abgerundet. Auch für Vegetarier oder Veganer sehr gut geeignet

Fantastic food, attentive and warm owner. We tried the buffet and every single one of the many different dishes was tasty to very tasty. Also great for vegetarians or vegans, as almost everything is vegan. A clear recommendation!

A truly extraordinary and delicious buffet that invites you to try it. Elsa is the chef, hostess and the soul of the bistro, which reflects her passion in every way. We really enjoyed it, the highlight was the mocha at the end, which, like everything else, was prepared by Elsa according to her personal recipe (with ginger and cardamom). Unfortunately, our fellow guests were so hungry that Elsa could hardly keep up with one or two delicacies and we couldn't try everything - therefore not a full five stars.

Wir waren zu zweit und haben uns abends vorab Plätze online reserviert. Ich selbst war zum ersten Mal bei einem eritreischen Restaurant. Ich war gespannt und hatte keine großen Erwartungen - war schon fast skeptisch. Am Ende bin ich aus dem Restaurant gegangen und muss sagen, dass es einer der besten Restaurantbesuche aller Zeiten für mich war. Wir haben vom Buffet gegessen. Die Gastgeberin ist super herzlich und geht sehr familiär mit einem um. Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Das Essen war der Hammer. Alleine die Salate sind jeder für sich schon unglaublich und dabei sind Salate für mich sonst eher eine weniger wichtige Beilage 😁 Alles eine Geschmacksexplosion und unglaublich lecker. Das Essen war so gut, dass ich hier gerade zum ersten Mal überhaupt eine Bewertung schreibe. Die Frau kann kochen! Ein toller Abend für uns. Wir kommen gerne wieder 😊

Excellent in every sense! Incredible price worthy!

Super friendly hostess. Elsa is very warm. She also explained the buffet dishes to us. There is a large selection of vegetarian dishes. You can get very authentic Eritrean food here. We arrived very late but Elsa said we could take our time. The ambience was also great. Gladly again at any time. Thank you! :)

Unreserved, clear recommendation! Elsa’s food is simply delicious. A must for spice lovers and anyone who likes oriental/African cuisine. A great variety of vegetarian sauces and side dishes to meat options are included in your buffet. We love the food and always enjoy coming.

Dear Elsa and team, I had a super delicious, cozy, happy birthday meal with you. My friends and I are still amazed at how delicious the injers and lentils and meat and vegetables and salads were. This Elsa's food is really "finger licking good" 👌🏽

Great food, tried a lot of new things. I'd love to come back.

It's a small but very nice restaurant. In the evening there is a small buffet with Eritrean specialties, which is also suitable for vegetarians. The food was very tasty and freshly prepared. Elsa is very polite and accommodating. At the end there was a schnapps on the house!

The food is wonderful, the service is super nice and very attentive! We can highly recommend Elsa's!

The food is soooo yummy and the owner is a total sweetie

I didn't know that my tongue had so many taste buds - an entire universe unfolds in my mouth. That's beautiful about Elsa Thank you ! Hakan and Iris

Elsa’s Restaurant offers an authentic Eritrean experience with a fantastic enjera buffet. The selection of meat dishes as well as vegetarian and vegan options is diverse and delicious. Particularly noteworthy is the original Asmara beer, which goes perfectly with the food. At the end there was a traditional Zibib, an aromatic aniseed liqueur. Highly recommended – a restaurant you should definitely visit!

Everything was super nice! Food was super tasty and great service! Any time!!

Excellent flavor and variety, recommended

The food is very tasty and made with love, many vegan dishes The owner is very nice and hospitable! Gladly again

Eine zauberhafte Restaurantbesitzerin, der das Wohl ihrer Kunden sehr am Herzen liegt. Das Essen ist sehr lecker. Durch das Buffet ist es möglich die landestypische Küche zu probieren und einfach begeistert zu sein. Vielen Dank für einen phantastischen Abend.

Instantly in love! Everything, really everything, is made with love. It's Elsa's life. You can taste it and feel it as soon as you enter the restaurant. Otherwise she wouldn't be able to achieve this extremely tasteful versatility. A feel-good atmosphere for fine palates.

We are thrilled with the great vegan food. Something different. The service is excellent and the food is always ready, there is a buffet and then all you can eat. Great! We will be back.

The food taste really good, main dishes were a bit spicy for us though. The dinner started later than opening hour and the price was higher than what we expected based on comments and pictures. it was 25 p.p

Really delicious food, lovely owner and fair prices. The buffet is highly recommended and offers many vegan options, so that even vegans get their money's worth.

Super nice, great service, great food, vegetarian or with meat. Down-to-earth and familiar without any fuss. Simply beautiful and above all delicious. We were even specifically advised that eating with our hands is actually only authentic. Very careful When we are back in the area, we would be happy to take you up on the offer to register by phone and take part in the coffee ceremony.

This place has finessed the dishes they have developed for the buffet. Somewhere to find flavourful delicious spicy food, which is often quite hard to find in general. They know what they’re doing here. Come hungry.

Very good food and very good service!!

Great food with a great vegan selection, delicious every time