Saliba in Hamburg

A very warm and welcoming family-run restaurant. You can feel their passion from the moment you arrive. On the first floor, you're transported to another world; the setting is elegant yet cozy. The main courses are exceptionally delicious. The wines and aperitifs are excellent. Absolutely worth a visit, whether planned or unplanned.

Great little restaurant with great food and excellent service. Highly recommended!

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2025 We revisited the restaurant after two years – the result: a complete transformation – attentive and friendly service, unlike anything we'd experienced before. And unlike our last visit, the quality of the dishes once again completely won us over (as it had three years ago), with the arcade menu and the Maakloube being simply divine! NOVEMBER 2023 Saliba has plummeted: Not only has it become significantly more expensive, but the quality has also deteriorated considerably. The lamb is no longer as tender as it used to be, the yogurt-mint sauce tasted watery, appetizers tended to be made with cheaper ingredients, and it became increasingly clear to us why the restaurant was sparsely populated at the usual dinner hour, unlike in the past. We also missed the very pleasant, almost meditative atmosphere that the service had always created. To top it all off, the frantic server aggressively refused the reduced tip we'd already received due to the poor overall service. As we subsequently discovered in the reviews, it seems some guests have even been banned – which is also very unusual. Dear Saliba team: this is no longer acceptable!

Delicious mulled wine with nuts and fruit. A must-visit during the Christmas season.

I always enjoy sitting in this little café under the arcades. The coffee tastes great, and the halva is vegan and delicious. The service is friendly and attentive. And there's a view of the impressive town hall.

Very good food, very good value for money, beautiful location!

If you wanna be ripped off out yo money and get barely any food. Then go there.

⭐☆☆☆☆ (1 star) We were at Saliba in Hamburg. After we finished our drinks, the waiter asked if we wanted to order anything else. When we said no, the table was immediately cleared and we were told that the table was reserved and to please leave. Very unfriendly and unpleasant treatment. This makes you feel unwelcome as a guest.

I went on a recommendation. When the waiter couldn't sell us a menu and we opted for the small special for €8.50, he became rude. When my friend got up to go to the bathroom, he removed her chair without asking. When I asked him why he had removed the chair, he became rude again. The cappuccino and the small pastry were excellent. It's a shame, we won't be back.

Super friendly service, top location and delicious variety of baklava.

We drank an Aperol, which unfortunately was not freshly prepared but bought ready-made, what a pity

Friendly at first, but then rude and presumptuous when it came to payment.

Very disappointing experience at Saliba. The staff were rude and impatient, especially when it came to paying the bill. Their behavior towards me and my guests was unacceptable. This was my last visit and I definitely would not recommend this place to anyone.

Have plenty of time, the food takes forever to get. When you ask for it, you get the answer, 2 minutes. The food was not great either, if you expect Lebanese food. In our case, we ended up paying for the starters and leaving after 1.5 hours without having received our main courses. Summary: move on, don't stay here!

Drinks and atmosphere were good, but service was rather unfriendly! What a shame!

Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to sample the fine oriental delicacies. We'll be happy to do so again. The mocha with cardamom was a delightful experience. The peppermint tea was a real treat.

Delicacies from 1001 Arabian Nights If you like sweets from Syria, like halva, dates, pistachios, nuts, etc., you should stop by here. It's worth it.

We chose the lunch menu and were thrilled! Great variety of starters and desserts, and the main course was also amazing! The quality of the food was excellent, which we can also say about the staff! 6 out of 5 stars! We'll be back (tomorrow! 😃)

Very poor service. The coffee and tea tasted absolutely bitter. The waiters were unfriendly. The best part is the view. Better sit next door at the ice cream parlor.

Saliba is a Hamburg institution for Syrian cuisine. The menu is straightforward, the dishes exquisite, and the service attentive and warm.

Incredibly delicious and exceptional food. We highly recommend the appetizer platter. The service was also excellent, and the location is fantastic.

No, unfortunately, we can't. We initially intended to have a drink. When we wanted to sit down, we were immediately asked if we wanted something to eat. Since we didn't know the menu, we didn't know either. Unfortunately, we were asked to leave immediately. It's a shame, but they probably don't need all the guests; there are enough tourists in town.

Very friendly service, beautiful location with a view of the town hall. The outdoor seating is very pleasant. And EXCELLENT food! The appetizers are a must! For me as a tour operator, this is an absolute recommendation!

Delicious food with super friendly service. We'll be back. Thanks for the experience Yvonne

In addition to the delicious food, we were impressed by the friendly service. Even though our reserved table was full, the chef expertly managed to accommodate us. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

We had breakfast there (more by chance). The breakfast was small but manageable, and everything was delicious. The drinks and the quark were excellent!

Very nice café. Friendly service!

Decent food but a bit pricey. The service was horrible though - when I didn’t give any tip, the waiters’ mood changed instantly and he became rude. (Told us to go home to Denmark) would not go again.

Very very very friendly courteous staff and highly recommended

I saw Saliba on TV. The location is very nice in the arcades, near the town hall. The oriental sweets were very good. It's just a shame that the service wasn't particularly friendly. Therefore, the tip was small.

The food and service were simply wonderful. The wines were excellent. We felt very comfortable. We'll be back.

Three of us came here for dinner today. The service team was very friendly and helpful. The food we ordered was very tasty, but could have been a little warmer. I told the server this, and he immediately deducted a drink from the bill. Overall, though, I'd happily go back here.

A real surprise. I wanted to try something new and can only say positive things. Anyone who indulges in this intense and flavorful cuisine will not be disappointed. We thank you for your hospitality.

Very nice location and quite tasty food. But the service was very slow and unwelcoming. Portions were small. It felt like a purely touristy place where you pay money just for the beautiful view.

Ne rend pas correctement la monnaie,se prend 2 euros sur deux expresso.Etablissement à fuir Établissement très cher cher

Simply wonderful! Very personable and high-quality!

The man being waiter is very rude and hysterical. I can speak only English, not German. But he insisted on speaking German and behaved badly. Since you behave like that, why did you open a cafe in a touristic area? It is very illogical… 🤯

Extremely unfriendly. Talks with his back to you. No smile or anything like that.

Really delicious, but a bit expensive. 400 euros for 6 people, not including alcoholic drinks.

As for some other commenters mentioned if you are there only for drinks you are not welcomed as they expect you to eat which is more pricey side. So you are welcome if you want to eat but if you want to have only drinks you are not welcome.

Good Syrian food but it’s a little pricey, worth it for the view!

Excellent food, with a prime location and view. The oriental and original cuisine is accompanied by excellent service. In particular, you'll find dishes here that you won't find everywhere. I'd be happy to return!

Exzellent Food & Service with central location.

Schönes Lokal direkt am Alsterarm .freundliche zuvorkommende Keller. Gemütliche Atmosphäre mittendrin. Superschnell und sehr zu empfehlen. Süße Leckereien und gutes Landes spezifische Gerichte. Immer wieder gerne

Amazing. We actually just wanted a drink, but the menu sounded so interesting. We just had to order something, and it was a culinary delight. Thank you.

Went for late lunch. For evening and lunch spme dishes are the same, but the price is not. It is not possible to see on the menu card or website to see when lunch time is over and evening is starting. The food is very good and high in quality. Everything is included in the price so is the service. For a friendly remark and serving a dish I do not tip in Hamburg.

Fantastic place in Hamburg- great setting, amazing food and the friendliest service. A must visit place!

Due to the many unfriendly reviews, we were skeptical and decided to try a different restaurant the evening we arrived. Then, by chance, we passed by the next lunchtime and decided to give it a try... And all I can say is... Amazing! Friendly staff, delicious food, and a great location. We'll be back!

5/5 Thank you for the lovely evening with the delicious food! I've rarely eaten anything delicious :)

Very nice restaurant! Kuno was enjoying his visit very much!

Great food and service! Highly recommended!

I've known and appreciated Saliba for years – excellent Syrian cuisine in a stylish setting. The dishes, especially the appetizer platter, are always a delight, and the service is warm and professional. For me, it's a true favorite restaurant in Hamburg.

A treat for all the senses! Delicious food for the eyes, tongue, and heart! Pure Orient!

A super nice location and really friendly staff. My first Syrian meal was really delicious.

Super nice view, nice location, delicious coffee and dates, super friendly service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 👍👍👍👍👍

10 euros for a small piece of cake (cake, not an elaborate cake or anything) and a small cappuccino to go! I was very surprised by the price and didn't think it was justified. It tasted okay, nicely presented with roses and pistachios, but I felt nauseous afterward; I hadn't eaten anything other than the cake. I don't know if that was the reason, but I won't be shopping there again.

The staff is very friendly and offers great service. Our table had a direct view of the river. It's a very relaxed place to eat. The lunch was delicious and beautifully presented. I can only recommend it 👍🏻

Poor service and poor quality of guests. Inappropriate behavior and one of the worst experiences in Hamburg. ___ Poor service and poor quality of guests. Inappropriate behavior and one of the worst experiences in Hamburg.

We sat outside in the Alsterarkaden...

Highly recommended! Very good location. Very friendly and competent staff. The food is really very good.

The service was really disappointing. We were standing outside when a table became available and were debating whether we wanted to sit down. Before we could even make a decision, the waiter - who had clearly seen us - approached us in a rude and condescending manner and said the table was reserved. The tone was completely inappropriate. It almost seemed as if he didn't want to have any more guests or would decide for himself who would be served here. Given the high prices, this way of dealing with customers is simply a catastrophe. Unfortunately not recommended.

As I was walking past, I spontaneously decided to have a coffee on the terrace. The location is simply unique, you have a great view of the town hall. The staff was very nice and friendly. There was a very tasty cappuccino and baklava. I really enjoyed my little break.

We wanted to sit at a free table directly on the Alster, but were rejected by the waiter in a harsh tone - supposedly reserved. Even though there were still seats available, we weren't even offered another table. An absolutely unsuitable service for the prices. Not recommended.

The best address in the Alsterarkaden. Everything is excellent. The food is unrivaled in Hamburg, the service is extremely warm, courteous, fast and well informed. Excellent selection of food and drinks. The location is of course phenomenal. Whether for lunch, dinner, a quick stop for an excellent Moka – always the right choice. Always worth a visit.

Mehr zufällig als geplant sind wir hier angekommen und bereuten diese Entscheidung in keinster Weise! Hervorragend frische Küche, filigrane Geschmacksnoten und einmal mehr die unübertroffene arabische Gastfreundschaft!

We only had drinks that smelled like onions and had chives in them 🤢at least I got a new one. But it tasted the same...glasses dirty...I couldn't drink it...then drank the rest of the bottle...the service was very unfriendly...Aperol...ready-made drink way too sweet...10 euros per glass...Cola Zero 0.2 l. 5.50 euros.. Despite being unfriendly, we gave a tip...when we wanted to get up...he practically held us and...counted the money out loud....no thanks, please don't do anything...then left without saying a word.....Laughing at first when I said something that didn't fit, totally outrageous.... Conclusion... there is a small cafe next door with pink chairs...the young people are very nice....then the very unfriendly Syrians...absolutely not a recommendation

Great food and very accommodating staff.

Great Syrian food. The best and most tender shawarma I have ever tasted. Mezze to kneel down on, right on the Alster with a view of the town hall. Very attentive service, nothing wrong with it! Only the high prices detract from the experience a bit. But at a location like this, with such good service and such good food, you can afford to dig a little deeper into your pockets. Saliba also offers a cookbook and cooking courses. I purchased the cookbook and I'm excited to try it again!

Pretty slow service. But the view was amazing

Hermoso entorno al aire libre entre otros cafés. Queríamos comer y la mayoría de los lugares a lo largo del agua eran café y pasteles cafés. El menú es de Oriente Medio y algo limitado pero combinan 2 cosas para nosotros: berenjena (berenjena) y una deliciosa ensalada. la berenjena llegó recién cocinada y estaba todo muy bueno.

Great place to go, marvelous food, good atmosphere.

First and last time. I've never seen such unfriendly staff in my life, and it's ridiculously expensive. Hello and thank you are foreign words. Go somewhere else; there are other places in Hamburg that are 1,000 times better.

Atmospheric, but there is very little space inside.

Erstes mal und letztes mal, So unfreundliche Personal habe ich in meinem Leben noch nie gesehen, übertrieben teuer. Hallo und danke sind Fremdwörter. geht lieber woanders es gibt andere orte in Hamburg die 1000 mal besser sind .

The Saliba Restaurant is small but cozy and in a beautiful location. Because of the many good reviews, I wanted to try it out – and it was worth it! The food was not only very tasty, but also attractively presented. The service was extremely friendly and accommodating. I really enjoyed it and I definitely recommend it!

Very friendly staff and the food was simply delicious. Definitely recommended

We visited the café for the first time today after hearing that it is one of the oldest cafés on the Jungfernstieg arcades. From the outside it looked inviting, with a nice selection of sweets in the window. Unfortunately, the interior didn't live up to this first impression. The reception was rather unfriendly, the ambience did not seem harmonious and did not offer the cozy, oriental atmosphere that we had expected. Unfortunately, a few Arabic characters on the wall weren't enough to create an authentic flair - especially since the room seemed rather restless and the furnishings didn't really fit the concept. The open kitchen didn't make a particularly inviting impression either, and overall we were missing that certain something that could define a café of this type. There are other, more modern alternatives with a more appealing ambience in the immediate vicinity. It's a shame, because with a little more attention to detail and a clearer direction, this café could do much more with its potential. We hope that something changes here in the future.

The location is beautiful, interesting decor and the food was excellent and plentiful. The price/performance ratio is right here. The only thing that displeased were the chairs inside. Sitting on bare wood without a cushion is uncomfortable if you stay there for a long time.

Zum Weihnachtsmarkt der beste Glühwein

Excellent restaurant and with very special mulled wine over Christmas! You definitely have to try it out! Delicious!

The oriental punch with pomegranate, nuts and figs, simply delicious...and the little appetizers...yummy..was there again last week; the food was absolutely delicious and plentiful, even the greeting from the kitchen...the fish to the point and the sauce 🙈😍the staff was very friendly despite the corona requirements and at the end there was a delicious tea with rose petals on the house and a postcard with a nice saying to say goodbye...to Definitely a reason to come back..👌was there again today..simply delicious.I was also given great advice on the wine, was able to try it in advance..a little greeting from the kitchen and the food was simply delicious..I'll definitely be back..

Super delicious food, the location is wonderful - especially on the terrace in summer. The service and ambience is warm and hospitable. Great wine list! An unreserved recommendation both at lunchtime and in the evening, I would be happy to come back at any time!

I ordered a mulled wine. The waiter/salesperson acted very aggressively and tipped me over the entire selection of garnishes provided (almonds, etc.) and asked me what I wanted because he was just annoyed. Very invasive.

Location is fabulous! Ambiance is authentic. Food is better than average. But! You pay top price for the Location not for the food or the service. Cannot recommend.

The best mulled wine. Perfect spices and ambience.

Great location, nicely decorated, but the food is average at best. As an Arab, I can appreciate this very well. I also don't understand how the prices relate to the quality of the food. The service is also not very friendly. Once and never again.

Simply beautiful, tasty and friendly all around.

Great restaurant with very good food.

La bienvenida fue cálida y efusiva. Éramos 4 personas. Prepararon toda una mesa cubierta de mezze que eran sabrosos y deliciosos. Esto fue seguido por deliciosos camarones jumbo de carne firme en una salsa crema con arroz. Esto fue seguido de cortes de filete de solomillo con arroz bastante delicioso con dátiles y nueces y una salsa de pimienta especiada y puré de papas. Para terminar tuvimos 8 tipos diferentes de baklava y té de menta. Todo esto fue lavado con un vino tinto Pinot de la cosecha Líbano 2003 que estaba lleno, suave, afrutado y delicioso. ¡Nos fuimos con un oleaje de comida! Este es el mejor restaurante de Oriente Medio que he experimentado sin duda no mejoró en Londres. El tema es sirio.

Best oriental mulled wine at the Christmas market. Are there every year.

Hyped cake and coffee place, many people, expensive but cakes are fine

I saw a report on TV and decided that if you were in Hamburg, you had to go there, I said it, did it and 1000% didn't regret it. Ambiance was just as you would imagine, small and cute, service perfect, food SENSATIONAL . Was worth every euro. From the greeting from the kitchen to the dessert, everything was delicious.

The mulled wine with Christmas accompaniment is a delight. The view of Hamburg from the Jungfernsteg anyway 🙂👍.

Was at Saliba's for the first time today and I was really surprised at how good the food tasted. And the employees are very, very friendly to everything. I will always recommend it 👍👍👍👍👍🫰

Classy atmosphere and amazing restaurant

For a tip I expect a thank you or something similar, not a “suitable”.

Nice little restaurant, with very friendly service.

…un sentiment de se faire arnaquer. Lors d’une première visite nous avons pris 4 petits gâteaux pour 10€. Ils sont entre 2.5€ et 2,8€ l’unité. La seconde fois nous pensions prendre la formule thé a la menthe + 2 gâteaux pour 8,5 Lors du passage en caisse nous pensions payer 17€ et nous avons été facturé 23,20€ au motif que nous avions choisi les gâteaux. Beaucoup trop cher pour assurer une bonne digestion!!!

Arnaque à la carte ! De bonnes pâtisseries mais attention au prix payé. Quand vous réclamez ils font semblant de ne pas comprendre ! Le prix est fonction du serveur et de son humeur. Bref fuyez cette boutique.

We came here spontaneously with my husband and children. When we were seated, no one actually came. I had to go into the restaurant and ask if I could please order something. An older gentleman, very unfriendly, just replied that someone would come at some point. I then ordered from the restaurant and went back to my family. The pastries weren't anything special and neither was the coffee. Very unfriendly, we don't know anything about Arab countries, it's a shame...