Lakeside

The Lakeside is the gourmet restaurant at The Fontenay hotel and has been among the defining addresses of Hamburg's fine dining since it opened in 2018. Head chef Cornelius Speinle, previously stationed in Switzerland and Scandinavia, has been cooking here since 2020 and has taken the restaurant to two-star level - a rating recently confirmed by the Guide Michelin. His signature combines classical French technique with Nordic precision and produce from the north German landscape, the Baltic and the Alpine region. The setting is one of the city's most beautiful: the restaurant occupies the top floor of the curved Fontenay building on the Außenalster, at Fontenay 10, right between Pöseldorf and Rotherbaum, on the cusp of Winterhude. Floor-to-ceiling windows look across the Alster all the way to the city's church spires. There is a choice of two menus, seven to nine courses, classic or vegetarian, with signature components such as aged char, Anjou pigeon or Hamburg eel confit. Main courses à la carte are not served; the menu runs from 245 to 285 euros, the accompanying wine journey around 180 euros - a level that clearly places it in the €€€€ bracket. The interior, designed by Jan Störmer, works with pale oak, rounded walls and an open show kitchen. Reservations are strongly recommended at least three to four weeks in advance, ideally via The Fontenay website; open Wednesday to Saturday evenings. Getting there: U1 Hallerstraße, then ten minutes on foot along the Alster bank, or bus 109 to Fontenay. Ideal for special occasions, anniversaries and anyone who wants to see the Alster at sunset.