Blankenese · Sterneküche
Süllberg
Karlheinz Hauser's castle restaurant above the Elbe slope - Hamburg's wedding and star address.
The Süllberg, on the 75-metre hill of the same name above the Elbe, has been Hamburg's most prominent vantage point since 1887 and Karlheinz Hauser's culinary stage since 2002. The former head chef of Schloss Bellevue took over the then run-down little castle, rebuilt it under his own steam and has since run the star restaurant "Seven Seas" with one Michelin star. Alongside it he runs the more relaxed "Bistro-Brasserie" in the same building and a much-booked wedding hall - the Süllberg is Hamburg's classic wedding venue. The location is an event in itself: from the historic tower restaurant the view opens out across the Treppenviertel down to the river, the container ships heading for Cuxhaven and the Alte Land on the southern bank. At sunset the dining room is the most beautiful in the city. Hauser's cooking at "Seven Seas" has a classical French base, with north German produce and Asian accents - Breton lobster, Sylt turbot, wagyu, often combined with yuzu, sake or miso. A multi-course menu is served (usually 6-8 courses, around 240-290 euros per person); the brasserie sits well below that with main courses around 38-58 euros. Architecturally the building is a restored Wilhelminian-era house with a white facade, slate-roofed tower and terrace - jackets expected at the star restaurant, more relaxed in the bistro. Reserve several weeks ahead, longer at weekends and in summer. Getting there: S1 or S11 to Blankenese, then bus 488 to "Krögers Treppe" or ten minutes on foot up through the Treppenviertel. By car via Blankeneser Landstraße, with parking right outside. Ideal for: weddings, anniversaries and Hamburg visitors who want to look down on the river from the very top, just once.