The story
CARLS Brasserie brings a piece of France to Hamburg's HafenCity. Situated directly on the water next to the Elbphilharmonie, the restaurant serves French classics made from regional North German ingredients. The kitchen team, led by chef Thomas Martin alongside Michel Jasser and Christian Otte, focuses on careful product selection and preparation, using high-quality ingredients from local suppliers they know personally.
The menu features traditional French comfort food with a seasonal, North German twist. Guests can expect dishes like a fragrant bouillabaisse or fresh oysters, using seafood from the North Sea and produce from the Hamburg region. The restaurant's philosophy centers on simple, good food and excellent wines, creating dishes with an extra touch of freshness, seasonality, and refinement through traditional French flavors. This approach has earned CARLS a Michelin Recommended award, a recognition of its consistent quality and welcoming atmosphere.
Beyond the main brasserie, CARLS offers two additional dining experiences. The Bistro serves tartines, salads, snacks, and bowls to go, while the Weinbar is a relaxed spot for a glass of wine, a sundowner, or a full meal. All three spaces share the same commitment to quality and French-inspired cuisine, making CARLS a versatile destination for any occasion.
CARLS regularly hosts culinary highlights throughout the year, from tasting menus to holiday feasts. A current tasting menu, available upon advance reservation for two or more guests, showcases the kitchen's creativity with dishes like halibut tartare with coriander and lemongrass, a celeriac foam soup with truffle, monkfish fillet with lobster glaze and black rice, braised beef shoulder with parsnip and pumpkin, and a café noir chocolate mousse with mango. For the holidays, CARLS also offers take-home menus, including Thomas Martin's Vierländer duck or a classic Boeuf Bourguignon, allowing guests to enjoy a taste of the brasserie at home.
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