New culinary delights in Hamburg: Styrian delicacies conquer HafenCity!

New culinary delights in Hamburg: Styrian delicacies conquer HafenCity!

On July 18, 2025, the time had finally come: the new Kulinarium restaurant in the JUFA Hotel in Hamburg's HafenCity opened its doors. With a strong focus on Styrian cuisine, the Kulinarium, known as the “green heart of Austria”, aims to familiarize both international guests and Hamburg residents with the region’s delicious specialties. The grandiose opening ceremony offered a three-course menu created by top-class chefs such as Cornelia Poletto, Johann Lafer and Richard Rauch. Poletto made it clear right from the start that Styria is a “culinary treasure trove of Austria” – a title that is proudly worn in this new restaurant.

The focus was particularly on freshness, quality and the use of regional products from Styria. The highlights of the flying food menu included a delicious beef tartare on grandma's yeast plait with pumpkin seed chili mayonnaise from Johann Lafer, a buttery pine fried chicken with runner bean salad from Richard Rauch and a velvety pumpkin seed oil mousse with vanilla ice cream, prepared by Cornelia Poletto. These delights were accompanied by exquisite wines from the Styrian wineries Langmann and Schneeberger and ensured a true feast for the senses.

Cultural bridge between Styria and Hamburg

The opening ceremony was not only a culinary event, but also a networking meeting that brought together over 40 media representatives and influencers. In a discussion moderated by journalist Hendrikje Kopp, Jufa managing director Gerhard Wendl and Michael Urlaub from Steiermark Tourismus discussed the goals of the culinary center. These are clear: Styria's tourist and economic presence in northern Germany should be increased. An accompanying “out-of-home” campaign is already planned to bring the gastronomic offerings even more into the spotlight.

The HafenCity location was strategically chosen to present Styrian dishes such as fried chicken, Vulcano ham and runner bean salad. Above all, the culinary group wants to strengthen northern German tourism; This is particularly evident in the positive developments of the last few years, with an increase in guest arrivals from northern Germany by 16.7% in 2023. Northern German overnight stays in Styria currently account for 9.5% - a share that is expected to grow through targeted measures.

A look at the highlights of Styria

But what makes Styria so special as a culinary region? According to the “Kulinarium Steiermark” initiative, which includes 162 businesses, the region is a “delicatessen of Austria”. Seasonal quality products are used here to ensure authentic moments of enjoyment. The regional specialties include:

• Ausseer Saibling aus dem Ausseerland-Salzkammergut
• Ennstaler Steirerkäse aus der Region Schladming-Dachstein
• Gesäuse-Wild aus dem Gesäuse
• Lebkuchen aus der Hochsteiermark
• Zirbitzlamm aus der Erlebnisregion Murau
• Grazer Krauthäuptel aus der Erlebnisregion Graz
• Kernöl aus dem Thermen- & Vulkanland
• Südsteirischer Wein

The aim of the cuisine is to make this diversity and the warm Styrian hospitality audible and tangible in Hamburg. The address of the new pleasure temple is Versmannstraße 12, HafenCity, 20457 Hamburg.

The cuisine has a lot to offer for those looking for something special. Visit this new gourmet station and let yourself be enchanted by the Styrian cuisine - it's definitely worth it! For further information about Styria as a tourism destination, those interested can visit the website of the “Kulinarium Steiermark” initiative.