Hannover’s Red Thread is a self-guided walking tour that journeys through the heart of Hannover. Like a RedVine, this 4,200-meter red painted floorline contains 36 significant stops where visitors learn about Hannover’s past and historical sites.
This do-it-yourself walking tour is simple. Just follow the red line. If you want more out of the tour, purchase the Red Thread handbook for three euros from the Tourism Office located across from the Hauptbanhof. I recommend the book as it explains a wealth of knowledge about the monuments and architecture and other cool secrets like where to stand in order to see the tops of all four Old Town churches.
You can easily breeze through the Red Thread in 45 to 60 minutes. Although quick, I recommend to stop and smell the roses, enjoy the moment and restore your glycogen levels with some of the best eats and treats in Hannover.
Whether you crave a “kaffee pause” or want to savor your sweet tooth with a slice of homemade German “kuchen” (cake), here are seven cafes I recommend along the Red Thread.
This do-it-yourself walking tour is simple. Just follow the red line. If you want more out of the tour, purchase the Red Thread handbook for three euros from the Tourism Office located across from the Hauptbanhof. I recommend the book as it explains a wealth of knowledge about the monuments and architecture and other cool secrets like where to stand in order to see the tops of all four Old Town churches.
You can easily breeze through the Red Thread in 45 to 60 minutes. Although quick, I recommend to stop and smell the roses, enjoy the moment and restore your glycogen levels with some of the best eats and treats in Hannover.
Whether you crave a “kaffee pause” or want to savor your sweet tooth with a slice of homemade German “kuchen” (cake), here are seven cafes I recommend along the Red Thread.
Whether you’re looking for a slice of heaven or the best cake in Hannover, you’ll find it at the Kakao-Stube. Located nearby the Opera House (near stop 3) and the Kröpcke clock, veer off onto Ständehausstrasse and look out for the Blue and White sign with a little Dutch girl on it.
Once you walk in you’ll feel as if you walked back into time with flashbacks of the Netherlands in 1921 where blue and white tiles cover the wall and staircases are covered with “gold” handrails. Here is where the real journey begins. Admire the cakes, torts and tarts behind the glass and “scratch and sniff” the homemade goods located next to the cash register. For Hannover, this café is a bit pricier, but by American standards to get a coffee and a slice of cake between five to seven Euros is a hell of a deal.
In this café, you’ll order your cake at the counter and then bring your ticket to a table. Don’t worry if the ladies don’t smile at you. It’s Northern Germany and smiling is optional. This is the place where born and raised Hanoverians hang out so . But, it’s by far the BEST cake and most historical café in Hannover. Check out their website for pictures of the café before and after World War II.
What should I get? EVERYTHING, but if you must choose one – Frankfurter Kranz (see below).
Once you walk in you’ll feel as if you walked back into time with flashbacks of the Netherlands in 1921 where blue and white tiles cover the wall and staircases are covered with “gold” handrails. Here is where the real journey begins. Admire the cakes, torts and tarts behind the glass and “scratch and sniff” the homemade goods located next to the cash register. For Hannover, this café is a bit pricier, but by American standards to get a coffee and a slice of cake between five to seven Euros is a hell of a deal.
In this café, you’ll order your cake at the counter and then bring your ticket to a table. Don’t worry if the ladies don’t smile at you. It’s Northern Germany and smiling is optional. This is the place where born and raised Hanoverians hang out so . But, it’s by far the BEST cake and most historical café in Hannover. Check out their website for pictures of the café before and after World War II.
What should I get? EVERYTHING, but if you must choose one – Frankfurter Kranz (see below).
Hannover’s New Rathaus Der Gartensaal - Rathaus
The New Rathaus (city hall spot #11) is an area where I recommend you spend sometime. Inside and out, the entire garden area is where you can experience the true European lifestyle. Inside the Rathaus is “Der Gartensaal.”
Before I proceed, I must admit this is more than a café. In the past, I’ve had some Germans “kindly” email me about past articles on what distinguishes a café from a restaurant. I feel that if you can order a coffee and dessert without pressure, it’ll count as a café since I ordered tea and read a book or book. It’s a cross between a café, restaurant and banquet center.
The best part is during the summer you can sit on the terrace overlooking the pond and garden. The place is swanky and with it being the first cup of tea I drank in Hannover, I like it. Trust me, you’ll feel like royalty.
For a few euros, you can visit the rooftop where you’ll discover more history and catch a panoramic view of the entire city.
The New Rathaus (city hall spot #11) is an area where I recommend you spend sometime. Inside and out, the entire garden area is where you can experience the true European lifestyle. Inside the Rathaus is “Der Gartensaal.”
Before I proceed, I must admit this is more than a café. In the past, I’ve had some Germans “kindly” email me about past articles on what distinguishes a café from a restaurant. I feel that if you can order a coffee and dessert without pressure, it’ll count as a café since I ordered tea and read a book or book. It’s a cross between a café, restaurant and banquet center.
The best part is during the summer you can sit on the terrace overlooking the pond and garden. The place is swanky and with it being the first cup of tea I drank in Hannover, I like it. Trust me, you’ll feel like royalty.
For a few euros, you can visit the rooftop where you’ll discover more history and catch a panoramic view of the entire city.
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Café Audrey – Aegidientorplatz *Closed in 2017*
Located between Aegidientorplatz and the Rathaus is the feminine and fancy Café Audrey (between stop 8-11). You may need to veer off the red line a few feet, but this café is in the retail space at the Nord/lb building. Cute, quaint and quiet, this pink and turquoise-infused café makes me feel like booking a beach vacation and scheduling a makeover appointment at a salon.
Inspired by the beautiful Audrey Hepburn, this café inspires me to live in indulgence – with cake and coffee that is. During the summer, the café has an open-air patio where you can sit (or lie) on a couch draped with a canopy to enjoy your “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I love the chai lattes, and pretty much everything else.
Inspired by the beautiful Audrey Hepburn, this café inspires me to live in indulgence – with cake and coffee that is. During the summer, the café has an open-air patio where you can sit (or lie) on a couch draped with a canopy to enjoy your “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I love the chai lattes, and pretty much everything else.
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Teestüebchen_ – Old Town
This café may very well be the most popular café in Hannover. Located in Ballhofplatz (stop 25), this historic café is as cute inside as it is outside. Family operated since 1970,their popularity continues to grow with newcomers and city visitors.
Here you can order over 40 handcrafted teas and also coffees, cakes and sandwiches. Most desire to sit outside, and well, who can blame them? It’s vital to take advantage of any ounce of sun you can soak up in Northern Germany. During the summer months, you can find a late Saturday morning jazz concert and for the rest of the year, enjoy watching the ivy foliate between deep green to fire engine red.
I recommend the Blüte von Himilaya tea paired with a slice of traditional NYC-style cheesecake.
Here you can order over 40 handcrafted teas and also coffees, cakes and sandwiches. Most desire to sit outside, and well, who can blame them? It’s vital to take advantage of any ounce of sun you can soak up in Northern Germany. During the summer months, you can find a late Saturday morning jazz concert and for the rest of the year, enjoy watching the ivy foliate between deep green to fire engine red.
I recommend the Blüte von Himilaya tea paired with a slice of traditional NYC-style cheesecake.
Helene Schiffers Schokolade Café – Old Town
Once you enter Old Town, you’ll have no problem finding a place to eat and drink. One of my favorite spots, Helene Schiffers (between stop 26-28), in Old Town is tucked away between the Leibnizhaus and the leine (river).
First, the owner is one of the nicest Germans I ever met. Warm and smiling, she and I would converse in English and some broken German. Second, the place is just down right adorable as she sells, and serves her coffee in, the famous handmade Polish cookery and pottery and chocolate gifts. Finally, the coffee and chocolate drinks are addicting and effective, meaning if you want a coffee buzz her coffee will do the trick. In the winter (or what the heck why not year round), I recommend the hot chocolate coffee. During the Christmas Market she’ll have some already made in a pot, but everything she makes is fantastic.
I also love the “Trinkschokolade” or drinking chocolate from Austria. They are small bricks of chocolate that you melt in warmed milk on the stove. She closes for an hour mid-day usually between 2-3pm.
First, the owner is one of the nicest Germans I ever met. Warm and smiling, she and I would converse in English and some broken German. Second, the place is just down right adorable as she sells, and serves her coffee in, the famous handmade Polish cookery and pottery and chocolate gifts. Finally, the coffee and chocolate drinks are addicting and effective, meaning if you want a coffee buzz her coffee will do the trick. In the winter (or what the heck why not year round), I recommend the hot chocolate coffee. During the Christmas Market she’ll have some already made in a pot, but everything she makes is fantastic.
I also love the “Trinkschokolade” or drinking chocolate from Austria. They are small bricks of chocolate that you melt in warmed milk on the stove. She closes for an hour mid-day usually between 2-3pm.
Sonam’s Little World- Old Town
Sonam’s Little World (near stop 25 and ballhofplatz) is one of my favorite places in Old Town. Sonam, a native to Nepal, is not only a very kind person (she speaks great English) but her ethics is admirable. Part café, part shop; Sonam only sells sustainable, fair-trade and locally sourced products. She makes a killer latte (beans from a local Hannover roaster) and the chocolate she sells is of the highest quality. I also recommend drinking of the bio loose-leaf teas with the masala chai being my favorite.
You can learn more about Sonam’s here, but she sells products that are hand-made and selected from small and family businesses. By far, Sonam and Michael are two of the nicest people you'll meet in Hannover. Whether you want a coffee, chocolate or a gift Sonam welcomes everyone with a smile.
*Update - this shop changed locations in 2017.
Sonam’s Little World (near stop 25 and ballhofplatz) is one of my favorite places in Old Town. Sonam, a native to Nepal, is not only a very kind person (she speaks great English) but her ethics is admirable. Part café, part shop; Sonam only sells sustainable, fair-trade and locally sourced products. She makes a killer latte (beans from a local Hannover roaster) and the chocolate she sells is of the highest quality. I also recommend drinking of the bio loose-leaf teas with the masala chai being my favorite.
You can learn more about Sonam’s here, but she sells products that are hand-made and selected from small and family businesses. By far, Sonam and Michael are two of the nicest people you'll meet in Hannover. Whether you want a coffee, chocolate or a gift Sonam welcomes everyone with a smile.
*Update - this shop changed locations in 2017.
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7 Noteworthy “Essen und Trinken” Cafes along Hannover, Germany’s Red ThreadNear the last stop (33) on the red line is the markethalle, a place where cafes, groceries and restaurants unite under one roof. Whether you’re seeking some fresh fruit or a meal, you can find everything café-related here. Sadly, the markhalle doesn’t look anything like the original since post-war architecture chose the most bleak and boring designs (sorry to my architecture friends who may find this offensive). If you want a serious plate of pasta, stop at one of the bei Cüneyt stands. You get a massive plate of vegetarian or meat-based pasta or rice dish for only four euros! For the BEST brochens and chocolate croissant I’ve ever had, visit the Das Statement stall.
So, what are your favorite cafes or places to eat and drink nearby the Red Thread? Or what is your favorite self-guided walking tour in Europe?
Tell me, I’d love to hear it! Anyone who comments on this blog post will be entered to win a free self-guided walking tour app from GPSmycity.com . If you win, you can choose any city in the world that mygpscity.com offers. Whether you have an upcoming trip planned or want a walking tour of your favorite city, you can choose from one of 5,000 walks within 470 cities! I'll select up to 20 winners! The list is that extensive! No strings attached! Comment by June 7, 2016!
This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 7 Noteworthy “Essen und Trinken” Cafes along Hannover, Germany’s Red Thread
Let's Connect and Be Friends!
So, what are your favorite cafes or places to eat and drink nearby the Red Thread? Or what is your favorite self-guided walking tour in Europe?
Tell me, I’d love to hear it! Anyone who comments on this blog post will be entered to win a free self-guided walking tour app from GPSmycity.com . If you win, you can choose any city in the world that mygpscity.com offers. Whether you have an upcoming trip planned or want a walking tour of your favorite city, you can choose from one of 5,000 walks within 470 cities! I'll select up to 20 winners! The list is that extensive! No strings attached! Comment by June 7, 2016!
This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 7 Noteworthy “Essen und Trinken” Cafes along Hannover, Germany’s Red Thread
Let's Connect and Be Friends!
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