Fish and Seafood

From Snoek to Seelachs: A Taste of Home Beneath German Waters

Craving that perfect piece of hake? Looking for prawns that remind you of home? We’ve put together a list of the best places across Germany to buy fresh seafood — from speciality shops to supermarket counters that stock the good stuff.
You’ll also find a handy vocabulary guide so you can confidently tell your Seelachs from your Heilbutt — no more guessing games at the fish counter.

Where to buy fish and seafood

Supermarkets with Fresh or Frozen Fish
You can find a decent selection of fish and seafood at many mainstream supermarkets — both fresh at the counter (Fischtheke) and frozen:

REWE – Most larger REWE stores have a fresh fish counter and a wide frozen seafood section. Look for Seelachsfilet, Kabeljau, and Garnelen. They have a very good page about seafood
EDEKA – Similar to REWE, many EDEKA branches stock fresh and frozen fish. Some locations have excellent deli counters with smoked fish as well.
Kaufland – Known for large stores and a good variety. Their frozen aisle often includes octopus, mussels, and whole fish.
Lidl & Aldi – While more limited, they offer good-value frozen fish like salmon, cod, and prawns (Garnelen), and occasional “Deluxe” seafood weeks with special items.
Metro – A wholesale store (you’ll need a card), but an excellent source for bulk seafood, including squid, lobster tails, and fish fillets.
Globus – If you live near one, they often have an extensive fresh fish section.

Online Seafood Shops in Germany
If you prefer your fish delivered to your door – fresh, frozen or smoked – these online shops are popular and trusted:

FrischeParadies
High-end gourmet food, including a large seafood selection. Great for fresh fish, shellfish, and specialities like oysters or crayfish.
Fischkaufhaus
A solid online source with a wide range of frozen and smoked fish, plus marinated products. Shipping is available across Germany.
Mein-Bauernhof.de
A platform that connects you directly with farms and fisheries in your region. Seasonal availability, but often very fresh. Also great for meat, eggs, and dairy.
Send-a-Fish
Fresh and smoked fish are shipped with cold packs. Ideal for gift boxes or braai favourites like whole trout or fillets.
Deutsche See
One of Germany’s largest fish suppliers. Fresh, sustainable, and seasonal — also supplies restaurants. Ships to private households.

Vocabulary

Here is a list of translations and some additional information about fish in Germany.

Product	Substitute & Translation
Pilchards	Sardine (also “Sardinen”) – Both pilchards and sardines belong to the herring family (Clupeidae). Herring is widely eaten in Germany as Heringsfilet.
Snoek	Its scientific name is Thyrsites atun, and internationally it’s often called the snake mackerel. It belongs to the mackerel family. The best subsitutes are Mackerel — “Makrele” or Barracuda – “Barrakuda”
Sardines	Sardellen is smaller than Sardinen (Pilchards). They are not longer than 20 cm. When they are found in salty or sweet-sour lakes they are called Anchovies in Europe
Anchovies	Anchovis or Sardellen that are found in salty or sweet-sour lakes are called Anchovies in Europe
Salmon	Der Lachs
Mackerel	Die Makrele
Dorado	Der Schwertfisch
Sole	Die Seezunge – A delicacy, often expensive and served in high-end restaurants.
Hake	Der Seehecht or Der Hechdorsch
Cape horse mackerel	Die Bastard- oder Holzmakrele (Trachurus trachurus), auch Stöcker oder Suri genannt
Cod/Kabeljou	Dorsch (young cod, often from the Baltic) / Kabeljau (older, larger fish, often from the North Sea). Both used interchangeably.
Fish Fingers	Die Fishstäbchen
Seafood	Die Meeresfrüchte
Mussels	Die Miesmuschel
Scallops	Die Jakobsmuschel
Clams	Venusmuscheln or Vongole
Crayfish	Die Flusskrebse or Die Langusten
Langoustines	Die Langusten
King prawns	Die Hummerkrabben or Die Riesengarnelen
Prawns	Die Garnalen.
Shrimps	Tiefseegarnalen or Grönlandshrimps or just shrimps or Nordseekrabbe
Lobster	Das Hummer
Calamari/Squid	Der Tintenfish or Die Calamares. Fried Calamari is Frittierter Tintenfish
Oysters	Die Austern
Crab	Die Krabben

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