Karatren was a new experience for me. I mean, I've smoked shisha in a middle-eastern café before, but this place is huge! I was shocked by how busy it was too.

From outside you can't really tell what it's like, because most of the place is actually upstairs. So I went in thinking that it was a small half-empty café, only to find that it was huge and packed.

I have to say that the service wasn't particularly great. There were only three of us, but they couldn't find us a table anywhere (we found our own). Then they didn't come to our table, we had to send someone to go find service.. Once we'd ordered it was ok, but I guess they feel they can offer crappy service with how busy they are. Shame.

If you're in the mood for a little middle-eastern kick-back (complete with the persian-carpeted armchairs), the Karatren, which is right opposite the central train station, has an enormous upper floor which serves Nargilas (nargila, shisha or hookah, depending on where you're from) and tea (no alcohol).

The nargilas themselves are prepared well, however there are too many holes in the foil, causing the tobacco to burn quickly and thickly. Not the smoothest I've smoked, but entirely not bad.

A nargila will set you back around 4eu, come early in the evening and it seems to get packed quickly and early.

Best place in Hamburg to smoke a hookah. It's across the street near the main train station. There is a lot of room inside, it has two floors and the chairs are very comfortable.

The place is very popular on weekends, we had to wait 10 minutes to get a table. Hookahs cost 4 euros each. They do not serve alchohol there, but I don't think you'll need it.