About Us

Grashoff is a family-owned delicatessen and bistro. We prize the exceptional — all you have to do, is enjoy it. Whether it is the splendid taste of a life-affirming delicacy, or the slow sip of a new favorite wine, Grashoff presents the opportunity to enjoy life: Special personal treats of your favorite fine foods; marvelous chance meetings inspired by a shared dish; and spirited engagements with friends, family and loved ones over a grand feast.

Locals, city-guides, and critically acclaimed reviews such as the Michelin Guide, provide the insiders tip, “Grashoff is one of Bremen’s gourmet institutions, [a] delicatessen renowned throughout Germany for the quality of its products.” So, when you are in Bremen, we want to personally invite you to browse the unique offerings of our Delicatessen & Gourmet Shop; indulge in the tastes of the Bistro; enjoy a casual meeting at our sister wine bar, “Schmidt’s Wine & Sandwich Bar;” or perhaps even take advantage of our first-class catering services.

Grashoff products are also enjoyed around the world (as listed on the distributors link provided on the footer of this Web site below). Our exquisite lines of chocolates, jams, sauces, and more, are the result of careful production techniques using the finest ingredients from quality sources.

Enjoy the special treats in life. Contact us directly with your culinary wishes or request additional information using the contact form. And, to get to know us even better, enjoy morsels from the Grashoff history (below) — a 140-year history that informs our tradition and everything we prize.

1872

On April 23, 1872, Brüne Grashoff opens the delicatessen, Grashoff, and introduces Bremen to fresh pralines from Brussels, delicate pâtés from France, and early vegetables from Holland. His imports — at a time when transportation was still by horse and carriage, and without the benefit of electrical refrigeration — found a special appeal. The business, which continues to serve Bremen and beyond, has since grown and moved out of the building in which it was originally housed: 23 Schlüsselkorb in the old city center.

1872

Within less than two months of his grand opening, Grashoff achieves national recognition by catering an event on the occasion of the Austrian-Hungarian Expedition to the North Pole. Grashoff creatively entertains the well-wishing party to a meal directly at the Bremen port. The event is a true “ice-breaker” for the new business.

1900

After 28 productive and prosperous years of business — but without any heirs — Brüne Grashoff reaches retirement. He finds the perfect successor in Johann Georg Schmidt, to whom he sells the business. On April 20, 1900, Johann Georg takes ownership and continues to build on Grashoff’s success — a success that the Schmidt family continues to carefully manage to this day, informed by, what has become, many generations of Grashoff tradition.

1928

Johann Georg Schmidt passes. His wife, Louis, assumes management of Grashoff. She is affectionately called “Lilli” by the people of Bremen, and quickly becomes one of the city’s respected personalities.

1945

At the end of World War II, the shop at 23 Schlüsselkorb remains the only building to be spared from the destruction of the bombing. Louise had single-handedly guided the business through the Great Depression of 1929, and then together with her son, Helmut Schmidt, through the Second World War. It seems that accomplishing these achievements had tried the last of her resilience and optimism. Swept away by a depression, that left her without faith in the future, she walked into the Weser river and drown.

1961

After a year working at Fauchon, one of Paris’ most famous delicatessens, Jürgen Schmidt (son of Helmut Schmidt) discovers the fantastic customer experience achieved by offering a bar within a fine foods store. It is from this insight into “joie de vivre,” that Grashoff later develops its Bistro.

1975

A picture of our personnel, assembled outside of the Grashoff store when it was still located in the Sögestrasse. Note: The dog happened to be passing by when this photograph was taken, and although not part of the staff, stopped to pose for the camera.

1977

Production facilities are moved into a larger space to meet the growing demand for Grashoff jams and jellies. With the new space, comes new equipment for the delicate cooking and processing of Grashoff’s true jams and jellies. Unlike most jams and jellies, cooked under extreme temperatures and then processed by force using pumps, Grashoff uses a vacuum/thermal cooker and gently pours the true preserves by simple means of gravity — fruity structure and delicate flavor still intact — into jars containing summer’s precious sweetness.

1978

Grashoff receives the Michelin Guide’s coveted Michelin-Star. It is the beginning of a 25-year-long run of receiving the annual distinction — critically acclaimed recognition of Grashoff as a truly exceptional, award-winning restaurant.

1978

Coppenrath publishes a book of photographs and aphorisms, respectively by Jürgen Schmidt, and the author, Ken Kaska. Sadly, Ken passes away shortly before the publication date, and is unable to enjoy the positive reviews.

1985

This is the last group photograph to be taken in front of the former storefront in the Sögestraße. After 20 years in the Sögestraße, Grashoff moves to the Hillmannplatz (Hillmann Square). There, Grashoff’s exceptional team continues its craft of delivering an endless variety of culinary pleasures.

1987

The Bremen Wine Festival makes its debut. Featuring vintners, restaurateurs, wine dealers, musicians and performers, the city celebrates its entrepreneurial spirit — per the motto inscribed on Bremen’s Chamber of Commerce: Under roof or blue skies, he who dares wins the prize.

1996

Oliver Schmidt becomes a partner in the family business and assumes managerial responsibilities alongside his father, Jürgen.

1997

The midnight hours of the day enjoy a new soundtrack with the release of Oliver Schmidt’s jazz/blues debut CD, “Midnight Special.”

1999

Bremen’s city center enjoys the arrival of a new culinary idea, Schmidt’s Wine & Sandwich Bar. Serving inventive, easy-to-share dishes, in an environment that invites mingling among its guests, Schmidt’s Wine & Sandwich Bar is an uncomplicated way to catch up with old friends, and make new acquaintances. www.schmidts-bar.de.

2003

Grashoff receives the national “Fine Food Retailer of the Year” award, and proudly announces, “Bremen, this award is for you!”

2007

Henkell & Co., one of the world's leading producers of sparkling wine, presents Oliver Schmidt with the Metternich-Award for Germany’s “Best Commented Wine List of 2007,” acknowledging his contribution to the cultivation of wine culture. The jury includes wine journalists and authors; renowned chefs and restaurateurs; sommeliers, wine dealers, and the industry’s leading decision makers.

2009

On January 23. 2009 Oliver Schmidts famous Wein & Sandwichbar celebrates its 10 anniversary.

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