Cult restaurant Olympic Fire” closes after 56 years in Hamburg!

Cult restaurant Olympic Fire” closes after 56 years in Hamburg!

A piece of Hamburg history is coming to an end: The “Taverna Olympisches Feuer” is closing its doors after 56 years. The popular Greek restaurant on the shoulder blade, which was particularly popular with fans of FC St. Pauli and Hamburg, will close permanently on September 27th or 28th, 2025. The restaurant has been located near the Millerntor Stadium since 2003, and the team around the operators looks back on the last few days with a teary eye.

The reasons for this step are varied. The operators cite the economic challenges caused by the corona pandemic and the increased costs in the catering industry. Reduced purchasing power of guests and considerable difficulties in finding staff also play a role. What is particularly painful is the expiry of the rental agreement, which would result in sharply rising rents if it were extended. The operators, who are the third generation to run the restaurant, have repeatedly emphasized in recent weeks how much they appreciate the loyalty of their regular guests and were accompanied by many emotions when they thought of the special connections to the St. Pauli community.

A meeting place for fans and friends

The “Taverna Olympic Flame” was founded in 1969 and moved to its current location in 2003. Over the years, the restaurant has not only made a name for itself for delicious Greek cuisine such as gyros, moussaka and tzatziki, but has also distinguished itself as a real meeting place for FC St. Pauli fans. Last year the club celebrated its sixth promotion to the Bundesliga, which only underlines the importance of the restaurant for the community. St. Pauli legend Fabian Boll commented on the closure of the restaurant and described it as part of his identity, which illustrates the emotional connection many guests have.

While the operators are now considering possibly reopening at a different location, saying goodbye to the “Taverna Olympic Flame” remains a difficult step. The last two weeks will be a special time of farewell for the team, the regular guests and the entire St. Pauli community - a place that holds so many memories and emotions.

On September 27th, when FC St. Pauli takes on the pitch against Leverkusen, the tavern will perhaps shine one last time under the sign of football and hospitality. The operators hope to fill the last days with joy and offer their guests a piece of home until the last minute.

For everyone who will miss the Olympic flame, the memory of many unforgettable moments remains and the hope that a new chapter will begin in a different place. As the people of Hamburg say: “There’s something going on!”