Hamburg restaurant targeted in butyric acid attack

The restaurant ‘Ribatejo’ in the Ottensen district of Hamburg was targeted in an attack involving butyric acid. During the night of Monday, August 17, to Tuesday, August 18, 2026, unknown individuals smeared the substance across the establishment's outdoor terrace.

Owner Carlota Santos de Carvalho reported a pungent odor resembling rotten eggs. The attack caused significant property damage, including stained table tops, damaged benches, and marks on a building wall. The restaurant reported a severe impact on business, noting that the smell prevented customers from entering, resulting in only 26 euros in revenue on the day of the incident.

While the restaurant team confirmed the incident occurred exclusively in the outdoor area and that the interior remains safe for guests, the motive remains unclear. The owner noted ongoing local tensions regarding the use of outdoor terrace spaces on former parking areas, though she did not explicitly confirm a connection to the vandalism.