Wismar's eating scene is anchored firmly in the north German tradition: fresh Baltic fish, hearty meat dishes, dark bread, and beer. The Marktplatz and its immediate side streets offer the best concentration of options, from the famous Alter Schwede restaurant in the town's oldest building to simpler fish stalls down by the harbour. Prices are modest by German standards — Wismar is not a tourist-heavy city and restaurants mostly cater to locals.
Fish is the right call here. Smoked eel, herring in various preparations, and grilled zander from the Baltic all appear on menus around town. Look for the harbour stalls near the Alter Hafen for a quick grilled fish roll (Fischbrötchen), the Baltic coast's unpretentious answer to fast food.