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Chloe Hay
9 February 2017
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With a cuisine as varied and impressive as the city itself, Frankfurt is one of Germany’s most popular culinary destinations. Offering way more than the simple sausage and kartoffelsalat combinations generally associated with German restaurants, Frankfurt is home to an outstanding array of both traditional and contemporary. Check out our updated list of this city’s ten best cultural restaurants below.
Frankfurt | © ArcCan/WikiCommons
Holbein’s
Restaurant, European, Vegetarian, $$$
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Städel Art Museum | © Pixabay
Part of the Stadelsches Kunstinstitut art museum which is home to one of the most important collections of artworks in Germany, Holbein’s is an ideal destination for an elaborate lunch or dinner after a stroll around the galleries. The floor-to-ceiling windows and impressive architecture lend the restaurant a sophisticated feel, which is only enhanced by the exquisitely presented dishes. Heavily influenced by Asian cuisines, the menu consists of a variety of tasty Thai curries, aromatic salmon dishes and delicate sushi starters. On warm days the outdoor veranda is a beautiful spot on the river to enjoy a bottle of fine wine or a cocktail as the sun goes down.
Main Tower Restaurant and Bar
Bar, Restaurant, German, $$$
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A floor or two above the rest, Main Tower Restaurant and Bar resides an impressive 187 metres over the city of Frankfurt, making it the go-to restaurant for perfectly romantic sunset dinners for two. Advance reservations are almost compulsory to avoid being caught out with the elevator surcharge for walk-in guests. The menu changes seasonally but always includes a sophisticated selection of gourmet dishes and fine, regional wines. From the autumn menu choose an amuse bouche of scallops and pancetta; a starter of goose liver, chestnut and apple; an entrée of Muscovy duck, asparagus and wasabi; and a dessert of ginger bread with rum.
Ariston
Restaurant, Greek, Mediterranean, $$$
Beautiful old city center | ©Soham Banerjee
Blending ancient and modern Greek cooking techniques, Ariston serves up a medley of delicious, hearty dishes perfect for enjoying on winter days. Starters on offer include creamy crayfish soup and baby calamari; whilst a couple of main courses to look out for are the grilled calf livers with buttery mash and the shoulder of lamb with Greek rice. For the perfect pudding it’s a toss up between the panna cotta and the chocolate soufflé. Like the menu, the décor is a blending of old and new, mixing high ceilings with wood panelling and boisterous black columns to create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.
Atschel
For those looking for some truly traditional Frankfurt dishes, there’s no need to look any further that Atschel. The platters of simple home-style cooking here include the city’s namesake frankfurter sausages, pickled pork knuckle, boiled ox-breast and schnitzel all served with a good dollop of sauerkraut and a hunk of bread. The only thing missing is a glass of cool apple wine and, of course, they’ve got that in abundance too. A cute little tavern, the wooden floors, long communal tables and art nouveau balloon lamps are everything one would expect from such a place and that little bit more. Great all year round, the tavern is incredibly cosy in the winter and the outdoor garden terrace is a real treat in the summer.
Atschel, Wallstrasse 7, Frankfurt, Germany, +49 69 61 92 01
Ebert’s Suppenstube
Restaurant, German, Soup, European
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A lively lunch spot, Ebert’s Suppenstube specialises in warming bowls of nutritious soups served with traditional bread and bratwursts. The potato soup is by far the most popular variety and is best enjoyed at one of the tables in the heated outdoor area – a great spot for people-watching. Service is quick and accommodating making Ebert’s a popular eatery for busy locals, so don’t expect to have a long lingering lunch here – it’s not that type of restaurant. Costing between four and six euros for a bowl of soup and helping of bread, lunch at Ebert’s is great value for money. Try the traditional goulash too.
El Pacifico
Restaurant, Mexican, $$$
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Mexican Herbs and Spices | Courtesy of El Pacifico
Arguably the best Mexican in Frankfurt (or at the very least the most authentic), El Pacifico boasts a wonderfully varied menu of traditional dishes from a number of different regions in Mexico. Try the tostadas or the enchiladas to experience incredible flavour combinations, spiced up as much or as little as you like. Tortilla chips and salsa are a must to pick at while waiting for the main courses to be cooked; even the chips themselves are made fresh in-house. And to wash it all down? An ice-cold margarita, of course. Although you may not immediately think to dine at a Mexican restaurant when in Frankfurt, El Pacifico will come as a true delight once you are ready for a break from frankfurters and eager to embark on a culinary journey to Central America.
Im Herzen Afrikas
Restaurant, Eritrean, $$$
Nyama Choma in Kenya | ©Xiaojun Deng/Flickr
A wonder to the eye and the senses, Im Herzen Afrikas asks visitors to leave all of their woes on the doorstep as they pass through into an African wonder. Cushions scatter the floor and low sofas allow diners to wiggle their toes in the carpet of sand as they tuck into delicious dishes. A family-run restaurant, Im Herzen Afrikas puts a great importance on making sure all of the diners are completely relaxed and calm just as if they were on a sandy African beach rather than in a busy European city. For a unique and enjoyable experience, book an inside table to admire the furnishings and decorations crafted from wooden tree trunks whilst enjoying fine, home-cooked fare.
Leib und Seele Frankfurt
With a name meaning Body and Soul in English, Leib und Seele cooks up a variety of hearty, filling dishes inspired by an abundance of international cuisines. Breakfast is an array of egg-based dishes, breads and jams, salami platters, fruit salads and croissants catering to every nationality of tourist as well as the regular local patrons. Each day, there is a different lunch special; Tuesdays, for example, it’s chilli con carne and Fridays it’s chicken fricassee with basmati rice. The dinner menu continues the international yet familiar theme with dishes including mushroom schnitzel, roasted salmon fillet and baked potatoes with various fillings. Leib und Seele is undeniably the perfect choice for families where everyone fancies something different.
Leib und Seele, Kornmarkt 11, Frankfurt, Germany, +49 69 28 15 29
Restaurant Villa Rothschild
Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, French, European, Vegetarian
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Situated within the smallest Kempinski Hotel in the world, Restaurant Villa Rothschild boasts two Michelin stars making it one of the top 40 restaurants in the entire country. The restaurant’s renowned chef, Christian Eckhardt, specialises in light haute cuisine perfected using classic French cooking techniques with just the right amount of creative flair and intuition. Both hotel guests and visitors are welcome to dine in the pretty restaurant space of this five-star boutique hotel for dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Expect gourmet dishes such as duck foie gras, venison with pumpkin, Atlantic cod and mustard cream.
Vai Vai
Bar, Restaurant, Steakhouse, $$$
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A beautifully romantic Italian and grill restaurant in the heart of Frankfurt, Vai Vai is lit solely by candles and ceiling lanterns creating the most warming and intimate of ambiences. Come here for a delightful meal with a loved one and enjoy an array of fine antipasti, pasta dishes and succulent rare meat platters. The 28-day dry-aged Fiorentina steak truly does melt on the tongue and pairs strangely well with a risotto verde to share or a plate of black tagliatelle with prawns for a slightly more hearty and unusual combination. After dinner guests are welcome to enjoy a digestif at the sophisticated full bar – you won’t go wrong with a tipple of amaro or amaretto.
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FAQs
What is the best part of Frankfurt to stay in? ›
Unsurprisingly, the best area to stay in Frankfurt is the City Centre, especially if you're a first-time visitor or a business traveller. Frankfurt's city centre comprises the Old Town (Altstadt), the Central Business District, and the Central Station Quarter.
What was voted the best restaurant in the world? ›| Year | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Osteria Francescana | El Celler de Can Roca |
| 2017 | Eleven Madison Park | Osteria Francescana |
| 2018 | Osteria Francescana | El Celler de Can Roca |
| 2019 | Mirazur | Noma |
Germany is home to some of the world's best eateries, ranging from exclusive gourmet restaurants to fine dining restaurants and open-air restaurants. They serve countless dishes from all across to treat guests' taste buds, vegetarian or non-vegetarian.
Why is Frankfurt famous? ›The city is traditionally known for its production of high-quality sausages (frankfurters). Frankfurt has long been a key stopping point for river, rail, and road traffic from Switzerland and southern Germany northward along the Rhine River to the Ruhr region and across the Main River to north-central Germany.
Do they speak English in Frankfurt? ›Frankfurt is such an international financial hub that everyone, German or not, are completely used to speaking in English. It's actually difficult to find someone that does not speak English in Frankfurt.
What is the safest area in Frankfurt? ›Westend, one of the safest areas to stay in Frankfurt
Westend along with the Old Town is a safe area to stay Frankfurt for tourists but it is quieter than Old Town. Westend attracts many families wishing to stay in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of green spaces, beautiful houses, and close to the center of the city.
Most travelers find 2 days in Frankfurt to be enough time to enjoy all the main sights. So, if you're wondering how many days in Frankfurt you'll need – 2 days should be enough!
Is Frankfurt worth visiting? ›Frankfurt is considered the heart of Europe for good reason. It's a city known for exceptional art and history museums, impressive skyscrapers, as well as quaint, fun-loving neighbourhoods.
What are the 3 most popular restaurants? ›| Rank | Chain |
|---|---|
| 1 | McDonald's |
| 2 | Starbucks |
| 3 | Chick-fil-A |
| 4 | Taco Bell |
- DiverXO (Madrid, Spain)
- Pujol (Mexico City, Mexico) ...
- Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain) ...
- A Casa do Porco (São Paulo, Brazil) ...
- Lido 84 (Gardone Riviera, Italy) ...
- Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico) ...
- Le Calandre (Rubano, Italy) ...
What is the best restaurant 2022? ›
Copenhagen's Noma cedes the title of best restaurant in the world to fellow Copenhagen restaurant Geranium. The World's 50 Best Restaurants honorees for 2022 were announced at a ceremony in London today, crowning Denmark's Geranium as this year's top dining establishment in the world.
What meat is Frankfurt? ›frankfurter, also called wiener or in the United States hot dog, highly seasoned sausage, traditionally of mixed pork and beef. Frankfurters are named for Frankfurt am Main, Germany, the city of their origin, where they were sold and eaten at beer gardens.
How much is food in Frankfurt? ›| Restaurants | Edit |
|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 13.00€ |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 55.00€ |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 8.59€ |
| Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) | 4.00€ |
Frankfurt is considered the heart of Europe for good reason. It's a city known for exceptional art and history museums, impressive skyscrapers, as well as quaint, fun-loving neighbourhoods.
Is Frankfurt the same as Frankfurt am Main? ›“Frankfurt” and “Frankfurt am Main” usually refer to the same place in common usage. There's another, smaller Frankfurt, Frankfurt an der Oder, and you would refer to Frankfurt a.M. if you want to make sure there's no confusion.