Built on the banks of the river Main, Frankfurt is a sprawling metropolis with a broad range of cultures and backgrounds evidenced by the huge array of differint ethnic bars and restaurants that inhabit seemingly every street corner. It’s also the home of German trance and techno so there’s a number of the best clubs in Europe (if you like that sort of music).If you like pubs, try the Sachsenhausen area,filled with small bars and really lively at night.

There’s very little of the old town left as much was destroyed in the 1940s but as the banking capital of Germany it does have some of the tallest buildings in Europe which dominate the skyline.

Local specialities: Frankfurter sausages (obviously), Apfelwein – an alcoholic apple juice which is served everywhere, Frankfurter Grüne Sosse - boiled eggs in a cold cream and herb sauce served with potatoes, Handkäs mit Musik -a very intense and aromatic cheese usually served covered in oil, onions and caraway seeds,the Musik part being the after effects it has on your digestive system!

Frankfurt is also well known for being the host of the biggest book fair in the world: the “Frankfurter Buchmesse”. It takes place in October every year.

The menu is short, fresh and seasonal catering to all tastes accompanied by an excellent wine list or other drinks from the bar.
The bistrot is the ideal spot to start the evening before the varieté within the complex or for a soupcon after the show accompanied by an excellently prepared drink. However, neither of the former options are necessary, for the bistrot is one of Frankfurts best kept secrets. Excellent service in a warm harmonious setting. Should you require, however, a larger choice of menu, the restaurant, Frankfurt’s only Michelin star restaurant, boasts a delicious offering of French cuisine within the postered walls depicting past varietes. A visit to the American-style bar next to the bistrot is equally encouraged.

Be it in the sophisticated atmosphere of the restaurant, the bright winter garden or the serene summer terrace overlooking a small park with old chestnut trees, executive-chef Joachim Elflein will present you with memorable creations celebrated according to seasons and markets. Signore Lorenzo Alberta, who has been managing this gourmet-palace for 20 years, and his friendly staff are a guarantee for impeccable service. A cellar with over one hundred of the finest labels leaves no wish open regarding the suitable wine to a fine meal. And then, there is also the fantastic and cosy Casablanca Bar.

The le Méridien-Parkhotel is conviniently situated just a 2 minutes walk from the main-train-station (HBF), within easy reach of the banking quarter, the trade fair grounds and the shopping areas. Monday to Friday a diversified business-lunch buffet is offered and the relaxing Sunday brunches with live piano music are very popular.

Last but not least, should you be thinking of where to stay next, despite its tradition and long history, the Parkhotel with its hightech state-of-the-art equipment – among others, flat-screens in every room - is setting trends in hotel interior design.

In summer the wonderful garden offers, under an old chestnut tree, the next best alternative to a trip to the countryside. On such days it can get really full and pretty lively. The crowd is mixed, young and old, locals and guests in the city and always a lot of fun.
Mosebach restaurant Frankfurt
German restaurant Mosebach

Alone the atmosphere and the apple wine would more than justify a visit. But people come from all corners of town also for the good and reasonably priced down-to-earth typical Frankfurt and regional cuisine. Thomas Mosebach personally controls quality of ingredients and guests can be assured to be served only the best of what the market offers. The same attention to quality is applied to the, exclusively of German origin, wines offered and Thomas regularly visits winegrowers to guarantee this.

An excellent place to eat well, try some fantastic German wines (and some pretty rare schnaps!), experience a bit of Frankfurt life and make new friends.

+49 69 2199 6368

Open Hours10a-1a M-Thu; 10a-2a F-Sa

This fashionable cafe is situated in the foyer of the Schirn Kunsthalle art gallery. Stylishly designed and decorated, contemporary music swirls around the spacious glass room. A piano player also puts in an appearance from time to time. As is expected, the cafe attracts numerous visitors from the art gallery who pop in for an afternoon coffee or a bite to eat. The menu features snacks like Tapas as well as a selection of tasty international dishes.

+49 69 21 5118

Open Hours11a-1a M-Sa, 3p-1a Su

Although it is also popular with business people and hotel guests, the Frankfurter Hof’s hotel bar is renowned as a high society hangout. The rich and the beautiful meet here for a cocktail at the bar or to dine at the beautifully laid tables on gourmet dishes and fine local specialities like rib eye steak, prawns and rocket salad. There is also an excellent wine list, although you may have to empty your bank account for the privilege.

Schillerstraße is an up-river shopping street located in the vicinity of the Frankfurt stock market which transforms into a busy food market every Friday. At midday, businessmen and brokers flock here to buy lunch from one of the stands offering rolls, falafels or spicy sausages. In the afternoon, the scene changes: housewives, students and older people stop here to stock up on fresh food for the weekend. Items sold here include cheese, meats, fruit, vegetables and international specialities. The market presents a good opportunity to buy local produce.

+49 69 219 1489

Open Hours10a-8p M-F, 9:30a-8p Sa

Great for sportswear and sports equipment, Sportsarena covers 4,500 square metres and stocks items from over a hundred different manufacturers. Yet fortunately the philosophy of this chain store is to concentrate on quality as much as quantity. As well as well-known brands like Mexx, Lacoste and Arena, there is also an S. Oliver shop and less expensive clothes. Services like racket stringing and rollerblade repair are also available. Specialities at Sportarena include organising occasional sporting events (several times a year) and vouchers for free rollerblade courses when you purchase a pair of skates.

Open Hours10a-6:30p Tu-F, 10a-2p Sa

Once you cross the old backyard to get to this cosy and atmospheric bookshop, you will be immediately transferred into another world. Here you can spend hours browsing through the impressive selection of rare works, limited editions and books from smaller publishers. The staff are friendly and helpful. Afterwards, hardened bookworms can head straight to the integrated cafe (with a lovely winter garden) and start reading!

Open Hours7:30a-6p M-F, 7:30a-3p Sa

From the outside, you would never expect this plain fifties building to be one of the best places to buy fresh food in Frankfurt. The inside is like a mini-bazaar: local farmers and traders of all nationalities offer regional and international specialities. This is a great place for people who want to prepare an exotic meal with particularly hard-to-come-by ingredients. The selection is truly excellent.