Welcome to our personal Frankfurt food guide! Frankfurt is often seen as a city of banking and skylines, but beyond the corporate hustle lies a surprisingly diverse and delicious food scene. As Frankfurt is our home base, we’ve spent years exploring its culinary landscape, from chic fine dining establishments to bustling, authentic eateries.
This isn’t a list of every restaurant in the city. This is our personal, curated guide to the places we love and return to time and again. It’s a list for every mood and occasion, filled with our honest opinions and insider tips.
For a Special Night Out
These are our go-to spots for date nights, anniversaries, or when we just want an elegant and memorable meal.
Lohninger
Cuisine: Modern Austrian | Vibe: Intimate & Elegant | Location: Sachsenhausen | Price: €€€€
Lohninger remains our favorite restaurant in the city at the moment. It perfectly balances a cozy, intimate atmosphere with impeccable, fine-dining quality food. The menu is a brilliant mix of modern creations and timeless Austrian classics. The Wiener Schnitzel here is, without a doubt, the best we’ve ever had. It’s an essential booking for any special occasion.Read our full, dedicated review of our experience at Lohninger here.
Mon Amie Maxi
Cuisine: French | Vibe: Romantic & Classic | Location: Westend | Price: €€€€
As the name suggests, this is a classic French brasserie tucked away in the chic Westend neighborhood. The setting is intimate and romantic, with secluded booths perfect for a date night. We’ve been here on multiple occasions, and the food has always been amazing. For a truly special meal, the duck to share is an absolute must-try. It’s certainly a pricier restaurant, but for the quality and atmosphere, it’s definitely worth it.
Franziska
Cuisine: Modern German | Vibe: Breathtaking Views | Location: Sachsenhausen | Price: €€€€
If you want to experience Frankfurt’s skyline from a unique angle, Franziska is the place. Located atop the Henninger Turm, it’s one of the only skyscrapers on the south side of the Main river, giving you a stunning, unobstructed view of the city’s financial district. The food is creative, but it’s important to note two things: you are paying a premium for the incredible location, and some tables can lack privacy due to the small space. Our tip: go in spring or autumn to watch the sunset during your dinner.
For a Perfect, Casual Meal
When you want guaranteed delicious food in a more relaxed setting, these are our top picks.
Buffalo Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse | Vibe: Cozy & Traditional | Location: Innenstadt | Price: €€€
This is our favorite place in Frankfurt for a truly excellent steak. The restaurant is hidden away in a small alley near the famous Fressgass’ (eating street). The decor is cozy and traditional rather than trendy—the focus here is entirely on the quality of the food, and it delivers. Make sure to order their incredible garlic bread as a side. For bigger groups, you can even order a whole piece of meat to share.
Pizza Montana
Cuisine: Neapolitan Pizza | Vibe: Casual & Lively | Location: Bahnhofsviertel | Price: €
Pizza Montana is our go-to for authentic, Neapolitan-style pizza. With two locations in the city, they serve up a perfectly soft, chewy crust and high-quality toppings. They always have a variety of creative, ever-changing special pizzas that are usually worth a try. A consistently great choice for a casual weeknight dinner.
For an Authentic & Lively Experience
These are the places we go when we’re craving bold, authentic flavors and a vibrant atmosphere. Comfort takes a backseat to incredible food.
Babam
Cuisine: Persian | Vibe: Busy & Authentic | Location: Bahnhofsviertel | Price: €€
The Bahnhofsviertel (train station district) is one of Frankfurt’s best areas for diverse and authentic food, and Babam is a shining example. This is a simple, no-frills Persian restaurant that is always packed. People come here for one thing: the food. We love their tender lamb dishes. When you go, be sure to taste their homemade lemonade and don’t be shy with the sumac on your table—it’s a Persian spice with a wonderful lemony flavor that is perfect on grilled meat.
Mosebach
Cuisine: Traditional Frankfurt | Vibe: Rustic & Local | Location: Nordend-Ost | Price: €€
You can’t write a Frankfurt food guide without mentioning at least one Apfelweinwirtschaft (apple wine tavern). Mosebach, located near the popular Berger Straße, is our favorite. This is where you go for the true local experience. I always eat the Schnitzel here, but if you want to go “full Frankfurt,” you must try something with Grüne Soße (Green Sauce), the city’s most famous dish. And of course, order your Apfelwein (apple cider) in a Bembel (a traditional stoneware jug) to share.
Saravanaa Bhavan
Cuisine: South Indian (Vegetarian) | Vibe: Simple & Quick | Location: Bahnhofsviertel | Price: €
If you love South Indian food as much as I do, this is the place to try. It’s part of an international chain, but it’s famous for one thing: authentic dosas, which are thin, crispy crepes made from fermented batter, served with various fillings and sauces. They offer them in countless variations, and it’s a delicious and affordable meal.
For a Great Night In
GO by Steffen Henssler
Cuisine: Sushi (Take-out) | Vibe: Restaurant-Quality at Home
Our special tip for when you’re hungry for high-quality sushi but want to spend the night at home or in your hotel. The sushi from GO is phenomenal—it’s expensive for take-out, but it’s absolutely worth the price for the quality you receive. A perfect treat for a special night in.
Final Thoughts on Our Frankfurt Food Guide
We hope this Frankfurt food guide helps you discover some of the incredible food our city has to offer. This list is always evolving as we find new favorites, so be sure to check back!
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