urbanescapestories

Category: Germany

  • Best Pizza in Frankfurt

    Best Pizza in Frankfurt

    Frankfurt’s pizza scene has grown incredibly over the last few years, and we’ve done the delicious work of finding the truly great spots. This is our personal, curated list of the best pizzerias in the city, from authentic Neapolitan mainstays to fantastic local gems.

    Pizza Montana

    Style: Authentic Neapolitan | Vibe: Lively & Casual | Best For: A quick, perfect pizza

    Montana remains one of our top recommendations and a true local favorite for authentic Neapolitan pizza. While they have a bustling location in Nordend, their spot in the vibrant Bahnhofsviertel is incredibly convenient. The atmosphere is lively, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their pizzas are consistently excellent, featuring a soft, chewy crust and high-quality toppings. Don’t miss their homemade chili oil for an extra kick.

    Pro-Tip: Always check their ever-changing list of special pizzas—they’re usually creative and delicious. And for those with a sweet tooth, they even offer a sweet dessert pizza. The seating is modern and efficient, making it the perfect spot for a high-quality meal before heading out, rather than a long, lingering dinner.

    Rimini

    Style: Classic Italian | Vibe: Energetic & Fun | Best For: Huge pizzas and a lively atmosphere

    A legend from the neighboring city of Offenbach, Rimini has finally opened a location in the heart of Frankfurt, close to the iconic Dom (Cathedral). This place is always buzzing with energy. They are famous for their gigantic, classic Italian-style pizzas with a slightly thinner crust, which are perfect for sharing. In the summer, keep an eye out for their pop-up location, which brings their fantastic pizza to a relaxed, sunny spot by the river.

    Calma Chaos

    Style: Modern Italian | Vibe: Stylish & Relaxed | Best For: A sit-down pizza and pasta dinner

    If you’re in the Bahnhofsviertel but looking for a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than the typical quick-bite spots, Calma Chaos is an excellent choice. It’s a bit more of a stylish restaurant where you can comfortably sit down and enjoy a nice glass of wine with your meal. While their pizza is great, they also offer a selection of very good pasta dishes, making it the perfect compromise if you’re dining with someone who isn’t in the mood for pizza.

    Super Bro’s

    Style: Neapolitan | Vibe: Modern & Popular | Best For: Pizza Purists

    In any serious discussion about the best Neapolitan pizza in Frankfurt, Super Bro’s is always in the conversation. What sets them apart is their official AVPN certification (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana), which means they adhere to the strict, traditional methods of pizza-making as dictated by Naples itself. For pizza purists, this is a very big deal. The result is a pizza that is consistently flawless, with a beautifully soft, airy crust and high-quality, simple toppings. The vibe in their Gallus location is modern and often busy, with the focus squarely on the incredible pizza.

    7Bello

    Style: Old-School Trattoria | Vibe: No-Frills & Authentic | Best For: The best value for money

    This is our secret tip if you are looking for amazing pizza that won’t break the bank. Tucked away in a quieter part of the city, 7Bello is a classic, family-run Italian spot that has been around for years. Don’t expect trendy decor or a fancy menu. What you get is honest, delicious, and generously sized pizza at a price that is hard to beat in Frankfurt. It’s a true local gem.

  • The Frankfurt Food Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants for Every Occasion

    The Frankfurt Food Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants for Every Occasion

    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!

  • Rustic Charm, Refined Flavors: Dining at Waldschlösschen Dagobertshausen

    Rustic Charm, Refined Flavors: Dining at Waldschlösschen Dagobertshausen

    Sometimes, the most memorable meals are not in bustling city centers, but tucked away in special destinations. We found a wonderful one at the Restaurant Waldschlösschen in Dagobertshausen, a tiny, charming village just outside Marburg, which delivers refined comfort food with exceptional skill.

    The Vibe: A Culinary Escape

    Driving into Dagobertshausen feels like stepping into a quieter, more peaceful world. The VILA VITA group owns the stunning centerpiece of the village, the Hofgut estate. The restaurant occupies a historic, beautifully renovated building that exudes warmth and elegance without feeling stuffy. It’s the kind of place where you can immediately relax for a lovely evening, making it an ideal setting for a Sunday dinner or a special occasion.

    A unique feature we appreciate is their winter offering: private, transparent Igloos outside, where a small group can enjoy a private dining event under the stars.

    Our Dinner: Elevated Classics

    Chef Roland Kestner curates a menu that strikes a pleasant balance between regional German classics and modern, international flair. The quality is immediately apparent, earning the restaurant recommendations in both the Michelin Guide and Gault&Millau.

    The Starters

    We began with two starters that set a high standard for the meal. The chefs cooked the Scallops perfectly, leaving them delicate and sweet. A true highlight, however, was the Waldschlösschen’s spicy Beef Tatar. It was certainly one of the most memorable tatar dishes I have had. The beef was exquisite, but the pairing truly impressed us: a scoop of savory mustard ice cream. I would never have expected this combination, but the cool, sharp tang of the mustard against the rich, spicy beef was a remarkably creative touch.

    The Main Courses

    For our mains, we leaned into the comfort food promise. I had to order the Original Wiener Schnitzel, and it arrived golden, crisp, and perfectly thin—a testament to how a simple dish can be truly elevated when executed this well. My partner opted for a Pasta dish, which was also very well-prepared, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

    Final Thoughts

    Restaurant Waldschlösschen is a wonderful find. It’s a place that delivers a complete experience: the idyllic countryside setting, the warm and sophisticated ambiance, and food that is both comforting and impressively creative. It’s a reminder that some of the best culinary experiences are hidden just off the beaten path. For anyone in the Frankfurt or Marburg area looking for a special meal, this is a destination well worth the drive. It has certainly become one of our favorite restaurants in the region.

    Overall ★★★★★ (5/5)

    Explore Our Other Stories

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  • Lohninger: An Austrian Triumph in the Heart of Frankfurt

    I wanted to kick off my first official restaurant review on the blog by talking about one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the Frankfurt area: Lohninger. This isn’t just a place to eat; it’s an experience. For anyone looking for incredible Austrian cuisine that feels both classic and contemporary, this is the spot.

    The Vibe & Location

    Nestled in a beautiful old building close to the Main river, Lohninger has an atmosphere that is both elegant and cozy. It strikes that perfect balance where you feel you’re somewhere special without it being stuffy. The space itself is intimate, and it’s an incredibly popular place, so let me start with a crucial tip: make sure you have a reservation before going. Trust me, you don’t want to be turned away at the door.

    The menu concept is brilliant. It’s split into two parts: one featuring modern, international dishes and one dedicated to timeless Austrian classics. While you could stick to one, the real magic, and what I’d recommend, is to play around with whatever you like, mixing both of them. Honestly, every single dish here tastes amazing.

    Our Dinner: A Tour Through the Menu

    We decided to go for the full experience, choosing a starter and a main each, and then sharing what I consider a mandatory dessert.

    The Starters

    We started by pulling from both sides of the menu. From the international side, we had the Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi. It was a vibrant, appetizing plate that tasted every bit as fresh and delicious as it looked.

    From the Austrian side, I opted for the Hereford Prime Filet Tatar. This was a rich, savory take on a classic tartar, and it was absolute perfection. I loved every single bite of it; a true standout and a sign of the quality to come.

    The Main Course

    For our mains, we went straight for the heart of Austria. My partner chose the K. u. k. Ochsenbackerlgulasch (braised ox cheek goulash), which was deep, complex, and incredibly tender—pure comfort food elevated to an art form.

    I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel (you will see there is a pattern behind this). Let’s talk about this. Yes, it was the most expensive Schnitzel I have ever eaten, but it was, without a doubt, also the very best. Impossibly thin, perfectly crisp, and served with a simple elegance that lets the quality of the ingredients shine. It’s one of those dishes that can justify its price tag with a single bite.

    The Dessert

    Whatever you do, you have to save room for their Kaiserschmarrn. We decided to share it, and it was the perfect end to the meal. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s an event. A fluffy, shredded pancake, lightly caramelized and dusted with powdered sugar, it’s sweet, soulful perfection. It is an absolute must-have.

    Final Thoughts

    Lohninger Frankfurt remains a top favorite for a reason. It’s the combination of exceptional food—whether you’re craving a classic Schnitzel or a modern sashimi—and a wonderfully intimate atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for a special occasion or simply for when you want a meal that you know will be flawless from start to finish. This 5* experience combined with the Austrian food also reminded us of our recent stay in the Kempinski Berchtesgaden.

    Overall ★★★★★ (5/5)

  • Alpine Luxury with a View: Kempinski Berchtesgaden

    Alpine Luxury with a View: Kempinski Berchtesgaden

    Nestled high above Berchtesgaden on Obersalzberg, the Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden is situated at nearly 1,000 meters above sea level. Surrounded by unspoiled alpine beauty, the hotel overlooks the Eagle’s Nest and expansive Bavarian valleys.

    Arrival in the Bavarian Alps

    This wasn’t our first stay here, so we arrived with high expectations and fond memories from a previous winter visit. This time, the summer sun cast long shadows across the hills, promising slow days and mountain air.

    Upon arrival, valet staff offered to take our bags and park the car, though they seemed noticeably more rushed compared to our earlier December stay. A small sign of how a busier season can affect even the best-staffed hotels.

    We booked through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, which offers early check-in when available. Unfortunately, our room wasn’t ready until the standard 3 PM check-in time.

    That said, the upgrade to a terrace room was nice—until we discovered it was located right next to the elevator. Nighttime noise put a slight dent in our experience. The hotel did offer us a room change, which we declined, but at €400+ per night, soundproofing should be a given.

    Spa and Activity Concierge

    The spa area is a true highlight. We spent hours lounging by the outdoor pool, soaking in the sun and silence. With a generous sunbathing deck, saunas, and panoramic mountain views, it’s the kind of place you don’t want to leave.

    The hotel also has activity concierges, a surprisingly helpful touch. They helped us plan local hikes, book boat tickets on Königssee, and even arranged a tee time at Germany’s highest golf course—a unique and fun way to experience the landscape.

    Our three different experiences dinning at the hotel

    We dined all three nights at Johann Grill, the hotel’s standard restaurant. They also offer two more expensive restaurants one of them with two Michelin stars. While the food was consistently good-visually impressive and flavorful—the service was anything but consistent.

    • One night, we waited two hours for our main course.
    • Another, everything arrived promptly and flawlessly.
    • Staff training seemed inconsistent, and at a five-star hotel, you expect better continuity.

    The pricing is steep but expected for this level of accommodation. That said, €9.50 for a bottle of water felt excessive. After the first night, we stuck to custom cocktails and wine, which were much more reasonably priced.

    Still, the sunset views from our dinner table were magical, and the drinks menu was amazing.

    The hotel also offers two other restaurants and a bar that is open the whole day.

    If dinner was inconsistent, breakfast was a triumph. Served in the same restaurant, the combination of à la carte dishes and a generous buffet left nothing to be desired.

    It was, without exaggeration, the best hotel breakfast I’ve ever had. Everything from the eggs Benedict to local cheeses and fresh fruit was perfectly curated.

    Final Thoughts

    There were moments of brilliance—the spa, the breakfast, the views—and moments of disappointment, like the dinner service or the surprisingly noisy room that you would not expect at this price point.

    Small touches from our earlier stay were missing this time: evening turn-down service, a bit more personalized attention, and an overall smoother rhythm.

    Still, we made unforgettable memories—golfing in the Alps, hiking to the Eagle’s Nest, and watching the light shift over the mountains from the pool deck. It was an amazing trip in many ways.

    Would we come back?

    Yes—with a few caveats. I’d request a room away from elevators and perhaps try one of the other restaurants. Kempinski Berchtesgaden is perfect for travelers seeking luxurious calm in the heart of nature, but service consistency and attention to detail need improvement to match the price point.

    Overall ★★★★☆ (4/5)

    Find more information about the hotel here.