Where to eat and stay in Frankfurt

The hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés of Frankfurt all combine effortlessly to project an image of genuine German hospitality. It’s as true of the modern, boutique hotels as it is of the tried-and trusted hostelry, as constant in the Michelin-starred palaces as it is in those serving traditional food that’s barely changed through the centuries.

This is a city of good humor and warm welcomes, where you can dine in an Old Town tavern or in one of the contemporary restaurants that have sprung up as Frankfurt has grown in importance. Dine heartily and rest easy with our pick of some fantastic places to eat and stay in Frankfurt.

Under the one roof

The Gerbermuhle, which sits on the banks of the Main River, offers both a great place to stay and fine dining, bucking the trend of hotel eateries. In summer, there’s a garden where you can relax and soak up the sun. Inside it’s a cozy, comfortable and stylish place, a former tannery turned house turned hotel with just 13 rooms and six suites.

Many of the rooms have an historical bent, named after the banker who once lived here, a friend of the great Goethe, and his acquaintances. Have an aperitif in the atmospheric bar, complete with leather armchairs and natural stone walls, before taking your table at the restaurant. Push the boat out with a whole goose for four with potato dumplings and marzipan baked apple. Or go à la carte and sample a fine Wiener Schnitzel or pike-perch fillet.

The garden of delights

Lafleur – the flower - is aptly named: it sits in a Bauhaus-style building right next to the Palmengarten. Take a walk among the flowers and trees before you head to your table at one of the best restaurants in Frankfurt. Chef Andreas Krolik holds two Michelin stars here. You can dine like royalty on meat and fish dishes, he’s also put together an excellent vegan menu. An all-round gastronomic delight.

There are à la carte and tasting options, while the menu du jour is something of a bargain. Expect prime ingredients, fanciful presentation and fantastic flavors. Knockout dishes include raw lobster with caviar and burrata ice cream and duck breast with kumquat jus and duck confit-stuffed savoy cabbage.

The vegan menu is playful too. Baked spiced tofu with macadamia rice crunch and shiitake, black salsify and mushrooms with blue cheese mash shows the chef is paying more than just lip service to vegan diners. All this delight isserved in a serene atmosphere that oozes elegance. 

Pure minimalism

While many hotels gild the lily with over-the-top furnishings, that isn’t the case with The Pure. The striking design contains stark whites, giving it a futuristic style that makes it feel minimalistic and modern. It’s in a great location, close to the river in an area full of excellent restaurants and cafés.

Architect Oana Rosen lets loose with designer furniture and shards of color. Relax on the garden patio with its beanbags and fountains, or chill out in your room. As comfortable as it is contemporary, the swish bathrooms and iPod docks give it a feel befitting of the 21^st century. If you’re lucky, you might get a balcony from which to watch the city go by.

Gluten-free Frankfurt

Like much of Europe, German cities like Frankfurt are improving their food offerings to cater for those with celiac disease.

As in so many cities, pizza places across Frankfurt are a fantastic option for gluten-free food. In Frankfurt, try Ristorante Pizzeria La Favola on Hugelstrasse, which goes out of its way to offer gluten-free dishes. The Greek restaurant Ariston on Heiligkreuzgasse is highly accommodating. While Thai & Turf does both elements of its menu justice, with fragrant dishes next to juicy steaks cooked to your liking. The owner is friendly and open to feedback, so feel free to make any food intolerances known.

City style

Another design-led hotel (or two) also beckons. Especially in the Ostend part of town, close to where the European Central Bank set up shop and skyscrapers proliferate. Here you’ll find The Goldman by the 25 Hours group. The colors are funky and punky, the vibe chilled, but the rooms are comfortable - drawing on a variety of themes. They come by size – M is small even by European standards, so opt for L for space. The on-site restaurant does modern Mediterranean cuisine very well. The gluten-free and vegetarian menus have a plethora of gastronomic delights.

The same group runs the equally quirky By Levi’s, which is situated next door to the Levi’s head office and draws on many inspirations from the denim giant. Again, expect an offbeat approach to interior décor, mixing the modern and the vintage to good effect. It’s one for culture vultures, with an Andy Warhol room where you can play the provided instruments. The restaurant here, Chez Ima, is unpretentious and international. It also has great hummus, lamb knuckle and a perfect Wiener Schnitzel.

Old world luxury

Is Steigenberger the best place to stay in Frankfurt? It’s certainly up there, as the location is hard to beat. One minute you’re straddling the financial district and the old town, the next you can be at Paulskirche or the Main Tower.

It’s a traditional five star hotel in many ways, with an emphasis on luxury and free spa access. The service plays homage to fine art décor, a mainstay since it opened in 1876 and while the rooms veer toward the traditional, it’s a refreshing change from funky minimalism. It also helps that one of the city’s best eateries is here too.

Restaurant Francais has achieved one Michelin star for its stylish French-derived menu. Although you can detect other influences in Perigord truffle ravioli and shoulder of US beef with blackcurrant. It’s a luxurious end to a perfect time in Frankfurt. A satiating delight, sure to tantalize your tastebuds.

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