Frankfurt's food is more distinctive than visitors expect. It has its own dishes, its own drink, and a market hall locals genuinely use — plus the international range you would expect from a global banking city. Here is how to eat well as a tourist in 2026.
Apple-Wine Taverns in Sachsenhausen
The classic Frankfurt experience: an Apfelwein tavern in Alt-Sachsenhausen. Order the tart apple wine in a ribbed Geripptes glass and pair it with local plates. The cobbled lanes here are full of traditional houses — atmospheric and genuinely local.
Local Dishes to Try
- Grüne Soße (Green Sauce): a cold herb sauce of seven herbs, served with boiled eggs and potatoes — Frankfurt's signature dish.
- Handkäse mit Musik: a tangy regional cheese marinated with onions; the "music" is the onions.
- Frankfurter Schnitzel and Rippchen: hearty pork classics found in most taverns.
- Frankfurter Würstchen: the original thin sausage that gave its name worldwide.
The Kleinmarkthalle
The indoor market off the Zeil is the best single place to eat like a local — sausage stalls, cheese, fresh produce and the famous Green Sauce. Busy, affordable, and where Frankfurters actually shop and snack.
Views with Your Meal
For a skyline backdrop, several rooftop bars and restaurants in the banking district pair good food with the towers at night. Book ahead, especially during trade fairs when tables vanish.
International Frankfurt
In one of Germany's most international cities, dinner can be apple wine and Schnitzel, or some of the country's best Korean, Italian and Middle Eastern food.
Frankfurt's diversity shows on the plate — the streets around the Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhofsviertel, in particular, are full of excellent, affordable international restaurants.
A Tip for Trade-Fair Visitors
During big Messe Frankfurt events, central restaurants book out fast. If you are in town for a fair, reserve early and let a driver handle the trip back to your hotel — see our trade fair transportation guide and routes.
