|
Dining in Europe > Frankfurt As far as eating and drinking are concerned, Frankfurt is unbeatable. Here you'll be able to find something to suit every taste and appetite, and the selection seems to expand with the increasing amount of inter-country relationships (due to the Euro bank). Indeed, a decent number of restaurants serving traditional, hearty cooking remain, who have established their trade and their reputation through a philosophy of good value for money. The absolute highlight in Frankfurt for non-Frankfurt residents is definitely the Ebbelwohnkneipen (Apfelwein-kneipen/cider pubs). In these you'll be able to get the local drink ' a glass or mug of cider (1-5l clay mugs). Whether sweet or sour, or just pure, cider proves to be the drink of choice in and around Frankfurt. Why not try it with 'Handkäse mit Musik? ' Handkäse is a type of hard cheese mixed with onions, vinegar and oil. It gained its unusual name because the digestion process usually leads to flatulence and thus to music!! German cuisine As has already been mentioned the range is diverse. Cider pubs are well represented in Frankfurt and the best and most popular ones are to be found in the city district of Sachsenhausen. The Affentorschänke, for example, with its rustic interior and good value menu, offers 'Haspeln' and 'Schäufelchen', as well as a stunning fillet of beef, served with, you guessed it, cider! The Wagner is also popular ' this place is good not only because of its service but also because you know that, if you want to, it won't be long before you get drawn into a relaxed conversation with someone. As well as the ones mentioned above, there are many more cider pubs in Sachsenhausen. On the whole, they are all good and have mid-range prices. The only bad thing about Sachsenhausen is that its really touristy, which is why you may prefer to go to one of the citys other districts. In Nordend, for example, you'll find the Zur Schönen Müllerin or there is the Friedberger Warte in Bornheim (relatively expensive but relaxed). Exotic cuisine If you like somewhat exotic food, then you'll have no problems in Frankfurt. In fact, in the town centre around Zeil, you'll find not only Turkish, Greek and Italian, but also French, Japanese, Indian, Thai and many other restaurants from all four corners of the earth. Particularly worth a mention is the Lahore Palace with its excellent Indian cuisine. The peaceful, somewhat oppressive ambience will entice you to take a break after your daily shopping. The choice here is huge and the prices relatively reasonable if you take into account the Zeil neighbourhood. It would be an impossible task to cite the never-ending list of good restaurants and pubs in this area. Good value cuisine To eat well but for a decent price can be difficult in Frankfurt, the city of bankers. In spite of this, the following pubs offer food that won't break the bank: Indian Curry House close to the station, La Habana and Manyola in Nordend, China Haus Chui in the town centre. If you like German cuisine, try Niddastübchen and Max und Moritz at the station, Zum Jodler in Sachsenhausen and Windows 25 in the town centre. The Marché-Mövenpick, which is to be found in the Zeilgalerie, is somewhat better known and somewhere where the level of quality always remains high. Although its a self-service place, the choice is substantial. If you want to see chefs at work, are not afraid of cramped surroundings or would prefer to wrap your food up yourself, then Phuket is the right place for you. Wonderfully flavoured Thai dishes are available ready to cook for very reasonable prices. And if you'd like, or need your food to be cheap, then you should try the cafeterias of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University. Even vegetarians come here daily to sample the food. Fast Food Fast food is no problem in Frankfurt but it doesn't always have to be kebabs, pizza slices or burger ' maybe you'd rather try some sushi? You'll be able to get this in the town centre at Sushi am Main. Persian cuisine is also offered in the Rendezvous snackbar close to the station. Alternatively, you can take a look in Der andere Weinladen (Bockenheim) ' good wine and tasty snacks are available here. Entertainment in FrankfurtArt and Museums Frankfurt offers a plethora of museums and varying exhibitions. A must for art lovers is the Städelmuseum which was founded by Johann F. Städel (1728-1816) and today contains a huge collection of European paintings up to the present day. Works by masters such as Rubens, Holbein and Rembrand are displayed. A further artistic attraction with changing exhibitions is the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt. Alongside its permanent displays, the Schirn offers exhibitions on themes such as 'German Symbolism' or on noteworthy artists. In the Museum for Modern Art, you'll find works by Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol, and nature-lovers and archaeologists will get their moneys worth in the Senkenberg Natural History Museum. Here, among other things, you can marvel at the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Film lovers should pay a visit to the German Film Museum and the Modeschöpfer (Couturier), in which there is a unique combination of leather items from around the world and of different eras, this cannot possibly be missed! A shoe museum is also part of this establishment and this is included in the price of admission. Naturally, Frankfurt has many other museums ' to say nothing of the sheer number of galleries on offer here. Theatre and Opera The Oper Frankfurt (Frankfurt Opera) is a counterpart of the Alten Oper. A constant stream of concerts are given in both, mostly by artistes known the world over. In the Schauspiel Frankfurt you'll be able to see traditional theatre, whereas modern theatre is more often staged in the TAT. The Mousonturm offers all kinds of productions ' thespians such as Georgette Dee and Terry Truck tread the boards here. If you're into English theatre then go to the 'Selbige' close to the station on the Kaiserstrasse. Disco, Parties and Nightlife Frankfurt has something to offer for every taste. Does your ideal nightspot have to feature rock and prove decidedly deafening? No problem ' go to MTW in Offenbach, to the Goldene Krone in Darmstadt or the Batschknapp in Frankfurt. Concerts by well-publicised groups such as 'Die Ärtze' often take place in the Batschknapp. Quite often these groups will appear under a pseudonym which means that the tickets are more affordable. Only the true fans and those in the know will be lucky enought to discover these events. If you're into trendy music, then you'll be better off in Opium or in Living. Hard core techno enthusiasts shouldn't miss U60311 (pronounced U sixty-three hundred eleven)! A great hit with with foreigners in Frankfurt, the nightlife on the Konstablerwache is a well-known hotspot. However, if you want to see something unique, then you should go the Odeon even if its just to have a peek from the outside. Its a wonderful classical building and the varying theme nights are really quite unusual. Should you find yourself on a flight passing through Frankfurt or booked on an early morning flight, then Frankfurt has a somewhat different surprise for you. The Dorian Gray. This is a well known and popular discotheque in the middle of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airports Terminal One. Here you can happily while away the short time until your check in in the early hours of the morning. The gay community has a consistently large choice on a Saturday evening ' the popular LOFT-House, which attracts a very well-groomed crowd is but one of many possibilities. Yet there are also places further away to visit, such as the MS-Connexion in Mannheim (stretches out over several floors and offers something to suit everyone). It is particularly worth recommending because of its themed evening 'Gaywerk'. If you like a quiet place, then there is always the possibility of visiting one of the many pubs and bars in which you can have a good time, sip some cocktails and dance to some good music. Sachsenhausen is a particularly good starting point for a night out. As is the StereoBar, decorated in sixties style, with an attractive fish aquarium to stare at incase you can't locate somebody interesting enough with which to converse. The numerous Irish pubs around, as well as the cider pubs of course, offer ample worthy entertainment. Sport Every half-decent footballer has heard of the Frankfurt Waldstadion, where the Frankfurter Eintracht team play nerve-wracking games against their opponents time and time again. The Frankfurter Lyons and the Ice Hockey team are further attractions. However, over and above this, it might be fair to say that the people fo Frankfurt fopcus their attentions on things other than sport! Dining in Europe > Frankfurt
|