Frankfurt am Main, the dynamic and international financial and trade fair city with the most imposing skyline in Germany. This is the image that many visitors associate with the Main metropolis. But the city in the heart of Germany and Europe can offer many other facets and contrasting variety. Near to the skyscrapers you can find cosy Ebbelwei pubs and at the heart of the bustling city centre you can find historical sights again and again. Frankfurt is not just proud of its most famous son, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The Kaiserdom (Cathedral) and the Paulskirche, the cradle of German democracy, are also to be found here. Interesting destinations for excursions in and around Frankfurt, turn your stay into a great experience and sup a few tasty biers along the way.
Frankfurt’s restaurants have a lot more to offer than just the Frankfurt ‘national’ meals of ‘Handkäs’ with music’ and ‘Grüne Soße’. For the restaurant scene is just as lively and multicultural as the town itself. Visitors can try culinary specialities from many countries. There is sufficient choice for night owls too: there are restaurants, bars, clubs and discotheques in all parts of the city.
For shoppers, Frankfurt is a real ‘el dorado’ with its many shopping streets and centres. In the heart of Frankfurt’s city centre lies a shopping street with one of the highest turnovers in Europe. On the Zeil, the shops offer practically everything you could ever wish for. The nickname, ‘Fressgass,’ for the pedestrian zone between Opernplatz and Börsenstraße is justified. Here there is a large selection of restaurants and various fine food shops.
Those who set out on a discovery tour of Frankfurt can easily reach many of the sites on foot or by bus and train. Many attractions are not very far from one another in the city centre, and with public transport, you can quickly reach further sights such as the Palm Garden and the Zoo. A city tour with the nostalgic tram, the ‘Ebbelwei Express’ is particularly popular. Also culture lovers will find an impressive selection of renowned museums on both banks of the Main.
So we have set the scene
now time to go out and find some of the best places to sample beer in the city.
The city has lots of brewpubs and cideries to try (Updated July 2022) and a couple of large breweries;
Naïv, Fahrgasse 8, 60311
Open: Mon - Fri 16.00 - 01.00 Sat - Sun 12.00 - 01.00
This is both a bar and an atmospheric restaurant, probably the first place for beer tastings in Frankfurt! A "Dive" looking place with a hipster vibe, quite a young crowd (I’m always the oldest there!). There are a mix of tall and normal bench tables and chairs/stools. Lots of high stools around the bar that is all along the main back wall serving draught beers from eight taps plus flights available and around 90 German craft bottled beers. Great traditional food with a few new culinary combinations. It gets busy soon after opening as you would expect from probably the best craft bar in the city, but don’t worry, as they do table service and the staff have a reasonable knowledge of all beer they stock. It is located on a "square at the end of one of the Brickegickel bridge so they have an enclosed seating area for the warmer evenings and afternoons. A must visit bar, it's a place of childlike simplicity and honest diversity! 👍
Naïv Store & Tasting Room, Fahrgasse 8, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
Open: Wed - Fri 15.00 - 19.00 Sat 13.30 - 18.00 Closed: Sun - Wed
Located just around the corner from their bar above ^^ this is a great little bottle store.
Were you can buy German and World craft and traditional beers, there is a smaller counter to sit down and chat about beer! Plus a great selection of wines, gin’s and various tonic’s. Then there are shirts, bags, glasses, etc... that are all "beer" related. Part of the shop is left for tastings and brewing sessions and other events. Fair prices, a little stepper than in online shops but it´s inner city Frankfurt so totally fine. A nice place to stock up on craft beer before/after a visit to their bar.
TapHouse Frankfurt, Mendelssohnstraße 51
Open: Tues - Fri 17.00 - 00.00 Sat - Sun 14.00 - 00.00
A super nice tap house for the Camba brewery, located conveniently away from the noise of the city. There’s such a wide selection of beers from classic German beer to unique craft brew's. They have 8 taps of their own beers plus 12 of guest taps and some intresting bottles. Other than beer you will love the food options and ultra friendly staff who take time explain the history behind each beer that you order. Well worth seeking out and trying 😃
Binding Brauerei, Darmstädter Landstr. 185
Open; Tours only
The brewery was founded by Conrad Binding in 1870 and since 1953 is included in Dr. Oetker group. Binding stands for tradition, enjoyment and authentic Hessian lust for life. On 1 August 1870, Conrad Binding opened a brewery carrying his own name, thus laying the cornerstone for the Binding brewery. With its wheat beer, black beer and export, the renowned Binding brand spreads the unique flair of Hessian brewing all over the world. Until 2002, the Oetker Group's beverage division was called Binding-Gruppe, but is now called Radeberger Group.
Schöfferhofer Weizenbier GmbH, Darmstädter Landstraße 185
Open: Tours only
Now part of Radeberger Group above^^^^
Wir Komplizen, Egenolffstrasse 17
Open: Tues - Thurs 17.00 - 23.00 Fri - Sat 16.00 - 01.00 Sun 10.00 - 17.00 Closed: Mon
A mixture of café, restaurant and taproom in a backyard just off Egenolffstraße in the Nordend. Easy accessible by tram or underground from the city centre. There's one room with a bar and a few tables, and a back room with another dozen tables and books lining the wall. Out back are a few tables of outdoor seating, not particularly scenic nestled between the buildings, but, well this is the city. Staff are attentive and friendly and have a good beer knowledge. The food is good although the menu is fairly simple. The highlights of course are the 10 taps and the option for .1 and .2 Liter pours. The focus is on regional craft breweries. Given the absence of much similar in Frankfurt, apart from Naiv, that makes this a must visit for any ticker 😊. There’s a good bottle menu as well and and even a special menu of (expensive) rarities that is delivered on request. A good stop if in Frankfurt, Otto say's it's a small locale that has a cool vibe of a neighbourhood hangout/pub, which it is I guess 👍.
Brauerei Flügge, Goldsteinstraße 254
Open: See website
Located in a suburban part of Frankfurt. Not that easily accesible but there are busses running there. One of the most exciting breweries in Germany for creative sour beers and beer-wine hybrids with the most beautiful labels in beer Europe. Anyone who sees a bottle or can with the fledgled birds in their local bottleshop should strike. They operate a brewery sale about every two weeks. Lovely service and the beers are fantastic. Anyone who has always wanted to know what is behind one or the other Flügge beer should stop by. The brewers are happy to provide information. A must stop if in the area. You can text them in advance as well to organize pickups on other days.👍🏻
Drinksmith Neighborhood Bar, Wallstr. 14
Open: Sun - Fri 18.00 - 01.00 Fri 18.00 03.00 Sat 14.00 - 03.00
A small, friendly dive bar, with 7 taps that are all German craft beers, with an emphasis upon Hanscraft. It's a fun place with a chilled out vibe, They have special rules! Read them in the menu? If you respect them everything is fine 😊 great staff, great music, great atmosphere 😊 Probably only the third craft beer bar in the city a must do visit for beer geeks one and all. Also Famous for their cocktails. Try the Detroiter refreshing Beer cocktail. Plus outdoor seating.
Alt-Oberurseler Brauhaus; Ackergasse 13, 61440, Oberursel
Transport; U3 Portstrasse, S Oberursel (Taunus)
Another out of the Frankfurt place, but actually on the UBahn system, this rustic brewpub is located in Oberursel old town. In the main rooms you can see, smell, hear and taste the beer being made in the brew kettles, which are in operation during opening hours. There is seating for around 190 people, plus a vaulted beer cellar accommodating a further 110 at long tables and in intimate niches. Ruther rooms can be hired for weddings and private functions and in summer the large beer garden is open. Breakfast, including a large “Bayer-Fruhstuck’ is served every day along with good regional food, including homemade charcuteries. The beer fan can choose from three home brews: all year round there are pils and vetter 33, the latter supposedly the world’s strongest beer. The third beer will be one of the 16 different seasonal specialities. There is also a distillery and guests can watch the schnapps being made.
Obsthof am Steinberg, Am Steinberg 24
Open: Daily 09.00 - 19.00
Take the U2 to Nieder-Eschbach, then the 29 bus to Schule Neider Erlenbach, then walk 10 minutes to a lovely cider garden. Andreas and his team have turned traditional apple growing into a science, just like one would expect from a prestigious wine maker. They have selected old varieties to produce unique ciders. In addition, they work organically, all fruits are hand picked. Obviously this comes at a price. The price of research, of tasty products and of environmental friendly techniques combined. In summer you can sit out under the apple trees, loaded with fruit, and try about 10 varieties of the best Apfelwein, they have 4 styles on tap, flat, from big glass bulbs, plus about 15-20 more available as 100ml bottle pours. This place will change your mind about apfelwein. Draught cider and bottles to take away are much better value than drinking in, though the staff are well-informed, some speak good English. An absolute must in Frankfurt.
FRANKFURTER BRAUUNION GmbH, Ostparkstraße 11
Open: Mon - Fri 09.00 - 18.00
A local society in which the common leisure and well-being are not only accepted, but also demanded as everyday routine. The Union idea is based on the cooperation of restaurateurs, consultants, marketing specialists and logistics specialists. They have set theirselves the goal of jointly assuming responsibility in Frankfurt for upgrading the social entertainment options in the city. Their partners, including many institutions, restaurateurs, caterers and event specialists, play a central role. They develop products, places and offers that inspire people to share moments that are fondly remembered.
Bier - Hannes Brauerei zur Mainkur; Hanauer Landstr. 56B, 60386 Frankfurt.
Open: Mon-Sat 16:00-24:00, Sunday closed;
The best way to get there is by public transport on tram 11, getting off at Mainkur Bahnhof stop. The Bier-Hannes is in front of you on the right hand side. Bier-Hannes is a nice and traditional brew-pub, on the eastern outskirts of Frankfurt.Truly German beer stube atmosphere, locals having their afternoon/evening dinner and beers. Friendly staff (not speaking much of English). The menu is traditional German home cooking with large portions. There are 4 beers to select from. Small selection, but really great beers. Worth every penny to pay a visit. The interior consists of three interconnected rooms, all done out in a traditional style. It also has a large beer garden where they arrange events like seasonal beer openings. One of the very few decent beer places in Frankfurt so for that reason alone worth taking the long tram trip.
Gaststätte Doctor Flotte; Gräfstr. 87,60487 Frankfurt am Main.
Open: Mon - Sun 06:00-02:00
Just NW of the centre, near Bockenheimer Warter U-bahn station (U6 or
U7). A wonderful traditional pub in a turreted "Gründerzeit"
building. Lovely rustic and comfortable interior: a single plain bar with
wooden floor and high timber dado; battened ceiling; it was recently renovated
by the new owners in traditional style, but without the chintz – there’s lots
of wood, old photographs and bric-a-brac.
Local food plus schnitzel and steaks are on the menu. Beers come from a number of breweries in both
draught and bottled varieties. The
serving counter is in two parts: a main square servery, then a horsehoe-shaped
extension, around which apfelwein-drinking locals sit on stools. Behind the
servery is a congested corrider leading to the toilets and a
hazardously-located dartboard. Highly recommended as a pub.
Die Internationale Brau-Manufacturen GmbH, Darmstädter Landstraße 185
Open: Mon - Fri 08.00 - 17.00
Tours only at this time (post Covid😷) Founded in 2010 “BraufactuM” offer small collections, including unusual brewing styles, they not only (co) founded the craft beer trend in Germany. They have also developed a very good national and international network in the craft beer scene over the years.
Drosselbart; Eschersheimer
Landstrasse 607,60433 Frankfurt am Main.
Open:Mon - Fri 12:00 - 14:30 and 16:30 - 23:00, Sat
16:30 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 - 23:00
Winter:Mon - Sat 18:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 -
14:30 and 18:00 - 23:00
Tke the U-Bahn U1, U2, U3 station Weißer Stein S-Bahn station Eschersheim. A large traditional pub with a restaurant serving good hearty meals. A beer garden that has been around since 1900.
Klosterhof; Weißfrauenstraße 3,60311 Frankfurt.
Open: Mon - Fri 11:30 - 01:00,Sat-Sun & public holidays 17:00 - 01:00
Take U-Bahn Willy-Brandt-Platz. A large pub and beer garden on the site of an old monastery. It has two house beers specially brewed for it.
Zu den Zwölf Apostel; Rosenberger Strasse 1,60313 Frankfurt/Main.
Open: Daily
11.30 till 1.00am;
Take U - S - Bahn to Konstablerwache. This is Frankfurt’s first house brewery. The twelve Apostles is a pub on three floors, with room for about 180. On the ground floor is a cosy pub with dark wood panelling and warm colours. The bar is decorated with beer jugs and Bembels, the typical grey stoneware apple wine jugs. On the first floor is a rustic beer cellar, separated into distinct areas by fine stone arches, with a long bar framed by brick walls. In summer you can drink your beer on the terrace. The brewery makes a light and a dark pils, both hoppy and naturally cloudy. The extensive menu features local and international dishes, mainly from Croatia, with good value lunch-time set meals during the week.
Braustil Biergarten, Oeder Weg 57
Open:Mon - Fri 16.00 - 00.00 Sat 12.00 - 01.00 Sun 16.00 - 22.00
Braustil is a modern brewery, that fits well in Frankfurt. They don't have a kitchen, just a really small indoor seating area with tall stools and chairs, with sheep skin throws and a covered expansive "biergarten" equipped with heat lamps for cooler weather. They've got a simple set up with six of their own beers on tap, that are also available in flights of four. There is a micro brewery to the rear. The beers are pretty solid, an interesting take on more modern 😊, American-leaning beer but with definite German influence. Plus all there beers are bottled and available for take out. Prices were average for Frankfurt. It's a cool pace to visit with a funny mix of beer geeks and banksters, thats quite friendly crowd for a city, they're doing a good job here.
Ginnheimer Wirtshaus; Am Ginnheimer Wäldchen 8,60431 Frankfurt.
Open: Mon - Thur 12:00 - 24:00,Fri - Sat 12:00 - 01:00, Sun & public holidays: 11:30 - 24:00
A former brewpub which was famous for its Kirschbier (cherry beer). GINNHEIMER WIRTSHAUS is the new name for the WÄLDCHES-BRÄU pub; Now a popular restaurant located in northwest Frankfurt, not far from the Niddapark station of the U1 U-bahn line. [Detailed directions: ride the U1 from central Frankfurt to Niddapark. Descend the stairs to the south, the dir. the train was going. At the base, you are on Am Ginnheimer Wäldchen, and above you is Rosa-Luxemburg Str. overpass. You want to turn to the left, east, towards Am Ginnheimer Wäldchen 8, as marked on the street sign. The pub is a 3-5 min. walk along a quiet, wooded street.]
There is no brewing equipment at the pubnow. It does however have two "own-brand" beers brewed under contract: HELLES KELLERBIER (NATURTRÜB) and DUNKLES URBRÄU. The website indicates that they are brewed by a small brewery in Bavaria. Has a large bier garden ideal for passing an hour or two away on a hazy summers day with a stein or two! The food is good, and the food prices were very reasonable (see their web site for a menu). This place is worth the effort to find.
Paulaner am Dom; Domplatz
6,60311 Frankfurt.
Take the U-Bahn Römer. Seems like you can find Paulaner everywhere in Germany now a days. But, having said that, you can always count on Paulaner when you´re in a strange german town and in urget need of Weiss bier and a wurst with mustard. Their Frankfurt outlet is a spacious, multi-roomed affair in gleaming pine. As the name suggests, it´s bang opposite the cathedral. This shouldn´t be too much of a challenge to your navigational skills. Despite the presence of some shiny copper vessels, this is not a brewpub. They, like the wooden barrels are for decorative purposes only.
Frankfurter Haus; Darmstädter Landstrasse 741,63263 Neu-Isenburg.
Open: Mon - Sun 12:00 - 01:00
Located between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, but it's possible to reach by tram. A pub and beer garden in a large half-timbered building dating from 1702. As well as beer, it also sells the local speciality Apfelwein, a sort of still cider.
Zum Gemalten Haus; Schweizer Strasse 67,60594 Frankfurt am Main.
Open: Tue - Sun 10:00 - 24:00
Traditional apfelwein pub in Sachsenhausen. "Don't let the entrance put you off which
resembles a Transport Cafe with glass sliding doors opening into a drinking
corridor furnished with basic plastic tables and chairs. This makes it look
unpromising but offers a refuge for smokers to partake of food and drink.
Continue through to the bar which is smoke free and mural heavy! This feels and
probably is very traditional with heavy wooden tables and the walls are lined
with murals of Frankfurt folk enjoying the local Apfelwein. The Apfelwein was
easy to drink (guess it's not very strong!) and the food both snacks and meals
can only be described as 'hearty'. The staff were friendly and efficient."
Adolf Wagner; Schweizer Strasse 71,60594 Frankfurt am Main.
Open: Mon - Sun 11:00 - 24:00
Traditional apfelwein pub in Sachsenhausen. It has long tables and benches, lots of wood and huge murals on the walls.Quite touristy. Large Bier garden and a winter garden for the colder days. Also good hearty food to eat in or take away with a few bottles of beer. Also a souvenir shop.
Lorsbacher Thal Apfelweinwirtschaft, Grosse Rittergasse 49
Open: Daily 12:00–24:00
Apfelwein paradise! 😊 Located in the narrow streets of Alt-Sachsenhausen. This authentic Frankfurt bar, easily has the best selection of Apfelwein in the city, something like 250+ varieties they have two "Hausapfelwein" plus bottles of local cideries, sometimes high priced specialties. Some of the local bottles are open, so you can get a 100ml pour. If it's quiet you may even got a tour of the keller? There is a "living room" atmosphere, cosy and friendly. Good fast and friendly service. A must do visit for cider geeks. 👍
Apfelweinwirtschaft Fichtekränzi, Wallstr. 5, 60594 Frankfurt am Main
Open: Daily 17.00 - 00.00
A traditional Äppelwoi (cider, hessian style) pub. Excellent local food from the Frankfurt region is served in an authentic German restaurant, dark murals adorn the walls of drinking scenes plus dark wooden panels and the long scrubbed wooden tables that and a huge outside seating area. Don’t miss out on the famous Frankfurter Grüne Soße (Herbs in a Sour Cream base), which they even offer with Schnitzel, plus the Green sauce and other local delicacies. The whole place is a bit like a time warp. You will love it, it's totally worth it! 👍
Apfelweinwirtschaft Solzer, Bergerstr. 260, 60385 Frankfurt am Main
Open: Mon - Fri 17.00 - 00.00 Sat 15.00 - 00.00 Sun 12.00 -22.00
Located close to the north entrance of the U4 at Bornheim Mitte. Apfelwein Solzer is an institution in Bornheim. Probably one of the best traditional Frankfurt restaurant in the city? Inside its quite cosy and busy there is also a beer courtyard with a huge tree growing in the centre that makes dining a really special experience. They have giant portions of great tasting food, and several drink options plus the delicious Apfelwein. The Pfifferlinge Schnitzel is wonderful (but hey I'm a sucker for Schnitzel). The service is quick and efficient. Are you ready to experience the "old and traditional"? You will have loads of fun here.
Chicago Meatpackers, Untermainanlage 8
Open: Daily 16.00 - 22.00
An American Diner Style restaurant. The interior design follows the idea of an American railway museum with all sorts of items on display and a model train running below the ceiling above your heads. Food is very good, very nice ribs, their own Chicago Red beer is available on tap.
Bier-Hannes Getränkeabholmarkt, Alt Fechenheim 65
Open:Mon-Fri: 07:30-19:30, Sat: 07:30-14:00
A small corner bottle shop with their own beer to sell "Bier-Hannes" in a fridge as well as in crates. The owner is very friendly and helpful, the selection is ok. Not really big. Beside their own brews it is rather boring and standard. Prices very fair but be aware that it is not possible to pay with card.
IXI Getränkemarkt, Am Industriehof 7-9, 60487
Open:Mon-Wed: 8:30-7:00 PM, Thu-Fri: 8:30-19:30, Sat: 8:30-3:00 PM
A big drinks shop outside of Frankfurt. The entrance is a bit tricky to find, because you need to enter from behind. There is parking space outside available. A huge beer selection of local and wider local german beers. Lots of applewine from the area. One wall with shelfes of craft beer ranging from local stuff to the wider known worldwide craft beer brewers from the US and GB.
Die Bierothek® Frankfurt, Skyline Plaza Frankfurt, Europa-Allee 6
Open: Mon-Wed 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, Thu-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM
A small shop on the Ground Floor of the Skyline Plaza shopping mall. A reasonable selection for the size of shop, and IMO fairly priced, bearing in mind the location. About 15 minute walk from FaM Hauptbahnhof, alternatively less than 5 minutes walk from Messe U Bahn.
Graf Zeppelin (Bad Homburger Brauhaus) Zeppelinstrasse 10, 61352, Bad Homburg
Open; Mon-Fri 11 -12 Sat
11am - 1pm Sun 11 - 11
Take the S-bahn S5 Bad Homburg. Not strictly Frankfurt, but not that far out and easy to reach on S Bahn. This brewpub and inn, farm and riding stables all from part of the historic Kronenhof, which originally supplied the nearby Homburg palace. The pub has room for about 200, with separate function rooms for 20 to 200, as well as a beer garden for 300 in summer. Home cooked regional specialities are served and the beer is brewed using barley grown on the Kronenhof farm with some success. In August 2004 Kronenhof beer was the first beer to be awarded the seal of quality “Geprufte Qualitat – Hessen (Assured quality – Hessen), certifying the entire production process from the filed to the glass. They even generate their own electricity here from home grown rapeseed oil. The kronenhof also runs year round beer seminars.
Fichte Kränzi - Wallstr. 5 (Sachsenhausen)
Fichte Kränzi is a nice gastube (restaurant) in Sachsenhausen, across the river from Frankfurt. It is an easy walk from Römer across the footbridge (at least in nicer weather). The restaurant is in one large, L shaped room with shared, picnic table seating. There is also a small bar with about 4 bar stools. As with most places in Sachsenhausen, they serve traditional Apfelwein ("Apple wine" -- hard cider), and they serve it in the traditional manner from a large ceramic urn which fills blue-and-white ceramic pitchers which in turn fill the glasses. You might want to sample the Apfelwein, but of course we are more interested in the beer. They serve two beers: Karlsberg Ur-Pils, and Konrad Krug Bräu Dunkles Lager Landbier. The Krug-Bräu dunkel lager (from the Bamberg region) was delicious! (always have this beer on-tap?). Worth a visit for this beer alone. Give this place a try if you are in Frankfurt and want to experience Sachsenhausen.
Sachsenhause Warte; Darmstadter Landstrasse 279, 60598 Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen
Open; Daily 11am till 1am
Take the Bus 30 & 36 DB Frankfurt Sud. Two-room pub, the tap for the Binding brewery a few metres up the road, with the historic walls of the Sachsenhauser Warte, dating from 1767. Sensitively renovated to preserve the original character and incorporate some of the old stone walls. Apart from the typical Apfelwein; local and international wines, there are of course Binding beers, with the Sachsenhauser Warte served unfiltered in a krug. Regional and international food is available and in summer you can sit in the attractive courtyard (seating for about 250). The beer garden is open with live music each year.
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