Eating Out
Frankfurt's diverse restaurant scene reflects the multicultural make-up of the city. Whether looking for German classics such as schnitzel, Eisbein and sauerkraut, local legends such as Frankfurter Hacksteak (chopped steak), or the very best of international cuisine, visitors will find it in the city.
Most traditional German restaurants are located in the Freßgass pedestrian street, and in Sachsenhausen, with apple-wine pubs set along cobbled streets bordering its row of museums. The best Frankfurt eateries serving modern and international cuisine tend to be in the city centre or Westend, while Nordend boasts some great cafes and a few more exotic establishments. There are quality restaurants all over the city and travellers can stumble onto something special almost anywhere.
Visitors should try apple wine, a popular drink in Frankfurt that tastes like cider and is referred to by the locals as Ebbelwoi. Of course, beer is also a staple in Frankfurt, just like in the rest of the country, and there are plenty of good bars and pubs to enjoy.
Frankfurt restaurants have various trading hours and it is best to call ahead and make reservations. Many include a service charge in the bill, as is the norm in most of Germany, but if this is not the case, a tip of about 10 percent is customary.
Shopping
The Zeil in Frankfurt is a large street where all the biggest stores and shopping centres can be found. This is the place to do a spot of clothes shopping, lazily browse through bookstores or look for end-of-season sales at the mainstream stores.
The Apfelwein district in Sachsenhausen is the best place to find traditional German souvenirs, with favourites such as ceramic German steins, lederhosen, cuckoo clocks and traditional Christmas decorations. For the peckish explorer, there are specialist food stores, cafes and delicatessens lining the upmarket Freßgass, ready to serve delicious local fare.
Travellers can head over to Goethestraße for top-end designer shops and jewellery stores in Frankfurt. Schweizerstraße, in Sachsenhausen, is home to exclusive boutiques and independent stores aimed at the trendier, younger market.
Most Frankfurt shops are open from 10am to 10pm, from Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays. Most shops are closed on Sundays.
Nightlife
It might not be expected of a city known for its finance industry to have much of a nightlife, but with its high rollers and multicultural expats, Frankfurt parties hard after dark. Whether looking for an epic night in the club or a laid-back jazz session, Frankfurt will have plenty on offer to appease any taste.
Some of the best clubs in Frankfurt feature techno and house music, and the club scene is energetic and trendy. Those looking for something slightly more sophisticated will find that Frankfurt is one of the jazz capitals of Europe. For opera and classical music visitors should see what's playing at the Oper Frankfurt and the venerable Alte Oper, or check out one of Frankfurt's many wonderful theatres.
The city's nightlife is clustered around the northern area, near Freßgass, Zeil and Römerberg. The cobbled lanes of Sachsenhausen have some especially lively Latin, Irish and local establishments to enjoy for those homesick travellers longing for something familiar. Adult entertainment is also a booming industry in Frankfurt and the area known as Bahnhofsviertel is one of the largest red light districts in the world.