A Local's Guide to Frankfurt: 5 Tips for Uncovering the Best of the City

A Local’s Guide to Frankfurt is part of a series collaboration with Spotted by Locals Frankfurt

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Frankfurt? Business, commerce, skyscrapers, a river perhaps? You’re not alone. Ask the locals, however, and they’ll tell you that their city is so much more than that. They would tell you that their city is misunderstood and an underrated gem, that there are hidden cafes, wine bars and huge, quiet parks hiding among the buildings. Here are five local favourites that will change your perception of Frankfurt.

Snacks and coffee in the park

Hidden between the skyscrapers, FeinFrankfurt’s is one of the cutest and most unexpected little spots in town, a great place for coffee, cookies and cake in the middle of a green strip. This elegant cafe with a French flair has random seats, couches and chairs on the grass and pathway making it very cosy. The best spots are outside, so bring an extra jacket or, even better, go late so you can enjoy the candlelit atmosphere together with that warm drink.

The good kind of ‘night mare’

The first thing that Ivo – the 79 year old bartender and owner – will ask you when you visit Gute Stute is: “Don’t you have a home?” It’s his opener to every conversation, before you can order your drinks. The namesake of this cult bar is the life-size horse next to the window (literally ‘good mare’), and when you pay your bill, be prepared to drink one of two liqueur shots with Ivo (either Slivovitz or Kruscovac) – legend has it that he decides on the sum of your bill depending on your liqueur choice and behaviour when drinking it, so be careful!

Brazilian melodies in a cosy basement

There is one singer that appears regularly at jazz bar Jazzkeller that is just different, and that’s Brazilian Juliana da Silva. She plays with different groups and musicians and always creates a unique atmosphere in this tiny old cellar. Just to make it clear: don’t expect the “Girl from Ipanema” or sing-along hits – her songs are by Brazilian composers, some unknown even in her home country. Her barefoot, closed-eye performance after a long day will take you far away across the Atlantic.

The best Wasserhäuschen that’s not a Wasserhäuschen

Das Mühlberglädchen recently won the award “Wasserhäuschen of the year”, even though it’s definitely not a “Wasserhäuschen”, or at least not merely one. Confused? You should be! Wasserhäuschen are generally like kiosks, but this one doesn’t just sell lotto tickets, newspapers or Eintracht Frankfurt fan magazines; it also serves breakfast and burgers (and Hungarian specialties by owner Zoltan), runs event nights and is very welcoming for a coffee or a chat with the locals. It’s all about the ambiance, and Das Mühlberglädchen has got that down to an art form.

Time for recollection with free organ concerts

How many times have you attended a church organ concert? Every Monday and Thursday at 16:30 Professor Martin Lücke performs for half an hour in St. Katharinen Church in Hauptwache. It’s a very short and unusual break from the city’s noise that allows one to forget about the worries of the outside world and bring some quiet inside their inner one. Perhaps the best thing about these concerts? They’re absolutely free!

A Local’s Guide to Frankfurt photos courtesy of Aroon Nagersheth, andre w, Claudia Simchen, and Mathias Konrath.