Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free restaurants in Frankfurt

Updated 04 July 2022 - please check the individual websites for opening times.

It can be difficult to find vegetarian, vegan and gluten free restaurants in the centre of Frankfurt so I've listed some of the places that I like, which offer something for alternative appetites. I've used the following markers at the beginning of each restaurant for easy identification:
V = Vegetarian
VG = Vegan
GF = Gluten free
If you know of any other cafes or restaurants to add to the list…send me a comment!

Near the main station (Hauptbahnhof) and Willy-Brandt-Platz

V -  Saravanaa Bhavan (Kaiserstr. 68) is 100% vegetarian and serves the best Indian food in town. Try the dosa, it's a good as any in India! Close the main station in the Bahnhofsviertal.

V, VG & other allergens - Kaiserzeit (Kaiserstr. 59) close to the main station is an organic bakery which opens early (7am) to cater for the breakfast crowd. It identifies all manner of options and allergens including wheat-free and lactose-free (no GF though!)

V, VG, GF - Vevay (Kleiner Hirschgraben 10) Vegetarian restaurant and predominantly vegan too. The menu clearly denotes other allergens. Very close to the New Opera house and city theatre on Willy-Brandt-Platz.

V, GF - Pizzeria Scicilia (Niedenau 9) on request this tiny, basic pizza place serves up excellent, gluten-free, pizza. Close to the Bahnhofsviertal however it is slightly off the beaten track and only opens: Mon - Fri from 11:30a - 3.30pm. 

V, VG - Elaine’s Deli (Taunus Tor 1-3) in the park at the base of one of the office buildings, Elaine’s Deli has varied and delicious bowls, salads and freshly made sandwiches. Opens at 07:30 on weekdays.

Frankfurt city centre - vegan, vegetarian and gluten free cafes and restaurants - click here for interactive map

In the city centre and old town

V, VG, GF- Mainkai (Mainkai 15) is just south of the Cathedral in the old town. It's known for it's breakfasts and offers plenty of choice for vegetarians and also some gluten-free and vegan options. At the weekend reserving a table for breakfast is advised!

V, VG, GF -  Metropol Cafe (Weckmarkt 13-15) is right behind the Cathedral. Plenty of seating inside and on a sunny day it has a lovely garden to relax in. Metropol is popular with the locals at the weekend and has the option of a vegan breakfast. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available at other times of the day.

V, VG, GF - Vapiano (Goetheplatz 1-3)  in the heart of the city centre, this might be a chain restaurant but it clearly identifies vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options on it's menu. 

V, VG - Lebegesund (Kleinmarkthalle) A market stall perfect for lunch tucked away at the back of the Kleinmarkthalle. Lebegesund offers a variety of vegan dishes to take away.

V, GF - Isabella Glutenfreie Patisserie (Neue Kräme 29) 100% gluten free and not just cakes either! Filled sandwiches and croissants too.

V, VG - Zeil-Kitchen (Zeil 92) In the heart of the shopping area. Exclusively vegetarian with some vegan options and allergens also listed.

V, VG & other allergens - Kaiserzeit (Börsenplatz 1) An organic bakery which opens early (7am) to cater for the breakfast crowd. It identifies all manner of options and allergens including wheat-free and lactose-free (no GF though!)

V, VG, GF - Vevay (Kleine Hirschgraben 10) Vegetarian cafe and predominantly vegan too. Their menu clearly denotes other allergens.

V, VG Badias (Römerberg 6a, by the Schirn Art Gallery) Lovely vegetable platters and fresh food in the heart of the “new” old town. GF* Badias does not formally offer GF food for coeliacs. If you however, just have an intolerance, there are plenty of dishes without gluten ingredients.

Sachsenhausen

V, VG, GF - Mystery of Pizza (Brückenstr. 36) It’s a small restaurant so make sure you reserve. Delivery and collection service also offered.  

A walk (or cycle) from Fechenheim to Rumpenheim

Fresh air and feeling at one with nature away from the noise and bustle of city life. This stretch of the River Main is particularly beautiful with weeping willows gracing the river banks and, at arrival in Rumpenheim, a small “Schloss” in the heart of this quiet town.

Getting there

Simply take the number 11 tram (direction - Schießhüttenstraße) and alight at Arthur-von-Weinberg-Steg, also listed as Fechenheim Post on google maps, where the pedestrian bridge takes you over to the other side of the river and where the walk begins.

Fechenheim from bridge

Walk to Rumpenheim

Arthur-von-Weinberg-Steg tramstop

This area is away from any roads, the only noise pollution is that of the birds. Some people like to take a picnic and find a sunny spot along the river bank to enjoy the peace and quiet. The route mapped out is simple, just follow the river bank to Rumpenheim.

For an interactive map use this link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1zIaIRHLtRwx7z_kCd7LznQSlXpDcyfwD&usp=sharing

Rumpenheim

Rumpenheim is a quiet place. The highlight is the old Schloss, was founded in 1678 as a manor house and in the late 1700 extended to become the building recognised today. The Schloss is divided up into private apartments, but it’s park is a public area. Rumpenheim is home to many artists, and one weekend a year artists open their doors for the Rumpenheimer-Kunsttage, taking place on the 18th & 19th September 2021. Check the link for more information and possible changes due to CoVid restrictions.

Schlosspark

Rumpenheim Schloss

Route to the Rumpenheimer und Bürgeler Kiesgrube

Taking the small streets out Rumpenheim will lead you past riding stables and towards the Rumpenheimer and Bürgeler Kiesgrube, a nature conservation area. It’s also home to a pond that is open to the public for bathing.

Schultheis Pond

Conservation Project

Heading back to Frankfurt

From here it’s an easy stroll back to the river bank and the Arthur-von-Weinberg-Steg o catch the number 11 back into Frankfurt city centre. If you are on your bike, head back to the river bank and follow the river, on the southside, for a beautiful ride back towards Frankfurt (the northside of the Main is very industrial and not worth following).

What to do on a Sunday - visit Schwanheim

Updated 05.05.2021 - opening hours listed below may be affected by Covid 19 restrictions.

Schwanheim is a small Frankfurt suburb, easily reached travelling on the number 12 tram or by taking the number 51 or 62 bus. Schwanheim might be small but it has plenty of family attractions for a day out. As you alight from the tram, the first thing you will notice is the VGF Transport museum at the tram stop, open on Sundays from 10:00 until 17:00. It houses a variety of old time trams and vehicles, old signalling equipment and ticketing machines and is a great place for enthusiasts and children.

Entrance to the Transport Museum in Schwanheim next to the no. 12 tram stop. (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

Almost next door to the VGF museum is the Kobelt Zoo, *season opening beginning of May, it's a small petting zoo with free entry and open at the weekends (and public holidays) for the summer season until the end of September. Walk around the corner from the VGF museum onto Schwanheimer Bahnstraße and the zoo is on your left. Opening times are Saturdays from 14:00 until 19:00 and Sunday from 10:00 until 19:00. The zoo houses a few donkey's, rabbits, snakes and goats, to name but a few species,  and it's small and accessible. They have a cafe selling refreshments and cakes in case you are in need of a break. The zoo is dependent on donations so give generously on your way out as I'm sure you'll be impressed by the variety of animals and birds and the charming, relaxed setting.

REfreshments at the Kobelt Zoo.  (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

After visiting the zoo another local venue within a 5 minute walk is the Heimatmuseum, located at Alt Schwanheim 6. Normal opening hours are 14:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and entry is free. Information throughout the museum is written in German but it houses many interesting artefacts and there is plenty to see and enjoy given Schwanheim's rich history since 880, when the town was first officially recorded. 

Entrance to the Heimatmuseum, Alt Schwanheim 6. (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

When heading back to the tram after your day out don't miss out on an ice-cream from Eissalon Riviera, located at Alt Schwanheim 40. Either pick up an ice-cream to take away or sit down and relax whilst tucking into an ice-cream sundae. Family run, this ice-cream cafe is renown as one of the best in Frankfurt.

Eissalon Riviera, Alt schwanheim 40. (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

Another attraction in Schwanheim for the kids is the Waldspielpark, the Forest Playground. With water features, table tennis tables and mini golf it's an ideal way for kids to let off steam. The entrance is on Schwanheimer Bahnstraße, almost opposite the Kobalt Zoo entrance.

Special note for cyclists

It's a pleasant cycle ride from Frankfurt to Schwanheim. Simply follow the path along the southern bank of the River Main. When you reach the huge locks on the river, you are not far from Schwanheim town centre. Go beyond the locks and to the left you will see a collection of Schrebegartens (garden plots) and a sign proudly announcing "Zum Nussbaum", follow the path and you'll be at a classic Hessiche restaurant. Run by Polish nationals, the restaurant serves a delightful mix of traditional German and Polish fare. After refreshment at Zum Nussbaum, carry on heading west along the river path and within 300 metres you will see a bridge to the left which will take you up and over the busy road and into the heart of Schwanheim.          

Path along the River Main, close to "Zum NussBaum" (Photo copyright © 2016 by Anne Noble)

Coffee, Kaffee - the best Espresso bars in Frankfurt!

In the morning it has to be a cappuccino, no wait, perhaps you’re a flat white drinker, or maybe you like your coffee simply black, hot and strong? Frankfurt has quite the variety of espresso bars to indulge whatever coffee you prefer, so here’s the insider knowledge of where to quaff your coffee!

Wackers (Kornmarkt 9) - my go-to coffee fix. A traditional rosterei, selling bags of whole beans as well as fresh cups of the stimulant. My take on their freshly prepared coffee is that it’s strong and slightly bitter, a style long associated with Germany. Cappuccinos pack a punch without an extra shot and are served cup sized (125ml). Pots of kaffee milch (a little like evaporated milk that one gets in the UK) are distributed amongst the tables for those who like a splash of milk in their Americano. There’s no fresh brewed filter or hand pour coffee here, instead it’s all about the traditional values of a coffee house. It’s possible to pick up a ham or cheese roll, or pastry in the morning and some good cakes in the afternoon, but that’s about it!

The Espresso Bar (Schäfergasse 42-44) - to me, this is the best of the Italian espresso bars in Frankfurt. Barely more than a hole in the wall with place enough to stand and drink, serving seriously good espressos and cappuccinos. Proper cup sized portions, none of this over-sized, laden with milk, nonsense from these people! Good, strong, with a very slight bitterness. You know you’re getting a coffee hit when you drink here. Italian pastries are also available.

Hoppenworth & Ploch Altstadt (Markt 22) - a decent espresso bar in the middle of the old town. It’s more “new school” in it’s style of coffee; mellow, has flavour but lacks that hint of bitterness that I personally like. It’s a popular place and rightly so with seating indoors and outdoors in the pretty market square. H&P have other cafés around Frankfurt where they indulge with pour over and other coffee options which promote their own roasted beans. Meanwhile, this cafe in the Altstadt focusses on the espresso bar concept, and has a few cakes and pastries to snack upon too. (There is also a pop-up H&P by the Old Opera House, Opernplatz 2)

View fullsize

Kaffee Wackers

View fullsize

Espresso Espresso

View fullsize

Hoppenworth & Ploch

Espresso Espresso (Braubrachstr. 28) - a good espresso with a very slight bitterness that gives the coffee some depth and works well as a cappuccino. It’s a small espresso bar along a street which oozes continental style. Not much space indoors but on warmer days there is space outside to watch the locals pass by (and the trams too). A small selection of pastries and cake is available to stave off the hunger pangs.

The Holy Cross Brewing Society (Fahrgasse 7) - more than just an espresso bar, the HCBS does a full range of coffees and is the place to go if you like pour-over and filter styles. It’s popular, although it’s my least favourite for espresso style coffees. Again, very “new school” in terms of no bitterness at all in the coffee and the mellowness borders on being too subtle if you like milk in your coffee. Small plates of food are available for breakfast & lunch and locals come here for the variety of top branded roasted beans on sale.

Café Under Pressure (Sachsenhausen - Große Rittergasse 20) Another great espresso bar, beloved by the locals. Admittedly I tried the pour over coffee and found it too weak, but the espressos are tasty and spot on. Cappuccinos are correctly proportioned, and smooth (meaning without bitterness which for me is a negative, but for many a positive!) Ample seating and a few tasty snacks too. If you are in Alt Sachsenhausen, hop across the street to Under Pressure, it’s the best espresso bar in the area.

O’Heim (Oppenheimer Landstr. 48) the cappuccinos here follow the “new school” of mellowness and are as good as any of the others mentioned on this page. The additional draw however, is the cakes and snacks, home-made and super delicious! Perhaps it’s those wonderlicious cakes that also draw in the mum & pram set - you have been warned!

Hoppenworth & Ploch (Nordend - Friedberger Landstr. 86) I’ve mention H&P above in the City Centre section. This is their flagship store and coffee is taken very seriously here and includes the pour-over (read: takes forever to make) style and filter coffees featuring their own roasted brands. Smooth, palate gentle espressos entice the young hip crowd in but don’t let that put you off. There is plenty of seating inside and good snacks to compliment which ever coffee style you prefer.

View fullsize

The Holy Cross Brewing Society

View fullsize

Map of Espresso Bars

View fullsize

Cafe Under Pressure

How to download and use Voicemap for your Walk-Frankfurt audio tours

How to...

download and use Voicemap

In conjunction with the Walk-Frankfurt audio guided tours, here is a how-to guide on downloading and using the voicemap app.

How does VoiceMap work?
VoiceMap uses your phone’s GPS to play commentary automatically. Once you have the Voicemap app and have downloaded an audio tour, plug in your earphones, press start , and put your phone away. A voice will tell you where to go, and the next part of the story will only play once you move on. You can walk at your own pace, and stop for pictures along the way. Just listen out for directions, and if you can’t remember where to go, take a look at the map on your screen.

 How do I install the app?
You can download the app for Android devices in the Google Play Store, and iPhone in the App Store. Just search “VoiceMap” and look out for the red headphones icon. Once it’s installed, sign up.

 Why do I have to sign up?
Once you download a VoiceMap tour, it’s yours forever. You need to have an account so that you can access your tours. 

Do I have to be near a WiFi network?
You can use WiFi or data to download the app and the tour. Wait for all the files to download, and then you can disconnect and turn off your mobile data. All the audio files and maps will work offline. Make sure you don’t put your phone on airplane mode. That turns your GPS off, so nothing will play.

 How much does the app cost?
The app is free to download. Frankfurt tours are individually priced, starting at $4.99.

 How do I play the audio tracks?
Don’t worry about it! VoiceMap will take care of all that. You don’t need to manually play, pause or skip to the next track. The app does all of that for you.

How do I start?
Once the tour has finished downloading, just press start and the tour will begin right away. If nothing is playing:
- check you are on the right tour,
- check you are close enough to the start point. Voicemap tells you how many meters to the start point and starts automatically once you arrive.

What's my password?
It’s the password you entered when you signed up to the Voicemap App. If you can’t remember, you can reset it at the website (voicemap.me) or in the app.

 Can I listen to a route I’ve downloaded more than once? Do routes expire?
Once you download a tour, it’s yours to keep. You can delete it from your phone, and still
re-download it at any time in the future.

 Nothing is playing! What do I do?
Check the following:

1. Is your GPS turned on? VoiceMap needs GPS to be enabled to play audio.
2. Is your phone on airplane mode? If yes, turn it off. Airplane mode disables your GPS.
3. Have you allowed VoiceMap to access your location? If not, go to your location settings and allow the app to use your location.
4. Did you allow all the tracks to download completely?
5. Is your volume turned up, and are your earphones working properly?

 Can I stop a tour?
You can stop whenever you like. The tour will resume automatically when you reach the next point of interest. Just make sure you don’t close the app, or you’ll have to start from the beginning. Remember that when you start walking again, it’ll carry on automatically, so put your earphones in before you get going.

Are there other tours?
As well as the Walk-Frankfurt walking tours, VoiceMap offers tours in over 45 cities, each one unique and created by passionate locals. You can browse the city list to see what’s available.

Cafes and other treats, during the Frankfurt Old Town voicemap audio tour

Updated 04.07.2022

The suggestions below follow the same route as the tour, plus a few extra hints and tips. If you spot a change, perhaps a new cafe you tried and liked, please, do leave a comment.

Listings

Key to listings: D - dining, C - cafe/coffee, Vg - vegan, TG - to go, W - wine
Along the tour route:

C Einsteins - (Römerberg 32) A bit like Starbucks, but it’s German, and very conveniently placed on the old town square. It keeps longer hours than most cafes in the area from 8am - 9pm.

C Kaffeehaus Goldene Waage (Markt 5) This is in the beautiful renaissance house, just opposite the cathedral. Cake and coffee are good, service slow (not going to lie to you) but this is all about seeing the beautiful renovations within. The cafe is also attached to the Friedrich-Stoltze Museum, free entry, which you will find when visiting the bathrooms!

D C Vg Metropol Kaffeeaus am Dom (Weckmarkt 13-15) I have an affection for this place. Home cooked food, great cakes and a garden that’s an absolute sun-trap out back! (Vegetarian and vegan goods too)

D Wirthaus am Hühnermarkt (Markt 16- 18, Hühnermarkt) In the heart of the New Old Town, the Wirthaus has a menu of traditional Frankfurt food and the quality is high. The pricing is a little higher too, but the setting is lovely and worth it.

C Hoppenworth & Ploch Altstadt (Markt 22, on the Hühnermarkt) Local coffee roaster. For those who like a flat white, this is the place to head to in the Old Town. Of course they have other drinks too!

W Balthasar Ress (Markt 13a, Hühnermarkt) Were you paying attention on the tour? Balthasar’s Weinbar is in the baroque, Grüne Linden, house on the Chicken Market! Balthasar’s produces it’s own wine close to Frankfurt in the Rheingau region. VDP quality wines that are worth trying. For a quick crib sheet on German wine terms, check out this link!

TG Metzgerei Dey - (Markt 13, Hühnermarkt) want to snack like locals do, whilst on the go? Grab a sausage from Dey’s. A family run delicatessen, here in Frankfurt since 1930.

D Badias Shirn Cafe Bar (Schirn Kunsthalle, btw Coronation Way and Bendergasse) Situated above the Coronation Way, Badias has a great selection of freshly prepared salads and dishes with a Mediterranean flair. Although not strictly gluten-free, it is possible to work around the menu and avoid gluten ingredients.

W C Wineschirn (Römerberg 8, directly opposite the U-bahn escalators, exit Römer) ) Another one of my favourites, Weinschirn has a lovely selection of German wines and a few from other lands too. Noted also for the delicious Flammkuchen and small plates of ham and cheese if you’re feeling peckish!)

C ConduitCouture (Fahrtor 1, by Haus Wertheim) On the way to the Iron bridge, queue up here and grab a fine piece of cake or a home made ice-cream. This patisserie makes all the classics, including the famous Frankfurter Kranz, a vanilla sponge with butter cream, jam and a nutty croquant. You can also buy packs of Bethmannchen here - the traditional Frankfurt, baked marzipan treats.

Schirn Art Gallery (Römerberg) modern art gallery offering alternating exhibitions. Check the website for details)

Kaisersaal (entrance on Limpurgergasse. Daily 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm) The Kaisersaal contains 19th century portraits of all the Holy Roman Emperors. As you walked along Limpurgergasse, after seeing the eavedropping man and cat, you might have noticed a sign on the side wall of the town hall. It’s the entrance point to the Kaisersaal. When open, walk through the gates, turn right to see an automat machine to purchase entrance tickets (2€). Once done, walk up the the ornate stairwell to gain entrance.

Balthasars Wine Bar

Badias Restaurant

ConduitCouture Konditorei

Frankfurter Kranz Cake

Kaffeehaus Goldene Waage

Weinstube im Römer

Weinschirn Wine Bar

Hoppenworth & Ploch Rosterei

Other recommendations

Not on the tour, but very close by
Braubachstrasse has quite a few cafes, and a couple of antique stores, and is worth exploring, a few highlights are below:
Key to listings: D - dining, C - cafe/coffee, Vg - vegan, TG - to go, W - wine

Handwerkkunst Frankfurt (Braubachstrasse 39 ) If you are looking for traditional German wooden decorations and souvenirs, this shop is close to the Römerberg.

C Iimori (Braubachstrasse 20) The best patisserie in Frankfurt for French bakery specialities and Japanese specialities too.

Fotographie Forum Frankfurt (Braubachstrasse 30-32) A small gallery for photography enthusiasts.

C D Margerete (Braubachstrasse 18) Good for lunch and afternoon coffee and cake. Sit out front and watch the world go by. IMO not so great for dinner.

C Zart & Bitter (Braubachstrasse 14) One for the chocolics! A shop and cafe, or should I say “Salon” too.

MMK (Domstrasse 10) Museum of Modern Art. On the corner of Braubachstr. and Domstr. When they say modern art, they mean it.

Ice-cream
There are lots of ice-cream vendors around the old town but one stands out as better quality than the rest:

C Condit Couture (Fahrtor 1) A lovely konditorei that also sells ice-cream in the summer months.

Kleinmarkthalle

Kleinmarkthalle (Hasengasse 5 -7) The indoor market has take out, wine, coffee and lots more. It’s a Frankfurt institution and lots of locals hang out at Rollanderhof Wein on the 1st floor. It ‘s a very short walk from the old town. There is a second entrance from Ziegelgasse.

Pott Ice Cream

Kleinmarkthalle

Schirn Art Gallery