Three years is a long time, and with Covid-19 wreaking havoc on brick-and-mortar businesses everywhere since the pandemic began, the restaurant and bar landscape doesn’t look quite the same. To that end, we spoke with the staff of the Frankfurt Book Fair, who shared with us a handful of restaurants and bars where publishers can get themselves some vittles—and some suds—after a long day on the show floor. Whether you’re a weathered veteran or a newbie to the fair, this list should help you spend your evenings right.

EAT (AND DRINK)

Zur Stahlburg
Glauburgstraße 80, 60318 Frankfurt am Main

Authentic German food served in a “living room atmosphere” with a “wood-burning stove” (plus a garden) that specializes in apfelwein, or hard cider. If you can’t get enough of this sort of thing, try the next couple of restaurants too. (For those, bring cash.)

Zum Eichkatzerl
Dreieichstraße 29, 60594 Frankfurt am Main

Gaststätte Atschel
Wallstraße 7, 60594 Frankfurt am Main

Restaurant Ponte
Am Weingarten 5, 60487 Frankfurt am Main

European cuisine with a focus on the Mediterranean is the specialty here, as are the wines.

Saravana Bhavan
Kaiserstraße 68, 60329 Frankfurt am Main

If you’re a lover of Indian food—especially from South India—you won’t find any better in Frankfurt.

Jaffa Market
Mendelssohnstraße 60, 60325 Frankfurt am Main

This excellent Israeli restaurant, not far from the fairgrounds, closes early, but is worth a stop. A tip: “Go for the shared platter.”

Lhamo Bistro
Grempstraße 2, 60487 Frankfurt am Main

It may look plain, but this Nepalese restaurant serves delicious, authentic fare.

DRINK (JUST DRINK)

Die Rote Bar
Mainkai 7, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

“Great drinks and super bartenders” and a “cozy and pleasant crowd” marks this speakeasy-style spot on the edges of the Main known for its cocktails. Like most speakeasies, it’s not recognizable as a bar from the outside, so be sure to ring the bell.

Gleis 25
Poststr. 2, 60329 Frankfurt am Main

The epitome of a dive bar, situated just next to the central railroad station. You may encounter a drunk or two in the door and it’s definitely not somewhere for a suit-and-heels meeting, but it’s authentic Frankfurt and a classic destination.

Gute Stute
Koelner Str. 42, 60327 Frankfurt am Main

This is the bar with the talking horse head. It’s an eccentric spot, not a long walk from the Messe, that stays open late. Cosy and quirky.

Logenhaus Frankfurt
Finkenhofstraße 17, 60322 Frankfurt am Main

A snazzy cocktail bar that should please the publishing crowd, with “nice ambience in the style of the 30s.” Hot tip: “When a ‘DJ’ is announced, a man in a tailcoat plays shellac records!”

Sandbar
Sandweg 6, 60316 Frankfurt am Main

A modern cocktail bar, open late for nightlife.

Wein35
Brückenstraße 35, 60594 Frankfurt am Main

For those just looking for a nice, classy wine bar.

Bockenheimer Weinkontor
Schloßstraße 92, 60486 Frankfurt am Main

If you like your wine, but want to keep things more laid-back. Cash only.

Flemings Selection Hotel Frankfurt-City
Eschenheimer Tor 2, 60318 Frankfurt am Main

If you like things on the fancier side, the rooftop bar of the Flemings Selection Hotel has a skyline view of the city and drinks with a price-tag to match the view.