Germany

Frankfurt

Last traveled · December 2021
City Snapshot
Best Months
May–Sep
Ideal Stay
1–2 days
Best For
City & Skyline
GF Friendliness
6/10
Language
German
English
Widely
City Size
Medium-Large
Currency
Euro (€)

Where to Stay

Recommended
Frankfurt cityscape near Hampton by Hilton
Where I stayed

Hampton by Hilton Frankfurt City Centre Messe

Westend · Near Messe Frankfurt
Why Stay Here
Modern Hilton property near the Messe convention centre. Easy walk to the Hauptbahnhof and central Frankfurt. Good breakfast spread with GF options.
Central Location Breakfast Included Near Transit
Book on Hotels.com

Gluten-Free Survival Guide

Moderate
Key Phrases
"Glutenfrei, bitte"Gluten-free, please
"Ich habe Zöliakie"I have celiac disease
"Enthält das Gluten?"Does this contain gluten?
Grocery Stores
  • REWE — major chain with a growing GF section
  • EDEKA — good selection of "frei von" (free from) products
  • DM — drugstore chain with a surprisingly good GF snack range
  • Alnatura — organic supermarket, excellent for GF products
City Note
"Mainhattan" has decent menu labeling at chain restaurants, but there are no dedicated GF restaurants. Steakhouses are your safest bet — naturally GF mains with knowledgeable staff.
Score Breakdown
Dedicated GF restaurants
Menu labeling
Staff knowledge & safety
Density of GF dining
Grocery availability
6/10Overall GF Score
Moderate

GF Friendly Restaurants

5 spots
GF Score 3/5 2/5 Hotel

Block House

GF Options
Steakhouse
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
German steakhouse chain with a GF labeling system — items marked with "G" contain gluten, making it easy to identify safe choices. Staff knowledgeable about allergens.
What to Order
Caprese salad and apps were great. Steaks are naturally GF. Stick to items without the "G" marker on the menu.
Location
Westend · Near Hauptbahnhof
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

MAREDO

GF Options
Steakhouse
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Steakhouse with GF items clearly marked on the menu. Straightforward and reliable for celiac diners. Steaks and salads are the safest bets.
What to Order
Grilled steaks, salad bar, and baked potatoes. Skip the sauces unless confirmed GF by staff.
Location
City Centre · Hauptwache

VAPIANO

GF Options
Italian
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Had GF pizza, flagged with a little marker to signify gluten-free. But it was not very good. The option exists, but manage your expectations. Shared kitchen — cross-contamination risk.
What to Order
GF pizza is the main option. Salads are a safer bet. Skip the pasta — all prepared in the same area.
Location
City Centre · Goetheplatz
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

HANS IM GLÜCK

GF Options
Burgers
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF buns available for an extra €2.50. Safe fryer and a detailed allergen menu. A solid option for a quick GF burger in the Altstadt.
What to Order
Any burger on a GF bun. Fries are from a dedicated fryer. Ask staff for the allergen chart if not on the table.
Location
Altstadt · Braubachstraße
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
HANS IM GLUCK - beautiful half-timbered building

Tacohaus

GF Options
Mexican
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Mexican restaurant with corn-based options that are naturally gluten-free. Was on the GF research list but not personally tested. Ask about flour tortilla cross-contamination.
What to Order
Corn tacos, nachos, and rice bowls. Confirm corn tortillas are 100% corn and not a corn-wheat blend.
Location
Westend · Near Bockenheimer Warte
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Landmarks & Must-See Spots

9 spots

Römer

Historic
Frankfurt's medieval city hall and the heart of the Altstadt. The stepped-gable facade is one of Germany's most iconic cityscapes. The Römerberg square in front hosts the famous Christmas market.
Altstadt · Römerberg
Went here
Römer

Frankfurt Cathedral

Historic
Imperial cathedral where Holy Roman Emperors were once crowned. You can climb the dome for panoramic views over the Altstadt and the Main river. Free entry to the cathedral; small fee for the tower.
Altstadt · Domplatz
Went here
Frankfurt Cathedral

Iron Footbridge

Walk
Pedestrian bridge crossing the Main river, connecting the Altstadt to Sachsenhausen. Covered in love locks and offers some of the best skyline views of "Mainhattan" — especially at sunset.
River Main · Eiserner Steg

Kleinmarkthalle

Market
Frankfurt's beloved indoor food market. Over 150 stalls selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and international specialties. Great for browsing and picking up naturally GF snacks.
Altstadt · Hasengasse 5–7
Went here
Kleinmarkthalle

Rententurm

Historic
A medieval tower from the 15th century, one of the last remaining parts of Frankfurt's old city fortifications. Sits near the Main riverfront in the Altstadt.
Altstadt · Mainkai
Went here
Rententurm

Frankfurter Römer

Historic
The broader Römerberg square and its surrounding half-timbered buildings, reconstructed to evoke medieval Frankfurt. A different angle from the Römer city hall — the full square is the real showpiece.
Altstadt · Römerberg
Went here
Frankfurter Römer

Domturm

Historic
The cathedral tower rising above Frankfurt's Altstadt skyline. Climb the narrow staircase for sweeping views over the old town rooftops, the Main river, and the modern skyline beyond.
Altstadt · Domplatz
Went here
Domturm

Main Tower

Viewpoint
Frankfurt's only skyscraper with a public observation deck. 200 metres up with 360-degree views of the city, the Taunus mountains, and the Main river. Best at sunset.
Westend · Neue Mainzer Straße
Went here
Main Tower

Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof

Transport
One of Europe's busiest railway stations and an architectural landmark in its own right. The grand Neo-Renaissance facade is worth a look even if you're not catching a train.
Bahnhofsviertel · Am Hauptbahnhof

Neighborhoods

Altstadt

Historic & touristy
The reconstructed old town around Römerberg square. Home to the Cathedral, Kleinmarkthalle, and half-timbered houses. This is where you'll spend most of your sightseeing time — compact and very walkable.

Sachsenhausen

Local & lively
South of the Main river, reached by crossing the Iron Footbridge. Known for its traditional apple wine taverns and the Museum Embankment (Museumsufer). A more local feel than the tourist-heavy Altstadt.

Westend

Business & residential
Frankfurt's financial district with the skyline that earned it the "Mainhattan" nickname. Home to the Main Tower observation deck, the Alte Oper, and upscale dining. Where the hotel is located.

Things to Do

Activities & Experiences

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Ticketed
24-hour express sightseeing tour covering Frankfurt's major landmarks. A good way to get oriented and see the skyline from different angles, especially if you only have a day.
24h pass Multiple stops
Book Tour

Main Tower

Ticketed
Frankfurt's only skyscraper with a public observation deck. 200 metres up with 360-degree views of the city, the Taunus mountains, and the Main river. Best at sunset.
30–60 min Westend €9 adults
Book Tickets

Getting Around

U-Bahn
Underground metro system covering the city centre and suburbs. Fast and frequent — your primary way to get around.
RMV network
S-Bahn
Regional commuter trains connecting the airport, Hauptbahnhof, and surrounding towns. S8/S9 from the airport takes 10–15 minutes.
Airport connection
Tram
Tram lines criss-cross the centre and reach areas the U-Bahn doesn't. Useful for getting to Sachsenhausen and the Museum Embankment.
Walking
Frankfurt's centre is very walkable. Altstadt to Sachsenhausen is a pleasant 15-minute stroll across the Iron Footbridge.
Local Tip
Get the Frankfurt Card for unlimited transport plus attraction discounts. Available as 1-day or 2-day passes from the tourist info at Hauptbahnhof or Römer.

What to Pack

Winter in Germany

Travel Tips

What I'd Do Differently
Have a tip or comment?
Found a great GF spot in Frankfurt? I'd love to hear from you.
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