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Frankfurt – A City of Superlatives And Incredible Food
Frankfurt am Main is a city of big names and bold flavors. It’s home to Germany’s financial powerhouses, the European Central Bank, the country’s tallest skyscrapers, world-famous trade fairs, and the legendary poet, philosopher and scientist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. With more than a third of its population hailing from outside Germany, Frankfurt is a cosmopolitan hub where global cuisines thrive. But despite its international influences, the city proudly holds onto its food traditions: From Frankfurter Würstchen and Grüne Sosse to the iconic Apfelwein, the city offers distinct flavors that have stood the test of time.
Frankfurter Würstchen: The Original Hot Dog
Long before there was the American hot dog, there was the Frankfurter Würstchen. This mild, smoked pork sausage has been around since the 13th century, gaining its famous name in the 18th century and inspiring butchers around the world. When Johann Georg Lahner brought his version of the Frankfurter to Vienna in 1805, the sausage’s popularity spread even further. There the Frankfurter became the Wiener. Today, only sausages made in Frankfurt or its surrounding area can legally bear the name Frankfurter Würstchen—a mark of true regional pride.
Not long after, in 1894, the city’s growing Jewish community inspired Karl Gref and Wilhelmine Voelsing to craft Frankfurter Rindswurst—a beef-based version of the classic sausage. Their butcher shop, Gref-Voelsing Metzgerei, is still serving up these kosher-friendly delights today. And for those craving authentic Frankfurter Würstchen from across the pond, brands like Meica have been exporting Germany’s beloved sausages since the 1950s.
Grüne Sosse: Frankfurt’s Seven-Herb Sensation
No dish is more iconically Frankfurt than Grüne Sosse (or Grie Soss, as locals say). This refreshing, creamy sauce is made with seven essential herbs—Borretsch, Kerbel, Kresse, Petersilie, Pimpinelle, Sauerampfer, and Schnittlauch—all traditionally grown in Frankfurt’s Oberrad district. The sauce is served cold, often alongside boiled eggs, potatoes, and schnitzel.
To protect this cherished regional specialty, a collective of Frankfurt farmers has even petitioned for its official recognition as a protected food. That dedication goes even further with the annual Green Sauce Festival, where seven local chefs compete over seven days for the title of “König der Sieben Kräuter” (King of the Seven Herbs). There’s even a monument dedicated to Grüne Sosse, featuring glass panels representing each of the seven herbs. That’s how seriously Frankfurt takes its sauce.
Apfelwein: The Soul of Sachsenhausen
No trip to Frankfurt is complete without Apfelwein, the city’s signature tart and refreshing apple cider. Known locally as Äbbelwoi, this traditional drink contains 5.5-7% alcohol and is served in a special lozenge-cut glass called a Geripptes, designed to refract light beautifully. When poured from a Bembel (stoneware cider pitcher), you know you’re in for a truly local experience.
The best place to sip Apfelwein? Frankfurt’s Sachsenhausen district, home to charming cider taverns like Zum gemalten Hause and Wagner, where locals and visitors alike gather to toast to Frankfurt’s favorite flavors.
This specialty dish can be seen on menus in most of Frankfurt’s traditional pubs. At the center is a sour milk cheese, somewhat smelly and with a light translucent color, served in an onion-oil-vinegar-caraway marinade dressing, accompanied by crusty rye bread and a glass of Äppelwoi. The “music” in this dish are a humorous reference to the noise the stomach or intestine may make after consuming fresh onions.
Frankfurt’s Flavors: Culinary Destinations
From smoky sausages to herb-packed sauces and crisp, refreshing cider, Frankfurt’s food culture is as rich as its history. This becomes evident in the “Kleinmarkthalle”, an huge indoor farmers market where 156 vendors sell groceries, fruits and vegetables and plants. There you can really sample all regional delicacies. Another culinary hot spot is the “Freßgasse” (loosely translates as Gourmand Alley), a whole street full of gourmet restaurant and delicatessen shops.
If you can’t make it to Frankfurt just yet, don’t worry—you can still bring a taste of the city to your own kitchen. Check out our collection of authentic German specialties and start cooking like a true Frankfurter today!
