First of all, let me say that I am frequently challenged to find somewhere fun to eat in Frankfurt. If you are reading this, and know a good place, let me know. I am ALWAYS up for a recommendations.

Anyway, in Frankfurt this past week, and I revisited a place that I think is pretty neat. If you are looking to get away from the touristy/visitor elements of Frankfurt, I would recommend checking out Zum Gemalten Haus at Schweizerstrasse 67. It’s actually across the Main River from Frankfurt proper in the town of Sachsenhausen. If you are staying in or around the financial district, it is a very pleasant 10 minute walk from the north bank of the river. If you are feeling a little weary, the Scheizer Platz U-Bahn station is less than a block away.

Anyway, if you are in need of pork and non-sauce traditional German food, this is the place for you. Don’t be thrown off by the smoking section in the front, just keep walking toward the back and you will find a pleasant non-smoking area that makes up the majority of the space. And it’s full of locals, which is a great. My colleague and I decided that we hadn’t had enough pork, so we ordered the monstrosity below….I know, it looks a little dodgy, but it was great. And yes, that is a giant pork chop beneath the twin sausages. 

If you are looking for beer on tap, this is not the place for you. All they have on tap if Apfelwein (carbonated Apple cider, with heavy booze content), which is definitely an acquired taste. Either way, they’ve got a couple beers in the bottle that are pretty good.

Here it is in a nutshell: if you want to feel like a local, head to Zum Gemalten Haus. It is a hoot. Low-key, good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and the place to maybe escape the feeling that you are a North American in Germany. Fun. And if you have group, try to grab this table.

Enjoy Frankfurt.

JH