Photo: Aldo91/Shutterstock

Where to Eat and Drink at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport

Insider Guides Food + Drink Airports + Flying
by Nickolaus Hines Aug 23, 2019

Your experience eating and drinking at the Frankfurt Airport completely depends on which terminal you’re in. While that’s true at many airports, it’s especially true in mid-sized ones like this. Terminal 1 passengers will have better luck when it comes to options, while Terminal 2 passengers might want to consider getting ready early so they can eat beforehand. The plus side is that there’s a decent place to get a beer pretty much no matter where you are (meaning pretty much everywhere serves good German beer).

Of course, there’s always the option to ditch airport proper and head to the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel. It’s connected to Terminal 1 and has two restaurants (Flavors for international cuisine, Tavern for German fare), the Sports Bar (cocktails and beers), and the Davidoff Lounge smoking room (complete with a choice of Cuban cigars).

If your goal is to stay in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 of the Frankfurt Airport, however, these are the best places to eat and drink.

Terminal 1 pre-security

Thong Thai: A local German Thai food chain. Reasonable prices for noodle dishes and protein options like duck. It’s as fast as the US-based fast-food chains around it and something different for those tired of the same old fast-food options.

Kamps: German chain with pastries and coffee that’s serviceable for a quick stop.

Terminal 1 A

Heberer’s: A classic German bakery with pastries and pretzels to load up on your carb fix before your flight. It’s fast and the coffee is good, which is more than you can say about a lot of airport places.

Lucalino: Italian bistro open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast menu has croissants and other breakfast pastries along with coffee. Pizza and pasta round the menu out from lunchtime on.

Tangente: A German restaurant focused on breakfast and lunch. There’s a bar with a healthy choice of beers and cocktails, and the food menu has German sausage plates, sandwiches, and salads. Cheese and pretzels are also on the menu, naturally.

Hausbar: Quick to-go food that’s on the healthier side. Smoothies available both with or without alcohol. A fast alternative to the more sit-down friendly (and more expensive) Hausmann’s next door.

Terminal 1 B

Goethe Bar: A German deli and bar complete with beers and bar food that’s named after famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. For breakfast, there are options like pancakes with Nutella, croissants, espresso, and muesli. The deli serves your typical sandwiches, while the bar has well-priced beers (for an airport). It’s situated right in the middle of the shops if you get tempted by that type of thing.

Cosi Asiate: A Thai place with vegan options and a beer menu that includes non-German specialties like IPAs. There are fried noodles cooked in a wok with your choice of protein, as well as udon soups, tom yum, and miso. The portions are large, so come hungry if you’re looking to order a curry or fried dish.

Kuffler & Bucher: A Frankfurt Terminal 1 classic that’s been around since 1999. For those who are used to the quick turnaround of US restaurants (let alone airport restaurants), the age alone makes this a place of interest. The brasserie serves German and continental European food like duck, fish, and noodles. There are also vegetarian options and a to-go service for those in a rush. If you have some time to kill, pull up a spot at the large full-service bar.

Terminal 1 Z

Lucullus: Italian food with a bar. There aren’t many other options in Z, but this place has serviceable pizza and sandwiches. It has a reputation for being slow — something to consider if in a rush.

Terminal 2 pre-security

Ludwigs: German cuisine like wiener schnitzel, currywurst, and goulash with a focus on fresh ingredients.

Vito: Italian restaurant with pizza and pasta. Nothing here will knock your socks off, but it’s a solid option for the food court surroundings.

Terminal 2 post-security

Mosch Mosch: A Japanese noodle bar with ramen, rice dishes, and curry. Also salads if you’re looking for something on the healthy side.

Food Society: Continental European fare like German sausage, currywurst, and burgers along with Italian pasta, pizza, and salads. There’s a full bar.

Discover Matador