The Brooklyn
of Frankfurt is
Bornheim.

The case for Bornheim

Bornheim is the coolest neighborhood in Frankfurt for its Saturday Wochenmarkt, Äpfelwein-and-natural-wine bars, and vintage shopping on Berger Straße.

Bornheim runs along Berger Straße like a spine, and everything good branches off it. Wednesday and Saturday mornings belong to the market. Nights belong to the wine bars. Frankfurt's banking crowd loosens their ties here, mixing with students and old-timers who've been drinking Äpfelwein in the same chairs for decades.

Berger Straße runs 2.9 km - Frankfurt's longest shopping street - lined with independent bars, wine spots, and a twice-weekly market that's been drawing the same regulars for decades.
Close contenders

Other cool neighborhoods in Frankfurt.

Nordend

Nordend is quieter, slightly more composed, all beautiful Altbau apartments and serious coffee. Friedberger Platz's Thursday evening wine market is the city's best open-air social event.

Ostend

Ostend has the European Central Bank and a waterfront that's actually worth walking. Hafenpark on a summer evening feels like a whole different Frankfurt.

Bahnhofsviertel

Bahnhofsviertel is chaos and charm crashing into each other. Korean fried chicken next to a dive bar next to a cocktail spot. Frankfurt's most intense few blocks, no question.

See the full shortlist, ranked →
Three sides of the neighborhood

Where to go in Bornheim.

All 24 spots mapped out

Bornheim, corner to corner.

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Our 24 top picks

The Bornheim guide.

Practical info

Good to know.

The boring numbers that decide whether you stay three days or four.

CurrencyEUR
LanguageGerman
Cost level $$$Moderate to expensive
Best monthsMay to early September, especially September
Local time UTC+2
Plug type EU plug · 230V/50Hz
Emergency112
Local tip
Walk the full length of Berger Straße from south to north. It changes character every few blocks, and the best stuff is past the Mitte.
Europe · Germany

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Common questions

Things to know about Bornheim.

What is the Brooklyn of Frankfurt?
The Brooklyn of Frankfurt is Bornheim. Bornheim runs along Berger Straße like a spine, and everything good branches off it. Berger Straße runs 2.9 km - Frankfurt's longest shopping street - lined with independent bars, wine spots, and a twice-weekly market that's been drawing the same regulars for decades.
What is the coolest neighborhood in Frankfurt?
Bornheim is widely considered the coolest neighborhood in Frankfurt. Bornheim runs along Berger Straße like a spine, and everything good branches off it. Wednesday and Saturday mornings belong to the market. Nights belong to the wine bars. Frankfurt's banking crowd loosens their ties here, mixing with students and old-timers who've been drinking Äpfelwein in the same chairs for decades.
Where should I stay in Bornheim, Frankfurt?
The best boutique hotels in Bornheim include Alexander am Zoo, 25hours Hotel Frankfurt The Goldman, and Schmärrnche. Alexander am Zoo is the one to book first. 66-room hotel right next to Frankfurt Zoo with air-conditioned rooms, a proper breakfast buffet, and a roof terrace with skyline views. Quiet residential street, U7 a two-minute walk away, and the repeat-guest loyalty says more than any review.
Is Bornheim in Frankfurt safe at night?
Bornheim is one of the calmer central districts, residential at its core with families, students, and longtime locals. Streets stay populated into the evening thanks to the restaurants and bars along the main pedestrian stretch. It feels markedly different from the area immediately around Hauptbahnhof, which has visible drug activity. Standard city precautions apply, but Bornheim itself is low-incident.
Is Frankfurt expensive?
Frankfurt sits at the higher end, but you can manage it. A taxi from the airport to Bornheim runs roughly 35 to 45 euros, and bottled water in restaurants costs 3 to 5 euros for half a liter. For cheaper hotels, book July or August, when rates soften.
When is the best time to visit Frankfurt?
May through early September is the safe bet, with highs of 20-26°C and daylight lingering until 21:30 in June. September edges out the rest: warm days, thinner crowds, and apple-wine season in full swing. Steer clear of November through February, when it's grey, damp, and dark by 16:30. April and October are coin-flips on weather.

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