THINGS TO DO IN FRANKFURT

At Forward Festival, we love to create unforgettable experiences. That means connecting our attendees with the cities our Festivals call home, tapping into their energy, and highlighting the spaces, flavors, and stories that shape the local creative scene.

Frankfurt might be best known for its skyline and financial pulse, but beyond the banks and boardrooms lies a city full of contrasts: old and new, polished and underground, international and deeply local. If you’re in town for Forward Frankfurt, here’s a curated guide to exploring the city through a creative lens – from world-class museums to hidden cafés, late-night dance floors to riverside resets.

Culture & Art: Where Tradition Meets the Contemporary

Frankfurt’s cultural landscape is surprisingly rich and refreshingly diverse. Start with the Städel Museum, one of Germany’s most important art institutions, spanning seven centuries from the Old Masters to contemporary icons. Just across the river, the Museum für Angewandte Kunst offers a more experimental take on design, fashion, and visual culture, set inside a stunning Richard Meier building.

For a deep dive into contemporary art, Schirn Kunsthalle is a must – known for its bold, high-profile exhibitions and sharp curatorial voice. If you’re curious about the city’s emerging creative scene, head to Atelier Frankfurt, one of the largest artist studio buildings in Europe, where you can get a glimpse into local practices across disciplines.

Gallery-wise, Frankfurt holds its own. Bernhard Knaus Fine Art, Filiale, Galerie Anita Beckers, Galerie 3AP, and Schierke Seinecke all showcase international and local artists, from cutting-edge installations to conceptual photography and sculpture.

Food, Drinks & Markets: From Fine Dining to Comfort Classics

Frankfurt’s food scene is as international as its population. For elevated dining, Forward location Massif Central delivers refined European cuisine in a beautifully intimate setting, while Club Michel blends French gastronomy with a relaxed, neighborhood vibe. Emma Metzler, located inside the Museum Angewandte Kunst, is perfect for a stylish lunch break between exhibitions.

Looking for something more laid-back? Komplizen, Leuchtendroter, and Umbra are local favorites for seasonal dishes and good wine. For pizza lovers, Rimini World in nearby Offenbach is worth the short trip, while Speisekneipe offers classic comfort food with a no-frills attitude.

Coffee and quick bites are essential in any creative city, and Frankfurt delivers with Yaldy and Espresso Espresso – ideal for caffeine-fueled conversations or a quick reset between meetings.

Nightlife: Where the Real Energy Kicks In

Once the sun sets, Frankfurt reveals its club culture. Robert Johnson (just across the river in Offenbach) is legendary in electronic music circles, often compared to Berlin’s finest. Closer to the city center, Silbergold and Plank offer everything from indie to experimental DJ sets, attracting a crowd that blends creatives, students, and night owls.

Cafés & Co-Working: For Ideas in Progress

Frankfurt’s café scene is compact but curated. Cosmic Café, Café B, and Butter are perfect for slow mornings or casual work sessions, while Hoppenworth & Ploch, mehlwassersalz, Bunca, and Drei Kaffeebar serve some of the best coffee in town – minimal interiors, maximum taste.

Shops & Finds: Independent and Unexpected

For design and fashion, check out the FREITAG Store, Vogel Strauss, and Second Studio for vintage gems. Creative concept stores like MBCY, and frida round things off with books, records, and beautifully curated objects.

Outdoor & Parks: A Breath Between Sessions

When you need a break from the city, Grüneburgpark and Palmengarten offer green escapes right in the center. Or take a boat tour on the Main river and see Frankfurt from a new perspective – skyline included. Because even in a fast-paced city like Frankfurt, creativity needs space to wander.