Living in Frankfurt 2025: Hidden downsides & top budget-friendly restaurants

Euro banknotes. Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Since Frankfurt is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe, the cost of living here is also quite expensive. The two major charges to think about before moving to this metropolis are housing rent and sustenance. The first one has been steadily increasing since 2016 at an average rate of 18% annually. For instance, today, a one-bedroom apartment in the center costs approximately €1,100 per month, while in the suburbs it is around €940. On top of all this, the rental market is quite competitive, so finding a suitable place may require waiting in long queues at open viewings.

The other issue is that properties in Germany do not come with furniture, except for a fixed kitchen. You’d have to buy everything else. Fortunately, most employers will offer professional assistance in finding suitable accommodation in advance, and the used furniture market is booming now in Frankfurt.

We don’t need to go into the deep explanation of the second issue. Here’s just simple math for you to assess your financial conditions: A single person can expect to spend around €1,700 to €2,100 per month in living expenses, while a family with two children will require about €4,170.

A wall of gray mailboxes. Photo by Janis Ringli on Unsplash

Most digital nomads will tell you that the biggest issue in Germany is dealing with bureaucracy, which filters down to the federal and state levels. Unless a person is moving to Frankfurt from within the European Union, they should mentally and physically prepare for a lot of paperwork. Firstly, the instructions are never clear, since they are unavailable online, and the administration at the Ausländerbehörde (foreigner’s registration office) tends to never give concise information.

Whether an individual is applying for permanent residency, a vacant parking spot, a seat in a daycare facility, changing their address on documents, or going for a medical procedure, lots of sheets of paper need to be filled out, printed, and submitted in the proper order. The world-famous German efficiency and digitalisation have yet to be incorporated into the bureaucracy.

The public transportation network used to be quite reliable and good. However, in recent years, one of the most punctual services on the planet has become slow, and all sorts of issues have been causing frequent delays. These complaints are posted on many social media platforms by residents of Frankfurt and other cities in Germany. Deutsche Bahn has a lot of homework to do.

A rainy day in Frankfurt. Photo by Moritz Karst on Unsplash

Unlike tropical locations like South American countries, the Caribbean Islands, and the Canary Islands, central European regions are not well known for their weather. The global warming changes have affected Frankfurt’s temperate climate as well. Today, the summers are unbearably hot and sometimes are accompanied by drought conditions. This makes commuting and outdoor activities seem like a curse. While winter is the exact opposite of these circumstances, the atmosphere is cold and damp, with severe flooding happening in the fall and spring seasons.

The saving grace is that the state government is taking active steps to develop adaptation strategies to combat these issues. Some of these measures include curating more green spaces, improving water management systems to combat waterlogging, establishing air corridors to let cooler winds flow through the city, and implementing renewable energy sources. If you are a person who loves a warm, sunny climate, then maybe Frankfurt would not be the best choice.

A health card and a stethoscope. Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash

The best thing about Frankfurt is that the salaries here are considerably higher than the national average. This becomes a very lucrative reason for expats to want to find a job and move to the metropolis. But the excitement quickly fades away when they arrive and receive the first paycheck. The German government levies a progressive income tax, which means the higher the wages, the more the tax on them. It starts from 14% and goes up to 45%. On top of that, there is compulsory social insurance that gets deducted from the salary, and every resident has to pay a solidarity tax, which is around 5.5%.

One more major expense that eats into the monthly earnings is health insurance, which is mandatory in Germany. Most expats opt for statutory health medical coverage, which is financed by the employer and employee collectively. The monthly minimum contribution is generally around 14.6% of the gross remuneration. This is bad news for freelancers and self-employed workers who have to pay the full cost of their Medicare.

. Danke Polizei Frankfurt. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/PolizeiFrankfurt

Even though Frankfurt is the second richest region in the country, there is a hidden gap between the rich and poor, which has become prominently visible after the 2008 crisis. The best example of this can be observed at the city’s Bahnhofsviertel, the area around the railway station in the heart of the financial neighborhood. The locality used to be the former red-light district, flooded with crime, drugs, sex shops, and brothels. In the last few years, the place has been transformed into an Instagrammable party spot complete with top-notch restaurants, neon-lit clubs, and funky gin & tonic bars. But some narrow lanes here still have a reminiscent trace of homeless people, dope dealers, and drunk hipsters in the streets, painting a picture of inequality.

The additional major concern is safety in the metropolis. Compared to other big cities, the crime rate of Frankfurt is low; however, many petty crimes happen on a daily basis such as theft, prostitution, and drug problems. The best way to deal with this is to be aware of your surroundings, especially at evening time, keep an eye on your purse or wallet in crowded marketplaces, and avoid flashy accessories at train stations at night.

Traditional German food. Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

Though Frankfurt has a lot of advantages to its name, one that normally gets overshadowed by its neighbors, like Berlin and Munich, is the diverse gastronomic scene. Thanks to over 170 nationalities residing in Mainhattan, the richness of its cuisine can be observed in every corner of the city, from humble street-side eateries to Michelin-starred fine-dining establishments. Exploring the restaurant scene here is like taking a culinary world tour that not only enchants you with innovative cooking techniques but also offers a modern interpretation of traditional German flavors. One thing is for sure: there is always going to be a tasty meal waiting for you just around the corner. So without further ado, let's explore some of the top must-visit spots in Frankfurt for a gourmet experience.

Situated in Frankfurt’s Nordend district, Lucille is a cozy café that specializes in brunch delicacies. The place was established by an Iranian-born immigrant named Mehran Alvani, who created a serene eatery with a homely setting. The interior is welcoming and minimalistic: soft green and white tiles on the walls, comfy sofa seats with fluffy pillows, diffused light fixtures, and marble flooring covered with Moroccan carpets. The spot also offers an outdoor curbside terrace for patrons to enjoy the warm sunny weather.

The culinary team presents a menu of Mediterranean cuisine elevated using Oriental flavors. Some of the exquisite creations you can savor here are hummus with grilled vegetables, shakshuka with toasted brioche, wild mushrooms pasta in truffle cream sauce, cauliflower curry with saffron basmati rice, watermelon salad with feta cheese in a pomegranate dressing, and pan-fried garlic sausages in tahini sauce with bread roll. Their beverage menu features fruity lemonades, smoothies, cocktails, beers, wines, and coffee specialties. We also highly recommend checking out the adjacent vinyl shop called Memphis Records for a sweet nostalgic moment.

Average bill – €28

For an authentic ramen experience, we highly advise visiting the Muku restaurant – a community-favorite Japanese haunt – in Frankfurt's Sachsenhausen district. Since its inception in 2010, the place has managed to branch out in Kofu and Kamakura. It is probably the only German establishment that has thrived in Japanese cities as well. Their food is also in Japan Airlines’ first and business class lounges in Frankfurt.

The quaint venue has an industrial chic decor, created by using wooden elements, intimate lighting, and a gunmetal gray color tone. Their specialty is reasonably priced ramen, including classic pork bone broth, tonkotsu, shoyu, and miso. In addition to the comforting bowls, they also serve delicious dishes like crispy pork gyoza, chicken karaage, baked oysters in ponzu sauce, yellowtail tuna sashimi, crispy shrimp tempura in mirin dressing, grilled pork chops with fried zucchini florets, and pan-roasted wagyu steak with sticky rice. For the complete experience, pair the meal with a glass of sake or Kirin lager.

Average bill – €23

Located on the city’s Museum Embankment, Emma Metzler allures with a beautiful decor that resembles an art gallery. Its dining hall was designed by American architect Richard Meier in collaboration with builders Uwe Fisher and Ben Jourdan. The space feels like a contemporary bistro, possessing colorful accents on navy blue curtains, whitewashed walls complemented by lobster red furniture, a glass block with mirror glaze, floral arrangements on the tables, and a string of Edison bulbs illuminating the room.

The kitchen is helmed by Head Chef Anton de Bruyn, who presents neo-bistro cuisine made using seasonal regional ingredients. Indulge your taste buds in gastronomic delights, such as roasted chicken leg with sourdough crackers, beef tartare with anchovies, grilled pike-perch with white asparagus, pan-fried trout with potato fritters in Hollandaise sauce, stuffed stone mushrooms in wild garlic pesto, and sheep sausage in smoked butter. In desserts, do not miss out on their signature rhubarb cake with almond praline and strawberry cream with goat yogurt sorbet.

Average bill – €34

As the name suggests, Namaste happens to be an inviting, authentic Indian establishment that has been serving the community with tongue-tickling cuisine for over 20 years. Founded in 2005 by the Shetty family, it revolves around traditional fare that covers nearly all regions of India. The regal vibe is highlighted by leather-furnished sofas, rich black granite flooring, folk-dancer graffiti on the wall, and dark shiny marbled tables.

Native chefs who are experts in tandoori-style cooking invite diners to relish culinary specialties, including lentil soup with garlic cream, spinach kebabs with potato, crispy cauliflower florets in a mint dip, lamb tandoori, char-grilled skewered king prawns in tamarind sauce, and chicken tikka masala with garlic butter naan. Satisfy your sweet cravings by indulging carrot pudding with almonds, gulab jamun with vanilla ice cream, and almond kulfi (Indian style ice cream) with pistachio crunch. Namaste also offers an extensive bar card featuring lassi, lemonades, beers, wines, and artisanal cocktails.

Average bill – €32

Frankfurt’s blooming and growing economy, coupled with its professional work ethic, makes it a very attractive destination for expats to call home. If we look at the whole picture of this city, the positives quite easily outweigh the few negatives that plague the society. If one can deal with the downsides above, then the financial capital of Germany may be the right city to start a new life. For a better understanding of Frankfurt, we also recommend referring to our other guides on the subject:

The Top 5 Things to Do in Frankfurt, Germany

10 German foods that are not sausage you can eat in Frankfurt 

Michelin-starred culinary scene in Frankfurt, Germany