Cafés in Nordend: 7 Frankfurt Spots You Should Know

If there's one Frankfurt neighbourhood that stands for cafés, it's Nordend. Along the Friedberger, Glauburgstraße, Oeder Weg and all the side streets, one spot follows the next – from third-wave coffee and vegan cake to full-on brunch temples. That's exactly what makes Nordend perfect if you want to get to know Frankfurt through its cafés.

In this guide I'll introduce you to 7 cafés in Nordend that are really worth it – whether you live here, you're just visiting or you're simply looking for a new go-to spot for the weekend.

Why a café tour through Nordend is worth it

Nordend is densely built-up but surprisingly green at the same time, with lots of old buildings, parks and small shops. On top of that, there's a food and drink scene that's become more and more exciting in recent years: specialty coffee roasters, vegetarian brunch places, sustainable neighbourhood cafés and hip all-day spots.

In short: if you want to experience Frankfurt away from the banks and high-rises, you're in the right place.

1. Hoppenworth & Ploch – third-wave coffee on the Friedberger

Address: Friedberger Landstraße 86, 60316 Frankfurt am Main

Hoppenworth & Ploch is one of the best-known places for specialty coffee in Frankfurt. At the Nordend café you get espresso, cappuccino and filter coffee made to clearly defined brew recipes – the beans come from their own roastery and, of course, you can also buy them to take home.

What this spot is good for:

• For people who take coffee seriously
• For a quick flat white on your way along the Friedberger
• For anyone who loves third-wave coffee in a relaxed atmosphere

When to go: Start your Nordend walk here – coffee in hand, then on towards Glauburgstraße or Oeder Weg.

2. Sunny Side Up Nordend – all-day brunch & colourful bowls

Location: Sunny Side Up has several locations in Frankfurt, including one in Nordend.

Sunny Side Up is all about modern, vegetarian breakfast and lunch dishes, lots of vegan options, bowls, pancakes, tacos, colourful lattes, smoothies and juices. Everything is made fresh, with a focus on healthy ingredients and pretty presentation.

What this spot is good for:

• Long brunch sessions with friends
• People who eat vegetarian/vegan
• Anyone who likes photographing the food AND the interior

Pro tip: Especially at the weekend, it's worth getting there early or planning for a wait – Sunny Side Up has become a bit of an institution in Frankfurt.

3. Glauburg Café – a neighbourhood classic with a lot of heart

Address: Glauburgstraße 28, 60318 Frankfurt

Glauburg Café is a true neighbourhood café: homemade cakes, a generous Sunday breakfast, small savoury dishes and a menu with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. The café also puts a big emphasis on sustainability, regional products and green electricity.

The vibe is lively without being hectic: families, couples, people with laptops, regulars from the neighbourhood – everyone mixes.

What this spot is good for:

• A long breakfast or brunch, especially at the weekend
• Coffee & cake with a real neighbourhood feel
• When you're looking for a "second living room"

Pro tip: It can get really busy at breakfast time – give yourself plenty of time or go at quieter times of day.

4. Kaffeemacherei – a vegan café in a residential area

Address: Bornwiesenweg 4, Nordend-West, 60316 Frankfurt

Kaffeemacherei is a cosy café in Nordend-West that's especially known for its vegan cakes and waffles. According to current listings, you'll find vegan croissants, waffles and other sweet treats here, among other things, plus coffee specialities – on a fairly quiet residential street, away from the louder main roads.

What this spot is good for:

• Vegans with a sweet tooth
• Cosy afternoons with coffee & cake
• People who'd rather sit away from the really busy streets

Pro tip: Ideal as a stop when you're wandering through the residential streets around Bornwiesenweg – very much "private Nordend".

5. Café No.48 – specialty coffee & sourdough on Rotlintstraße

Address: Rotlintstraße 48, 60316 Frankfurt

Café No.48 describes itself as a neighbourhood café with specialty coffee, homemade cakes, sourdough bread and a selection of beans to take home.

The mix of regulars, families and students makes the place feel familiar right away – not hip at any cost, but run with a lot of love.

What this spot is good for:

• Brunch and coffee at the weekend
• Sourdough fans
• People who like becoming regulars

Pro tip: If you want to take coffee home with you, have a look at the bean shelf – you can slowly work your way through it.

6. Cosmic – California vibes on Oeder Weg

Address: Oeder Weg 38, 60318 Frankfurt

Cosmic is one of the most eye-catching newcomers in Nordend: a stylish, bright space with lots of red, marbled surfaces and retro 70s touches. They serve specialty coffee, sandwiches, egg-drop variations, sweet pastries and drinks – from early in the morning into the evening.

It's often packed, but it feels more like a lively living room than a stage – young people, coffee nerds and anyone who loves beautiful interiors come together here.

What this spot is good for:

• Breakfast or lunch with a "California in Frankfurt" feel
• A coffee break while strolling along Oeder Weg
• When you're looking for a spot with a strong look (inside & on the terrace)

7. Kaffeerausch Nordend – a café kiosk with a local feel on Oeder Weg

Address: Oeder Weg 56, 60318 Frankfurt

Kaffeerausch Nordend is smaller than many of the other spots on this list, but that's exactly its charm: a café kiosk on Oeder Weg with espresso, cappuccino, various coffee and tea specialities and pastries. Reviews regularly highlight the cosy atmosphere and the friendly service.

What this spot is good for:

• A quick coffee break in between
• Coffee "on the go" during a walk through Nordend
• Easy-going neighbourhood vibes without any fuss

Pro tip: If you want to combine laptop work with coffee, it's worth checking the vibe on the spot – according to some people's experience, laptops are fine as long as you don't stay all day.

How to plan your perfect café route through Nordend

Depending on what you're in the mood for, you can combine the spots like this:

For serious specialty coffee:

• Hoppenworth & Ploch
• Café No.48
• Cosmic

For veggie/vegan brunch & bowls:

• Sunny Side Up Nordend
• Glauburg Café (lots of vegan & vegetarian options)
• Kaffeemacherei (vegan focus on cakes & waffles)

For a classic neighbourhood feel:

• Glauburg Café
• Café No.48
• Kaffeerausch Nordend

Sample route for a Saturday:

1. Start with a coffee at Hoppenworth & Ploch on the Friedberger.
2. Head on to Glauburg Café for breakfast or cake.
3. Wander through the side streets to Oeder Weg and stop at Cosmic (interior + snack).
4. Finish with a coffee "to go" from Kaffeerausch Nordend.

💡 Note: Opening hours, menus and concepts can change. Quickly check the café's website or Instagram account before you go so you're up to date.

Final thoughts: cafés in Nordend at a glance

Nordend is probably one of the most exciting neighbourhoods for cafés in Frankfurt: from focused third-wave spots and colourful brunch places to classic neighbourhood cafés, you'll find everything you need here for a perfect coffee day.

With Hoppenworth & Ploch, Sunny Side Up Nordend, Glauburg Café, Kaffeemacherei, Café No.48, Cosmic and Kaffeerausch Nordend, you've got a solid base for drinking your way right across the neighbourhood and finding your own favourite spot.

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