Frankfurt is known for its special alcoholic apple cider concoction, called ‘Ebbelwoi’ in the local dialect, or ‘Apfelwein’ in "proper German". ‘Handkäse mit Musik’, literally ‘cheese with music’, is an interesting mix: a small round white cheese, marinated in oil and vinegar, doused in onions, and served with bread and butter. The, eh, ‘music’, comes later. A third specialty, ‘Frankfurter Grüne Sosse’, is a green sauce made from several green ingredients (chives, parsley, dill, and more) with a yogurt, mayonnaise or sour cream base. It is served on a variety of foods, from potatoes to meats.
These can all be found in the Ebbelwoi taverns that are in various places in the city, but most highly concentrated south of the river. There are some on Schweizerstrasse, separated only by one door, at 67 and 71. When I visited Frankfurt, Zum Gemalten Haus (67) was closed for renovations for a month or so, but may already be open again. Fortunately, the close-by Adolf Wagner (71), was open, and this is where I sampled the local fare. There is another Ebbelwoi taverns immediately behind the main youth hostel, on Grosse Rittergasse. I walked past this one on the way to see the strange water-spitting statue, Frau Rauscher Brunnen. There are of course many other taverns, including one nearby on Wallstrasse.
The taverns are not very expensive, and they are evening venues: most do not open until around 4 or 5, but stay open fairly late, continually serving Ebbelwoi to boisterous and thirsty patrons.