Berger Straße and Bornheim

Berger Straße is the main street of Bornheim, a former village that was absorbed into Frankfurt and still has a distinct local character in the east of the city, in the German state of Hesse. The street runs for more than a kilometre from the Merianplatz area up to the Bornheim Mitte stop, and it is lined with Apfelwein taverns, cafes, bakeries, delicatessens, bookshops and independent boutiques. Many buildings are Gründerzeit houses with ornate facades, and the pace is slower than in the commercial centre, which makes Bornheim popular for locals who want a village feel inside a big city. Visitors can sit in traditional Apfelwein houses, where the tart local cider is served in ribbed glasses together with regional dishes such as Handkäs mit Musik and Frankfurter Schnitzel with Grüne Soße. A Saturday morning market at Berger Markt, at the top of the street, sells fresh produce, flowers, cheese and baked goods, and draws crowds from across the city. The street is free to explore and open at all times, and a visit usually takes one to two hours, longer with a meal. The U4 line to Bornheim Mitte is the easiest way to arrive. In summer the street fills with terrace diners, and events such as the Bornheimer Wochenmarkt and neighbourhood festivals add atmosphere. Crowds are largest on Saturday mornings and warm evenings, while weekday afternoons are quiet. Photographers will find rewarding subjects in the old facades, tavern signs and market stalls. Visitors should check individual venues for opening hours, since many taverns open in the afternoon or evening and close on set days of the week.