Kleinmarkthalle

The Kleinmarkthalle on Hasengasse 5-7 is Frankfurt's covered food market, a short walk from the cathedral and the Römerberg in the Altstadt. It opened in 1879 and was rebuilt after the Second World War, and today about 150 stalls fill its long hall over two levels. Visitors find Hessian specialities such as Frankfurter Würstchen, Handkäs mit Musik, the local sour cheese served with onions, and Grüne Soße ingredients, along with butchers, bakers, fishmongers, spice sellers and fruit stands. Stalls selling Italian, Turkish, Asian and Spanish delicacies reflect the city's international population, and several counters serve warm sausages, soups and sandwiches that can be eaten standing at small tables. A famous wurst stall near the entrance draws queues at lunchtime. Prices for a snack usually fall between EUR 3 and EUR 8, so the market works as a cheap and informal lunch stop in the state of Hesse. The atmosphere is liveliest on Saturday late morning, when locals shop for the weekend and the aisles are packed, while weekday mornings offer more space to browse. The hall is closed on Sundays. A visit usually takes 45 to 90 minutes, longer if the group samples several stalls. Photographs of the produce displays and the iron-framed hall are welcome, but visitors should ask before photographing staff. Practical points include carrying small cash, since some stalls do not take cards, and avoiding the 12:00PM to 1:30PM lunch rush. The market sits close to the Dom/Römer U-Bahn stop and combines easily with the cathedral and the Historisches Museum, so it is a good midday pause in a walking itinerary through the old town.