CITY CENTER. You might think you stumbled into a library when entering the dining room of this venerable Italian establishment, located in a spacious old villa in the Westend. Deep mahogany bookshelves, filled with books of course, line the walls. Sit at an intimate table by the window and feast on chef Agazio Ritano's specialties in true Italian style. An extensive wine list complements dishes such as duck breast with pignoli and mascarpone, four cheese stuffed veal or sole with spinach in a prosecco sauce. Top it off with pannacotta or tiramisu and a leisurely stroll through the streets afterwards.

EAST FRANKFURT. Frankfurt residents lavish praise and patronage on what they consider one of the best restaurants featuring traditional German cuisine. Make yourself comfortable in the homey dining rooms featuring rough hewn timber posts and beams and decorated with high backed tapestry chairs and small table lamps. Try the delicious asparagus when served in season. Venison, pheasant and sausage entrees are also quite good. A must for time-honored German dining.

SACHSENHAUSEN. Favored for its festive atmosphere and reasonable prices, Apfelwein Wagner is a traditional German apple wine café. Hearty German food is on the menu, like slow cooked steak with horseradish sauce, wurst and schnitzel, and lots of potatoes. One of the highlights of your meal here will be watching the bustling server who does nothing but replace empty glasses of apple wine.

SACHSENHAUSEN. A dual-purpose space, you'll notice an inviting café section on your left and a casual bar on the right, with an open kitchen in between. The café is ideal for lunch or dinner, with a standard menu of pastas, soups, and salads. Daily specials are reliably good, too. The bar offers some of the same food that is especially good for snacking or sharing, like nachos and bruschetta. Several vegetarian options are available too.

CITY CENTER. Located in the historic Hauptwache Platz, this fantastic casual bistro serves up international fare with an Asian twist. Vintage architecture combines with modern appointments in the dining area that has a long sleek bar to one side and dozens of windows lining the walls around. An interior French door leads to the outside patio. When the weather is good, supping al fresco is an excellent compliment to a light meal before a night out on the town.