Welcome
Authentic German and Hessian cooking in a warm, rustic atmosphere
From homemade Grüne Soße (Frankfurt’s green herb sauce) to regional meat and potato dishes, we serve all kinds of hearty home cooking in a cosy setting, with fresh Apfelwein (the local apple wine) from the Wenzel family’s cider press to wash it down.
Homemade Grüne Soße (Frankfurt’s green herb sauce), regional meat and potato dishes and fresh Apfelwein (the local apple wine) from the Wenzel family’s cider press, all served in a cosy setting.
Holiday hoursClosed on 24 December · Two sittings on 25 and 26 December, closed in the evening · Winter break from 27 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 inclusive · Full opening hours
Since 1807
Listed building
Summer garden
Traditional German cooking
Fresh, regional & home-cooked
This historic tavern was first recorded as an inn in 1807. Thomas Metzmacher has run it since 1993, and his son Max joined him in 2022.
Zum Lahmen Esel is a listed building and one of Frankfurt’s oldest and largest apple wine taverns. For anyone who loves warm, down-to-earth hospitality and a “guude Schoppe” (local dialect for a good glass of apple wine), there are few better places in town.
Specialities just as they should be: honest, hearty and delicious.
Hessen à la carteCertified restaurant: fresh ingredients from the region.
Frankfurt geht aus! 2027Recommended in Journal Frankfurt’s restaurant guide.
Nachhaltiges ReisezielPartner business of the TourCert-certified “Sustainable Destination” FrankfurtRheinMain, October 2024 to October 2027. Certificate (PDF, German)
Our menu
Honest, hearty and delicious
Original Grüne SoßeThe originalOur multi-award-winning green herb sauce, with four cold hard-boiled egg halves and boiled potatoes
Frankfurt-style schnitzelWith Original Grüne Soße and pan-fried potatoes
Handkäs’ mit MusikHand-formed sour-milk cheese with an onion and vinegar marinade, served with farmhouse rye bread and butter
Himmel und Erde (Heaven and Earth)Fried “Metzgersglück” black pudding with homemade mashed potatoes, braised onions and apple sauce
Cheese spätzle, served in the panMeat-freeSoft egg noodles with melted mountain cheese and crispy fried onions, served with salad
Menu as of 15 October 2026 · Our allergen menu is available in the restaurant.
Gallery
Tap or click to enlarge
All served up
Original Grüne Soße
Schnitzel with pan-fried potatoes
Cheers!
Our Bembel jugs
Enjoy your meal
A room for every occasion
From intimate get-togethers to big celebrations
The main dining room
The heart of Frankfurt hospitality
The main dining room is the soul of Zum Lahmen Esel and a living piece of Frankfurt history. At big tables, guests sit together in good company, the Bembel (the traditional grey stoneware jug) is passed from hand to hand, and hearty specialities arrive from the kitchen.
A rustic atmosphere, warm and friendly service and the unmistakable clink of ribbed Schoppen glasses: a place where hospitality has been a way of life for more than 200 years.
The Kolleg
50 to 65 guests
Exclusive use from 50 guests
Refined and stylish: the ideal setting for special occasions and private functions.
The Stübchen
30 to 38 guests
Exclusive use from 30 guests
The historic heart of the house: this little parlour was once the original inn, complete with its old serving hatch.
The Urselbachstube
10 to 14 guests
Exclusive use from 10 guests
A cosy wooden cabin right on the terrace, open all year round and ideal for smaller groups.
The Zirbelstube
10 to 12 guests
Exclusive use from 9 guests
Rustic, private and cosy, finished in warm Swiss stone pine: a snug retreat for intimate gatherings.
The Almhütte
50 to 56 guests
Exclusive use from 45 guests
Set up on the terrace in winter, it brings rustic alpine-hut charm to larger parties and celebrations.
Summer garden & terrace
Our idyllic summer garden with mature trees and a covered terrace: in the warmer months, the loveliest spot for a “guude Schoppe”.
Groups and celebrations
Special group menus available on request. Please get in touch using the form.
- Kolleg50 to 65 guests
- Stübchen30 to 38 guests
- Urselbachstube10 to 14 guests
- Zirbelstube10 to 12 guests
- Almhütte50 to 56 guests
Reservation request
We reply by email within 48 hours
This is a request, not an instant booking.
Your request in six steps
- Date
- Time
- Number of guests
- Contact details
- Special requests and message
- Consent and privacy
We reply by email within 48 hours. Your table is only reserved once we have confirmed it.
Opening hours
| Tuesday to Saturday | 11:30 to 14:30 17:00 to 23:00 |
| Sunday | 11:30 to 14:30 17:00 to 22:00 |
| Monday | Closed Open on public holidays |
| Kitchen | Lunch until 14:00 Evenings until 21:30, Sundays until 21:00 |
Arrival times for reservations
| Lunch | 11:30 to 13:30 |
| Evening | 17:00 to 20:30 |
Holiday hours and closures
| 24 December | Closed (Christmas Eve) |
| 25 and 26 December | Two sittings: early 11:15 to 13:15, late 13:30 to 15:30; closed in the evening |
| 27 December to 5 January | Closed for our winter break |
Esel-Taler
Gift voucher
A little piece of Zum Lahmen Esel to give as a gift: our Esel-Taler voucher coins.
Available at the bar in the restaurant
How to find us
Krautgartenweg 1 · Frankfurt-Niederursel
Contact
info@lahmer-esel.de
Krautgartenweg 1, 60439 Frankfurt-Niederursel
Getting here
By U-Bahn (metro): lines U3, U8 and U9. Niederursel station is right outside our front door, less than a minute’s walk.
By car: free parking in our own guest car park and on the surrounding streets.
Good to know
- Payment: We accept cash and all major credit and debit cards, including your other half’s. Companies can pay by invoice.
- Allergens: Our allergen menu is available in the restaurant.
Follow us