Frankfurt insider Sebastian Herkner

The Insider's Guide to Frankfurt

Designer Sebastian Herkner on his favourite places as revealed in our downloadable Wallpaper* City Guide

Frankfurt may not be the first place you think of when planning a city break but it can be a place you find yourself on a work trip. Our Wallpaper* guide will ensure you get the most out of it whatever reason your reason for being there. 

Although his studio is located in Offenbach on the city’s outskirts, designer Sebastian Herkner cites Frankfurt as the inspiration for the many pieces he creates for design brands such as Moroso, Carl Mertens and De Vorm.

"It’s important for me to observe the city and to see problems or solutions," he says. His work is found in stores all over Frankfurt, including Leptien 3 (Grosse Friedberger Strasse 29-31) and PurPur (Hanauer Landstrasse 186).

 

Strandcafe, Frankfurt - great for pancakes
Strandcafe, Frankfurt - great for pancakes

Herkner’s day starts with pancakes at Strandcafe (Koselstrasse 46) in Nordend. For lunch he heads to the Italian restaurant Rustico (Grosse Friedberger Strasse 16-20), or Mutter Ernst (Alte Rothofstrasse12, T283833) for comforting German meals. "Here you get simple, authentic dishes like chops or sausage with potato salad," he says. Herkner also swings by shop/café TÍA EMMA (Alte Gasse 4) for a glass of homemade lemonade, adding that "it also sells really interesting things", such as quirky stationery and books. His other favoured shopping destinations include Elektro Müns (Battonnstrasse 23), a well-stocked lighting shop.

When in need of a breather from the city streets, Herkner visits the botanical Palmengarten, ideal for a paddle on the lake, or the Chinese garden in Bethmannpark (Von-Bethmann-Park). "It’s a perfect place to relax or to think about projects," he says. Check out the print version of our Frankfurt Wallpaper* City Guide here and the downloadable one here.