Lunch at "Alter Haferkasten" in Frankfurt, one of the Oldest and Most Legendary Upscale Italian Restaurants in Germany (June 2026)

Lunch at Alter Haferkasten in Neu-Isenburg (Frankfurt). Reason: Diego got his German citizenship this morning.

Alter Haferkasten (Google AI)

The iconic Alter Haferkasten is one of the oldest and most legendary upscale Italian restaurants in Germany. While deeply tied to Frankfurt's culinary history, it is actually located just south of the city lines in the historic old town of Neu-Isenburg.

History and Iconic Status

The Name: "Haferkasten" translates to "oat box". The historic building dates back over 300 years to when coachmen paused there to feed their horses oats.

Italian Pioneer: Opened as an Italian dining spot in 1960, it was a pioneer of Cucina Italiana in the Frankfurt region. Back then, staff famously served guests while wearing tuxedos and white gloves.

The Pugliese Era: The Pugliese family took over management in 1980. Patriarch Saverio Pugliese turned it into a famous culinary institution. Today, it is run by his son, Francesco Pugliese.

Celebrity Hotspot: Over the decades, it evolved into a prominent meeting place for politicians, business leaders, and local soccer legends from Eintracht Frankfurt. For four years in the 2000s, Saverio even cooked directly for the German National Football Team.

The Culinary Experience

The restaurant is celebrated for combining historical rustic charm with high-end, upscale Mediterranean dining.

The Food: Expect premium Italian classics, a strong emphasis on fresh seafood specialties, and seasonal culinary features like their traditional crispy Christmas goose (Weihnachtsgans).

Lunch

First

Second

Bye-bye

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Accolades: It holds a reputable 88 points in the Falstaff Restaurant Guide.   curated wine list.

Ambience: Cozy, white-tablecloth interior inside the second-oldest building in Neu-Isenburg.