Maxie Eisen
Maxie Eisen runs a dual identity on Münchener Straße: Jewish-inspired deli serving pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and Reubens until early evening, then a shift in lighting and focus turns the space into a cocktail bar. The name references a prohibition-era Chicago gangster, and the interior leans into that period with tiled floors, pressed tin ceilings, and dark wood paneling. The deli side earns its reputation; the pastrami is house-cured and the bread comes from a local bakery. Once dinner service winds down, the bartenders take over with a short, sharp cocktail list built around classic American builds and a few house specials. The place opened in the early 2010s as part of the Bahnhofsviertel wave that reshaped the district, and it remains one of the most consistent operators on the strip. Seating is limited and reservations aren't typically taken, so weekend evenings see a rotating door situation as people cycle through. The crowd is adult, cocktail-focused, and there for the quality rather than the scene.
Where to stay near Maxie Eisen
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A small room with tiled floors, tin ceiling, and a tight bar. Earlier in the evening it feels like a deli with drinks, later it becomes a proper cocktail bar. Moderate volume, professional service, and a crowd that ranges from after-work drinkers to late-night cocktail enthusiasts.
Prohibition-themed without being a costume party. Serious about both food and drinks.
Jazz, classic soul, Americana, and occasional swing at conversation-appropriate volume
Smart casual. Clean jeans and button-downs fit. Avoid obvious tourist gear and athletic wear.
Pastrami lovers who stay for cocktails, and cocktail drinkers who want food with their drinks
All major cards, contactless, and cash accepted
Price Range
Cocktails 11-14 EUR, beer 4.50-5 EUR, wine 7-10 EUR, deli sandwiches 12-16 EUR
Cocktails ~$12-15 USD, beer ~$5-5.50 USD, sandwiches ~$13-17 USD
Hours
Mon-Sat 11:30-01:00 (deli until 22:00, bar continues after), closed Sun
Insider Tip
Order a pastrami sandwich before 21:00 if you're hungry; the kitchen closes earlier than the bar. Bar seats are first-come, first-served. The rye old fashioned is the signature build worth ordering.
Full Review
Maxie Eisen occupies a narrow storefront on Münchener Straße, the street that runs the length of Bahnhofsviertel and increasingly anchors the district's food-and-drink revival. From outside it reads as a deli, with the name in period typography and a menu board facing the street. Inside, the tiled floor, pressed tin ceiling, and long wood-and-brass bar commit to the Chicago speakeasy aesthetic without tipping into theme-restaurant territory.
The kitchen is the first draw. Pastrami gets cured and sliced on-site, and the sandwiches are genuinely good by New York or Montreal standards, a rarity in Frankfurt. The matzo ball soup earns repeat orders in winter. Deli service runs through early evening, at which point the lighting shifts and the focus moves behind the bar. The cocktail list is short and serious: classics built properly, a handful of house riffs on rye and bourbon builds, and a non-alcoholic section that isn't an afterthought.
The combination is unusual in Frankfurt and handled with more care than most hybrid concepts. Compared to Dora Brilliant two blocks over, Maxie is more casual and more American-leaning in both food and drinks. Compared to the standalone delis in the city, it's dressier and more focused on the drinking experience. The result is a place that works equally well for a 19:00 dinner or a 23:30 old fashioned, which gives it unusual longevity through the evening.
Weekend nights see the room fill by 21:00 with a mix of cocktail regulars, couples on date nights, and neighborhood workers. Conversations happen at the bar, service is attentive without being pushy, and the music volume stays right. Budget 25-35 EUR for a sandwich and a cocktail, or 30-45 EUR for a proper drinking session. Münchener Straße itself holds enough nearby options that a longer evening can happen within walking distance.
The Neighborhood
Münchener Straße is Bahnhofsviertel's main east-west artery, a stretch that captures the district's layered character: kebab shops, legal brothels, natural wine bars, third-wave coffee, and restaurants ranging from Michelin-starred to street-level casual. The block around Maxie Eisen has been one of the earliest gentrification zones.
Getting There
S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, then a three-minute walk east on Münchener Straße. Trams 11, 14, and 21 stop directly on Münchener Straße. Taxi from Hauptbahnhof runs 5-7 EUR.
Address
Münchener Straße 18, 60329 Frankfurt
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