Oosten — Restaurant in Frankfurt

Oosten was beyond my expectations, and not quite what I expected. A restaurant-bar filling a transformed shipping crane tower on a post-industrial stretch of the Main river next to the monolithic glass tower of the European Central Bank... It felt doomed to be an electro-music hangout for twenty-somethings willing to trade unspectacular food for a spectacular river view.

Instead I found a thoughtful menu and the most flexible and accommodating servers and kitchen staff. At the recommendation of the guide "Frankfurt Geht Aus," I brought two visiting U.S. friends on a snowy evening because no other place with a view had available reservations. We wanted to try a few different dishes on the Mediterranean-inspired menu. Our server enthusiastically helped us work out good choices for our tastes and coordinated with the kitchen to prepare an appetizer platter and a platter of main dishes. We lingered over the huge appetizer platter and the waiter thoughtfully held the main dishes and then brought that platter out swiftly when we were ready. It was all so impressively and effortlessly presented. It is hard to find such attentive and flexible service anywhere, and Oosten stands out.

For drinks, be aware the cocktail menu is not particularly extensive, though there is a full bar. There is a good selection of wines and other drinks, including of course a local brand of Apfelwein (alcoholic sour apple cider).

As far as the view, be aware the restaurant is limited to the ground floor during cold or inclement weather. This overlooks the river but the view is somewhat restricted. It is no doubt amazing in warmer weather, when two levels extend up to the deck of the crane and...

So my first time here, I had enjoyed it. But my second time there, I decided never to go again. A friend of ours made the reservation accidentally a week later from when we had all gathered. There was six of us - but when we figured the reservation was wrong, we kind of just laughed. Then the bartender goes “hahah why do you laugh all the time?” And did an imitation/mockery of us laughing/blushing. Mind you - he doesnt know me so he cant say “all the time”. But what I assume he means is “Why do you Asians laugh all the time.”

I immediately lost the smile and said to him “Its only because we are considerate enough to not make the person who made the wrong reservation feel bad,” and left.

Being called out about THIS or ANYTHING because I’m “Asian” pisses me off to no end. But a SERVICE PROVIDER do this?! I absolutely despise it.

Germans have asked me “Isnt America so racist?!” And honestly having had grown up there I can daresay, Germany is where I’ve encountered the WORST RACISM from restaurants/bars, from random passerby, etc.

Shame on you. Get your act together.

Aaaand - the first time when I enjoyed this restaurant - I was with my European boyfriend. The second time, we were a group of Koreans. So you can do the...

One star is generous. The man serving outside (calling him a "waiter" feels like a stretch) was openly hostile from the moment we dared to sit at a free table of our choosing—despite there being plenty available. It only got worse from there.

He deliberately served a table seated after us while we were left waiting, then only took our order when my German friend intervened. Our order took ages, with no apology or acknowledgment.

I asked for the bill and, despite the poor service, still left a tip and politely requested a receipt. He vanished. Ten minutes later, I had to raise my voice across the terrace to even get his attention—embarrassing for everyone involved. What I received wasn’t my receipt, but a folded random one, clearly hoping I wouldn’t notice until too late. Petty and pathetic.

To the owners: this man is damaging your business. Arrogant, unprofessional, and seemingly convinced he’s doing customers a favour by allowing them to be there. If you're wondering why some visitors don’t return, look no further. He needs replacing—urgently.

There’s no excuse for this level of contempt in hospitality. You’re running a restaurant, not dishing out a “service desert.” Start...