On Saturday, we celebrated a friend’s birthday at CLUB MICHEL in Frankfurt. I’d been there before, mostly for drinks at the bar, and only once for dinner.

Their concept is quite focused — just a few selected dishes on the menu, with one starter and one main reinterpreted as vegan. So it’s not about having endless options. But I have to say, the flavors are always rich and beautifully balanced. It’s not fine dining, but it leans toward the fancier side, contrasted with a casual, stylish, laid-back aesthetic.

Upstairs, where the restaurant is located, all the walls are painted in a deep dark blue — which I love. Combined with wooden elements like old-school chairs and solid tables, the space feels warm, intimate, and quite cool.