Top 10 Christmas Market Foods You Can’t Miss

When most people picture European Christmas markets, they probably think more about the twinkling lights and not enough about all the Christmas market foods. Sure, the markets are beautiful with their wooden stalls and steaming mugs of mulled wine, but the Christmas market foods are also a huge highlight.

What stood out to me most during my own Christmas market visits wasn’t just the sights and sounds, but the Christmas market foods. I ate so much delicious and affordable food that I’m salivating just thinking about it. 

At the Strasbourg market, I found myself standing in line for bubbling skillets of champignons à la crème, mushrooms simmering away in garlic cream sauce. Just a few stalls over, I shared a hearty plate of porc et champignons à la crème poured over spaetzle. It was rich, filling, and only eight euros. On the German side of the border, I tried my very first potato pancake, crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, eaten straight from a paper plate and nearly burning my lips off, but it was so good I couldn’t help myself. 

From sweet chimney cakes in Prague to warm, cheesy tarte flambée in Alsace, the food is what makes the markets feel truly cozy. I had no idea I was in for such a treat (literally) when heading to my first European Christmas market. 

I want to say it’s sort of like American fair food, or at least the nostalgic part of it is, but the actual food is of such higher quality and much more affordable. 

So, if you’re planning your own trip, here are 10 cozy Christmas market foods you absolutely must try at European Christmas markets.

Savory Christmas Market Foods

1. Bratwurst in a Roll 

Sausages galore at the markets in Germany. I am sure you can find them at most markets, but definitely in Germany. It’s like the German version of getting a freshly dipped corn dog at a fair in the US. However, much more delicious. 

The sausages are tossed onto a huge grill that is an attraction of itself and the buns they come on are not like the overly processed buns we eat here in the States. The buns are far too small for the sausages (but in the best way) and they have the perfect balance of chew and softness. 

The smoky, classic grilled sausages are tucked into the crusty bun and handed to you with mustard. Simple, hearty, and the perfect snack to eat while weaving through the crowds. You’ll most likely see 2-3 types of sausages to choose from. You should probably try them all!

Best city to try it: Nuremberg, home of the world-famous bratwurst.

2. Currywurst

My significant other had told me about this. I honestly was so confused. Curry isn’t supposed to be found in Germany, right? That’s what I thought, anyway. But it’s a thing! Currywurst and curry ketchup are found all around the markets in Germany (and beyond, I’m sure). 

This dish consists of sausage sliced and smothered in curry-spiced ketchup, often with a side of fries. It’s tangy, messy, and absolutely satisfying on a cold night. If you haven’t heard of curry ketchup, I’m sure it sounds weird, but trust me, it’s delish. I personally am not a traditional curry dish fan, but I really enjoyed this! 

Best city to try it: Berlin, but you’ll find it at nearly every German market (and the Alsace region of France).

3. Reibekuchen (Potato Pancakes)

The crispy potato pancakes are the perfect cold-weather snack. They are nice and crisp on the outside and soft and steamy on the inside. Vendors usually serve them with applesauce (sweet) or sour cream (savory). I had one fresh off the griddle at a German market and it was pure comfort food. I personally liked the sour cream-based sauce, but apple sauce is a big favorite. I gave them both a try. I loved these so much, I actually tried to make them myself once!

Tip: Eat it hot; they cool fast in the winter air, and they’re just not the same when they’re not fresh out of the fryer. 

4. Champignons à la Crème, France & Germany (Mushrooms in Cream Sauce)

If you’re familiar with and a fan of beef stroganoff, then you will love this dish (and the one below). To this day, this is one of my favorite things I have ever eaten. I love mushrooms and I love cream sauce. This was such a delicious combo over spätzle. 

At the markets (specifically in Strasbourg), you’ll see large skillets bubble away with mushrooms in garlicky cream sauce, sending out the most delicious smell. You can eat them alone in a bowl or spooned over potatoes or spätzle for a heartier meal. A large shareable bowl of this was only 8 euros. I loved it so much!

Best city to try it: Strasbourg or Cologne.

5. Porc et Champignons à la Crème, (Pork & Mushrooms in Cream Sauce)

This dish is basically the meat version of the one above and is even heartier and more delicious. It reminds me so much of the beef stroganoff I grew up eating. We had this served over fried potatoes. It was perfect on a cold night. This was my favorite dish I ate at the Strasbourg market. I am dying to eat another bowl of this tender pork and mushrooms in cream sauce. It was rich, filling, and honestly, we shared a bowl, but I could have finished off the entire thing on my own.

Tip: Share with a travel partner so you can try even more dishes.

6. Raclette

I unfortunately didn’t know the hype around this before I went to the Christmas markets. I was so sad to see that I ate at a stand (photo evidence that I later noticed) that sold this dish in Strasbourg, but didn’t partake. It’s most famous in Switzerland, but they had it in Strasbourg too. 

A wheel of cheese bubbles under a heater until it’s perfectly melty, then it’s scraped onto bread, potatoes, or ham. I am the biggest cheese fan and everything about this has me drooling. Try it for me since I haven’t been able to yet!  The cheese oozes and stretches and that is all part of the fun of eating it. 

Best city to try it: Anywhere in Switzerland or the Alsace region.

7. Tarte Flambée

I didn’t have this exact dish, but I did have a baguette version of it. The traditional dish is a thin, crispy flatbread baked in a wood-fired oven then topped with crème fraîche, onions, and smoky bacon. In Strasbourg, I had a baguette version of it. A toasty piece of bread topped with mushrooms and bacon. It was everything I hoped for.

Best city to try it: Strasbourg — the Capital of Christmas.

Sweet Christmas Market Foods

8. Glühwein/Vin Chaud

This is everything. Think hot apple cider, but with alcohol and even more delicious. This drink is mulled wine, it’s spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus and warms your soul (and hands). In France, it’s called vin chaud, and you’ll often see both red and white versions. I preferred the white, but both are delicious. Most regions have their own special version of the drink. I highly suggest you try them all! They’re usually only 3 euros (or 5 if you want to keep the mug). The mugs make perfect, affordable and functional souvenirs.

Tip: Pay a little extra to keep your mug; it’s the best kind of keepsake.

9. Lebkuchen

These traditional gingerbread cookies can be found in every German market and probably every market in general. This chewy spiced cookie is often presented with writing and a string to serve as an ornament, which makes them fun gifts or take gifts for children. Most often, they’re decorated or sold in big heart shapes. Sometimes dipped in chocolate and always fun to look at. You pretty much have to buy one if you’re in Germany around the holidays. 

Best city to try it: Nuremberg, where they’ve been making Lebkuchen for centuries.

10. Crêpes (with Nutella or traditional chocolate)

Nutella is everywhere at markets in Germany and France. You can’t go to France without getting a crêpe. At the Strasbourg market, I watched vendors whip them up in seconds, folding mine around simple melted chocolate. It was warm, chocolatey, and the perfect handheld treat. It was such a cool experience to watch them make them right in front of you. It’s also so easy to walk around and eat.

Best city to try it: Paris or Strasbourg, but you’ll find them everywhere.

11. Belgian Waffles 

Waffles? Say no more. I am a HUGE Belgian waffle fan. These freshly made waffles found at the Christmas market stalls had me drooling. The outside is crispy while the inside is fluffy. You’ll typically find them topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or fruit. The best ones are served hot so the sugar melts into the grooves. 

Best city to try it: Brussels, where waffle stands are on nearly every corner.

12. Dampfnudeln

This treat may not be for everyone (it wasn’t my favorite), but it’s traditional in Germany. You should at least try it. I am still convinced that if I had known exactly what I was ordering and had ordered the cherry-filled one, I would have liked it much more. 

These fluffy steamed yeast dumplings have a golden buttery crust and are usually served with vanilla sauce (sweet) or with a fruit filling. Either way, they’re warm, filling, and part of the German market experience that you can’t skip out on. 

Takeaways

The truth is, you could spend an entire trip eating your way through Europe’s Christmas markets and still not taste it all. Each city has its own twist on the classics: potato pancakes in Germany, raclette in Switzerland, Nutella crêpes in France. There are also the regional surprises, like Strasbourg’s creamy pork and mushroom dishes or tarte flambée straight from a wood-fired oven.

What ties it all together is the same cozy feeling: standing under glowing lights with cold hands wrapped around something hot and delicious. These aren’t just snacks, they’re memories that will stick with you for years to come. If the beauty of the markets alone doesn’t leave you wanting to go back, the desire to eat more of the food will.  

I’m telling you, you absolutely must head to Europe and indulge in the Christmas market foods!