DEVOURED EXPLORED

Christmas Market Foods: What To Eat & Drink In Germany

December 14, 2016

Food. The highlight of any Christmas market. Well, at least it is in my opinion. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that feasting is the most essential (and enjoyable) part of the experience. A time to gather around festive stalls with loved ones and devour rich, warm treats to counter the frigid temps. Each country – and market – has their own specialties so I made it my mission on a recent trip to Germany to find out what the locals were sipping and nibbling on. My research led to some delicious finds — some that I’ll dream of for years to come — so I thought I’d share my fave Christmas market foods and drinks so you can try them too:

Christmas Market Foods

Reibekuchen/Kartoffelpuffer – These German potato pancakes are deep fried and served with a variety of toppings. I really liked them slathered with applesauce (apfelsoße) for a sweet-salty combo. They’re filling and meant to be shared (if you can part with one/two)…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Reibekuchen

Christmas Market Foods In Germany

Pfannkuchen and Waffeln – It’s difficult to resist the sweet smell of pancakes, crepes and waffles permeating in the air as you stroll down the cobblestone streets at German Christmas markets — so we didn’t. Topped or stuffed with a range of ingredients (including cinnamon, Nutella, marzipan), it doesn’t matter which one you pick, you’ll be a happy camper. I preferred the waffles dusted with sugar. Mmmm warm, buttery goodness.

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, waffles, waffeln

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, waffles, waffeln

Champignons Mit Knoblauchsoße – Every market we visited had a food stall selling mushrooms doused in garlic sauce. I found myself mesmerized as they were slowly tossed and seasoned in large skillets over fire. Nothing quite like watching your order being lovingly prepared right before your eyes.

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Champignons

Bratwurst and Thüringer Rostbratwurst – You can’t really have an authentic German Christmas market experience without having a sausage or two…or ten. With so many varieties to choose from (I counted over 12), there’s certainly no shortage of options in the land of sausage. Bratwurst and rostbratwurst (traditional, white pork sausage that can be up to half a metre in length) are the most popular…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, brätwurst

Sausage with a smile. The market that surrounds Elisabethkirch in Marburg has the happiest vendors!

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, brätwurst

Look for schwenkgrill at the markets (a circular grill suspended over charcoal by a tripod structure)  — the traditional way of grilling allows sausages to be cooked evenly as they swing and rotate over fire. It’s a glorious, glorious sight for sausage-lovers…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, schwenkgrill

Currywurst – I remember currywurst fondly from previous trips to Germany. Truth is, it’s one of those things you either love or hate. I’m a fan of the dish — which is basically sliced bratwurst swimming in a pool of curry-ketchup sauce. Although I must admit, the snack is best enjoyed with beer in hand (next time I’m visiting when I’m NOT pregnant).

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Currywurst, sausage

Gebrannte Mandeln – And the award for most addictive snack at Christmas markets goes to… sugared almonds! OMG I could eat packets and packets of these delightful treats. Toasted and coated at the stands, they’re served in a paper cone and cost around 3-3.50 € for 100 grams. Oh, and you can get different flavours too — like delish Amaretto.

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Mandeln

Paradiesäpfel – I was surprised to see so many candied apples being devoured at the markets, but these impaled treats on a stick are definitely a hit. Tons of variety in this category too —  from toffee to chocolate apples! I personally can never finish a whole one so I skipped this familiar snack to save room for other goodies…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Paradiesäpfel

Aachener Printen – Another one of my fave Christmas market foods — and something I’ve never tasted before — is printen. And thanks to an EU Protected Designation of Origin status, it can only be produced in the city of Aachen (which could alone be reason enough to visit the magical city). The spicy, biscuit-like treats resemble gingerbread and are baked with a secret blend of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, allspice, ginger and aniseed. You can find printen at the market or at beautiful specialized stores year-round…

Aachener Printen, Christmas Market Foods In Germany

Maroni – Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ♫  This is one festive treat I can not walk by without indulging. I rarely have the opportunity to eat freshly-roasted chestnuts so I was all smiles when I saw Maroni stall dotting all the German Christmas markets. Warm, soft, fragrant…the perfect snack on a cold night!

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Maroni

Kartoffellanzen – We spotted these potato spirals at a couple of the markets we visited. They’re made fresh, deep fried until crispy and dusted with seasoning. But mostly, they’re just really fun to eat…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Kartoffellanzen

Lebkuchen or Pfefferkuchen – Ah yes, Germany is basically gingerbread heaven so lebkuchen is a must-eat treat at any market. These baked goods are spicy, sweet and soft with a slight crunch. Oh soooo good…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Lebkuchen

Spiessbraten – Although you won’t find this dish at all Christmas markets, you should devour a sandwich when you do. We got ours in the small village of Mörz (a short drive from Koblenz) at a Christmas market that only takes place one weekend a year. The rotisserie pork is cooked slowly and served with onions on a bun. Yum!

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Spiessbraten

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Spiessbraten

Germknödel – This traditional dessert (once considered poor man’s food) caught my eye as we wandered around the Heidelberg Christmas market. The dome-shaped dumpling is filled with spiced plum jam and drizzled with melted butter and a vanilla cream sauce. Dusted with various toppings (we chose poppy seeds and sugar) it’s not too sweet and has an interesting texture. Not for everyone, but I loved it!

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Germknödel

Marzipan – My travel buddy Arienne just about lost it when she spotted marzipan (it’s her absolute fave). Made with ground almonds, sugar/honey and egg white/whole eggs, the ones we saw at the markets looked like little potatoes! I’ve never seen marzipan shaped like this (the ones I’m familiar with are coloured and molded into animals/flowers) so I was really amused…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Marzipan

Pommes Mit Mayo – You guessed it: fries with mayo. A simple concept and one locals and tourists alike line up for at German Christmas markets. I may have also indulged…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Pommes Mit Mayo

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Pommes Mit Mayo

Stollen/Christstollen – This traditional German Christmas cake is surprisingly heavy, made with a thick dough using plenty of butter and dusted with powdered sugar. Dried fruits, almonds, spices and candied orange/lemon peels are other star ingredients. The Dresdner Stollen is the most well-known kind  — for it to carry this name, it must have been baked in the city of Dresden and made from a specific recipe.

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Stollen, Cake

Christmas Market Drinks

Glühwein – If there’s one thing I learned on this trip, it’s that Germans LOVE their glühwein. A constant thread at every market, it’s the warm drink almost everyone sips as they wander around from stall to stall (well, everyone except pregnant people like me lol). The mulled wine is usually made with red wine, spices (cinnamon, cloves and sometimes aniseed or vanilla), lemon and sugar. Poured into the cutest mugs (which you can keep as a souvenir for a small fee), it is THE drink to have at German Christmas markets.

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Glühwein

Feuerzangenbowle – Take your Christmas market experience to the next level by grabbing a mug of this popular drink. The hot punch/glühwein mixture is topped with a rum-soaked sugarloaf and set on fire right in front of you. Entertaining and unique — prost!

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Feuerzangenbowle

Eierpunsch – This warm, sweetened boozy drink is egg-based and similar to eggnog. A great way to warm up on a cold winter’s day. Especially when sporting the traditional garb…

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Eierpunsch

Heiße Schokolade – I’m always on the hunt for great hot chocolate and think I may have found the best one I’ve ever tasted in Mörz. I was so impressed that I had two cups! Most Christmas markets sell the treat by combining real chocolate, milk and whipped cream. Do yourself a favour and get a cup or two — you will not regret it.

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, heiße schokolade, hot chocolate

Kinderpunsch – And finally, if you’re skipping out on booze at the markets kinderpunsch is a tasty alternative. Made with various juices (orange, apple, cherry), spices (like cinnamon, cloves and star anise), and tea (früchtetee/herbal), the warm mulled punch hits the spot. I think I indulged in a cup or two a day on our trip! Packs a bit of a sugar rush, but the bevvie definitely catapulted me into a festive mood each and every time!

Christmas Market Foods In Germany, Kinderpunsch

Quite the feast can be had at German Christmas markets, right?! And I just skimmed the surface! A few more goodies highlighted in this recap video produced by my amazing travel buddy Arienne who impressed me by keeping up with all the gluttony:

A huge thanks to the German National Tourist Office and host cities of Marburg, Aachen, Koblenz and Heidelberg for giving us a taste of the German Christmas market foods listed above. If you want to see more of our journey check out #GermanyXmasHop on social media! 

15 Comments

  • Reply
    Natalie
    December 14, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    I LOVED trying all of the delicious German food on our trip there last year–I could’ve eaten pretzels, currywurst, and spaetzle for every meal. 😀 It looks like the Christmas markets have even more fun treats for me to try. Guess I’ll have to go back! (As if I needed an excuse!!)

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      December 14, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      Yes you must go back to feast some more! So many great eats, so little time!!

  • Reply
    Joan
    December 14, 2017 at 11:30 am

    I just returned from a trip to Germany and visited 5 markets… my favorite were the potato pancakes and the mushrooms… both were covered with the creamy garlic sauce. Anyone know where I can find these recipes? i have been looking everywhere!!

  • Reply
    NEELAM SAINI
    May 5, 2018 at 8:53 am

    I loved this list… looking forward to try all the non meat options this year !! Thanks for the post

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      May 5, 2018 at 10:33 am

      Oooh I’d love to hear back from you after you try them! My BFF is a vegetarian and I’m always looking for good food recos.

  • Reply
    Leonie
    August 10, 2018 at 9:35 am

    Actually you are not allowed to take Glühwein mugs home. Many people take them home but legally the small fee you pay for the mug is not a purchase, it’s merely a deposit fee. Just keep that in mind.

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      August 10, 2018 at 10:11 am

      Really?! Good to know! We asked the vendors and they all said we could keep them. Thanks for flagging Leonie.

    • Reply
      Sylvia
      November 15, 2018 at 1:03 pm

      You can buy the mugs.

      • Reply
        Solmaz
        November 15, 2018 at 1:29 pm

        Amazing! I think they maybe gave them to us since we were press, but good to know the public can purchase them!!

  • Reply
    Jo Ator
    November 17, 2018 at 1:04 am

    No, they do want you to take them home. In fact you can easily trade your used cup for a clean cup. They are meant to be taken, so that next year they can have new ones. Big cities produce a new cup each year.

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      November 17, 2018 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks for the tip! I can’t wait to return to see more Christmas markets. Let me know if you have any favourites!

  • Reply
    Dyno
    December 13, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    It is true the deposit is paid and you are meant to take them home not give them back.

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      December 13, 2018 at 10:23 pm

      Thanks for confirming! Happy holidays

  • Reply
    Leslie
    December 20, 2018 at 4:42 pm

    This is such a great list, thank you. I’ll be visiting Christmas markets while 26 weeks pregnant. Are there any foods/drinks I should be careful of?

    • Reply
      Solmaz
      December 21, 2018 at 10:15 pm

      Hi Leslie! Thanks for reading 🙂 To be honest, it all depends on how you’re eating now/what kind of modifications you’re making at home. So if you’re avoiding unpasteurized cheeses and raw meats, then continue that while you travel as well. I ate everything while pregnant at the German markets and would say it’s all pretty safe. Just watch out for the gluhwein as it’s high in alcohol!!

Leave a Reply