Christmas Market Foods: What To Eat & Drink In Germany

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)…

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.

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.

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…

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…

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).

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.

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…

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…

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!

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…

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…

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!

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!

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…

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…

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 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.

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!

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…

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.

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!

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!