Food and Drink at German Christmas Markets (2024)

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Food and Drink at German Christmas Markets? ›

The most common food items sold at German Christmas markets include Bratwurst, Frikadella, Pommes Frites, Maroni, Käsespätzle, Kartoffel puffer, Germknödel, along with glühwein, aka mulled wine.

Popular attractions at the markets include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Zwetschgenmännle (figures made of decorated dried plums), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), ...

Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)

They basically taste like really crispy hash browns and are just as delicious as they sound. Traditionally, they are served with apple sauce, however you'll commonly find a range of sweet or savoury condiments to go alongside (I personally enjoyed the sour cream option).

Treat guests to a traditional German Christmas dinner with classic dishes like roasted goose legs, braised red cabbage. and dumplings, and don't forget the mulled wine and platter of gorgeous, festive cookies.

Glühwein, as mulled wine is known in Germany, is essentially red wine heated with spices, lemon and sugar - generally cinnamon and cloves are used in all recipes, with some adding aniseed or vanilla. A variation on the mulled wine is the Feuerzangenbowle.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of Germany's most impressive. The Römerberg square is transformed into a magical wonderland, featuring over 200 beautifully decorated stalls. With its sheer size and vast number of visitors, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the largest and best Christmas markets in Germany.

A number of stalls throughout Victoria Square and New Street have priced bratwursts at £6, with beer priced at £6.50 a pint. It means the prices for this year are the same as in 2022. In 2021, the same beer and sausage combo would have set you back £10.50.

Nobody in Germany should leave without a visit to one of the Christmas markets, an essential part of the Yuletide season. They should be seen, smelled, tasted and totally experienced. Christmas markets usually take place around a huge Christmas tree from the end of November to a day or two before Christmas.

This is common in Europe and at markets of this type worldwide, but bring cash! Most of the vendors will not accept credit cards. Bring your camera. From the warm drinks to the tasty treats and the bustling crowd, the German Christmas Markets are an experience.

Are German Christmas markets expensive? ›

At the Christmas Markets, everybody eats “snack” savoury food, such as burgers, bratwurst (German sausage) and chips. You can expect to pay €3 – 6 for any of these food items, which is relatively affordable in comparison to how much you'd pay for meals in a restaurant.

The most common food items sold at German Christmas markets include Bratwurst, Frikadella, Pommes Frites, Maroni, Käsespätzle, Kartoffel puffer, Germknödel, along with glühwein, aka mulled wine. But each market has their own specialty and take on food for Christmas.

Stollen is a traditional German Christmas bread that originated in the city of Dresden. It's a dense, slightly dry sweet bread that's studded with dried fruit and lightly spiced. The most popular variety of Stollen has a marzipan filling, but you can buy loaves without it if you're a marzipan hater like me.

Non-alcoholic drinks you could try are KinderPunsch (hot mulled juice) or Schokolade (hot chocolate). If you also just love hot chocolate, but don't need to stay away from alcohol, all of the stands will happily add in a shot of rum or amaretto for you.

The German name for mulled wine, Glühwein, translates to “glow wine,” and there's nothing better than this traditional drink to make you glow with warmth on a cold night.

Nuremberg Gingerbread: A Symbol of the Season

In Germany, when you think of Christmas, you think of Nuremberg Lebkuchen, the city's famous gingerbread. These sweet and spicy treats have been baked for more than 600 years and are loved by young and old alike.

Glühwein (or mulled wine in English) is the drink we all associate with Christmas in Germany and the most popular drink at the Christmas Market. But luckily, this drink is easy to make without alcohol.