Last Updated on September 25, 2025 by Soumya
Looking for the best foods to eat at German Christmas markets? You’re at the right place.
Here’s the most comprehensive German Christmas market food guide that you’ll ever find on the web.
Filled with twinkling lights, festive music, and the incredible aroma of delicious food, the German Christmas markets are not just places to buy cool souvenirs but also to try some of the most amazing traditional German food. From sweet treats to savory snacks, the food stalls are a huge part of the German Christmas tradition.
However, with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start! We’re here to help you with our Foodie Guide to the Christmas Markets of Germany, which will guide you through the must-try foods and cozy drinks to ensure you make the most of your visit.
✦ Pro Tip: Check out this wonderful Christmas Markets Food Tour in Munich.
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German Sweet Treats & Snacks
First up on our list of best things to eat at a German Christmas market are sweet treats and cookies, because have you even visited a Christmas market if you haven’t indulged in gingerbread and candied almonds??
German Christmas Cookies and Pastries
Germans are renowned for their baking skills, and the Christmas market stalls showcase some of the finest treats from every German bakery.
- Lebkuchen: Often called German gingerbread, Lebkuchen are soft cookies spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. They come in various shapes and sizes, often decorated with icing and sold in beautiful tins or as heart-shaped necklaces (Lebkuchenherzen or gingerbread hearts).
Nuremberg is famous for its Lebkuchen, and the most famous variety that you should definitely try is the Elisenlebkuchen pictured above.
✦ Pro Tip: Opt for Lebkuchen that are displayed on tables instead of the ones hanging by strings. The former usually tastes better.
- Stollen: This traditional German Christmas treat is a rich, dense fruit bread that contains dried fruit and nuts, often topped with powdered sugar.
You have to try the stollen in Dresden, where it is the most famous. Did you know they even have a Stollen Festival in Dresden?
- Quarkbällchen: These small, deep-fried balls are made with quark (a type of fresh cheese), which makes them light and fluffy.
- Dampfnudeln: These are one of my favorite desserts at Christmas markets. They are fluffy, steamed sweet dumplings often served warm with a topping, such as vanilla sauce. Do try it at the Marienplatz market in Munich.
✦ Pro Tip: Enjoy local food with this wonderful Christmas Markets Food Tour in Munich.
- Schneeballen (Snowballs): Originating from Rothenburg ob der Tauber, these are strips of pastry rolled into a ball, deep-fried, and covered in powdered sugar or chocolate.
- Schmalznudeln: A must-try in Bavaria, these are fluffy, fried dough pastries, quite similar to donuts, often pulled into a flat, irregular shape and sprinkled with sugar.
- Marzipan: You’ll find marzipan in all shapes and forms, from small figures to marzipan-filled chocolates and loaves.
- Spekulatius: A traditional spiced shortcrust biscuit that is particularly popular during the Christmas season.
Roasted Nuts and Candied Almonds
You know that amazing, cinnamony smell of Christmas markets? Blame the candied nuts for that.
- Gebrannte Mandeln (Candied Almonds): These are a quintessential Christmas market snack. Almonds are coated in a crunchy, sweet cinnamon-sugar glaze and served warm in a paper cone.
- Maroni (Roasted Chestnuts): Another German Christmas market classic, roasted chestnuts are the perfect warm snack for a cold winter day.
Chocolate and Fruit Delights
For those with a sweet tooth, these chocolate(y) options are heavenly.
- Schokofrüchte (Chocolate-Coated Fruits): Fresh fruits, such as strawberries, apples, bananas, and grapes, are skewered and dipped in melted milk, dark, or white chocolate.
- Chocolates: Many stalls sell artisanal chocolates and pralines, making them perfect gifts or personal treats. At the Munich Christkindlmarkt, we discovered these chocolate tools, which initially looked unusual but tasted incredibly good.
✦ Read Next: 21 Incredible things to buy at German Christmas markets
Savory German Christmas Market Food
After all those sweets, you’ll want something savory to balance things out. These traditional German food options are hearty, delicious, and perfect for a chilly evening.
Sausages and Grilled Meats
No German market experience is complete without trying some sausages.
- Bratwurst: The classic German sausage! You’ll find different varieties depending on the region.
The Nuremberg bratwurst is particularly famous—small, thin sausages served in a bun, often three at a time (Drei im Weggla).
- Currywurst: A specialty in Berlin, this is typically made with pork sausage (chicken variants are also available), cut into slices and seasoned with curry ketchup. It’s a must-try if you’re in the capital.
✦ Read Next: Ultimate Berlin Christmas Market Guide
- Frikadelle: A thick, pan-fried meat patty, similar to a burger patty or a large meatball. It’s usually served in a bread roll with mustard.
- Flammlachs: A stunning sight at many markets, this is a salmon fillet grilled slowly on a plank over an open fire.
- Soup in Bread: If you’re looking for a filling meal, the soup in bread is a delightful culinary experience. A warm, hearty soup is served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread, which acts as an edible bowl.
Potato Dishes
Potatoes are a staple in German cuisine, and you’ll find them prepared in many delicious ways.
- Pommes Frites (French Fries): Can’t go wrong with French fries! German fries are often served with mayonnaise (Pommes rot-weiß) and not ketchup, as we are typically used to.
- Spiralkartoffeln (Tornado or Twist Potatoes): A whole potato is cut into a spiral, skewered, and deep-fried until crispy. It’s as fun to eat as it is to look at!
- Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes): Also known as Reibekuchen, these are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes, fried until golden and crispy. They are traditionally served with a side of applesauce (Apfelmus).
✦ Pro Tip: Enjoy local food with this wonderful Christmas Markets Food Tour in Munich.
Other Savory Delights
- Flammkuchen: Often described as a German-style pizza, the Flammkuchen has a very thin, crispy crust. The traditional topping is sour cream, thinly sliced onions, and bacon.
- Pretzels (Brezeln): You’ll find giant, soft pretzels hanging at many stalls. They’re a perfect German snack to munch on while you explore the market.
- Lángos: This Hungarian specialty has become a popular food at German Christmas markets. It’s a deep-fried flatbread often topped with sour cream and cheese.
Cozy Drinks at the Christmas Market
Warming up with a hot drink is an essential part of the German Christmas market experience. Most drinks are served in festive, decorative mugs that you can keep as a souvenir (by paying a small deposit, or Pfand).
Alcoholic Christmas Drinks
- Glühwein (Mulled Wine): This is the quintessential Christmas market drink. It is red wine spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and citrus, served warm or hot.
- Feuerzangenbowle (Fire-Tongs Punch): This is Glühwein with a show! A rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire above the wine, and the caramelizing sugar drips into the pot, giving it a richer, stronger flavor.
- Eierpunsch (Egg Punch): Similar to eggnog, this is a warm, creamy drink made with egg yolks, sugar, white wine, and vanilla. It is a sweet and boozy treat.
✦ Pro Tip: Enjoy local food and drinks with this wonderful Christmas Markets Food Tour in Munich.
Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks
- Kinderpunsch (Kids’ Punch): For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, this is a warm fruit punch typically made from apple or cherry juice and hibiscus tea spiced with cinnamon and cloves. It’s a delicious way for kids (and adults!) to enjoy a festive, warm drink at the German Christmas markets.
- Heisse Schokolade (Hot Chocolate): Perfect for all ages, the hot chocolate at German markets is rich and creamy, often topped with whipped cream.
- Salep: A beloved Turkish winter beverage, salep is made from powdered orchid root mixed with milk to create a creamy, aromatic drink. Often topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s a comforting drink to have in winter.
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