The sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies, the comforting flavors of a perfectly cooked meal … there are few things as nostalgic as the smells, sights and tastes of the holiday season. Many agree, there’s something magical about this time of year, and in Europe, the feeling is taken to another level thanks to the festive whimsy of seasonal Christmas markets, places where all the best qualities of the season are put brightly on display. If these Yuletide celebrations have found a spot on your bucket list, you’re probably familiar with the image of their twinkling lights, neatly lined stalls selling handcrafted gifts and trinkets and, perhaps most importantly for foodie travelers, their wide selection of merry meals.
Wondering what’s on the menu? Read on to learn why you won’t want to miss sampling these nine iconic Christmas market eats.
Raclette
A dish you’ll smell long before you taste it, Raclette is a cheese originating from Switzerland that’s best-known among marketgoers for its pungent odor. Commonly paired with boiled potatoes, pickled onions and gherkins, this unsavory fromage is well-loved despite its aroma, with those who enjoy it calling the combined flavors delicious and, in some cases, more indulgent than fondue.
Pierogies
The most delightful little dumplings filled with the likes of potatoes, cheese, quark, mushrooms, fruits, berries, and my personal favorite, sauerkraut, pierogies are a beloved Polish dish that — while more elusive than tried-and-true contenders like bratwurst, bier and roasted nuts — are known to make the rare appearance at European Christmas markets. For the best shot at sampling this tasty dish, try visiting cities like Krakow, Warsaw, Poznań and Gdańsk, each of which serves them throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Glühwein
A must for fans of adult beverages, Glühwein is a hot mulled wine that’s best enjoyed when served in a tiny collectable mug commemorating your visit. Originating from Germany, this seasonal concoction is a tasty combination of red wine and mulling spices with some recipes also calling for raisins. Glühwein can be found at most any Christmas market in Germany and is known to make visitors feel merry from the inside out.
Lángos
Hailing from Hungary, Lángos is a deep-fried flatbread typically topped with sour cream, garlic, and grated cheese. The dish is akin to a personal pizza and can also be served with sweet toppings for those with a hankering for something a bit more lavish. Lángos is commonly found at holiday markets in Budapest as well as celebrations throughout Germany.
Currywurst
A simplistic, but downright delicious combination of weißwurst (a traditional Bavarian sausage), ketchup and curry powder, the German currywurst has no right being so scrumptious. Already a heavenly amalgam of flavors on its own, the no-frills sausage is made even better with a side of French fries and even more ketchup. Travelers can try currywurst at almost any Christmas market in Germany.
Stollen
A baked fruit bread filled with nuts, spices and dried or candied fruit, stollen is a zesty holiday treat commonly found throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austria. A must-try sweet at any Christmas market, these loaves are made even more indulgent with a topping of powdered or iced sugar and a hearty side of jam, honey or butter.
Chimney Cakes
Dracula isn’t the only thing to come out of Transylvania. Instead, holiday marketgoers can sink their not-so-pointy fangs into chimney cakes, a scrumptiously sweet pastry founded in Romania in the 14th century. Consisting of baked dough coated in oil and sugar, fans of the dessert compare it to a hot pretzel, saying its soft, doughy inside is unmatched in flavor and deliciousness.
Käsespätzle
Is there anything better than a hearty pasta dish on a brisk winter day? We, and the Germans, think not. Akin to a decadent version of macaroni and cheese, käsespätzle combines delicious spätzle — a Central European egg noodle — with oozy cheese and caramelized onions to create the ultimate comfort food.
Lebkuchen
What’s Christmas without a healthy selection of cookies? While those visiting festive time markets will find no shortage of mouthwatering treats to choose from, in Germany, no winter gathering is complete without lebkuchen, honey-sweetened cakes similar to gingerbread. Dating to the 13th century when cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg first arrived in Europe, lebkuchen has been a holiday staple in the region ever since.
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