One of the best things about Germany is the food. I know what you’re thinking; German food, really? Yes! At Christmas in particular, there is little better than strolling through a Christmas market and sampling all of the food you can whilst drinking gluhwein. Munich does this better than most and you will find yourself in a foodie paradise. If you’re looking for the best food at the Munich Christmas markets, this one’s for you.
Best Food at the Munich Christmas Markets
Savoury
Bratwurst in a bun
This should be your entry-tier, but it is certainly one of the all-time greats. A fried bratwurst in a crusty roll, with onions and sweet, honey mustard is incredible. You can find these almost everywhere in the markets and you’ll have to do a bit of sampling to find the best. Don’t be one of those people who puts only ketchup on it, it’s not the German way.
Käsespätzle
My husband’s favourite is the German mac n’ cheese. However, I think Germany does it better. For starters, the cheese sauce is just melted cheese mixed into the thick egg noodles. Then, they place crispy onions on top. It is one of the best dishes to try and is perfect for a cold evening.
Weisswurst
The signature dish of Munich is a Weisswurst. Traditionally served with beer (because, why not?), this tasty little sausage is another must-try in Germany. I’ll be honest, it is more of an acquired taste than Bratwurst, but the best ones are served in Munich.
Pretzel
The ultimate comfort food when strolling through the market, the humble pretzel is done best in Bavaria. Whether you are a fan of plain, salty or sweet, the Germans have you covered. Personally, I do enjoy a nice salty pretzel as an afternoon snack. The chewy bread is just so moreish! Pro tip – try and get a pretzel roll for your Bratwurst. You won’t regret it.
Kartoffelsuppe (Potato Soup)
Okay, okay, potato soup might not sound like the tastiest dish. Hear me out though, I personally think that this is ideal for a cold evening. It is creamy and surprisingly tasty and is perfectly paired with a humble German role. Trust me on this; once you have tried potato soup, you won’t look back.
Rahm Schmankerl
If you like a blanco pizza, this one could change your life. Essentially, a Rahm Schmankerl is a flatbread with a creamy cheese sauce on top. Then, they layer bacon and green onions for the toppings. It is so good and is almost like a posh pizza. Definitely worth trying.
Kartoffelpuffer
Do you like hash browns? Meet their German and infinitely more tasty cousin! These delectable little bites are effectively like a hybrid of an onion bhaji and hash brown, but without any spice. They’re crunchy and delicious and you should try them.
Flammkuchen
The German pizza is a bit of a showstopper. It is similar to the Rahm Schmankerl, but has a bit more of a solid cheese topping. You can also get different varieties of toppings to make your flammkuchen extra special. The tricky part is that your travel buddy might try to steal your slice… Trust me.
Dresdner Handbrot (Stuffed Bread)
Another doughy addition now with stuffed bread. These crispy doughballs are stuffed with meats, veggies or cheeses and are lovely and tasty. They are very filling, but definitely are some of the best food at the Munich Christmas markets.
Pommes Frites (French Fries)
Germany does french fries (or chips, here in the UK) well. Served with a thick dollop of mayonnaise, these crispy fries are ideal snacks throughout the day or evening. Whilst they are not exclusive to Germany, they are a world-wide dependable that is there to help you.
Sweet
Roasted Almonds
We’ll start off with a humble little addition to the best food at the Munich Christmas markets list. Sugar and nuts are a match made in heaven and the Germans in particular love them. The smell is incredible and these are wonderful little snacks to have in the evening.
Lebkuchen
Spiced cookies are a must-have when you are at the Munich Christmas markets. They come in many different varieties and have pieces of fruit / nuts in them. Either way, you probably will need to sample a fair few of them… Just to make sure you have had all of the flavours.
Elisenlebkuchen
Similar to lebkuchen, but a softer Bavarian speciality. You are probably going to find these more frequently in the Munich Christmas markets than the Lebkuchen. I personally prefer these as I love the soft, sweet texture of the dough. Again, you will likely need to sample a fair few to get all the different varieties.
Fruchtspieße (Fruit Skewers)
A ‘healthy’ option now. These are skewers of fruit that are then dipped in chocolate or yoghurt. You can get a whole range of different fruits and they all look incredible. Most importantly, it’s a very easy way to get your five a day!
Candied Apples
Nothing quite says Christmas in Germany like a candied apple on a stick. This classic go-to is incredibly pretty and tasty. Similar to the fruit skewers, an easy way to get your five a day. You may as well have both to stay healthy, before having another bratwurst…
Crepes
Whilst not traditionally German, a chocolate crepe is a perfect accompaniment to walking around a market. You can also get it with a lot of other toppings at various stands. If you want, you could also have a savoury one, but I’m not sure it can compete with the other entries.
Marzipan
The Germans love marzipan and you can find a lot of it at the Munich Christmas markets. It is just so utterly delicious and comes in many different shapes and colours. Shop around to find the best ones for you; there will be a lot of it!
Apple Strudel
Arguably the king of sweet German dishes now. Whilst it isn’t always at the markets, when you are in Germany you have to have some. If you cannot find a stall selling it, it is your duty to go and find a cafe that does. Strudel with whipped cream is a marriage made in heaven.
Schneeballen (Snowballs)
Nothing says Christmas like snowballs! A good Schneeballen is fantastic, especially when covered in different chocolate. I love these German cakes and made sure that my husband had some in Heidelberg last Christmas. Safe to say, he was a convert and if you have some, you will too.
Stollen
At home, we make sure we are stocked up on Stollen for the Christmas season. I love the sweet dough and the icing on top. It probably is because of my German heritage that we get it each year. Either way, make sure you have some in Munich. You won’t regret it.
You can also find me on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Did you know that I also vlog my travel adventures? I would love you to subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you never miss an episode… SUBSCRIBE HERE
Other posts that may help you:
- The Best Christmas Markets in Nordrhein-Westfalen [2023]
- What to do in Düsseldorf at Christmas Time! [2023]
- What to do in Heidelberg Germany
Thank you for reading and I hope I have inspired you with a few ideas for Christmas Time in Munich. If you have any questions about the items on my list or the city in general, please do get in touch in the comments below.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your family and friends!
Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
