What to Eat at the Frankfurt Christmas Market
Updated August 9th, 2019
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There were three main reasons I wanted to visit Frankfurt, Germany at Christmastime. The first was because of the neighborhoods and the second was because I had always wanted to go to a German Christmas market. The third reason, and what really got me was all the different foods at the Frankfurt Christmas Market!
If you know me you were probably guessing the third reason had to do with food! While German Christmas market food is popular in general, I read that the Frankfurt Christmas Market was known especially for its culinary options. After that I knew it was decided that I would stay in Frankfurt.
What to Eat at the Frankfurt Christmas Market
My goal at the Frankfurt Market was to try as much food as possible. It’s hard when most of the items are rich meats, fried or sugary breads and desserts. Instead of eating less I find that if you have some fruit and veggies in between, everything balances out!
Wursts
Sausages are well known in Germany. There are numerous varieties available at the market. The choices were listed in German so I just pointed to a kind that looked good and went with that. A maneuver that I am well accustomed to in Russia. It tasted like a good quality brat from Wisconsin. Often at markets and fairs the delicious meat is served in store bought bread. Here the bun was just as fresh and delicious as the meat.
Kürtőskalács
Some markets are known for having food from other countries as well as German specialities. A baumstrizel or a Kürtőskalács is a Hungrain cake. To me it seemed like a fresh out of the oven pretzel that was coated in a topping of your choice. I choose for mine to be covered in Oreo crumbles.
Chili con Carne
Another non-German speciality. It was delicious, but very hearty. That made it hard to keep eating more food after I ordered this.
German Cookies
Many stalls contain German cookies. Look for the ones that are special to Frankfurt.
Bethmannchen: A traditional Frankfurt Christmas cookie. It is made with marzipan, flour, powdered sugar, rosewater and egg.
Brenton: Another traditional marzipan based Christmas cookie exclusive to Frankfurt.
Schokofrüchte
Many options of chocolate covered fruit are available. I tried one with strawberries and kiwi.
Gebrannte Mandeln
A huge variety of candied nuts available with all sorts of flavors. They are one of the easiest things to snack on as you peruse all the stalls.
Schaumkusse
Dome shaped chocolate covered marshmallow concoctions. I overhead someone describing this treat by saying “it is good for the first couple of bits, but then it is too sweet”. My thoughts exactly after I tried it!
Kartoffelpuffer
Fried potato pancakes with applesauce on the side.
Lebukuchen
Gingerbread, known as lebukuchen, is available in a variety of types. There are a lot of gingerbread hearts with various sayings on them. These wrapped lebkuchen hearts are a perfect treat to bring back home to family and friends.
Soup in a Bread Bowl
For the first time out of Wisconsin I ate Goulash. It can get pretty chilly in Frankfurt in December. If the cold is getting to you definitely go for a soup in a bread bowl.
Crepes
There are several varieties of crepe and waffle stands throughout the market. I had a perfectly folded warm nutella filled crepe.
Unfortunately my stomach was only so big, so I missed out on trying:
Pretzels
Seriously so many different kinds and the are huge too!
Candy
Numerous candy and sweet treat stalls.
Gluhwein
A warm mulled red wine. I wasn’t too disappointed that I missed out on Gluhwein, but it’s one of the classic drinks and a favorite of many people.
What looks the best to you? When you arrive at the Frankfurt Christmas Market what food stall will be your first stop?
Frankfurt Christmas Market Visiting Information
Where
The center of the Christmas market in Frankfurt is in the Alstadt (Old Town) around the Römer (Town Hall).
How to Get There
Accessible on foot from most areas in Frankfurt. If you are coming for the day you can take a train to the Frankfurt Main Hbf station.
More Information
For information on events and hours and more see the official website.
Toilets
There are pay toilets near the Römer, the town hall which is where the heart of the market is.
Where to Stay in Frankfurt
I stayed at Hotel Spenerhaus. It was only about a 5 minute walk to the Christmas market, but had a much lower price tag then the hotels in the square. Other than the church bells in the morning it is very quiet. A different treat on my pillow every night was a nice touch. It was a economical choice that was nice and clean. For some other options I would recommend the Alstadt and surrounding area. I wouldn’t stay directly around the train station or the Red light district. Here to look for some options.
More About Frankfurt
- Frankfurt: Christmas Market
- Frankfurt: Christmas Goethe Cruise
- Frankfurt: Neighborhoods & What to Do
- Day Trip from Frankfurt: Rüdesheim
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24 Comments
Chandler
Love this! Did you try any curry wurst? That was a big thing at the Christmas markets in Cologne! They were AMAZING
admin
No, I don’t think I did. It sounds really good though. There are so many options to choose from!
Erika
I LOVE Christmas markets! I expected this list to be all meat-heavy foods, but I’m so happy to see Gluhwein and Kurtoskalacs on here too! I had my first Kurtoskalac in Slovakia and I can say it changed my life haha 🙂
admin
I know Kürtőskalács are amazing! There were a lot of meat-heavy foods, but plenty of non-meat options too! I don’t think anyone could go hungry at the market 🙂
WhodoIdo
The food in Christmas markets is the best! A great way to sample the local savoury and sweet treats. I love strolling through the markets with a glass of Gluwein in hand. Oh my the sausages in the bun look amazing! I’ve not tried chimney cake with oreo – I usually go for the cinnamon sugar. Looks like I might have to book a trip to Frankfurt next year!
admin
Absolutely! I loved being surrounded by so many tasty food options 🙂
Angela Bigonia
Wow! So many delicious foods to choose from! I would love to try the Schaumkusse, as I am a sucker for marshmallow treats.
admin
I know they were all so good! The Schaumkusse was really good, but almost a little too sweet for me!
Nicole Hunter
Did you eat all of that on one visit? If you did, I am completely in awe of you! I have to say practically everything you listed would be a favourite of mine. I love bratwurst, goulash, pretzels, and chocolate covered anything! Lol! Sounds like an amazing time.
admin
Haha, I did eat all of it over one trip, but I made several separate visits to the market! I’m always hungry so it is perfect to eat something every couple of hours when passing through on my way to somewhere else 🙂
Shreya Saha
The food in the Christmas markets look so delicious. All of them you have listed look so good – I would need to visit the market in 2-3 consecutive days to taste everything it has to offer. I like that they keep both German and non-German foods. That’s how other cuisines influence local cuisines. The Kürtőskalács seem to be tasty, so are the candied nuts, potato pancakes, chocolate dipped marshmallow.
admin
There is so much food! My stomach just couldn’t handle trying everything in the time I visited.
Yara
Love this holiday market coverage! Great photos- will surely help me with my next trip.
admin
Thanks, glad it helps!
Jackie
You’ve described so many delicious choices to this foodie, I think I would have to make several visits to the Frankfurt Christmas Market to experience it all! If I had to choose, I would begin with brats on a fresh roll (that was quite a grill!) and end with the Brenton cookies. I love the fact that the cookies are exclusive to Frankfurt. And then, I’ll have one of everything else in between! LOL
admin
I know, I attempted to try as much as I could!
Lisa
Why did I read this post on an empty stomach! I’ve just returned from the Warsaw Christmas markets, and also devoured some of those Hungarian funnel cakes. Wurst is absolutely delicious, and don’t get me started on the chocolate covered marshmallows, just delicious!!
admin
I know so many delicious foods to try! I will have to visit the Warsaw Christmas markets sometime!
Medha Verma
Oh I love Christmas food! I was in Austria last year for Christmas and just returned from Budapest and I was hogging on all this amazing food while I was there. I had some of the best Kürtőskalács and one every day while I was in Budapest and a lot of Wursts every day in Austria. But the best thing I ever had in a Christmas market is the mulled wine 😉
admin
Christmas market food is the best! So many great choices.
Arabela
Omg I visited there too last winter when I was back in Germany for Christmas. I actually recognize a lot of the stalls from the pictures and I ate from a few of them.
The Fearless Foreigner
Very nice! It’s such a great market, isn’t it?
Carolin
My absolute favourite savoury dish from our German Christmas Market is a Hungarian flatbread called “Langos”. It’s deep-fried and then topped with sour cream, ham, cheese and garlic. Sheer heaven!
In Dresden, they also serve “Dresden Handbread” which is a small bread/bigger roll filled with a savoury hot filling. It can be cheese and ham, cheese and mushrooms and topped with a big dollop of sour cream. So, so good.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
The Fearless Foreigner
So many good things to eat at the Christmas markets!