Must-try Dishes
Choucroute Garnie - Sauerkraut with meats - A hearty dish of fermented cabbage, sausages, and salted meats, slow-cooked to perfection. Locals often enjoy this at family gatherings in winter months, sharing stories over steaming bowls.
Tarte Flambée - Flammekueche (Alsatian pizza) - A thin crust topped with crème fraîche, onions, and lardons, baked until crisp. Perfect for casual dinners, you’ll often find it in cozy eateries where you can grab a slice with friends.
Rösti - Potato pancakes - Grated potatoes fried until crispy, often served with cheese or garlic. Local diners enjoy them for breakfast, and they're great for soaking up the night's revelry after a late afternoon market visit.
Bredele - Alsatian Christmas cookies - While technically a treat, these spiced cookies sometimes take center stage at holiday meals. A cherished custom during Advent, you can find them shared among families after festive dinners.
Pork Knuckle - Eisbein - Tender, braised pork shank served with tangy mustard and warm sauerkraut. A popular choice in local beer gardens, this filling dish is often shared among friends during Sunday brunch.
Alsatian Onion Soup - Soupe à l’oignon - A rich broth with caramelized onions, topped with melted cheese and crusty bread. Best enjoyed in chilly evenings, this dish is often ordered as a comforting start to a relaxed dinner.
Kougelhopf - Yeast-based cake - A unique combination of bread and cake, studded with almonds and raisins, often served warm. This is a go-to for locals during Christmas time, enjoyed with friends while sharing stories of old traditions.
Seasonal Spargel - Asparagus - Freshly harvested white asparagus, steamed and served with hollandaise sauce. Usually enjoyed in spring, this dish is a local favorite at farmers' markets, best paired with a sunny afternoon.
Desserts & Drinks
Café Crème - Café Crème (rich coffee) - A luxurious blend of espresso topped with velvety frothed milk, often dusted with cocoa or cinnamon. Locals enjoy this delightful drink as a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon indulgence at neighborhood cafés.
Riesling - Riesling d'Alsace (white wine) - Elegant and aromatic, this local white wine boasts floral notes with crisp acidity, originating from the vineyard-rich Alsace region. Perfectly paired with local cheeses, it's often savored during leisurely Sunday lunches in the countryside.
Kugelhopf - Kugelhopf (yeast-based cake) - A delightful yeast cake studded with raisins and almonds, often flavored with a hint of rum and baked in a distinctive ring mold. Commonly shared during festive seasons like Christmas, it has a wonderfully moist texture that just begs to be paired with coffee.
Goutte de Miel - Goutte de Miel (honey ice cream) - Creamy ice cream infused with local honey, offering a delicate sweetness that’s incredibly refreshing. Best enjoyed in the summer months at outdoor stands, it's a delightful treat after a stroll through the beautiful Petite France.
Vin Chaud - Vin Chaud (hot spiced wine) - A cozy mulled wine brewed with red wine, cinnamon, cloves, and citrus, served warm to chase away the winter chill. It's a typical staple at Christmas markets, where the delightful aroma fills the air with holiday cheer. By the way, don’t be surprised if you see locals sipping this at any outdoor gathering during the colder months!
