Must-Try Austria Christmas Market Food

Glühwein and Punsch

It is cold outside, and hopefully, it will snow. The best way to warm up is a steaming mug of Glühwein, Christmas Punsch, or Hot Chocolate.

Glühwein is hot mulled red (rot) or white (weiß). The wine is warmed and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, orange, sugar and sometimes vanilla pods.

Punsch There are various types of punch that typically combine rum, vodka and/or brandy and fruit. You will find punch variations such as apple, orange, raspberry, strawberry, wildberry  mango, etc
The French aperitif  Lillet has been popular as a punch in recent years.

Ask for the Kinder Punsch if you want the non-alcoholic version

Ofen Kartoffel (Baked Potato)

A Baked Potato filled with various fillings such as cheese, sour cream, bacon, ham, corn etc.

Ofen Kartoffel is really a Christmas Market Speciality as it is the only time in the year that you can buy Baked Potatoes.

🌟 My favourite Ofen Kartoffel Stand is at the Dom and Residenzplatz Christmas Market in Salzburg.

Germknödel

It’s one of my favourite Austrian meals. It is a desert  that most Austrians tend to eat at lunch as a main course.

Germknödel is a typical Alpine treat served in every mountain alm and Christmas Market.

It is a warm steamed bun filled with plum jam (powder), dusted with powdered sugar and poppy seeds (mohn), and floating in vanilla sauce or melted butter.

What better way to warm you up after walking around Christmas Markets or skiing.

Kaiserschmarrn

Another Austrian dessert that can be a main course.

Kaiserschmarrn is a sweet chopped-up “pancake”, that is dusted in powdered sugar and served with applesauce or fruit compote.

It was Emperor Franz Josef’s favourite and found at every Christmas Market.

Goulasch

A popular and hearty and flavorful stew. It is made with a combination of beef, onions, peppers, and tomatoes and seasoned with a blend of paprika and caraway seeds.

At the Christmas Markets, you will also find Goulash soup served in a bread bowl.

Gulasch is typically served with dumplings (Knödel) in restaurants.

Soup

Pumpkin (Kurbis), Garlic (Knoblach), and Goulash soup are served in a bread bowl.

The secret is to start eating the soup and slowly tear the bread bowl, dipping the bread into the soup.

🌟My favourite Soup stands are at the Vienna Stephensdom, Schönbrunn Christmas Market and Salzburg Dom Christmas Market.

Gröstl

Another potato dish. Gröstl is a hearty and flavorful potato dish popular in the mountain regions.

It consists of fried potatoes, onions, and bits of cooked meat, such as beef or pork.

Just what you need to give you a burst of energy.

Käsepätzle or Käsnock

A typical Alpine speciality, the far superior Austrian mac and cheese.

Käsespätzle is made with Burgkase (a typical sharp cheese from the mountains) and topped with fried, crispy onions.

Salivating just thinking about it. It’s one of my favourite Austrian dishes.
🌟 My favourite Christmas Market Käsespätzle (and I have tried many) are from the Hellbrunn Christmas Market in Salzburg and the Vienna Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt (pictured)

Knödel

There are many different types of Knödel (dumplings), and they are very popular in Austria.

Austria’s most well-known type of knödel is probably Semmelknödel, made from bread crumbs and served with Goulash.  Fleischknödel (dumplings with meat filling) and  Kartoffelknödel is a potato dumpling are served with sauerkraut.

A Marillenknödel is a sweet dumpling filled with apricot jam.

🌟 My favourite is the Spinat (spinach) Knödel served with butter sauce- delicious!

Schupfnudeln

Schupfnudeln are thick, finger-shaped potato noodles, similar to gnocchi, and are a true Austrian comfort food. This versatile dish can be served savoury or sweet, making it a favourite at Christmas Markets and traditional restaurants alike. In southern Germany, particularly Bavaria, they are known as Fingernudeln (finger noodles).

🌟 One of my favourite places to enjoy Schupfnudeln is the Art Advent Christmas Market at Karlsplatz in Vienna.
Here, you’ll find a variety of versions, from sweet poppy seed (Mohn) noodles to hearty savoury and vegan options, each bursting with traditional Austrian flavours.

Langos

Langos originated in Hungary, a freshly fried flat, yeast dough pastry.
The original Langos is smeared with garlic butter and salt (my favourite), but now you can also get different toppings.

A Langos is one of the first things I eat at Christmas Markets.

🌟 My favourite places to find Langos are in Vienna: the Spittelberg Christmas Market (pictured), Stephansplatz Christkindlmarkt and the Rathaus Christmas Market  and the Salzburg Dom Christmas Market.

Käsekrainer 

A traditional thick sausage filled with small chunks of cheese and typically served with hot mustard (Scharf Senf) with a piece of bread or Semmeln (bread roll).
Every Christmas Market will have at least one Würstlestand (sausage stand).   
Most Würstlestande cut up Käsekrainer before serving, as one too many Käsekrainers have expelled hot cheese on unsuspecting diners.

Kartoffelpuffer/Erdäpfelpuffer

Grated potato pancakes (like a hashbrown) coated in garlic and topped with cheese, sour cream, bacon, etc.

🌟 One of my favourites is at the Spittelberg Christmas Market- where they make it fresh.  It is worth the wait!

Tiroler Kiachl / Bauernkrapfen

Kiachl, also known as Bauernkrapfen or “farmer’s donuts,” are a traditional Austrian fried yeast pastry originating from Tirol.

The dough is carefully stretched, deep-fried to golden perfection, and served either sweet—topped with jam and powdered sugar—or savoury, most famously with tangy sauerkraut.
Each bite captures the authentic taste of Tirol’s festive culinary traditions.

🌟 My personal favourite is the Kiachl mit Sauerkraut (pictured), which you can enjoy at the Original Kiachl Hut at the Art Advent Christmas Market in Vienna’s Karlsplatz, as well as at the Innsbruck Christmas Markets.

Bratkartoffeln and Maroni

Bratkartoffeln (roasted potato wedges) and Maroni (roasted chestnuts) are quintessential Austrian Christmas Market snacks.

Nearly every market has a hut serving these warming treats, and for just a few euros, they make the perfect festive snack while exploring the stalls.

You’ll also often find Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), golden and crispy, adding another delicious snack option.

In Vienna, these huts pop up not only at Christmas Markets but also on street corners, metro stops, and near major junctions.
There’s nothing quite like the irresistible aroma of roasting chestnuts and sizzling potatoes to signal that Advent has truly arrived.

Krapfen

Krapfen are soft, fluffy doughnuts, traditionally filled with apricot marmalade or a rich chocolate or vanilla cream, and lightly dusted with powdered sugar.

While they are most popular during the Fasching carnival season (from 11 November to Ash Wednesday), you can also find them at many Austrian Christmas Markets, offering a sweet, indulgent treat to enjoy while wandering the festive stalls.

Lebkuchen

No Austrian Christmas Market is complete without at least one hut selling Lebkuchen hearts.

These gingerbread-like biscuits are often decorated with colourful icing and sweet messages, making them a festive favourite for both tasting and gifting.

Other Festive Sweets

Austrian Christmas Markets are a paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth.
One of the most popular treats is the Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács), a traditional Hungarian pastry made from sweet yeast dough wrapped around a cylinder, baked over an open flame, and coated in toppings such as cinnamon sugar.

You’ll also find a tempting array of chocolate, chocolate-covered fruits, pastries, cookies, and virtually every sweet imaginable.
In Salzburg, don’t miss the famous Mozartkugeln pralines, a local speciality made with a pistachio-marzipan and nougat centre, enrobed in rich dark chocolate—a perfect festive indulgence.