Christmas market season is finally here – and so are the delicious festive foods. With over 640,000 searches for “Christmas market” and an 80% surge in demand for “Christmas market food” this past month, it’s clear that cuisine is at the heart of the festive market experience.
To help foodies find the best bites, experts at Travel Republic have revealed the trending Christmas market foods and where to travel to enjoy them authentically.
The top TRENDING Christmas market foods
Rank | Christmas Market Food | Search Increase Over Past Month | Search Volume |
1 | Lebkuchen | 504% | 87,000 |
2 | Yorkshire pudding wrap | 447% | 6,000 |
3 | Mulled wine | 261% | 55,000 |
4 | Currywurst | 53% | 24,000 |
5 | Raclette | 50% | 100,000 |
6 | Chimney cake | 17% | 9,000 |
7 | Churros | 8% | 76,000 |
8 | Dutch pancakes | 4% | 5,000 |
Lebkuchen is the top trending Christmas market food for 2024
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Originating in Nuremberg, Germany, Lebkuchen is a beloved gingerbread infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Often decorated or dipped in chocolate, this soft cookie brings seasonal warmth to Christmas markets worldwide. With an impressive 504% increase in searches this past month, as the festive season begins, it’s one of the favourite food contenders at Christmas markets this year. It can be best enjoyed authentically in Germany’s Bavarian markets.
Demand for Yorkshire Pudding Wrap soars 447%
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A British twist on festive traditions, the Yorkshire pudding wrap is filled with roast meats, stuffing, and gravy, making for a hearty meal on the go. With a 447% increase in searches in the past month, as the countdown for Christmas begins, it’s becoming a sought-after snack across the UK, with authentic options available in places like Leeds and York.
Mulled Wine searches skyrocket 261%
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A European winter classic, mulled wine is a warming spiced drink flavoured with oranges, cloves, and cinnamon. Popular in Germany and Austria, it’s perfect for chilly evenings. With a 261% rise in searches in the past month, it’s clear that this warm tipple is in increasing demand as we approach the festive season. Authentic stalls in Vienna, open from the 8th of November, and Cologne, open from the 18th of November, offer some of the best-tasting mulled wine.
24,000 Brits are desperate for a Currywurst this festive season
A Berlin street food classic, currywurst is sliced bratwurst topped with spiced curry ketchup, often served with fries. With 24,000 searches in the past month alone, it’s an authentic street food tradition in Germany, best enjoyed in Berlin’s festive markets and stalls which open their doors from the 25th of November.
Raclette – a true taste of Switzerland with a 504% increase in demand
Raclette is a beloved cheese dish traditionally prepared by melting a wheel of raclette cheese and scraping the gooey layer onto potatoes, bread, or pickles. This rich, savoury treat is a seasonal favourite at Swiss Christmas markets, where it’s served piping hot and perfectly captures the cosy spirit of the season. With over 100,000 searches, an increase in demand of 50% this month, the fondue-like snack is the number one favourite for seasonal market food lovers, especially when enjoyed at authentic Swiss markets.
Chimney cakes are a sweet Hungarian staple
Originating in Hungary but widely popular in Prague, chimney cake is a cylindrical pastry coated in sugar and cinnamon, sometimes filled with Nutella or ice cream. With a 17% rise in searches in the past month, this popular “TikTokkable” treat is best experienced at Prague’s bustling Christmas markets.
76,000 Brits are craving Churros
While churros hail from Spain, they’ve become a staple at Christmas markets in the UK, served warm and dusted with sugar, perfect for dipping in rich chocolate. With 76,000 searches, these cosy treats are increasingly popular at festive markets across the UK.
Dutch Pancakes are the perfect treat at festive markets
These fluffy mini pancakes from the Netherlands are served warm with powdered sugar and butter. With 5,000 searches in the past month, they’re an in-demand sweet market treat. For a truly Dutch experience, they’re best enjoyed at festive markets in Amsterdam.