The dock of delights - Rohan Terrace, Fish market square
Top tips spotted by locals
Sit back and relax on Terrasse Rohan, and watch the stars twinkling on the quayside right before your eyes! Almost 400 stars have been hung from the Pont du Corbeau to the Pont Saint Guillaume to highlight the city's rich historical and architectural heritage. And a few metres away, at the Historical Museum, the "Place à Gutenberg" exhibition* awaits you to learn everything about the Gutenberg monument erected in 1840 in Strasbourg during the 400th anniversary of the invention of printing. And the traditions of Alsatian Christmases will no longer hold any secrets for you thanks to the Alsatian Museum, 23 - 25 quai Saint Nicolas!
Gingerbread, sweets, and other Christmas treats have been the focus of attention since the Middle Ages at the St Nicholas market and again from 1570 when it was replaced by the Chrìstkìndelsmärik. The Christmas Market is first and foremost a fantastic place to do your holiday shopping!
The dock of delights is ideal for lovers of gourmet food. Here, you'll find all the right flavors to enjoy with friends over a delicious meal, to give as a tasty gift, or even just to tide you over until the big day.
On Terrasse Rohan 6 , discover excellent grape varieties from the region’s estates offered by the Tribu des Gourmets. Sweet palates can indulge in traditional Bredle cookies, which are now enriched with new flavors and specialties. And let yourself be tempted by the delicious creations from the bakers of the Fédération des Boulangeries du Bas-Rhin.
Take the opportunity to admire the view towards the Ill, where you’ll see boats bobbing on the river and pedestrians strolling along the quayside, or board a Batorama boat to sail through the traditions and stories of Alsatian Christmas during a chocolate cruise. Info and reservation: batorama.com
Just next door, in the place du Marché-aux-Poissons, continue your culinary journey with a selection of hoppy beers and other savory, mouthwatering dishes.
*Project labelled Strasbourg World Book Capital UNESCO 2024
Strasbourg capital of christmas food
There's one festive treat that no Strasbourger will ever forget: the Bredle, those little biscuits cut out with a cookie cutter before baking, whose mouth-watering aroma wafts pleasantly through every home in the run-up to Christmas. But this sweet treat is just one of many local Christmas specialties that delight foodies of all ages. Wherever you go, you'll come across plenty of stalls serving traditional drinks and snacks. Your taste buds are in for a treat: Strasbourg, Capital of Christmas, is opening up its kitchens to you!
The bakers and winegrowers of the dock of delights
The Quai des Délices is a perfect place to (re)discover the sweet tastes of an Alsatian Christmas. On site, the Fédération des Boulangeries du Bas-Rhin welcomes you to make you drool in front of all its artisanal specialties* made in the pop-up bakery. Traditions, local products, know-how and "homemade" goods are the pillars of the profession.
After work or after having walked through the different squares of the Christmas Markets, enjoy a festive getaway at the Tribu des Gourmets to taste an authentic mulled wine made with white wine from Alsace*. A friendly atmosphere is guaranteed in the traditional chalet that is fully open and decorated with barrels and wooden frames.
Make your own bredle
Bredle is a story of indulgence but above all of sharing. As the holidays approach, the Alsatians are keen to offer small bags wellstocked with their own biscuits.
You too, why not get started in the production of Bredle with traditional or more original recipes? You will find some inspiring collections in Strasbourg bookstores, and also in this booklet concocted by the agents of the City of Strasbourg, and accessible at noel.strasbourg.eu.
And to make your Bredle, keep your eyes open, you could find not far from here a multitude of cookie cutters of all shapes to get you into the kitchen and dazzle your loved ones with your taste creations!
Winstubs and other restaurants
In Strasbourg, the range of restaurants on offer is like its inhabitants: generous! From the traditional winstub to the 100% plant-based restaurant, including world cuisines and other revisited specialties, there is something for every palate! Don't hesitate to push open their doors to discover our Alsatian specialties.
In Strasbourg, if you don't know how to pronounce ‘Flàmmekueche’ in the Alsatian style, you can just say ‘tarte flambée’, which means flame-grilled tart
* For your health, avoid snacking between meals. Abuse of alcohol is harmful for your health.