A Taste of Alsace: Typical Dishes You Must Try in Colmar

1. Choucroute Garnie – The Quintessential Alsatian Feast

If there is one dish that defines Alsace, it is choucroute garnie. This hearty meal consists of sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) cooked slowly in white wine, juniper berries, and spices, and served with an assortment of sausages, smoked pork, ham, and sometimes potatoes. It’s robust, tangy, and perfectly warming on a cool day. In Colmar, you’ll find it served in traditional winstubs—rustic wine taverns—where it pairs beautifully with a glass of local Riesling or Sylvaner.

2. Baeckeoffe – A Slow-Cooked Comfort Dish

Baeckeoffe, meaning “baker’s oven,” is another Alsatian classic that speaks to the region’s culinary traditions. It’s a casserole made from a mix of marinated meats—typically pork, lamb, and beef—layered with potatoes, onions, and leeks, and slowly baked in white wine and herbs. Traditionally, Alsatian women would prepare the dish and leave it with the baker to cook in his oven while they attended church. The result is a deeply flavorful, tender stew that captures the essence of Alsatian comfort food.

3. Tarte Flambée (Flammekueche) – The Alsatian Pizza

One of the most beloved dishes in Alsace is tarte flambée, or flammekueche in the local dialect. Resembling a thin-crust pizza, it’s topped with crème fraîche, onions, and smoky bacon lardons, then baked quickly in a wood-fired oven until crispy. You’ll find endless variations around Colmar—some with cheese, mushrooms, or even sweet toppings like apples and cinnamon. It’s perfect for sharing over a glass of Pinot Blanc in one of Colmar’s cozy brasseries.

4. Foie Gras – A French Delicacy with Alsatian Roots

Though foie gras is often associated with southwestern France, Alsace claims to be its true birthplace. This rich, buttery delicacy made from duck or goose liver is often served as a pâté or terrine, accompanied by toasted brioche and a sweet fig or onion chutney. In Colmar’s fine dining restaurants, you can enjoy it paired with a glass of the region’s famous Gewürztraminer, whose floral notes complement the dish beautifully.

5. Kougelhopf – A Sweet Alsatian Tradition

No visit to Colmar would be complete without tasting kougelhopf, a distinctive yeast cake baked in a fluted mold and sprinkled with almonds and powdered sugar. Lightly sweetened and often filled with raisins soaked in brandy, it’s ideal for breakfast or an afternoon treat with coffee. Many Colmar bakeries proudly display their kougelhopf in their windows, tempting visitors with its golden crust and irresistible aroma.

A Culinary Journey in the Heart of Alsace

From savory stews to delicate pastries, Colmar offers a true taste of Alsace’s culinary soul. Each dish tells a story of tradition, warmth, and the region’s unique blend of French and German influences. Whether you’re enjoying a steaming plate of choucroute garnie or savoring a slice of kougelhopf by the canal, dining in Colmar is a journey through history—one delicious bite at a time.

• Aux Armes de Colmar
  2 b Rue Rapp,
  T: 03 89 41 46 23.

• Wistub Brenner
  1 Rue Turenne,
  T: 03 89 41 42 33.

• Brasserie des Tanneurs
  12 Rue des Tanneurs,
  T: 03 89 41 88 05.

• Le Petit Tanneur
  2 Rue des Tanneurs,
  T: 09 73 17 79 19.

• L'Alsako
  50 Grand’Rue,
  T: 03 89 20 83 96
  
  

Some restaurants serving typical Alsatian food in Colmar: