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  >  Europe   >  France   >  What to Eat in Strasbourg, France | 5 Delectable Strasbourg Foods to Try
alsatian food choucroute garnie

The region of Alsace has bounced between German and French hands thoughout history, with sovereignty finally ending up with France at the conclusion of World War II. But not before generations of its citizens were forced to change nationality multiple times.

You can only imagine how painful and difficult this must’ve been for people who had long considered themselves to be French, to suddenly be German, or vice versa. Add in having to fight for one side or another in the various conflicts (like World War II), sometimes against their will, and you get the picture.

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Strasbourg Food

One positive thing that came out of all that tragedy though, is Strasbourg food. It’s a pleasure to find meals that are purely French or German in the city, but indulge in the region’s distinct Alsatian cuisine for a unique experience. Alsatian food blends the culinary traditions of both countries, and deciding what to eat in Strasbourg might be the most pleasurable thing you do on your visit.

what to eat in strasbourg - knack

Our gracious hosts filled us in on what to eat in Strasbourg

We were lucky enough to stay with our friend Louis and his parents in their delightful home just outside the city’s historic centre. Having these life time residents show us around and introduce us to all the region’s specialties (sometimes home-made with great effort) was more than we could’ve hoped for.

It’s not the only reason I totally fell in love with Strasbourg, but it’s definitely a big part.

What to eat in Strasbourg

You won’t have difficulty finding something delicious to eat in Strasbourg. The hardest part is that there’s only 3 meals in a day.

Galettes / Crepes

Galettes and crepes are decidedly French. And in the city’s Petite France, you can have une version incroyable at Strasbourg restaurant, Creperie Le Moulin du Diable. This is the place local residents recommend and we were lucky to get reservations, which are definitely required.

Galettes are made of sarrasin (buckwheat) flour and always contain savoury ingredients, whereas crepes are made from wheat flour, and may be either sweet or savoury. On Louis’ recommendation, we ordered galettes, and I could definitely feel a textural difference. It also seemed healthier (cuz buckwheat is good, right?), never mind the butter, cheese and sauce.

Flammekueche or Tarte Flambee

Don’t make the mistake of calling the tarte flambée a pizza, especially in front of a resident of Strasbourg.

We teased Louis mercilessly about this, to which he always insisted empathetically, “IT’S NOT PIZZA! You’ll see.” And he was proven right on our last night, when we forwent a Strasbourg restaurant and headed to the small village of Lampertheim to try it at local favourite, D’Steinmuehl.

We were ultimately presented with a super thin rectangle of dough, topped with (in its most classic version) soft cheese, lardons, and onions, which were set ablaze. As soon as the fire was out, each slice was rolled up and popped into our mouths just as quickly as possible. Five variations of tarte flambée later, we called it a night. But only when we could no longer force a single morsel more into our stomachs.

Things to eat in Strasbourg: French pastries

Whether you choose to visit the south of France, Alsace, or pretty much anywhere else in the country – it goes without saying, that French pastries are pretty much the best in the world.

We stopped by the friendly neighbourhood bakery often (ok, everyday) for croissants, tarts and breads, and they were some of the most delicious I’ve ever had.

what to eat in strasbourg - pastries

Pastry perfection in Strasbourg

And if you get tired of all the sweet, sweet goodness, you can order yourself an Alsatian Bretzel – a twisted piece of dough precooked in boiling water. It’s usually sprinkled with sea salt and caraway seed before being dried in an oven.

Must eat in Strasbourg: Choucroute Garnie

Choucroute Garnie (garnished sauerkraut) might be the most classic Alsatian food of them all. Traditionally made in wintertime because of the ultra long cooking time in the oven, it’s sauerkraut topped with a veritable smorgasbord of fresh, smoked, and salted pork.

We were lucky enough to dine on a home-cooked version, which was undoubtedly better than any Strasbourg restaurant version, but good choucroute garnie can be found almost anywhere in Alsace.

choucroute garnie

Wondering what to eat in Strasbourg? Choucroute garnie should be at the top of your list.

Vins D’alsace

Wines in Alsace are primarily white, with strong Germanic influences, though rosés and reds are also produced. It’s most famous wine is the Gewürztraminer d’Alsace, an aromatic, off-dry white wine (and if that doesn’t sound German, I’m not sure what does). 😉

Have you ever tried Alsatian food? Do you have a Strasbourg restaurant to recommend? Share your cravings in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

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Comments:

  • September 15, 2017

    It all looks so good and I wanna try the Gewürztraminer d’Alsace wine too. Alsace is definitely on my bucketlist

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    • September 19, 2017

      I was surprised by how much I loved Alsace! I definitely want to go back and explore the area more fully one day…and of course, eat all the things. 😉

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  • July 2, 2017

    Wow, that looks good!!

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  • June 30, 2017

    Mmmm tarte flambee sounds pretty fabulous – Strasbourg is one of those cities which I’ve nearly visited a few times, always quite fancied and never quite managed to get to. One day, especially with these temptations awaiting me! I definitely fancy a galette now too 😀 Thanks for linking up with #citytripping

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    • July 1, 2017

      We only ended up there because we had a good friend that was heading back for the summer to visit his parents. And thank goodness we did, cuz I absolutely LOVED the city. I think you’d be pleasantly surprised by it. It’s really just lovely and very walkable, with a beautiful river, the Cathedral and so many delicious temptations around. Struthof, the only concentration camp in France is also about an hour’s drive from there…

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  • June 29, 2017

    Omg… I have heard so much about the amazing food in France, this is totally making me drool!! #CityTripping

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    • July 1, 2017

      We were traveling with our 8 month old baby at the time, and I have to say that even the bottled baby food in France was gourmet. They had stuff like creamed duck with peas and carrots. 😮 And literally EVERYTHING we ate there was amazing. (Except the coffee…I have to say I’m not a fan of French coffee).

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  • May 2, 2017

    Yup, France is like carb heaven! I’ve never had a gallete but I have had a savoury crepe- maybe that was a gallete. Haha who knows! I would love to visit France as an adult and eat so much wine, cheese and crepes!

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    • May 3, 2017

      Carb heaven indeed! To be a galette, the dough needs to be made out of buckwheat – something I learned on this trip!

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  • May 2, 2017

    But but but…it does look like pizza!!!

    Haha.

    Okay, now I am hungry, I think i can eat all the dishes mentioned in your post 😀

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    • May 3, 2017

      Don’t tell my friend Louis that. I think he might lose it. Haha. (but you’re right…it does look like pizza). 😉

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  • ravenoustravellers

    May 2, 2017

    I’ve just eaten lunch and this has made me hungry all over again! Big fan of galettes and crepes, they are so delicious especially with the egg in the middle. Those pastries look so good too! I want one!

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    • May 3, 2017

      Everything we ate there was yummy. When I think about the food we had in Strasbourg, I know I have to go back to France and spend a whole lot more time there, basically eating. 😉

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  • wrpalomo

    May 2, 2017

    The school where my sons go to, Dwight School Seoul, all be having a Spring Fair this coming May 13 with the theme “Tastes of the World”. And we have at least 2 French tables coming, one specialising in crepes! I am excited!!!! especially after looking at all these photos you’ve shared.

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    • May 3, 2017

      Ahh, that sounds like a wonderful experience for your boys. I wish I’d been introduced to all these different foods when I was young. Our little one has already tried truffles, Kobe beef, french bread and sushi. She’s gonna have some mighty interesting tastes when she’s grown I think… 🙂

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  • Rocio Cadena

    May 1, 2017

    Ahh French food is simply divine!! The cuisine from this region seems so interesting though, especially the one with all the sausages, it’s such a blend of both French and German influences. And the crepes look amazing! I’ve never really had a savory one, always preferring the sweet ones but the one you featured looks delish!

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    • May 3, 2017

      We were traveling with our 8 month old baby at the time, and I have to say that even the jarred baby food selection in France was just unbelievable. There was stuff like duck with carrots and apples – no wonder the food is so amazing there – they eat like kings from when they’re young babies.

      I’ve come to prefer savoury crepes over sweet ones…especially with a little egg and creamy sauce. Beyond delish – and actually writing up a post now about a little place in Seoul that makes savoury crepes for about 5,500krw a pop. 🙂

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  • May 1, 2017

    Sauerkraut! ooooh, that’s one of my favorites. Coming from Ohio where there are a LOT of German descendants, oh, I love anything with sauerkraut. I’m literally craving that now. I seriously need to learn how to make it so my inner German can come out. Loooove your foodie pics always.

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    • May 3, 2017

      Haha, I did not know about your inner German. I have been meaning to make sauerkraut at home, but I somehow never get around to it. I don’t think it’s supposed to be too difficult, just a little smelly.

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  • May 1, 2017

    Mmmm this food looks so delicious! I have a huge sweet tooth so I’m eyeing those desserts!

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    • May 3, 2017

      Those desserts were beyond delicious. I’m a little ashamed to admit that we indulged in at least 2 or 3 every single day. :p

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  • April 30, 2017

    Never had Alsatian food, but I can tell you that I’d devour everything from that list, especially the buckwheat pancakes and pastries. I’m usually not a huge fan of buckwheat pancakes, but makes in a thin form like a crepe with some egg and other stuff on top – yea, I think I’m salivating…

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    • May 3, 2017

      The galette was a definite highlight. The way that they put everything together, with the egg and different ingredients and sauces…it was SO delicious. We gained a few pounds from our week in Alsace, that’s for sure. :p

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  • April 29, 2017

    Your post made me hungry! The tarte flambee looks yummy! I would also try the sweets. It’s interesting to eat food I can’t even pronounce. ^^

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    • May 3, 2017

      Honestly, everything we ate in Strasbourg was wonderful, so no danger of eating something bad, even if you can’t pronounce the name properly. 😉

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  • April 29, 2017

    I love Strasbourg too! Last visit I found a wonderful cheese restaurant, La Cloche a Fromage. Does fondue and raclette for one person, which is often hard to find, and the most amazing selection of cheeses.

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    • May 3, 2017

      I had no idea what to expect of Strasbourg, but I really really loved everything about it. I’d love to live there for some time one day. Ooooh, I wish I’d found La Cloche a Fromage too…even the name of the restaurant is appetizing. Just means I’ll have to back for another visit. Poor me. 😉

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  • April 29, 2017

    I want everything! Especially the sweets 🙂

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    • May 3, 2017

      I could use a few of those myself right about now. I’d even be satisfied with a simple croissant from France. Yum!

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  • April 29, 2017

    My mouth is watering looking at all of these photos! If I had to choose one I would choose that tarte flambee! It’s like a crepe pizza! Yum!

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    • May 3, 2017

      The tarte flambée was truly delicious! We ate about 5 of them, and capped it off with a sweet apple one. Super affordable too. 🙂

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  • April 28, 2017

    Yummmm – (I’ll pass on the choucroute, though!) I love how every little region and sub-region of France has its own culinary treats. My all-time favorite is tartiflette (potatoes, cheese, lardons, and onions) from the Savoie area. I dream of tartiflette, and I’ve never seen it anywhere else.

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    • May 3, 2017

      Ok, well now I definitely have to go and search out the tartiflette. It sounds incredibly delicious, but really how can you go wrong with potatoes, cheese, lardons and onions. Though of course, being France, these simple ingredients have probably been elevated to nirvana levels! :p

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  • April 28, 2017

    Finally I know now the difference between a galette and a crepe! They look sooo similar but I suppose it is the wheat that separates them. I suppose they taste different too….if you blindfolded me I don’t know if I could tell which one is which 😀

    Haha, The tarte flambée really does look like pizza! And also it sounds like it is made how you would make a pizza….just thinner than thin crust pizza. Naia looks like she wants to eat all of those sausages in the kitchen 😀

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    • May 3, 2017

      Haha, I ALSO found out the difference on this trip! You’d be able to tell the difference for sure, because the galette really had a different texture and a more wholesome taste. Still completely delicious though. 🙂

      Lol, don’t tell my friend Louis it’s a pizza. He might have a meltdown. Poor guy. We teased him mercilessly about it. I never noticed Naia in that pic, but now that you’ve pointed it out…hahahaha, she looks like we never feed her!!!

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  • April 28, 2017

    This all sounds so delicious! Good thing I’m about to have dinner. Great photos.
    Alison

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    • May 3, 2017

      Right now, I’d love to transport myself back there for some amazing croissants and pastries to have with my morning coffee. 😉

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  • April 28, 2017

    That all looks absolutely divine, but especially the choucroute garnie! I could devour that every day for a week at least! I haven’t been many places in France but you are making me want to go back immediately to make up for that.I think I put on a few pounds just looking at that dessert pic! Yum!

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    • May 3, 2017

      I was never a big sauerkraut eater, but somehow in Korea, I started to really crave it. Weird right? Maybe it’s all the fermented foods here? Of course, you can’t actually get it here, so it’s a problem, so when our hosts cooked us this dish, I was in heaven. And it was just as delicious as I hoped it’d be. 🙂

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