The ultimate European Christmas food tour

Imagine spending Christmas Day in every European country once in your life. You would discover so many fascinating traditions and taste so much incredible food. In Germany, the air might be filled with the scent of cinnamon and freshly baked pastries. In Portugal, codfish and olive oil might take centre stage. While in a candle-lit Nordic home, you could find hearty casseroles and spiced wine.

It would take decades to travel to every European country for Christmas, and let’s face it, it might not be very practical for being with loved ones. So instead, why not grab a cosy cup of hot chocolate, wrap yourself in a blanket, and join us on this Christmas food tour across the continent? 

Let’s start our journey up north, where the long, dark winter nights are brightened by hearty food and festive lights. Spoiler alert: not everyone will be eating turkey.

Northern Europe

In the far north of Europe, December days are dark and cold, and winter can feel endless. For thousands of years, people have gathered in the darkest days of midwinter to share warmth, food, and light.¹ This tradition lives on in Christmas today.

Finland: saunas and loved ones

In Finland, Christmas Eve is the main event. Many families begin with a quiet visit to the sauna, then share casseroles made from carrot, potato, and swede.² The meal often includes other traditional foods such as lipeäkala (dried fish soaked in a strong, salty liquid called lye), cooked ham, and rye bread. 

Denmark: sweet treats and dancing 

It’s no secret that the Danes do sweet treats really well. If you visited Denmark at Christmas time, you might be offered æbleskiver. They are delicious little round pancakes cooked in special pans, dusted with icing sugar, and served with jam.³ 

During the holiday season, Danish homes fill with the sweet scent of cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom from baking cookies like vaniljekranse (vanilla wreaths) and pebernødder (spiced nuts).⁴ On Christmas Eve, families gather for a festive meal often centered around roast pork or duck, with red cabbage and caramelized potatoes.⁵ 

Sweden: it’s all about the buffet

In Sweden, families join around the julbord, or Christmas table, on Christmas Eve. This buffet-style feast features traditional dishes such as breaded ham, meatballs, dry-cured salmon, chopped beetroot salad, and various types of pickled herring. 

After the main meal, it’s customary to enjoy a dessert called Ris à la Malta, a creamy vanilla rice pudding served with slices of orange. Tradition says that if you find the hidden almond in the pudding, you will be the next person to get married.⁶ (If you’re already married, don’t panic! It can also just be a sign of good luck for the coming year).

Iceland: mythical creatures with creepy habits  

In Iceland, Christmas is a magical time that lasts from mid-December until early January. Families enjoy special dishes like hangikjöt, which is smoked lamb served with potatoes and creamy sauce.⁸ Evenings are filled with cozy storytelling, and children look forward to visits from the 13 mischievous creatures from Icelandic folklore called Yule Lads.

Central Europe

From the snow-dusted Alps to the cobbled streets of old towns, Central Europe celebrates Christmas with great food, magical markets and time gathered as a family.  

Germany: traditional markets and candlelit trees 

Germany’s beautiful Christmas markets usually open in late November and run until just before Christmas Eve. They are famous for their fairy lights, roasted chestnuts, and the sweet scent of Stollen, a rich fruit bread filled with raisins, nuts, and marzipan. The shape of Stollen is said to represent the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes.¹²

For the main meal, many German families enjoy roast goose or duck served with red cabbage and potato dumplings. And in some towns, families still decorate Christmas trees with real candles. It’s a breathtaking (and surprisingly difficult) tradition connecting modern celebrations to times before electricity.¹³

Czech Republic: symbolic baking and hidden fish scales

In the Czech Republic, families bake vánočka, a braided bread made with plenty of butter and eggs. This special food is rich in symbolism that dates back to pagan times, before Christianity arrived in the country. 

It’s made from nine different strands which are woven together in a fancy pattern, with each strand of dough symbolising one of the natural elements, reason, will, emotion, love and wisdom.¹⁴ A coin for the outgoing year is baked into the bread. If you find it you’re in for a good year!

On Christmas Eve, the main dish is often fried carp served with potato salad. This fish is accompanied by pickled vegetables and fresh bread, balancing the meal with light, earthy and tangy flavours. If you look under your plate, you might be the lucky person to find a fish scale hidden there by the host. It symbolises good fortune and wealth in the coming year.¹⁶

Switzerland: a cultural melting pot 

Switzerland’s festive table is a delicious mix of German, French, and Italian Christmas traditions:

• In the German speaking region, festive tables might feature Basler Läckerli, spicy gingerbread with nuts, honey, and candied peel. 
• In the Italian-speaking part of Ticino, many families eat panettone with a hot cup of coffee for dessert. It’s a sweet, fruit bread that first comes from Milan.
• In the French speaking area, people might enjoy a chocolate log with buttercream called the Bûche de Noël
• Across the country, melted cheese dishes like fondue and raclette bring people together in a comforting and social meal.¹⁷

Southern Europe

Moving from the mountains and mixed cultures of Switzerland, we reach the warmer regions where Christmas celebrations are shaped by sunshine and seafood. 

Italy: seafood feasts and pannetone 

In Italy, Christmas is a time for family gatherings and hearty feasts. The dishes served can vary widely depending on the region, but some common festive foods include:

• Tortelli in brodo: stuffed pasta pockets served in rich meat broth 
• Lasagne: layered pasta baked with rich meat sauce, béchamel, and cheese
• Spaghetti alle vongole: spaghetti with clams
• Baccalà: dried and salted cod, typically soaked and cooked in various ways
• Capitone (eel): a traditional seafood dish in some coastal areas, often grilled or stewed
• Cotechino: a spiced pork sausage, slow-cooked and usually served with lentils, symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the new year

Together, these dishes make Italian Christmas meals a rich and joyful celebration of family and tradition.

Portugal: codfish and candlelight

In Portugal, Christmas Eve (Consoada) is the most important meal of the season. Coastal families gather to share bacalhau com todos — salt cod boiled with potatoes, cabbage, and drizzled with olive oil. In other regions, pork with oranges is a common dish.¹⁸

After midnight mass, it’s time for sweets: rabanadas (Portuguese-style French toast dusted with sugar and cinnamon) and filhós (fried dough sprinkled with sugar) fill the house with warm, festive aromas.¹⁹

Spain: pooping logs and glittering turrón

Spain’s Christmas celebrations are colourful, lively, and full of laughter. Across the country, families gather on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) for a feast that varies by region. You’ll find roast lamb in the mountains, baked sea bream or prawns by the coast, and platters of jamón ibérico and local cheeses everywhere in between.²⁰ The meal often stretches late into the night, filled with music, wine, and good cheer.

After the feast, dessert tables glitter with turrón, a golden almond nougat that comes in soft, chewy, or crunchy varieties, often dipped in chocolate.²¹

France: midnight feasts and chocolate logs

In France, the heart of Christmas lies in le Réveillon, a long, luxurious meal served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Tables are laden with oysters, foie gras, roast meats, and cheese platters, followed by the famous bûche de Noël — a rolled chocolate sponge cake decorated to look like a wooden log.

The festivities continue into January with la galette des rois, the “king’s cake,” shared on Epiphany to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Hidden inside is a small charm called a fève; whoever finds it is crowned king or queen for the day and wears a golden paper crown.²³

Eastern Europe and the Balkans

While France delights in rich feasts and sweet treats, Christmas in Eastern Europe and the Balkans includes more vegetable dishes and times of fasting. 

Ukraine: spider webs and food throwing 

Christmas Eve in Ukraine, called Sviat Vechir, features a special meatless meal where families enjoy dishes like beet soup (borscht), mushroom dumplings (varenyky), and kutia, a sweet wheat porridge with honey and poppy seeds. Before eating, prayers are shared, and a playful custom involves tossing a spoonful of kutia to the ceiling, hoping the grains will stick and bring good fortune in the year ahead.²⁴

Ukrainian Christmas trees are often decorated with spider web ornaments, a folk symbol believed to bring prosperity and luck.²⁵

Lithuania: ancient symbols and lost loved ones

In Lithuania, Christmas Eve is a meaningful occasion that goes back to the ancient winter solstice traditions. Families gather for a meatless dinner of 12 dishes, symbolizing the months of the year. (Or the twelve apostles, depending who you ask!) 

These include fish, mushroom dishes, beetroot soup, and various grains and vegetables. The meal often begins when the first star appears in the sky, and it’s traditional to leave an empty seat for deceased relatives. Before the meal, people share plotkelė, a special Christmas wafer, wishing each other health and happiness for the year ahead.²⁶

Serbia: fasting and feasting 

In Serbia, Christmas Eve is marked by the symbolic burning of the badnjak, an oak branch that represents renewal, warmth, and the hope of new life. Families typically fast during the day, eating simple dishes like beans and nuts in preparation for the feast to come.²⁸

Christmas Day is a time for abundant celebration, with tables laden with roast pork or goose, homemade strudels, and hearty side dishes. A special highlight of the meal is the sharing of česnica, a round bread baked with a hidden coin inside. The bread is broken and distributed among family members, and whoever finds the coin is believed to receive good luck for the year ahead.²⁸

The tradition of being together

European Christmas is a diverse tapestry of flavours, stories, and celebrations. From snowy Scandinavian forests to sunny Southern coasts, and from ancient pagan rituals to joyous family feasts, no two places are the same!

Each country adds its own special touch, whether it’s the spicy scent of German Stollen, the playful tricks of Iceland’s Yule Lads, or the sweet softness of Italy’s panettone.

Yet, beneath these diverse customs lies a shared heartbeat: the warmth of family gatherings, the joy of giving and receiving, and the comfort of traditions passed down through generations. Christmas is a time when people come together to remember loved ones, to celebrate hope, and to find light in the darkest days of winter.