What to eat in Strasbourg

Bretzel

With a B, as in Bretzel

Bread in the shape of a knot with three holes. The legend says that an Alsatian baker had been sent to jail by the king because he had mis-cooked bread (bread has always been a very serious matter in this country!). The king decided to spare the baker's life, only if he would create a bread through which the Sun would shine three times. Seeing a woman praying with her arms crossed on her chest, the baker thought of crossing the two ends of the bread to make three holes. Just before putting it in the oven, a cat spilled a jar containing cleaning product on the bread, covering it with soda powder. But it was too late to start all over again... Luckily, the king loved it, and the baker lived. The name would then derives from the latin word "bracellum": short arm. Today, the arms of the bretzel make the letter "A" in the logo of region Alsace.

Flammekueche

aka tarte flambée
The absolute must-have in Alsace!

A thin layer of bread doe, covered with cream, bacon, onions, and other wonderful things. Following the medieval tradition, it is cooked for a few seconds in the hottest spot of the bread oven, very close to the flames (which -almost- gives it its name). 

Classical variations are Forestière (with mushrooms), Gratinée (topped with grilled cheese), Munster (with Muster cheese), and many other options exist. 
Don't forget to keep some space for the sweet one! 
Savory or sweet, use your fingers to eat little rectangles cut in your flammekueche.

Alsatian Choucroute

Sauerkraut with meat

 Entire books have been written about this dish and its countless variations.
Fermented sour cabbage, with boiled potatoes, sausages, and bacon. Maybe not the easiest to digest in hot weather... 

A fish version (choucroute de la mer) also exists.

Coq au Riesling

Rooster slowly cooked for about 24 hours in Riesling wine.
Usually served with mushrooms, boiled potatoes, or spätzles.

Spätzles and Knepfles

The best pasta in the world!

Usually a side dish, but it can also be served on its own.

Apologies to our vegan friends, but the secret is eggs in the doe.

Grumbeerkiechles

Don't worry, even the French don't know how to pronounce it.

Grated potatoes, similar to röstis and hash browns. A nice side dish, but not the lightest!

Cordon bleu

That's what I'm talking about!

Imagine a wiener schnitzel in 3D, with the pork (or veal) escalope stuffed with ham and delicious melted cheese. You know you want it.

Munster

It doesn't get more regional than this!
THE KING of cheeses from Eastern France. 
You will find it everywhere, grilled on top of dishes, on flammekueche, inside cordons bleus... everywhere. And for a good reason: it's delicious!

Fish

Yes, 600 km from the sea!

You might be surprised to find a lot of fish in Strasbourg restaurants. In medieval times (and maybe even earlier), boats from Northern Europe navigated upstream the Rhine river, full of herrings and salmons to be exchanged for Alsatian wines. The tradition continues, and you can still enjoy rollmops in Strasbourg.

Kougelhopf

Great for breakfast

A sweet bread, a bit like a dry brioche, typical from Alsace. 

Bibleskäse

A fresh start

Cottage cheese with herbs, often served with boiled or sauted potatoes 

Tarte flambée sucrée

The sweet version of the Flammekueche

Usually with apples and cinnamon, or plums (damson).
Sometimes flambée with alcohol: a delight for the eyes, and the palate! 

France in general and the Alsace region in particular are not the easiest destinations for vegetarians and vegans, but don't despair!
Our vegetarian friends will find something to enjoy in almost all restaurants. Just be careful: for some French people, chicken and fish are vegetarian food. Don't hesitate to ask your waiter if you are in doubt.

Vegans will probably have a slightly harder time in Alsace. Ask your waiter for options, or to modify the dish if possible. Strasbourg is not Paris: most waiters are nice and friendly here ;-) However, please keep in mind that, in the finest restaurants, the dishes are elaborated, sometimes over several years, like pieces of art: it could be considered disrespectful to the Chef to ask for modifications. But vegetarian / vegan request will be welcomed and accommodated for almost all the times.

What to drink in Strasbourg

Riesling, Gewurtstraminer, Sylvaner, pinot blanc or gris or noir, you name it!

The Alsace region is famous for its wines, specially whites.
For something light and fresh to start the evening, chose a Sylvaner or a Muscat (silent "t"). Fancy something full-bodied for your fish, meat, or traditional choucroute? Try a Riesling and/or a Pinot gris (silent "t" and "s"). For sweeter and more complex notes, a Gewurtstraminer will fantastically accommodate strong cheeses and even some deserts. And the legend says that the rest of France also proposes some good wines...

Staying for a few more days? You can follow the touristic Route des Vins (wines road) across the Alsatian vineyards to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, and stop at local producers for a little tasting session. But remember: the designated driver must spit out the wine in a dedicated bucket (crachoir), to make sure everybody will continue to fully enjoy the scenery and the wines along the road! The tasting experience comes uniquely from the eye (color, brightness, viscosity), the nose (aromatic notes), and the mouth (smell, taste, and texture). Swallowing does not bring anything at all! Spitting the wine is the proper method used by professionals and is not at all considered disrespectful... if you aim well.

Bubbles!

Crémant d'Alsace is a sparkling white wine. Don't call it Champagne, as only the sparkling wine produced in the Champagne Region (our neighbors to the West) can be legally named that way. Crémant is less acidic and usually more affordable than Champagne. Enjoy a glass of crémant at the apéritif, with your desert, or even during the meal!

Enjoy a local beer

When it comes to drinks, the Northern and Eastern regions of metropolitan France have been, quite willingly, influenced by our Belgium and German neighbors. While wine is the only acceptable religion in the rest of the country, Alsace happily hosts the two cults! You may pass by hop farms between two vineyards.

In Strasbourg, you will find many microbreweries making their own beers, often with a bar where one can taste the production. The variety is too large to be described here: ask waiters for recommendations. The big families of beers you will be offered are:
Blanche (white): top-fermented, unfiltered, refreshing.
Ambrée (amber colored): pale ale. Rather strong-bodied.
Blonde (blond): very pale ale. Clear and light.
Bière d'abbaye (Abbey beer): a beer traditionally brewed in an abbey. While most of the productions have moved to factories, beers still made by monks are called Trappist beers.

Remember...

Drink responsibly!

Carrying and/or drinking alcohol is allowed in parks and the streets. However, it is forbidden to be visibly under the influence of alcohol in any public place.

Feeling sporty?

The accretion so much good food and drinks may lower your center of gravity... Stay in shape by running along the Ill river. You will get most of the amazing architecture of the medieval city in a never-ending succession of timbered houses, churches, and palaces. We propose a scenic itinerary on the Google Map, starting at Place Kebler (tram stop: Homme de Fer) and going all the way to the Observatory.

Interactive Map

Go North of the Observatory and University campus to explore the Orangerie Gardens and the European quarter, home of the Parliament, the Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe, and many more.

Need a little help from Archimedes? Go to the swimming pool Bains Municipaux at the start of the street (Boulevard de la Victoire) leading to the Observatory, for a unique bathing experience in the neo-classical decors, with two pools, a sauna and a hamam.
You can also swim at the foot of the European Parliament in the outdoor heated pool "Piscine du Wacken".

Note that loose-fitting swimming trunks (and whatever could be worn in the street) are not allowed in pools: only tight-fitting trunks (like jammers) or swim briefs.

It is strictly forbidden (and dangerous) to swim in the Ill and Rhine rivers.
And once you are done burning all these calories, you deserve a reward! Why not treating yourself with some traditional rhubarb or damson (quetsche) pie? Nobody will blame you if you go for a croissant or a pain aux raisins (schneck)! Any local bakery will happily provide what you need.

What to see in Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a major touristic hub, offering many things to explore and discover!​ Here are some suggestions:

Petite France

The postcard views of Strasbourg
Historical district of tanners and fishermen. Take a stoll in the medieval streets, in between the half-timbered house.

You might have a wait a few minutes to cross the pedestrian turning bridge (pont tournant) over one of the many arms of the Ill river. Continue  walking across the Ponts Couverts up to the Vauban dam (barrage Vauban). Everyday between 07.15 and 21.00, you can get inside and take the staircase to the outside terrace to enjoy one of the most iconic views of Strasbourg.

Notre-Dame ​​Cathedral

A gem of the gothic architecture
The highest building in world for 227 years! (from 1647 to 1874).

For your first visit to the Cathedral, we highly recommend that you get there via Rue Merciere. The perspective will take your breath away ... and will break your neck.

Note that visitors must dress appropriately to visit the cathedral: cover your shoulders, and wear skirts or short pants of decent length.
Free entrance

Astronomical clock

The finest clockwork
Animated figures on a perpetual calendar indicating celestial events (like eclipses) and religious events (like Easter). 

Runs everyday at 12.00 except Sundays.
Inside the cathedral. Entrance from the southern entrance of the cathedral (to the right).

4 euros per person

Plateform of the Cathedral

330 steps...
Take the staircase from the 15th century to reach the outside viewing deck, 66 meters above ground level, and enjoy unique views of Strasbourg.

Good physical condition required!

8 euros per person

Museum of l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame

Medieval fine arts
Masterpieces of medieval art from the ​Rhenish area, like sculptures and stained-glass windows. 

At the step of the cathedral, closed on Mondays.

7.50 euros person

Rohan Palace

Archeology museum, f rom prehistory to medieval times 
One of the finest collections in France. Discover the Gallo-Roman origins of Strasbourg and the transition to the middle ages under the Merovingian dynasty.

The same building also hosts the fine arts and the decorative arts museums.

3.5 euros per person

Fine Arts Museum

Old masters paintings and some sculptures
A collection of Italian, Flemish, Spanish and French paintings from the 14th century to the mid-19th centrury.

7.50 euros per person

Alsatian Museum

Peaks on the past lifestyle
Ethnographic museum showing folk art and the traditional lifestyle in the Alsace region.

7.50 euros per person

Parc de l'Orangerie

A bucolic pause at the steps of the European Parliament
A large public garden, home to a few greenhouses, many fountains, and some storks (the symbol of Alsace). A perfect place to relax and have an ice cream.

Free entrance