Where to Eat in Strasbourg

Strasbourg's dining culture is a magnificent fusion of French refinement and Alsatian heartiness, shaped by centuries of alternating French and German rule that created a unique food identity. The city is the birthplace of Alsatian cuisine, featuring signature dishes like choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausages and pork), tarte flambée (thin-crust pizza-like flatbread), baeckeoffe (slow-cooked meat and potato casserole), and flammekueche served in traditional winstubs—cozy, wood-paneled wine taverns that are the soul of Strasbourg's dining scene. The dining landscape centers around the UNESCO-listed Grande Île and the picturesque Petite France quarter, where half-timbered houses host everything from centuries-old winstubs to modern bistros, while the city's position as the European Parliament seat has also cultivated a sophisticated international dining scene alongside its traditional roots.

• Historic Dining Districts: Petite France along the canals offers the highest concentration of traditional Alsatian restaurants in atmospheric medieval buildings, while the Cathedral Quarter (around Place de la Cathédrale) features both tourist-oriented and authentic establishments. The Krutenau district, particularly along Rue des Veaux and Rue de la Krutenau, attracts locals with affordable winstubs and student-friendly eateries, and the Robertsau neighborhood showcases upscale dining with Michelin-starred establishments serving refined Alsatian-French fusion.
• Essential Alsatian Dishes: Choucroute garnie (€15-25) features fermented cabbage with up to seven types of pork and sausages; tarte flambée (€8-14) comes with cream, onions, and lardons on paper-thin dough baked in wood-fired ovens; baeckeoffe (€18-26) is a three-meat stew marinated in Alsatian white wine; presskopf (€9-13) is a traditional head cheese terrine; and spätzle (€12-18) are egg noodles served with cheese or as accompaniments. Pair these with local Riesling, Gewurztraminer, or Pinot Gris wines, or try the region's distinctive beers like Meteor and Fischer.
• Price Ranges and Dining Options: Winstubs typically charge €12-25 for main courses with generous portions meant for sharing; casual bistros and brasseries range €15-30 per main; mid-range restaurants cost €25-45 for mains; and fine dining establishments start at €50 per person before wine. A complete meal at a traditional winstub including appetizer, main, and wine averages €35-50, while the popular tarte flambée restaurants offer all-you-can-eat formulas for €15-20 during certain evenings.
• Seasonal Dining Highlights: December transforms Strasbourg into the "Capital of Christmas" with the Christkindelsmärik market offering bredele (Christmas cookies), vin chaud (mulled wine at €3-5), and pain d'épices (gingerbread); autumn (September-November) is choucroute season when restaurants feature special variations; spring brings white asparagus (asperges blanches) menus from April to June; and summer sees