Your guide to Luxembourg cuisine: 10 must-try dishes for travellers

Luxembourg may be one of Europe’s smallest countries, but its cuisine delivers unexpectedly big flavours. Sitting at the crossroads of France, Germany and Belgium, the nation’s food culture blends finesse, heartiness and artisanal countryside traditions into something entirely its own. From soups simmered in village kitchens to hearty dishes once served after long days in the fields, Luxembourg’s cuisine tells the story of its people and terroir.

Whether you're staying in Luxembourg City, exploring medieval towns or following the vineyards of the Moselle Valley, tasting local cuisine is a memorable part of the journey. This guide introduces 10 essential Luxembourg dishes — classic, comforting and full of heritage — along with insider tips on where to try them. Expect bold flavours, seasonal ingredients and plenty of old-world charm.

Starting off strong, let's answer the question of what the national dish of Luxembourg is, so you can dive into the local cuisine with some insider knowledge!

This is the dish locals will name first. Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked pork collar served with broad beans, is often considered the national dish of Luxembourg. Originating in rural villages, it embodies traditional farm cooking — slow, savoury and deeply satisfying.

You’ll find excellent versions at Brasserie Restaurant Um Dierfgen in Luxembourg City, where chefs recreate the recipe much like their grandparents did. Another good option is Biem Siggy, known for hearty, home-style dishes.

Bouneschlupp, Luxembourg’s beloved green bean soup, is a comforting mix of fresh beans, potatoes, onions, and bacon — a true taste of home-style cooking. Every family seems to have their own recipe, which locals love to debate, making it as much about tradition as flavour. You can enjoy an authentic bowl at Bistrot Presse in Luxembourg City. This dish also has vegetarian adaptations, often made with vegetable stock and smoked tofu or mushrooms, so everyone can enjoy a taste of this classic Luxembourgish favourite.

These crispy, golden potato fritters are Luxembourg’s favourite street snack. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, they’re perfect for nibbling while wandering the city. You’ll smell them before you see them — golden, savoury and often sizzling at markets around Place Guillaume II or the Pfaffenthal market. The fritters are the first thing many locals buy at the famous Schueberfouer fair, a tradition that’s been running for over six centuries. 

You might be wondering, what desserts are popular in Luxembourg?

Well, let's start with Luxembourg’s classic plum tart. A sweet, tangy treat that perfectly captures the country’s love for seasonal fruit and village pâtisserie traditions. In many villages, families still bake this tart together at the end of summer, using plums straight from their backyard orchards.

You can try an authentic version at Café Knopes in Luxembourg City or at local bakeries in the Moselle region, which is easily reachable by train in about 40–50 minutes from Luxembourg City station. A slice of Quetschentaart is a delicious way to experience both Luxembourgish culture and its sweet culinary heritage.

Kachkéis, or cooked cheese, is a creamy and deeply satisfying delicacy often served melted over potatoes or fresh bread, offering pure comfort and a taste of local tradition. Historically, it was a way to use leftover cheese from village cheesemakers, making it both practical and beloved.

Beim Zeutzius in Luxembourg City serves it as their speciality. For a more countryside experience, you can visit small restaurants in the Oesling region, where the dish is still made following time-honoured family recipes. Pair it with a crisp local white wine for a true taste of Luxembourgish comfort food.

Another of Luxembourg's favourite desserts. Soft, lightly salted and irresistibly doughy, Luxembourg Bretzels are a local favourite found in village bakeries and street markets throughout the country. They also take centre stage during Bretzelsonndeg (Pretzel Sunday), when pretzels become a symbol of affection in a centuries-old courting tradition.

Pick up a warm one at Au Pain De Mary in Luxembourg City and enjoy it as the perfect snack while exploring historic streets and local markets.

Set along the sun-kissed vineyards of the Moselle Valley, this delicate pairing of trout and Riesling is a proud symbol of Luxembourg’s wine terroir. The sauce — bright, aromatic and made with dry Riesling, often affectionately referred to as "liquid sunshine" — is as famous as the fish itself.

You can try this classic at the Mediterranean Restaurant Cyrano in Luxembourg City. Conveniently located just a short stroll from Novotel Luxembourg Centre, it puts you just a three-minute walk away from Restaurant Cyrano and within reach of plenty of bars and local sights!

Luxembourg’s soft, pillowy flour dumplings are the kind of hearty comfort food that generations of locals have grown up with. Once a budget-friendly staple in rural households, it was often cooked in big batches to feed families after long days in the fields.

You can try a delicious plate at Brasserie du Cercle in Luxembourg City. Or, take a 30-minute drive to Becher Gare in Bech, where the dish is still prepared the old-fashioned way. Bech is also just over an hour on the train from Luxembourg City station.

This layered “tree cake” is a Luxembourgish celebration essential traditionally served at weddings, birthdays, and big family gatherings. Its distinctive rings come from patiently baking the batter layer by layer, a method locals like to describe as “growing a cake, not baking one". Each layer adds a new ring, forming a striking cross-section that resembles the growth rings of a tree.

You can grab a slice at most bakeries in Luxembourg City. Why not sample a few during your trip to see which one wins your personal top spot?

The Moselle Valley is Luxembourg’s wine heartland, renowned for its aromatic whites and elegant Crémant de Luxembourg is produced using the same traditional method as Champagne. Winemakers like to say the region “lives off its sunshine,” a nod to the gentle vineyard slopes.

For a refined tasting experience in Luxembourg City, order a glass at Junco in the Kirchberg district or explore the wine list at Sofitel Luxembourg Europe, home to elegant brasserie-style dining.

Luxembourg’s culinary heritage is a journey through tradition, terroir and slow-crafted flavours. From village soups to festive cakes, and from vineyard-fresh wines to hearty national dishes, each speciality offers a taste of the country’s rich cultural tapestry. Plan your trip to Luxembourg today to enjoy the flavours that define this small but flavourful nation.

Planning your trip? Explore the full list of hotels in Luxembourg on ALL.com and stay close to the city’s best markets, brasseries and restaurants.