Oktoberfest food is just as important to the world famous festival as is Oktoberfest beer. In this round-up of traditional Oktoberfest fare we have also included links to the recipes so you can make them at home for your own Oktoberfest party.
Oktoberfest Food in General and Most Popular Dishes
Oktoberfest is not only about the beer, the singing, the dancing and the fair attractions. Many of the best known and most loved Bavarian specialties are enjoyed during festival.
The food served in beer tents and stalls around Theresienwiese occupies a well deserved status of great respect. Natives often say that to drink beer like a German one must eat like a German. Certainly a ring of truth to that!
Below are some of the most popular items on an Oktoberfest menu organized by course.
Learn more about Oktoberfest beer.
Oktoberfest Appetizers and Sides
Kartoffelpuffer – these crispy German potato pancakes are known as Reiberdatschi in Bavaria. Traditionally served with apple sauce they are also delicious with sour cream and lax. Recipe here.
Flammkuchen – a “white pizza’ popular on beer garden menus, originating from Baden-Württemberg. Thin crust, topped with creme fraiche, thinly sliced onions and smoked bacon lardons. Recipe here.
Obatzda – the famous Bavarian beer cheese dip is made with Camembert and Weissbier or a dark lager such as Dunkel. Served with rye bread, radishes and other veggies or soft pretzels. Classic Oktoberfest appetizer. Recipe here.
Sauerkraut & Bratwurst Balls – the two best known German foods rolled into bite-sized balls, breaded and fried (or baked). Serve with Bavarian mustard and a lot of beer! Recipe here.
Bite-sized Frikadellen – these fried meat patties, typically made with a pork and beef combination ground meat, are often served along with radishes and Schnittltauchbrot (open faced chives sandwiches). Recipe here.
Bratkartoffeln – this decadent side of deliciously seasoned fried potatoes with bacon must be honored with crisp lagers! Recipe here.
Wurstsalat – whether with a simple oil and vinegar dressing or a creamy mayo mustard dressing this salad is delightful on its own or served on pretzel rolls. Recipe here.
Marinated Limburger Cheese – a ‘salad’ made of marinated Limburger cheese (very well-loved in Bavaria) and thin onion rings dipped in sweet paprika. Absolutely delicious with pretzels. Recipe here.
German Meat and Cheese Board – assemble your own version choosing among traditional cheeses, meats and leberswurst of course. More information here.
Sauerkraut Strudel – a version of the famous Bavarian dessert, this savory treat features sauerkraut and bratwurst flavored with traditional German spices as its filling. Recipe here.
Zwiebelkuchen – an onion pie that combines the concepts of a deep dish pizza and a quiche. Perfectly pairs with Marzen lager. Recipe here.
Oktoberfest Main Courses
The main courses are typically filling, simple fare with tons of flavor and incredible affinity for amber lagers. Below are some of the most iconic options, but no Munich Oktoberfest is complete without a lot of game options such as venison and duck. Stuffed roast suckling pig is also a popular delicacy.
Half Roast Chicken – known as Oktoberfest Brathendl or Wiesnhendl. Typically whole chickens (about 482,000 per fest) are spit roasted, then split in half and served. All sides are purchased separately. Recipe here.
Beer Brats – bratwurst simmered in a malty beer and onions sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes as a plated entree or on soft pretzel bun. Recipe here.
Schweinshaxe – fall-off-the-bone tender Bavarian roasted pork knuckles with deliciously crispy skin and a beer gravy. Frequently cooked with the entire fat cap. Enough said. Recipe here.
Käsespätzle – spätzle tossed in butter or smothered in rich gravy is a very traditional side to many of an Oktoberfest dish. Käsespätzle (cheese spätzle) however is an entree dish in its own right. Fresh spätzle is smothered with regional cheeses and butter, baked and topped with caramelized onions and chives. Recipe here.
German Pork Roast aka Schweinebraten – this dish is typically prepared with pork shoulder and Oktoberfest beer. The flavors are unbelievable, yet it is amazingly easy to make. If you buy pork shoulder with skin on you can enjoy some amazing crackling. Recipe here.
Braised Lamb Shanks – Also a long-time classic entree served on the Wiesn. These tender, juicy lamb shanks are frequently ordered as a lighter option to the richer pork knuckles. Our recipe is easy to follow and leverages the lovely flavors of Märzen lager in the braising liquid which is then turned into a luscious gravy-like sauce along with some mustard.
Currywurst – The iconic German street food is perfect for Oktoberfest feasting. This recipe will provide you with tips on the correct type of bratwurst to use and how to make the curry ketchup.
A fun a delicious twist on classic currywurst is this Aromatic Currywurst from What to Cook Today.
Beef Goulash with Bavarian Lager – a staple on many of a beer garden menu in the South of Germany Rindergulasch is a thick beef stew flavored with Bavarian lager. Usually served with rye bread. Recipe here.
Pan Fried Trout – this dish is very popular in beer gardens across Bavaria, especially in the areas nearest the mountains. Sometimes whole char is used, brought down from the cold waters of the North Sea. This is a very easy recipe from Burrata and Bubbles.
Schnitzel – German pork schnitzel is as recognizable as sauerkraut. You can also make it with chicken – both are delish! Because it is not that hard to make you can easily prepare a whole platter to feed a small crowd. Recipe here.
Pork Cordon Bleu – essentially a schnitzel stuffed with ham and cheese Cordon Bleu style. This one from Seasons and Suppers is drizzled with a delicious lemon butter sauce. Recipe here.
Steckerlfisch – grilled fish on a stick (frequently mackerel) is one of these dishes that create powerful memories. A must try on the Wiesn and easy to recreate on the grill in your backyard. Recipe here.
BBQ Pork Spare Ribs – a beer garden classic that has a prominent place on the Oktoberfest table. Recipe here (with Marzen BBQ sauce).
Other key entrees include numerous wurst varieties, plated or tucked inside fresh bread rolls (but you already knew that:), Beef Roulades, Sauerbraten, Roasted Duck with Apples and Onions, Beer Beef Goulash, Venison Stew, Stuffed Veal Breast, and so many more.
Check back because we are making a few of the above soon. We are constantly adding to our Beer Garden Menu recipes here on Craft Beering and more traditional Oktoberfest food is on the way.
Oktoberfest Desserts
Bavarian Donuts (Bayerische Ausgezogene Krapfen) – these fried dough treats dusted with sugar are a favorite on the Wiesn. Recipe here.
Bavarian Cream – The high-cuisine dessert of German cuisine with French origins. Surprisingly easy to make. Can be served as a stand alone custard or piped into various pastries, cakes or pies. Recipe here.
Strauben – this Bavarian favorite is a predecessor of the funnel cake. Typically dusted with confectioners sugar, but delicious with a dollop of Nutella. Recipe here.
Apfelküchle (Apple Ring Fritters) – are apple slices soaked in rum then dipped into an airy batter and fried to perfection. Often served with ice-cream. Recipe here.
Apple Strudel – traditional or prepared in pastry form this is truly a classic dessert, served warm with vanilla sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Recipe here.
Picture credit: Taste of Travel
Donauwellen Kuchen – aka Danube Waves Cake has amazing flavors going on. Tart cherries, vanilla, chocolate… The Itsy Bitsy Kitchen nailed it. It looks beautiful, doesn’t it? Recipe here.
Candied Apples – An irresistible favorite of Oktoberfest attendees, young and old. A few of these make a great centerpiece for any Oktoberfest party table before they seamlessly take care of dessert. Recipe here.
Picture credit: All You Need
Candied Roasted Almonds – An irresistible favorite of Oktoberfest attendees, young and old. A few of these make a great centerpiece for any Oktoberfest party table before they seamlessly take car of serving the dessert. Recipe here.
Picture credit: Filizity
Other Oktoberfest dessert options include Buchteln, Almond and Pistachio Nougat, Quark Donuts, German cheesecake…
There are just so many, we included the most popular ones. You might also like this round up of traditional German dessert recipes from all over the country.
For more Oktoberfest menu ideas be sure to visit our curated board on Pinterest – Oktoberfest Recipes and Party Ideas.
Also check out our Oktoberfest Party Tablescape for styling ideas.
Oktoberfest Food Ideas (Traditional Recipes)
Put together an Oktoberfest food menu for your party in minutes. Our list of easy Oktoberfest recipes includes the most popular favorites.
Ingredients
- Bavarian Beer Cheese Soup
- Bierfleisch
- German Beer Bread with Yeast
Instructions
- Links to recipes for:
- Obatzda, Frikadellen, Wurstsalat, German Potato Salad, German Potato Dumplings, Bavarian Braised Red Cabbage, Schweinshaxe, Schnitzel, Pork Cordon Bleu, Oktoberfest Roasted Chicken, Steckerlfisch, Käsespätzle, Candied Almonds, Strauben, Apple Strudel, Bavarian Cream and more.
Carol says
Wow what a feast and what to choose..Bratwurst, sauerkraut, the doughnuts with apple, strudel..a virtual feast and now I am drooling 🙂 Bookmarked 🙂
Rosemarie Dodd says
This is a bonafide menü for the Oktoberfest.I world certainly know because I was raised in Bavaria and have attended several times.
No other place can match that fest.
You did extremely well.Thank you
CraftBeering says
You are certainly so lucky, Rosemarie! Bavarians sure know how to cook, make beer and have fun! No wonder so many people from all around the world go to the Oktoberfest. Great memories, and also from all kinds of Bavarian home cooking at bed and breakfasts in the beautiful mountains, mmm. Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by.
Mother of 3 says
I have never been to any sort of of Oktoberfest but these recipes look so tasty!
Calleen Petersen says
Yum! My husband spent 2 years in Germany and we have enjoyed trying German foods. The potato salad is a favorite.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Hope to see you every Sunday! Have a wonderful week.
Cortne - Hello March Collection says
These are fantastic. I’m so excited to attend my town’s oktoberfest!!!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Yum- Bring on the fest!! I’m a little bit behind but I wanted to make sure to check out your post – and thank you for joining the What’s for dinner party. Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you at tomorrow’s party too!
CraftBeering says
Thank you, Helen!