The best New Year food tours: festive flavors around the world

New Year is a season of magic, glittering lights, family comfort—and, of course, irresistible festive food. Every corner of the world marks the holiday in its own way, shaping traditions that show up on the table in dishes, drinks, and sweets. What could be better than setting off to taste great sparkling wines, linger over classic Christmas treats, and discover flavors that stick in the memory?

Gourmet New Year getaways blend rest with fine cooking, deep cultural immersion, and a look into local traditions. From sparkling Champagne in France to spiced mulled wine at Germany’s Christmas markets, from feather-light panettone in Italy to Thailand’s tropical desserts, the world is packed with tastes waiting to be explored.

This guide points to the best destinations for wintertime food experiences. You’ll see where fine drinks take shape, where culinary artistry thrives, and how food can bring you right into the holiday spirit that unites cultures and generations.

• Holiday atmosphere through food
• France: Champagne and refined flavors
• Germany: Christmas markets and sweets
• Italy: a season of flavor
• Spain: bold festive traditions
• Scandinavia: hygge and winter comfort
• Central and Eastern Europe: authentic customs
• Asia: unexpected New Year tastes
• Why winter food tours are worth it

Holiday atmosphere through food

The holidays aren’t just lights and gifts—they’re a chance to step into other cultures through their food traditions. Regions celebrate differently, yet one thing holds true everywhere: food becomes the centerpiece, carrying family rituals, stories, and a sense of time.

Picture the scent of fresh pastries and hot mulled wine wrapping around you at a German Christmas market. Snow settles in the air, wooden stalls glow with warm lights, and a gingerbread cookie warms your hands. Or think of sunny Spain, where a glass of cava meets slices of sweet turrón as laughter and music ripple through the streets.

Food-focused trips aren’t simply about eating well—they’re a way to enter a region’s heritage. In Champagne, you learn how great sparkling wine is made, tasting it in the cool cellars of historic houses. In Italy, a real panettone arrives with recipes passed down through generations. And in Scandinavia, a Christmas table brings the glow of hygge to life with dishes that have united families for centuries.

Every dish tells a story. Oysters in France speak of elegance and festive luxury, while Germany’s Christmas stollen hints at thrift and the weight of family tradition. Asia adds its own philosophy—New Year dishes often carry meaning, like Chinese dumplings said to promise wealth and luck.

Winter food tours braid tastes, aromas, and customs into a holiday mood. They stir the imagination, deliver fresh impressions, and make the season genuinely memorable. There may be no better way to understand a place than through its cuisine—especially at such a magical time of year.

France: Champagne and refined flavors

In France, gastronomy turns into an art form—especially during the festive season. Champagne and Alsace, each in their own way, offer experiences that linger long after the trip ends.

Champagne, home to the world’s renowned sparkling wine, feels especially magical in winter. Wine houses in Épernay and Reims open their doors for tours that walk you through how Champagne is made. Tastings showcase legendary bruts and rosés—flavors shaped by centuries of craft.

The mood turns truly festive when food meets the wine. Oysters are a star at Christmas—served fresh with lemon to amplify Champagne’s finesse. And rich foie gras on toast with fig jam forms a pitch-perfect duet of textures and taste.

Alsace, with postcard towns like Strasbourg and Colmar, is famed for some of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets. Streets shine with garlands, shop windows sparkle, and the air is thick with spice and vanilla.

Alsatian wineries pour celebrated whites—Riesling and Gewürztraminer—that pair beautifully with the region’s holiday dishes. Tastings often include local cheeses and classic fare.

No Alsatian Christmas table is complete without bûche de Noël—the Yule log cake coated in chocolate or cream. Patisseries craft their own signatures: coffee, pistachio, or fruit-filled variations.

In Champagne and Alsace you don’t just taste dishes—you step into the holiday itself. Each pour and every bite speaks of tradition, skill, and a passion for flavor.

Visiting in winter means leaning into warmth and wonder, where Champagne glints like festive lights and time-honored recipes fill the heart.

Germany: Christmas markets and sweets

Germany is the home of Christmas markets, where fairy-tale atmosphere, tradition, and comfort food come together seamlessly. Every city has its own take, and the markets in Nuremberg, Dresden, and Cologne stand out for scale and history.

Nuremberg’s Christmas Market is among the world’s oldest and best known, with a history of more than 400 years. Wooden stalls brim with crafts, toys, and sweets. The star is the city’s signature Lebkuchen—spiced gingerbread you can smell everywhere.

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, founded in 1434, is famed for its giant Christmas stollen—a rich fruit bread filled with raisins, nuts, and candied peel. Be sure to try Dresdner Christstollen, protected as a regional specialty.

Cologne Cathedral Market unfolds in the shadow of the great Gothic church, turning the scene into something truly cinematic. Expect fine souvenirs, glass and wood crafts, and fragrant Glühwein poured into festive mugs you can keep as a memento.

Classic treats

Stollen is the iconic Christmas loaf, dense with dried fruit, almonds, and candied peel, and thickly dusted with sugar. Its flavor deepens with time, so many buy it in advance and let it “mature” for Christmas.

German gingerbread is soft, spiced, and often glazed—sometimes coated in chocolate, sometimes decorated with sugar designs. Heart-shaped versions come lettered with wishes like “Frohe Weihnachten.”

Mulled wine is a market essential: hot wine with spices, orange, and cinnamon—perfect on a frosty evening. Variations add berries, vanilla, or apple juice for a twist.

A stroll through Germany’s markets is more than sightseeing; it’s stepping into a winter story. Lights, carols, warm pastries, and spice weave a feeling of comfort that’s hard to leave behind.

These markets are ideal for soaking up the season, sampling beloved treats, and picking out souvenirs that carry Christmas home with you.

Italy: a season of flavor

Italy ties holidays to the table like few countries do. Christmas and New Year unfold as a culinary journey—each region with its specialties, all sharing one idea: food as a symbol of celebration, joy, and family warmth.

Milan, stylish and exacting, sets the tone with panettone—the city’s hallmark Christmas bread. Airy and studded with raisins and candied fruit, it’s become a national emblem of the season, with recipes cherished over generations.

Aperitivo culture is part of the rhythm. As evening falls, locals gather over wine or a classic cocktail like a Negroni or an Aperol Spritz, with small bites—cheese, olives, and cured meats. It’s not just a pre-dinner snack; it feels like the opening chord of the festivities.

Naples, the birthplace of pizza and soul of the south, offers a generous spread at Christmas. Pastiera—made with ricotta, wheat, and orange zest—embodies tradition and family comfort. It’s prepared in advance so the flavors can deepen for the feast days.

Christmas Eve leans toward the sea, with mussels, squid, shrimp, and salted cod (baccalà). Pasta with clams and fried anchovies round out the table—tastes that celebrate the bounty of the bay.

Turin, at the foot of the Alps, turns into a haven for sweet tooths and lovers of elegant drinks. Hot chocolate here is thick, aromatic, and indulgent. Turin is also the birthplace of gianduja, that lush blend of chocolate and hazelnut.

Piedmont’s wines—Barolo, Barbaresco, and Moscato d’Asti—belong on the holiday table, pairing as easily with hearty mains as with dessert. On winter nights, they warm the room with their presence alone.

In Italy, every dish is an invitation to gather. From Milan’s sweet panettone to Naples’s rich pastiera and Turin’s comforting chocolate, each region offers a taste of the country’s spirit through its kitchen.

It’s more than a menu—it’s tradition, family values, and a generous holiday mood that make Christmas and New Year feel unforgettable here.

Spain: bold festive traditions

Spain celebrates with life, music—and flavor. Each region brings its own festive personality, especially around Christmas and New Year. Catalonia, Madrid, and Andalusia show just how varied Spanish cuisine and culture can be.

Catalonia pairs distinctive dishes with sparkling drinks. The season’s emblem here is cava, Spain’s traditional-method sparkling wine. It’s poured alongside nearly everything on the holiday table, from snacks to dessert, underlining the cheerful mood with its crisp lift.

The region also shines with turrón, a Christmas sweet loved nationwide. It ranges from soft honey-and-almond nougat to crunchy, caramelled versions with nuts—often served after dinner as the finishing touch. Artisanal producers craft signature takes on this classic treat.

Madrid, the country’s heart, greets New Year’s Eve in style. The evening often begins with tapas—jamón, Manchego, and patatas bravas.

Spanish wine flows naturally—Rioja, Ribera del Duero, or a sparkling cider—setting the tone for a long night. Right before midnight at Puerta del Sol, all eyes turn to the clock for the tradition of 12 grapes—one for each chime, a wish for luck in the year to come.

Andalusia, sunny and exuberant, is known for sweets with echoes of Arab heritage. Polvorones—crumbly almond-and-anise cookies—melt as soon as you take a bite.

Alfajores are another must: two delicate cookies sandwiched with condensed milk or honey and dusted with sugar. Both are often tucked into festive boxes, a favorite gift for friends and family.

Spain turns the holidays into a celebration of the senses. The buzz of markets, clinking cava, and the aroma of turrón and polvorones all weave a mood you won’t soon forget. Here, the cuisine tells a story about a love of life, family, and flavors passed down over generations.

From lively Catalonia to cozy Andalusia, the country invites you to feel part of the party. Bright tastes and warm traditions make these days truly special.

Scandinavia: hygge and winter comfort

Scandinavia embodies warmth and ease—especially at Christmas. Every detail feels steeped in hygge, that knack for creating comfort and happiness. Sweden, Norway, and Finland gather families around the table with dishes that turn cold days into fond memories.

In Sweden, the feast is the julbord, a lavish Christmas smörgåsbord. Expect marinated herring in several styles—dill, mustard, or onion—alongside köttbullar (mini meatballs with lingonberry sauce) and julskinka, a glazed Christmas ham with mustard and sugar.

For dessert, rice pudding with cinnamon hides an almond inside. Tradition says whoever finds it will be especially lucky in the year ahead.

In Norway, long evenings invite a cup of gløgg—hot wine or juice with spices, nuts, and raisins. It warms hands and moods in equal measure.

The main holiday dish is lutefisk—dried fish soaked in a lye solution, then steamed or baked, and served with pea purée, bacon, and potatoes. It’s a distinctive taste that speaks to heritage and respect for tradition.

In Finland, Christmas pies take center stage—star-shaped pastries of puff pastry filled with lingonberry or cranberry jam, as beautiful as they are festive.

Another staple is fish soup, made with salmon, cream, and dill. Its gentle flavor and rich texture are made for winter days, a quiet symbol of warmth and togetherness.

Scandinavian traditions capture the essence of hygge: pleasure in simple things, the glow of candlelight, the scent of cinnamon and cardamom, wool blankets, and the crackle of the fire—transforming harsh weather into celebration.

Every dish is more than food; it’s about roots and shared memories. Sweden, Norway, and Finland invite you to feel the magic of the season through flavors that warm both body and soul.

Central and Eastern Europe: authentic customs

Across Central and Eastern Europe, age-old Christmas customs endure, each country adding its own color. Holiday spreads reflect local culture, family values, and deep-rooted ritual.

In Czechia and Slovakia, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without fried carp at the center of the table, traditionally served with potato salad. Preparing the fish is a family ritual in its own right.

Before the main course, a Christmas soup often comes first: cabbage soup (kapustnica) with mushrooms and smoked meats, or a fish soup with vegetables. It’s a symbol of abundance and sets the tone for the meal.

For dessert, there’s trdelník—sweet dough baked over an open fire, rolled in sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. Served hot at markets, it’s comfort you can hold.

Poland is known for its rich Christmas Eve vigil supper, Wigilia, with 12 meatless dishes for the 12 apostles.

The most symbolic treat is opekunki—thin wafers shared around the table with wishes for well-being.

Another favorite is pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms—humble but deeply satisfying, served with oil or sour cream.

The meal culminates with kutia, a sweet blend of wheat, poppy seeds, honey, nuts, and dried fruit—a taste of harmony and family unity.

In Hungary, Christmas leans toward big flavors and aroma. Goulash—made with beef, vegetables, and paprika—arrives heartier than usual for winter evenings.

Dessert brings festive cakes like bejgli, rolled with poppy seeds or walnuts, brightening the table. You’ll also find sweet crescent pastries, kifli, filled with jam or nuts.

Wine culture stands out, too. Tokaj wines, celebrated for their rich sweetness, pair beautifully with desserts and lend the meal a touch of elegance.

Christmas here is all about family comfort and tradition. There’s a straightforward honesty to the dishes that makes them unforgettable.

Whether it’s fried carp in Czechia, kutia in Poland, or a glass of Tokaj in Hungary, each taste signals gratitude, togetherness, and the quiet magic that gathers families around the table.

Asia: unexpected New Year tastes

Across Asia, New Year is both a family moment and a time to enjoy dishes full of symbolism. Japan, China, and Thailand offer flavors that are bright with meaning.

In Japan, Shōgatsu is marked by precision and care. The holiday centerpiece is osechi-ryōri—an array of foods arranged in tiered bento boxes, each item carrying a wish for the year ahead:

— Black beans (kuromame) for health and long life.

— Herring roe (kazunoko) for fertility and continuity.

— Sweet omelet (datemaki) for success in study and work.

Mochi is essential—rice cakes served in zōni soup or grilled with soy sauce—symbolizing happiness and luck. Their chewy texture is said to link past and future.

Sake often appears at the table, sometimes as sweet amazake, to welcome the year with warmth.

In China, Spring Festival is the most important holiday, and the menu brims with symbols of prosperity. Dumplings (jiaozi) are a highlight—their shape recalling gold ingots. You’ll also often see fish (yú) for abundance, rice cakes (niángāo) for growth and progress, and long noodles for longevity, served uncut.

The meal often finishes with mandarins and oranges—their vivid color tied to luck and joy.

In Thailand, the New Year is celebrated twice—Songkran in April and the international New Year in January. No matter the date, the holiday table bursts with vivid, often sweet flavors.

Tropical fruits—mango, pineapple, rambutan, and longan—are front and center, their bright colors linked with energy and abundance. Popular desserts include sticky rice with mango (khao neo ma muang) draped in coconut milk; coconut puddings (khanom krok) cooked on special pans for a crisp edge and soft center; lotus jelly and tapioca-based sweets that suggest harmony and plenty.

In Asia, every detail on the New Year table carries meaning. Food becomes a message—of luck, health, and happiness for the year to come.

Japan offers elegance and restraint, China speaks in rich symbols, and Thailand charms with tropical brightness. Together, they create a festive mood full of color and delightful surprises.

Why winter food tours are worth it

Winter food tours are a way to blend rest, culture, and the world’s best seasonal traditions. They go beyond standard travel, focusing on flavor, aroma, and the holiday atmosphere.

Cities and regions transform this time of year: Christmas markets, streets strung with lights, and snowy scenes set the mood. A food tour lets you experience it up close—whether you’re tucked into a warm bistro or sipping mulled wine at a market stall.

Winter also brings dishes and drinks that appear only in this season. Each region offers something unique—specialties you won’t find at other times of year.

These trips strike a satisfying balance between activity and comfort. By day, you can wander markets, visit wineries, or take cooking classes; by night, settle in for dinner at a local spot. The landscapes and cozy cafés amplify every flavor.

Another bonus: many destinations are quieter in winter, making tastings and meals more relaxed. Fewer lines, easy tables, and a festive feel lend the experience an intimate, almost exclusive quality.

Winter food tours deliver more than great bites—they create a sense of connection with culture, people, and tradition. They turn the cold months into warmth, flavor, and bright impressions that stay with you long after the trip.