What to eat in Luxembourg: traditional dishes and local wine
Luxembourg food is hearty, rustic and shaped by France, Germany and Belgium, with Italian and Portuguese cooking beside it. Pork, potatoes, river fish and Moselle wine are the base. The one thing to know is that a set lunch is usually cheaper than dinner.
The short answer
- Order this first
- Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked pork collar with broad beans and potatoes. It is the national dish.
- When people eat
- Lunch around midday, often a fixed menu. Dinner usually between 7 and 9 in the evening.
- Tipping
- Service is included in the bill. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is a courtesy.
- Where to eat well
- Our Luxembourg City food guide names the places, each checked against a source.
What to eat in Luxembourg
- Judd mat GaardebounenSmoked pork collar with broad beans and boiled potatoes in a cream or stock sauce. It is the national dish and appears on most traditional menus.Nationwide
- BouneschluppA green bean soup with potatoes, bacon and cream, served in summer when beans are in season.Nationwide
- GromperekichelcherCrisp fried potato fritters with onion and parsley, often sold at fairs and Christmas markets, and served with apple sauce or on their own.Nationwide
- KniddelenSoft flour dumplings, usually served with bacon and cream. A plain, filling dish.Nationwide
- FuesekichelcherFried dough fritters dusted with sugar, made for the carnival season in February and March. Look in bakeries around that time.Nationwide
- QuetschentaartA plum tart made with local damsons, eaten in late summer and autumn.Nationwide
- Friture de la MoselleSmall fried river fish served with lemon and bread, a riverside dish eaten in cafes along the Moselle.The Moselle
- Truite au RieslingTrout cooked in a Riesling sauce, a classic of the region's restaurants.The Moselle
- Éisleker hamCured and smoked ham from the northern highlands, sold at village shops and served with bread.The Ardennes
How the food changes across Luxembourg
Luxembourg City
The widest range, from traditional lunch rooms to French, Italian and Portuguese kitchens, in a city with many international workers.
The Moselle
Fish from the river, white wine and sparkling Crémant. Cellars and cafes in the villages serve simple plates beside the tastings.
The Ardennes and the north
Cured ham, game and forest produce, in small inns with hearty portions. A good place for a long lunch after a walk.
What to drink in Luxembourg
- Moselle wineDry white wines such as Rivaner, Pinot gris and Riesling from the vineyards along the river. Cellars in Remich and Grevenmacher offer tastings.
- Crémant de LuxembourgA sparkling wine made by the traditional method from local grapes. It is the usual toast and a good-value bottle.
- BeerLagers from Bofferding, Mousel and Diekirch, found in most cafes and brasseries.
- Eau-de-vieFruit spirits from plum and other local orchard fruit, usually served as a small digestif after a meal.
Where to eat in Luxembourg, city by city
Luxembourg City
A fortified old town above deep river valleys, with viewpoints, museums and a busy European quarter. It suits short city breaks, history lovers and anyone who likes a compact, walkable capital.
Order Judd mat Gaardebounen
How Luxembourg eats
- Meal timesLunch around midday and dinner between 7 and 9. Many restaurants close one or two days a week, often Sunday or Monday.
- Set lunchesMany places offer a plat du jour or fixed lunch menu at a lower price than dinner, which suits a short trip.
- ReservationsBook dinner at known restaurants a week or two ahead for weekends. Weekday lunch usually takes walk-ins.
- TippingService is included in prices. Leave a few euros or round up for good service.
Signs of a place to walk past
Menus with photographs of every dish, on the busiest square.
A traditional restaurant that serves Judd mat Gaardebounen all year without a menu in sight.
Staff handing out menus on the pavement.
A wine cellar that pushes bottles without letting you taste first.
Food in Luxembourg: questions people ask
What food is Luxembourg known for?
Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked pork with broad beans, is the best known. Bouneschlupp soup, potato fritters, dumplings and plum tart follow.
What is the national dish of Luxembourg?
Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked pork collar with broad beans and boiled potatoes.
What do people drink in Luxembourg?
Dry white Moselle wines such as Rivaner and Riesling, sparkling Crémant de Luxembourg and local lagers like Bofferding and Mousel.
Is Luxembourg food expensive?
It is dearer than in much of Europe. A set lunch costs less than dinner, and bakeries and market snacks keep the bill down.
Do you tip in Luxembourg restaurants?
Service is included in the bill, so tipping isn't required. Rounding up or leaving a few euros is a courtesy.
Is there good vegetarian food in Luxembourg?
Most restaurants in the capital offer a vegetarian dish, and Italian kitchens are plentiful. Traditional dishes lean heavily on pork, so ask in village inns.
Can you try Luxembourg wine on a short trip?
Yes. The Moselle villages of Remich and Grevenmacher are a short bus ride from the capital, and many cellars offer tastings.