Harz Käse & Regional Deli at Käse-Ecke
Harzer Käse — the small, low-fat, intensely flavoured roller cheese that has been made in these mountains for centuries — is one of Germany's most distinctive regional foods, and the best place to taste and buy it in Bad Harzburg is the Käse-Ecke delicatessen near the pedestrian zone on Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße. It stocks a range of maturities from mild two-day-old wheels to fiercely pungent week-old
Understanding Harzer Käse
Harzer Käse is a Quark-based sour-milk cheese pressed into small cylinders and left to ripen; it contains almost no fat, which makes it a genuine regional health food as much as a flavour experience. The rind turns amber to brown as it ages, and the interior shifts from chalky-white and mild to translucent, almost liquid and powerfully aromatic.
The traditional way to eat it is on dark rye bread with raw onion rings and caraway seeds, washed down with a cold Harz beer or a shot of Kräuterlikör. The combination sounds austere but is genuinely satisfying after a long forest walk.
Beyond the Cheese Counter
The deli also carries Harz Mettwurst (a coarsely ground, smoked spreading sausage), locally produced elderflower syrup, and jars of Waldpilze (wild forest mushrooms) from nearby woods. It is the kind of shop where the owner will cut you a sample without being asked and explain the difference between a Stangenkäse and a Handkäse with genuine enthusiasm.
Pick up a vacuum-packed selection to take home — Harzer Käse travels well when sealed and is rarely found outside the region, making it one of the most authentic edible souvenirs in the German highlands.
More of Bad Harzburg
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Bad Harzburg →
