Kraków isn’t only Poland’s cultural capital — it’s also a paradise for food lovers. This Foodie’s Guide to Kraków will lead you through the best spots for traditional dishes, street food, and sweet treats. From steaming pierogi to artisanal vodkas, Kraków blends centuries of culinary heritage with modern creativity. In this Foodie’s Guide to Kraków, you’ll discover where to eat, what to try, and how to experience the city like a true gourmet.
Traditional Polish Dishes You Must Try
Before diving into restaurants, here are the dishes every visitor should taste:
- Pierogi: dumplings stuffed with meat, cheese, or seasonal vegetables.
- Żurek: sour rye soup served in a bread bowl.
- Bigos: hunter’s stew with cabbage and various meats.
- Obwarzanek: a pretzel-like bread ring sold by street vendors.
- Oscypek: smoked sheep’s cheese from the Tatra region, often served grilled.
Best Restaurants for Traditional Polish Food
1. Pod Aniołami (Under the Angels)
Historic cellar restaurant serving classic Polish dishes like duck, wild boar, and pierogi in a medieval atmosphere.
🔗 Website
2. Wierzynek Restaurant
This legendary venue has hosted kings since 1364. Perfect for refined Polish cuisine paired with fine wines.
🔗 Website
3. Starka Restaurant
Located in Kazimierz, it’s famous for homemade flavored vodkas and hearty Polish recipes.
🔗 Website
Street Food & Casual Eats
4. Pierogarnia Krakowiacy
Specializing in a huge variety of pierogi — a must for dumpling lovers.
🔗 Facebook Page
5. Plac Nowy in Kazimierz
This square is known for its zapiekanki (Polish-style baguette pizzas) from various stalls. It’s the city’s street food hotspot.
6. Stary Kleparz Market
A traditional market with fresh produce, cheeses, cured meats, and Polish snacks.
🔗 Info
Sweet Treats & Cafés
- Café Camelot: artistic café near the Main Square, great for cakes and coffee. 🔗 Website
- Krakowska Manufaktura Czekolady: artisanal chocolate shop offering workshops and handmade sweets. 🔗 Instagram
- Good Lood: modern ice cream parlor with creative flavors and natural ingredients. 🔗 Website
Drinks & Nightlife
Kraków is also famous for its vodkas, craft beers, and wine bars:
- Wódka Café Bar: try a vodka tasting flight in the Old Town. 🔗 Tripadvisor
- Alchemia: an atmospheric bar in Kazimierz with live music and candlelit interiors. 🔗 Website
One-Day Foodie Itinerary in Kraków
- Morning: Grab an obwarzanek from a street vendor near the Main Market Square.
- Late Morning: Visit Stary Kleparz Market to sample local cheeses and charcuterie.
- Lunch: Feast on pierogi at Pierogarnia Krakowiacy.
- Afternoon Snack: Treat yourself to chocolate at Krakowska Manufaktura Czekolady.
- Dinner: Experience a traditional Polish feast at Wierzynek or Pod Aniołami.
- Evening: End with a vodka tasting at Wódka Café Bar or cocktails at Alchemia.
Conclusion
Kraków is a city where every meal tells a story. From hearty stews and dumplings to artisanal chocolates and creative ice creams, you’ll find flavors to suit every palate. With this Foodie’s Guide to Kraków, you now know where to go, what to try, and how to make your stay a true culinary adventure.
Whether you’re sipping homemade vodka in Kazimierz, biting into zapiekanki at Plac Nowy, or savoring a royal dinner at Wierzynek, your journey through Kraków will be unforgettable.
