Where to eat in Kraków
Kraków eats Polish: dumplings, sour rye soup, grilled sausage and cheesecake in an old cafe. The cheapest and best meals are in milk bars and the cafes of Kazimierz. Eat pierogi at lunch, take cake in the afternoon, and book dinner at weekends.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- Kazimierz for cafes and dinner, the Old Town side streets for lunch.
- Order this
- Pierogi, żurek and a zapiekanka from Plac Nowy.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12, dinner from 6pm. Milk bars close early.
- Book or walk in
- Book Friday and Saturday dinner. Milk bars and cafes take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Tip about 10 per cent in restaurants. Round up in cafes.
What to eat in Kraków
- PierogiFilled dumplings, boiled or fried, with cheese and potato, meat, or cabbage and mushroom.
- ŻurekA sour rye soup with sausage and egg, often served in a bread bowl.
- ZapiekankaA long open toasted baguette with mushrooms, cheese and ketchup, sold from the Plac Nowy stands.
- ObwarzanekA ring-shaped bread sold from street carts, a local speciality with a protected name.
- BigosA slow-cooked stew of sauerkraut, cabbage and several meats, eaten with rye bread.
- GołąbkiCabbage rolls stuffed with pork and rice, in a tomato sauce.
- SernikPolish cheesecake made with curd cheese, often baked and served with coffee.
Where to eat in Kraków, by neighborhood
Kazimierz
The old Jewish quarter, with cafes, small restaurants and street food around Plac Nowy. The best area for an evening.
Old Town side streets
Milk bars, old cafes and cellar restaurants away from the Main Market Square. Avoid the square itself.
Podgórze
Quieter restaurants and cafes across the river, popular with locals.
Near Wawel Hill
A few traditional restaurants close to the castle, good after a morning there.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Jama Michalika
złzłArt cafe · Stare Miasto
OrderCoffee and a slice of cake
A cafe on Floriańska Street, open since 1895, with a richly painted interior and an artistic past.
- Book
- Walk in, book for dinner
Confirmed open: jamamichalika.pl
-
Camelot Café
złzłCafe · Stare Miasto
OrderSernik or a Polish breakfast
A cozy artists' cafe on St Thomas Street, with small rooms, a terrace and homemade cakes.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: camelotcafe.pl
-
Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą
złMilk bar · Stare Miasto
OrderPierogi ruskie or żurek
A cheap canteen serving Polish home cooking, on the Royal Route, close to the Old Town.
- Book
- Walk in, expect a queue at lunch
Confirmed open: inyourpocket.com
-
Pod Wawelem
złzłRestaurant · Near Wawel Hill
OrderRoast pork knuckle or pierogi
A large traditional restaurant and beer hall near Wawel Castle, serving Polish dishes, often with folk music in the evening.
- Book
- Book ahead for evenings
- Closed
- Mondays
Confirmed open: inyourpocket.com
Food markets in Kraków
- Stary KleparzThe city's oldest market, with fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread and flowers. Go before 10am for the best choice.Monday to Friday 6am to 6pm, Saturday 6am to 4:30pm, closed SundaySource: inyourpocket.com
How Kraków eats
- Meal timesLunch from 12 and dinner from 6pm. Milk bars close by about 8pm.
- Milk barsOrder at the counter, pay first, then collect your plate and clear your tray.
- TippingTip about 10 per cent in restaurants. Round up in cafes.
- PayingAsk for the bill at the table. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Signs of a place to walk past
A menu in six languages with photographs of every dish.
A restaurant on the Main Market Square with a tout outside.
A zapiekanka stand with no queue of locals.
Eating in Kraków: questions people ask
What food is Kraków known for?
Pierogi, żurek, zapiekanka and obwarzanek. Milk bars serve the cheapest home cooking.
Where should I eat in Kraków?
Kazimierz for dinner and cafes, the Old Town side streets for lunch.
What is a milk bar?
A cheap canteen from the communist era that serves simple Polish dishes at low prices.
Do I need to book in Kraków?
At weekends, yes, for popular restaurants. Milk bars and cafes take walk-ins.
What is a zapiekanka?
A long open toasted baguette topped with mushrooms, cheese and ketchup, sold in Plac Nowy.
Do you tip in Kraków?
Yes. Tip about 10 per cent in restaurants and round up in cafes.