Tasting my way through Poland’s food scene
I still reminisce about Poland and all the flavourful and varied dishes I tried stuffed my face with! Poland’s food scene has plenty to offer: traditional comfort foods, global favourites, and a fusion of tastes, allowing you a grand selection of dining experiences. The layered charm of the country itself draws you into it, to look further and see how food is such a part of its past and present. I honestly think that one cannot be disappointed with the food options offered. Now, let’s eat!
Kraków
Kraków is the grand dame of the foodie scene in Poland, at least in my opinion, particularly the Kazimierz neighborhood. I may have tried my first pierogi, Poland’s national dish, in Poznań, but it was Kraków’s impressive and varied food scene that made it clear that this trip was going to be as much about food as history and sightseeing.
Savory Highlights
Fried Potato Pancakes & Goulash
Kuchnia u Doroty (📍Kazimierz)
Placki ziemniaczane z gulaszem is a hearty stick-to-your-ribs dish of pork stew layered between crispy fried potato pancakes. Staff will say its not a big serving but trust me— it’s filling. The crispness of the potato paired with the savoury goulash brings about a feeling of homemade goodness. A side of sauerkraut balanced it out.
Kraków Pork Sandwich
Andrus Food Truck at Judah Food Market (📍Kazimierz)
Located in Judah Food Market, this food truck serves a traditional & historic Kraków favourite with their own spin. The sandwich, known as maczanka krakowska in Polish, is a soft bun filled marinated slow-cooked pulled pork that is so tender & juicy that it’s guaranteed to make a mess—but you won’t care. They have vegetarian options on hand as well.
Neapolitan Margherita Pizza
Nolio Restaurant (📍Kazimierz)
Highly recommeded by the staff of my hotel, I was happy I listened to them. The Margherita pizza was just so (chef’s kiss), with its blend of crust, sauce, and cheese that nearly transported me back to Naples, Italy.
The restaurant is certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, following the strict rules about creating authentic Neapolitan pizza. It is a busy restaurant but certainly worth the wait.
Falafel
HEVRE Bar & Restaurant (📍Kazimierz)
Although I don’t have a photo, please believe me that this dish was on point. Set in an old synagogue, the ambiance is old-school meets hip & chill, which I loved immediately. It was busy when I arrived, but I felt the wait to be seated was worth it. The crispy falafels were excellent, served with a creamy hummus and a tasty surprise of pickled cranberries—an unexpected twist that gave the dish that little extra!
Scrambled Eggs with Bread
Camelot Cafe (📍Stare Miasto)
Sometimes the simplest of foods can provide the tastiest surprise! Paired with the vintage charm of Camelot Cafe and the fluffiest of scrambled eggs, I was starting my day off right. I wrote postcards, sipped my tea, and savoured my eggs all within the colourful walls of this historic cafe. Also of note: I didn’t try any, but I hear their apple pie is one of the best in Kraków.
Mining for Treats
Papal Cream Cake & Wine
Karczma Górnicza at Wieliczka Salt Mine (📍Wieliczka Salt Mine)
At the conclusion of my incredible historic Wieliczka Salt Mine tour there was a fun opportunity awaiting—the world’s deepest restaurant. Yes! Yes! I will dine 125 m / 410 ft below the ground! What can I say, I like the novelty of it.
Kremówka papieska is an elegant creamy dessert. Soft vanilla cream is layered between sheets of puff pastry and dusted with icing sugar, making it look almost too good to eat—almost! It was mellow, creamy, and the perfect way to wind down my tour before heading back to Kraków.
Poznań and Toruń
It all started in Pozań—the first city I visited in Poland. Here began my unexpected yet welcome food journey. My day trip to Toruń gave me sweetness, history, and culture in a mouthful. It was an auspicious beginning for my tastebuds.
Pierogi and Beyond
Pierogi with Cheese & Bacon / Pierogi z Boczkiem
Pyra Bar (📍Stare Miasto)
It was lunchtime and to say I was excited to try Poland’s national dish was an understatement. Although I presented a reserved demeanour, inside I was giddy. That first look, first forkful, first memory of a creamy, mild, and subtle bacon flavour infused with the cheese will be in my memory for a long time to come.
Potato & Cheese Pierogi / Pierogi Ruskie
Restauracja Vis A Vis Koziołków (📍Stary Rynek)
Filled with cheese, potato, and onion these pierogi were well balanced with a creamy filling and tender dough that melted in my mouth. It’s the dough that does it for me—never gummy or tough. The location in the Old Market Square with a view of town hall added to the ambiance, all lit up for the evening.
Note: “Ruskie” refers to Ruś (historical Ruthenia), a region encompassing parts of southeast Poland and Ukraine.
Donuts
Dobra Pączkarnia (📍Poznań Główny station)
As I headed out to Toruń for a daytrip, I grabbed a donut for my train ride. This was was my introduction to the sweet and varied flavour combinations of the donuts or pączki in Poland. My raspberry-filled treat was fresh and had me on my way with a smile. Having a sweet tooth, I certainly tried a few donuts on my wanderings.
Historic Mentions
Saint Martin’s Croissants
Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania (📍Stary Rynek)
As synonymous with Poznań as its goats on the Town Hall Clock Tower, Saint Martin’s croissants (rogal świętomarciński) are a must try. This white poppy seed filled pastry has a long-standing local history and its recipe has a protected designation within the EU. Do note, these are in no way connected to French croissants.
Sweet as it is is historic, you can visit the Rogalowe Museum for an entertaining and fun show on how they are made and providing a sample to taste. This was the only place I tried the croissant as they contain raisins, of which I am not a fan; however, it is fun show an I do recommend attending. Check online for show times and languages it is offered in.
Toruń Gingerbread
Galeria Piernika Store (📍Stare Miasto)
Pierniki Toruńskie or Toruń gingerbread has a long history dating back to medieval times, resulting in it becoming an icon of Polish foods. The historic spice trade provided the flavours that are in these amazing treats. I loved the softness of the cookies and the blend of spices, giving it a special flavour blend. They also made fantastic souvenirs.
Wrocław
So it continued in Wrocław, the perfect place enjoy hearty traditional food. A city with history yet the youthful feel of a university town and all those whimsical dwarves.
Żurek Soup
Konspira (📍Stare Miasto)
I’ll be honest, when I heard that this traditional soup is made from fermented rye flour, I didn’t know what to expect. What I did experience, however, was a creamy, tangy soup layered with flavour. This soup is often filled with vegetables, meat, and sometimes a boiled egg. My warm bowl of żurek was a perfect lunch on a cool, overcast day filled with gnome hunting.
Baked Pierogi / Pierogi z Pieca
Pierogarnia Stary Młyn Wrocław (📍Rynek)
In an effort to expand my pierogi experience I was fully onboard with trying baked pierogi. I selected a regional flavour known as piecuchy chrząstawskie, that is stuffed with potatoes, cottage cheese, and bacon inside a yeast-based dough that gives them a thick, crispy crust. An order of “surówka na ciepło“, warm stewed vegetables, completed my lunch while entertaining my tastebuds.
Warsaw
My favourite aspect of this modern metropolis is that is did not feel pretenious. Warsaw’s vibe is one of welcome yet not flashy even though it has plenty to rightly boast about, including all those world food options.
Fried Meat Pierogi / Pierogi z Mięsem Smażone
Mleczarnia Jerozolimska (📍Nowe Miasto)
Tucking into a plate of perfectly pan-fried meat pierogi at a tradtional milk bar (bar mleczny) was akin to a rite of passage. Dating back to the Poland’s Communist era (and beyond), they serve homestyle food at inexpensive prices while maintaining a beloved spot within the modern cityscape of Warsaw.
Potato Dumplings
Zapiecek Polskie Pierogarnie (📍Stare Miasto)
This restaurant in Warsaw’s Old Town felt like a warm hug, with its cozy, narrow space and plate of potato dumplings. Golasy, a colloquial term, translates to “naked guys” and refers to plain, undressed dumplings (not to be confused with Silesian potato dumplings, kluski śląskie), which are usually a main dish. Clearly, I opted for a ‘dressed’ version with meat and cheese to my final dinner in Poland.
Savouring the Flavours
Enjoying food goes beyond nourishment and satiety. When we taste food in another destination, it can become an experience of not only flavour but one of history, people, and their stories. It weaves centuries of tradtion into the sharing of cultures and hopefully, of understanding. Now, please, go eat some pierogi in Poland!
All photos taken and owned by Wanders the World
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