10 Best Local Dishes From Krakow

Sometimes incorrectly called a Polish bagel, obwarzanek is a ring-shaped bread known for its crunchy crust and soft, chewy centre. To add to the exterior crunch factor, obwarzanek is usually topped with salt, sesame seeds and/or poppy seeds.

Believe it or not, obwarzanek krakowski, Krakow’s version of obwarzanek, is so integral to Krakow’s history and culture that it was granted status as an official EU regional product in 2010. This means that ‘technically’ you can only sample true obwarzanek krakowski while you’re in Krakow, so enjoy it while you’re in town.

At first glance, maczanka krakowska looks kind of like a pulled pork sandwich. Given that it’s also a soft roll filled with juicy shredded pork and a few slices of dill pickles, the comparison isn’t all that far off. The difference comes from the spices. Maczanka krakowska’s pork is traditionally flavoured with mushrooms, onions, garlic, cumin and all-spice berries, packing a particularly pungent punch.

As for where to get this Cracovian speciality, Andrus is widely regarded as the best place to go. This bright yellow food truck has served up thousands of mouthwatering maczanka krakowska over the years.

Hit the streets of Krakow to experience one of Poland’s newest, yet most beloved street foods: zapiekanka. This open sandwich starts with a baguette as the base, with crispy mushrooms, shredded cheese and a hefty amount of ketchup on top. It’s simple, it’s cheap and it’s tasty: what more could you ask for?

For the best zapiekanka, you’ll want to go to a small-scale vendor or shop that pretty much only makes this treat, like those in the Kazimierz district. There, you’ll find the classic mushroom-cheese-ketchup zapiekanka, along with several fun variations.

Arguably one of the most well-known Polish dishes around, pierogi are boiled dumplings that are a staple for most Cracovians. The most popular variety sold in the city is the Russian variation, with its tasty potato and cheese filling.

That said, pierogi are versatile. At vendors and restaurants throughout the city, you can enjoy pierogi with all sorts of fillings, including savoury meat and vegetable options and sweet fruit and cheese options. Head to visitor-favourite Przystanek Pierogarnia or the government-subsidised Bar Mleczny Północny for some great pierogi.

Outside of Poland, the terms kielbasa and ‘Polish sausage’ are often used interchangeably. Within Poland, however, that’s not the case. There are many different types of kielbasa, since the term in Polish simply means ‘sausage’.

Instead, what most visitors are looking for when they’re searching for kielbasa is usually kielbasa krakowska, which means Krakow-style sausage. This pork-based sausage is typically eaten as a late-night snack, often after a night of drinking. Drench the sausage in a large squeeze of mustard, and you’ve got yourself a classic kielbasa krakowska experience.

Reminiscent of latkes, placki ziemniaczane are similarly fried, flattened, potato-based fritters. The main difference between the beloved Jewish potato pancakes and the Polish placki ziemniaczane is the potato texture; while latkes still have large potato shreds in the final product, the potatoes in placki ziemniaczane are broken down very thoroughly, creating a more homogenous eating experience.

Once the placki ziemniaczane are fried and golden, it’s all about the toppings and sauces. Mushroom sauce, garlic sauce, sour cream and placki po węgiersku, a kind of Polish goulash are all popular options, although some Poles prefer the dish as a sweet treat topped with sugar instead.

As the national dish of Poland, bigos should be at the top of your Krakow food bucket list. Nicknamed the ‘Hunters’ Stew’, this hearty dish can be made with just about every type of protein: pork, beef, rabbit, venison and mutton, just to name a few, along with mushrooms, sausage, cabbage and sauerkraut. It’s perfect for a cold Cracovian day.

To find great bigos in Krakow, you’ll likely have to go to an eatery that serves a whole bunch of traditional national favourites, like Gościnna Chata Restaurant or Bar Smak. It’s your chance to indulge in a veritable Polish feast.

A classic Polish comfort food, golabki’s roots can be traced back hundreds of years. These classic cabbage rolls are typically filled with a ground meat, onion and rice mixture, before being covered in a mushroom or tomato sauce. It’s home-cooking cosiness in a single dish.

Since it is seen as such a comfort food, golabki isn’t quite as easy to find on Krakow restaurant menus as some other Polish dishes. That said, both Tradycyjne Polskie Smaki Kuchnia polska Kraków and Bar Mleczny Centralny serve up hearty versions.

Like golabki, zurek is another one of those Polish dishes that’s hearty and homey. The broth is made with fermented rye flour, giving the soup a distinctive sour taste. Add the traditional toppings of hardboiled eggs and kielbasa krakowska, all served in a traditional bread bowl for the full zurek experience.

For the best zurek in Krakow, you’ve got a few different options. Polakowski, Jadłodajnia u Stasi and Bar Mleczny Bieńczyce have all been lauded for their zurek, so you may just have to try them all to determine the best of the bunch.