Good to know
Good to Know
- Krakow is exceptionally affordable for dining compared to Western Europe; budget restaurants and milk bars (bar mleczny) offer quality traditional food at very low prices (10-40 PLN per meal).
- The Polish main meal traditionally occurs 14:00–16:00 after work, not at noon; restaurants are busiest during this window. Weekday lunch sets ('zestaw dnia') offer excellent value.
- Tipping ~10% is customary in sit-down restaurants for good service; milk bars and counter-service spots do not expect tips, and 'serwis' on the bill means service charge is included.
- Old Town restaurants (Stare Miasto) tend to be 15–20% more expensive than Kazimierz; stepping away from the main square (Rynek Główny) yields significantly better prices with similar quality.
- Street food vendors at Plac Nowy in Kazimierz serve zapiekanka (Polish pizza) — the round building in the square has multiple stalls with different creative toppings.
- Vegan and vegetarian dining in Krakow is unusually robust for Eastern Europe; dedicated vegan restaurants exist alongside omnivore spots with clearly marked plant-based options.
- Payment and language: Major restaurants accept cards (Visa/Mastercard); English is widely spoken in tourist-facing establishments. Learning key Polish food phrases helps at smaller venues.
- Book reservations for popular mid-range and high-end restaurants, especially evenings and weekends; solo diners may walk in more easily than groups.
Supermarkets
Biedronka
- Neighborhood
- Throughout city center — widely available
- Note
- Popular local discount supermarket; most affordable option for groceries with wide variety of fresh produce and staples
ŻAbka
- Neighborhood
- Throughout city center — multiple locations
- Note
- Convenience store chain open daily until 11 p.m., including Sundays when most shops close
Carrefour
- Neighborhood
- City center outskirts
- Note
- Larger supermarket with full selection of groceries and international products
Budget
Polakowski Self-Service Restaurant
- Price Range
- PLN 40
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Polish home cooking, no-frills style
Bar Mleczny Krakus
- Price Range
- PLN 35
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Polish milk bar fare—pierogi, soups, kotlets
Pierogarnia Krakowiacy
- Price Range
- PLN 30
- Neighborhood
- Kazimierz
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Pierogi specialties with various fillings
Mleczarnia
- Price Range
- PLN 38
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Polish comfort food in homey setting
High End
Bottiglieria 1881
- Price Range
- PLN 280
- Neighborhood
- Kazimierz
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Modern Polish fine dining with 500+ wine cellar; 2-star Michelin
Copernicus
- Price Range
- PLN 260
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto) — Kanonicza 16
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Contemporary Polish cuisine with Wawel Castle views; Michelin-selected
Amarylis
- Price Range
- PLN 250
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Modern fusion Polish cuisine with tasting menus; Michelin-selected
Mid Range
Klimaty Poludnia
- Price Range
- PLN 65
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Polish cuisine specializing in gnocchi
Smakołyki
- Price Range
- PLN 75
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Modern Polish cuisine—traditional dishes with contemporary presentation
Pod Nosem
- Price Range
- PLN 85
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto) — Kanonicza Street
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Polish and modern cuisine with elegant atmosphere
Pierozki U Vincenta
- Price Range
- PLN 50
- Neighborhood
- Kazimierz
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Polish dumplings and regional specialties
Delivery Services
Uber Eats
- Note
- Major app-based food delivery service operating in Krakow; covers extensive restaurant selection across all neighborhoods
Glovo
- Note
- Food and goods delivery platform available in Krakow; integrates multiple restaurants and stores
Bolt Food
- Note
- Delivery service from Bolt rideshare company; growing presence in Krakow food delivery market
Michelin Restaurants
Bottiglieria 1881
- Address
- Kazimierz district
- Cuisine
- Modern Polish fine dining
- Michelin Status
- 2 Michelin stars
- Description
- Poland's only 2-star Michelin restaurant; exudes class with fine stonework, aged timber, open kitchen, superior service, and expertly stocked wine cellar with over 500 vintages
Amarylis
- Address
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine
- Contemporary Polish fine dining
- Michelin Status
- Michelin-selected (1 star)
- Description
- Contemporary interpretation of fine Polish cuisine; tasting menus showcase modern techniques with seasonal produce and artistic presentation
Kogel Mogel
- Address
- Near Planty Park
- Cuisine
- Modern Polish with refined presentation
- Michelin Status
- Michelin Bib Gourmand
- Description
- Fine-dining restaurant with refined takes on classic Polish cuisine; stylish decor with embroidered Krakow motifs; exceptional value designation
Copernicus
- Address
- Hotel Copernicus, Old Town (Stare Miasto)
- Cuisine
- Modern Polish fine dining
- Michelin Status
- Michelin-selected
- Description
- Two tasting menus reinventing historical Polish recipes with seasonal produce, precise presentation, and engaging service; intimate setting with views of Wawel Castle
Hana Sushi
- Address
- Kazimierz
- Cuisine
- Japanese fine dining
- Michelin Status
- Michelin-selected
- Description
- Sushi prepared by Tokyo-trained master; splendid craftsmanship emphasizing quality over complexity; Korean dishes also available
Local Must Try Dishes
Pierogi
- Typical Price
- PLN 28
- Description
- Traditional Polish dumplings filled with potato and cheese, meat, mushrooms, or fruit; served with caramelized onions and sour cream
ŻUrek
- Typical Price
- PLN 25
- Description
- Sour rye soup made with sausage or kielbasa, potatoes, soured rye flour; served in a bowl of rye bread
Kotlet Schabowy
- Typical Price
- PLN 42
- Description
- Breaded pork chop fried to perfection, served with mashed potatoes or sauerkraut; Polish take on Viennese schnitzel
Gołąbki
- Typical Price
- PLN 30
- Description
- Cabbage rolls filled with ground pork, rice, and seasonings in tomato sauce
Bigos
- Typical Price
- PLN 35
- Description
- Hunter's stew with sauerkraut, meat, mushrooms, onions, and spices; becomes more flavorful when reheated
Obwarzanek
- Typical Price
- PLN 3.00
- Description
- Bagel-like ring-shaped bread sprinkled with poppy or sesame seeds; iconic Krakow street food
Zapiekanka
- Typical Price
- PLN 20
- Description
- Open-faced baguette topped with mushrooms, cheese, garlic sauce, and various toppings; late-night street favorite from Plac Nowy
Placki Ziemniaczane
- Typical Price
- PLN 24
- Description
- Fried potato pancakes served with goulash or sour cream; comfort food and traditional hangover remedy
Vegan And Vegetarian Dining
- Description
- Krakow has an exceptional vegan and vegetarian scene with numerous dedicated restaurants alongside omnivore establishments with clear plant-based options.
Venues
Veganic Restaurant
- Type
- Fully vegan restaurant
- Highlights
- Approximately 90% of menu vegan; seasonal menu with reimagined global cuisines and Polish classics (e.g., vegan bigos); extensive lunch deals; bright modern space with large summer terrace; superfood smoothies and handmade non-alcoholic drinks
- Price Range
- PLN 45
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Glonojad
- Type
- Vegetarian/vegan restaurant
- Highlights
- All-day breakfast and dinner; sourced from local farms; international menu (curries, quesadillas, samosas, pierogis); vegan and gluten-free options clearly marked; unpretentious homemade dishes; terrace and café vibe
- Price Range
- PLN 40
- Neighborhood
- Old Town edge (Planty/Barbican area)
Vegab
- Type
- Vegan kebab specialist
- Highlights
- Vegan kebabs developed as healthier alternative inspired by traditional kebab shops; substantial portions; owned by young entrepreneurs committed to plant-based fast food
- Price Range
- PLN 38
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Stare Miasta)
Krowarzywa
- Type
- Vegetarian fast-food restaurant
- Highlights
- Plant-based burgers and bowls; fresh ingredients transcending junk-food stereotypes; beyond-meat options appeal to non-vegetarians; casual style
- Price Range
- PLN 42
- Neighborhood
- Old Town center
Pod Norenami
- Type
- Vegetarian/vegan pan-Asian
- Highlights
- Strictly vegetarian restaurant with large vegan selection; Japanese-influenced stylish setting; sushi, noodles, tofu dishes; chef uses traditional Asian recipes and practices
- Price Range
- PLN 55
- Neighborhood
- City center
Bhajan Cafe
- Type
- Fully vegetarian Indian restaurant
- Highlights
- Authentic vegetarian Indian cuisine; all options vegan-adaptable (mango lassi with coconut milk); yoga and meditation classes during day; warm, spiritual atmosphere
- Price Range
- PLN 48
- Neighborhood
- City center
International And Non Local
- Description
- Krakow has diverse dining beyond traditional Polish cuisine. Italian restaurants are abundant (Boscaiola, Da Marco, Trattoria Soprano). Indian options include Hariprasad Samosa & Curry and Bhajan Cafe. Japanese restaurants like Nago Sushi and Pod Norenami offer sushi and pan-Asian fare. Mexican-inspired options appear at Krowarzywa and vegan interpretations. Middle Eastern offerings (Mazaya serving falafel and hummus) and French restaurants (Cyrano de Bergerac) cater to diverse palates throughout Old Town and Kazimierz.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.krakowtastytour.com
- 2.radicalstorage.com
- 3.krakowfoodtour.com
- 4.discovercracow.com
- 5.krakow.wiki
- 6.goodtimemonty.com
- 7.thesavvybackpacker.com
- 8.visitkrakow.com
- 9.myforagerapp.com
- 10.wanderlog.com
- 11.budgettraveller.org
- 12.hellotickets.com
- 13.theworldunbound.com
- 14.visitkrakow.com
- 15.guide.michelin.com
- 16.inyourpocket.com
- 17.krakowtop.org
- 18.thewanderfulme.com
- 19.https://www.along dustyroads.com/posts/vegan-vegetarian-restaurants-krakow
- 20.veggiesabroad.com
- 21.brightnomad.net
- 22.happycow.net
- 23.veggievisa.com
- 24.goodtimemonty.com
- 25.thesunrisedreamers.com
- 26.madisonsfootsteps.com
- 27.roadunraveled.com
- 28.krakowdirect.com
- 29.midnightblueelephant.com
- 30.kimberlykepharttravels.com
- 31.introducingkrakow.com
- 32.inyourpocket.com
- 33.misstraveltheworld.com
- 34.manvsglobe.com
More About Kraków
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.