Warsaw
Just outside the Barbican, look for this traditional milk bar (self-service canteen) that’s been around for decades. Don’t be put off by the faded…
Must-see restaurants in Poland
Kraków
Craft beers, burgers and hummus ‘bowls’ – a scoop of hummus topped with fish or beef sauce – all served up in a minimalist urban setting of exposed brick…
Wielkopolska
Located right on the Rynek, Żuraw i Czapla (Crane & Heron) serves burgers, pizza, pasta and a range of salads in a modern and comfortable atmosphere. If…
Warsaw
A prime example of an updated 'milk bar', where wholesome budget meals were served during Poland's communist years. Gdański offers a fresh, modern…
Carpathian Mountains
You’ll find excellent Polish cooking at this upscale restaurant on a small square on the western end of the Rynek. We’re a big fan of the home-style żurek…
Lower Silesia
Originally food-truck cuisine, the bulas (steamed buns) at this unusual little shopfront-restaurant come stuffed with slow-cooked meat, salads, sauces and…
Łódź
Part of a Polish vegetarian chain, Green Way is a slick, modern cafe-bar serving a range of appealing dishes with Mexican, Indian and, yes, Polish…
Warsaw
The motto here is 'a lot of good food for a reasonable price' and that’s exactly what you can expect from this lively and large beerhouse serving…
Kraków
This place has more atmosphere than your typical milk bar, thanks to the Gothic vaulted ceiling, but the food is still straightforward and simple. Look…
Wrocław
La Scala pulls out most of the stops to produce authentic but relatively pricey Italian food. The cheaper trattoria at ground level serves good pizza and…
Gdańsk & Pomerania
Grab a tray and line up for cheap, filling socialist-era fare and glasses of weak kompot (boiled fruit drink) in a semi-institutional dining room complete…
Warsaw
Superb-quality patisserie, including mirror-glazed mousse cakes, is what grabs the eye in this lovely, contemporary-styled tearoom with leafy wallpaper…
Toruń
Large, cheap and popular milk bar where all of Poland's filling staples are present, correct and ladled out by grumpy dinner ladies. Always a free table,…
Wielkopolska
This restaurant has an elegantly old-fashioned interior within the town hall building and a spacious deck on the street in the warmer months. There are…
Poznań
Especially if you're based in one of the nearby hotels on Św Marcin, then you'll gravitate towards Kuchnia Wandy for its range of poultry, red meats and…
Podgórze
The Podgórze branch of a local chain of Middle Eastern fast-food outlets serves up excellent, life-affirming set menus of falafel and hummus. Most people…
Gdańsk & Pomerania
At the station end of town, this friendly, unpretentious cafe serves helpings of pizza, pasta, salads and an all-day breakfast to a mixed crowd of locals…
Małopolska
This cosy, French Provincial–style cafe just up from the Rynek is perfect for a coffee or meal, such as a savoury crêpe or something cheesy. People love…
Warmia & Masuria
Tawerna occupies a lovely spot on a small lake inlet at the northern end of town. Its large wooden deck is the perfect place for an aperitif or a hearty…
Szczecin
Strange name, cool place with its menu of steaks, Thai, gnocchi and pizzas served by welcoming staff amid colourful cushions and simple bistro tables…
Sudetes Mountains
This all-rounder does pizza and more substantial mains, and serves draught beer. There's a broad tiled terrace out front, ideal for relaxing and…
Małopolska
This cosy pub (that thankfully is only vaguely faux Irish) is the place to head in the evening for fine regional Polish cooking, plus fish and chips, big…
Szczecin
With its chequered tile floor, tiny stools bolted down, time-warped menu boards in 1970s plastic lettering and brusque, ladle-wielding dinner ladies, this…
Małopolska
Hidden away in an open space behind buildings is this pod of food trucks. The meals are simple and fresh; you'll have your choice of sausage and ice-cream…
Warsaw
The menu at this touristy but fun communist-era-themed restaurant, set in an outsized log cabin, is split between dishes for dignitaries such as Polish…
Warmia & Masuria
Northern Poland's best Prague-style beer hall is a pretty authentic affair complete with three types of Bohemian lager, a menu of stodgy goulash, potato…
Gdańsk & Pomerania
Few stick around long in Kwidzyn but for a quick lunch before hopping on the bus elsewhere, this milk bar near the station does the trick. Expect basic…
Warsaw
Traditional Polish dishes such as roast duck and apples and pork knuckle are served in a superbly stylish communist-era interior. The set two-course lunch…
Toruń
This very popular milk bar offers substantial Polish stodge for a fistful of złoty amid token gentrification. The outdoor window serves waffles, ice cream…
Sudetes Mountains
The in-house restaurant of the Willa Kaprys is a roomy, mellow place, with a polished central bar and dark bentwood chairs. The menu is evenly split…
Silesia
Cheap as chips and enduringly popular with the locals, this unreformed bar mleczny on the main square looks drab and basic, but the food is tasty. The set…
Sudetes Mountains
Overlooking the spa park, this bright contemporary eatery serves a tasty selection of Polish dishes and pizzas. There's a cosy back room for more intimacy…
Wielkopolska
This large restaurant is on the main road to Kalisz and about 500m from the castle. Its mainstays are chicken and pork prepared in different ways, served…
Carpathian Mountains
This great spot for coffee and cakes also offers a free and reliable wi-fi connection. It’s opposite the Main Pump Room at the northern end of the Old Spa…
Wrocław
The largest full-service supermarket in central Wrocław is this Carrefour, in the Galeria Dominikańska shopping centre 600m east of the Rynek.
Gdańsk
Pellowski's run over 20 cafe bakeries across the city centre and are Gdańsk's best-known bakers. This branch opens early enough throughout the week for a…
Poznań
One of Poznań’s top restaurants, Delicja is tucked away off Plac Wolności, with its own miniature courtyard and an illustrious reputation for top-notch…
Carpathian Mountains
If you’re looking for ice cream or a slice of something homemade and sweet, this retro, diner-style cafe on the pedestrian drag just east of the Rynek…
Gdańsk & Pomerania
An alternative to the town's hotel restaurants, this decent place offers an honest menu of fish sold per 100g and pierogi. The outdoor summer marquee has…
Wielkopolska
The television screen showing Bollywood films might distract at times, but Taj Mahal is a good choice for standard Indian fare if you feel like a change…
