Food in Poland was one of the highlights of my trip, and something I ended up thinking about way more than I expected.
While I was traveling around the country with the Polish Tourism Board, I had the chance to try a mix of traditional Polish food, from classic comfort dishes to things I hadn’t even heard of before. Polish cuisine leans heavily on hearty, no-frills dishes made with local ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, and pork. It’s the kind of food you crave more when it’s cold outside and you want something warm and comforting.
If you’re curious about what to eat in Poland, here are some of the dishes that stood out. Don’t expect to be counting calories here!
Traditional Polish Foods (Quick List)
- Classic dishes: Pierogi, Bigos, Gołąbki, Barszcz, Żurek
- Meat & comfort foods: Kotlet schabowy, Kiełbasa, Zrazy, Kopytka, Placki ziemniaczane
- Street food & regional specialties: Zapiekanka, Oscypek, Obwarzanek krakowski, grilled kiełbasa sandwiches
- Desserts & sweets: Pączki, Sernik, Makowiec, Szarlotka, Faworki
- Soups & traditional staples: Rosół, Krupnik, Kapusniak, Chłodnik, Flaki
Classic Polish Dishes
- Pierogi – dumplings filled with potato, cheese, meat, or fruit
- Bigos – hearty hunter’s stew with sauerkraut and meat
- Gołąbki – cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice
- Barszcz – traditional beetroot soup
- Żurek – sour rye soup, often served in bread
Zurek Sour Soup
Meals usually started with a soup, and at Pod Fredra in Wroclaw we were served a traditional Polish soup called ‘Zurek’ which contains smoked sausage, egg and white sausage. What makes it so unique is that it is served inside a bread roll! Zurek is traditionally eaten at Easter, although it can be served at any time of year. The Poles often serve this to guests because of the novel way in which it is served, and it’s one of those dishes that’s just as much about the presentation as the flavor.
Meat & Comfort Foods
- Kotlet schabowy – breaded pork cutlet (similar to schnitzel)
- Kiełbasa – famous Polish sausage
- Placki ziemniaczane – crispy potato pancakes
- Kopytka – soft potato dumplings
- Zrazy – rolled beef stuffed with pickles and bacon
Meat and Cabbage
Polish cuisine leans heavily towards meat and winter vegetables, which you start to notice pretty quickly.
Cabbage in particular shows up everywhere, and the Poles clearly know how to use it well. Not that I’m complaining – I’m a fan too. In the photo you can see a typical meal of pork with roast potatoes and red cabbage.
Zrazy Beef Rolls
Zrazy is another traditional Polish dish, which we had for lunch at the Radisson Blu in Wroclaw.
It’s made from thin slices of beef, veal or game that are pan-fried, then stewed until tender and rolled up with a filling inside. The stuffing varies depending on the recipe, but mushrooms, onions and pickles are pretty common.
Polish Street Food & Regional Specialities
- Zapiekanka – open-faced baguette with mushrooms and cheese
- Oscypek – smoked sheep’s cheese from the mountains
- Obwarzanek krakowski – Kraków-style pretzel
- Grilled kielbasa sandwiches
Oscypek Cheese
At Staro Izba tavern in the mountain resort of Zakopane, I tried a Polish cheese called Oscypek.
It comes exclusively from the Tatra Mountains region and is made from salted sheep’s milk. The texture is quite firm and slightly rubbery, similar to halloumi. Ours was grilled and served with cranberry, but it’s also commonly eaten cold, especially alongside a drink.
Polish Desserts & Sweets
- Pączki – traditional filled donuts
- Sernik – Polish-style cheesecake
- Makowiec – poppy seed cake/roll
- Szarlotka – Polish apple pie
- Faworki – crispy fried pastries
Szarlotka Apple Pie
Apple cake is a popular dessert in Poland. I had this delicious Polish apple cake at Piwnica Swidnicka restaurant in Wroklaw. It had the fluffiest meringue I’ve ever tasted!
Soups & Traditional Staples
- Flaki – traditional tripe soup
- Krupnik – barley soup
- Chłodnik – cold beet soup (popular in summer)
- Kapusniak – sauerkraut soup
- Rosół – classic Polish chicken broth
Jewish Food in Poland
On our last night in Krakow, we had dinner at Ariel Jewish restaurant in the Jewish quarter. To start we had fried meat dumplings which are called Pierogi. Our main course was fried carp served with potatoes. Jews first farmed carp in specially managed ponds in Poland, and then it became a traditional Sabbath dish. Jellied carp is the classic Jewish dish, but ours was crumbed and served with a slice of lemon and a lump of butter.
Alcohol in Poland
Polish people drink a lot of vodka, and it is quite normal to order a bottle of vodka for the table, then drink shots until the bottle is empty. It actually tastes quite good and they say if you don’t mix it with anything else, you shouldn’t get a hangover the next day! (Not quite sure about that one!)
Another kind of shot they love is the ‘Mad Dog’ shot, which is vodka with raspberry syrup and tabasco! An interesting flavour…
In Poland they also serve lots of different beers, including wheat beer, dark beer, honey beer and chocolate beer. When they serve you your beer, they’ll also give you a small sandwich filled with lard! You get these sandwiches every time you order your drink, but if lard isn’t your thing, you don’t have to eat it!
FAQs About Polish Food
The most popular Polish food is Pierogi, which are dumplings filled with ingredients like potato and cheese, meat, or fruit. They’re served everywhere in Poland and are often considered the country’s national dish.
Traditional Polish food is simple, filling, and based on ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, meat, and grains. Many dishes are designed to be hearty and comforting, especially during colder months.
If it’s your first time in Poland, try Pierogi, Żurek, and Bigos. These dishes give a good introduction to Polish flavors and are easy to find in most restaurants.
Polish cuisine is traditionally meat-heavy, but there are still vegetarian options. Dishes like cheese and potato pierogi, soups, and some salads can be vegetarian, especially in larger cities.
Yes, soup plays a big role in Polish cuisine. Popular options include Żurek, Barszcz, and Rosół, and they are often served as a starter or even a main meal.
Poland is best known for dishes like Pierogi, Kiełbasa, and Barszcz. The cuisine focuses on hearty meals, fermented ingredients, and comforting flavors.
Ha ha ha, great post, but how could you miss ‘pierogi’ ? There is no Polish cuisine without them! 🙂
I was very surprised to see that they do not fry Pierogi in a pan . They just boil them and serve them. I guess it’s a USA thing . Cuisine was very good and fantastic prices .