You arrived in Krakow for a short visit and want to taste the city’s important flavors without spending half the day searching for places? This guide is for you. I suggest a simple, logical route that connects the most famous culinary spots with a pleasant walk between landmarks. You don’t need to book everything a month in advance — this plan assumes quick stops, local snacks and places where you can get delicious food in a reasonable time.
The city published a culinary guide recently that’s a great source of inspiration, but below you’ll find a practical, “quick and direct” plan — ready to use right away. I want it to be friendly and stress-free: we’ll eat so you can enjoy Krakow and not run around like a rat in a maze.
The route is planned on foot (with short tram sections if you prefer). Culinary generations, lunch-focused spots and small bakeries sit side by side — so pack comfortable shoes and an appetite.
If you prefer a more relaxed walk or want more restaurants for longer sit-downs, you’ll also find a weekend variant laid out further below.
Let’s begin!
Time: about 6–8 hours including food breaks. This route is ideal for an intense day when you want to sample a few Krakow icons and see the main sights. Order: Wawel — Main Market Square — Floriańska Street — Kazimierz — Vistula Boulevards / Podgórze.
1) Morning start: Wawel + obwarzanki / breakfast (9:00–10:30) - Begin with a short walk on Wawel Hill: views of the Castle and its architecture make a lovely breakfast backdrop. Around Wawel you’ll find small cafés and bakeries for good coffee and fresh bread. Try the local classic — the Krakow obwarzanek, bought from a vendor by the Planty or on the streets leading to the Market.
2) Main Market Square and a quick snack (10:30–12:00) - Head to the Main Market Square. Here you can grab something sweet or try regional snacks. If you want a light meal without long waits, look for places offering a lunch menu or small taverns with quick service. A stroll around the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is also a chance to buy small souvenirs and taste artisan confectionery.
3) Quick lunch near Floriańska / Szpitalna Street (12:00–13:15) - Around Floriańska and Szpitalna you’ll find spots with fast service: pierogi bars, soups, salads or hearty set lunches. This is the time for a solid, nourishing lunch that won’t take an hour. I recommend choosing a place with a daily lunch special — often quick and good value.
4) Afternoon in Kazimierz: zapiekanka and cafés (13:30–15:30) - A visit to Kazimierz is a must. Plac Nowy and the surrounding area are famous for zapiekanki — the classic Krakow street snack, perfect when you want something fast. Kazimierz also has plenty of small cafés and bakeries where you can rest with cake and coffee. Wander the narrow streets, soak up the atmosphere and pop into a local café for an afternoon dessert.
5) Finish by the river / Podgórze (16:00–17:30) - If you still have energy, walk down to the Vistula — the boulevards and Podgórze offer a more relaxed vibe and spots with river views. It’s a great place for coffee, ice cream or a light takeaway dinner. You can end the day with a view of the city from the opposite bank of the river.
If you have a whole weekend, spread the above route over two days and add local markets and more sit-down dinners.
Day 1 — city centre and traditions: morning walk to Wawel, the Market and the Cloth Hall, lunch in a charming restaurant serving regional cuisine (reserve the evening for a longer dinner). In the evening you can visit a bistro with Polish flavors or a small wine bar.
Day 2 — Kazimierz and Podgórze: morning at Plac Nowy (zapiekanki, cafés), afternoon on the Little Market (Mały Rynek) and visiting local bakeries, finish the day on the Vistula Boulevards or in a creative spot in Podgórze.
Extra spots: Stary Kleparz — a market with local products; street-food places; artisan ice cream shops by the Planty. This way you’ll eat both “fast local” and have time for dinners focused on regional products.
The weekend plan also lets you visit several places listed in city culinary guides, which compile recommendations from local journalists and tourist organizations. It’s a great base if you want to tailor evenings to the mood: a quieter dinner or a lively venue with live music.
- Obwarzanek krakowski - crunchy outside, soft inside; often sold near the Planty and on tourist routes.
- Zapiekanka from Plac Nowy (Kazimierz) - a quick and iconic snack.
- Pierogi - classic or modern versions; a good choice for a quick lunch or a more relaxed dinner.
- Regional cuisine (for example dishes using Małopolska ingredients) - perfect for dinner if you want to taste local flavors.
- Craft coffee and cake in a cozy café - Krakow has many small spots with excellent coffee and pastries.
- Artisan ice cream - a must on warm days.
This list is a small must-eat selection for a short stay — not all at once, but pick 2–4 items and enjoy the variety.
- At lunch hours (around 12:00–14:00) many restaurants offer a special menu called “lunch” or “menu of the day” - it’s a quick and often good-value option.
- If you don’t want to wait for a table: choose places with bar service or those marked as “fast casual”. In the city centre you’ll often find spots with quick service.
- It’s useful to have cash for small stalls (for example for obwarzanek or zapiekanka), although most places accept cards.
- Avoid the biggest tourist crowds right next to major attractions by walking a few side streets — you’ll usually find equally good food and shorter queues.
- If you want to try seasonal specialties or local markets, check opening days and hours of markets and small food museums before you go.
- The walking route connecting Wawel — Main Market — Kazimierz is about an hour of relaxed walking (without stops). Plan extra time for eating and sightseeing.
- You don’t have to reserve every place if you only plan snacks and quick lunches. For longer evening dinners it’s worth booking a table, especially on weekends.
- If the weather turns, many cafés and small restaurants have cozy interiors; you can also choose takeaway and eat in one of the city’s green spots.
- The most important thing: plan flexibly. This plan is here to help you decide where to go and what to eat, but the best discoveries often happen unexpectedly — a small place around the corner recommended over coffee can become the highlight of your trip.
- If you are visiting for a conference or trade fair, the city has a culinary guide with recommendations suitable for business guests. It’s a good resource if you need a restaurant for a meeting or a place with facilities for larger groups.
- Breakfast: coffee + fresh bread or an obwarzanek + a small pastry. A nice way to start a day of sightseeing.
- Lunch: soup of the day + main dish (for example pierogi or a salad) with a short dessert. Choose places with a “menu of the day” — quick and tasty.
- Afternoon in Kazimierz: a zapiekanka to walk with + coffee in a café with local pastries.
- Light dinner: shared starters (cheese/charcuterie board, small plates) and a glass of wine. A good way to try more without sitting for hours over one main course.
These combinations work when you want to taste many things and keep a flexible rhythm to the day.
Krakow offers plenty of culinary opportunities: from street snacks to restaurants recognized for creative menus. This plan is designed so that in one day you can taste the city’s most important “flavors”, and over a weekend you can savor them more slowly.
If you’d like, I can help tailor the route to your preferences: a vegetarian version, quick stops with children, or a route focused on local products and markets. Tell me how you want to taste Krakow - and I will craft the route step by step for you.
I wish you a delicious and enjoyable stay - see you on the streets of Krakow! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz, guide.
