Yes — it is possible. You just need to know where to look, what to avoid and which tricks to use. The Main Square is Krakow’s tourist heart, so naturally some places charge more. But a few steps into the side streets, a couple of proven strategies and your wallet will be in much better shape than after a meal right on the square.
In this article I’ll share tried-and-true ideas for an inexpensive and tasty meal near the Main Square, point out well-rated places worth visiting and describe practical rules that will help you avoid common dining traps.
Check the menu before you go in. Most places display their menu outside — if prices are missing, take it as a warning to be cautious.
Avoid spots on the very corners of the Square and places with aggressive staff invitations. These are often aimed primarily at quickly earning from tourists.
Look for a “dish of the day” or a lunch menu — it’s the best way to eat locally and cheaply. Many restaurants offer good-value sets at lunchtime.
If you want to save, explore the side streets: Grodzka, Miodowa, Szewska, Józefa or Gołębia often hide establishments with more reasonable prices than the ones directly on the square.
Milk bars (bar mleczny) are an institution in Polish food culture: quick, home-style meals at low prices. Around the center and a little further out you’ll find places serving two-course lunches often much cheaper than tourist restaurants.
Look for venues recommended by locals — large portions, homely flavors and simple menus are their hallmarks. Not every milk bar is right by the Main Square, but several good canteens and lunch bars are within a short walk.
When searching, check serving hours for lunch (often 12:00–16:00) and whether the place accepts cards — some prefer cash.
If you crave coffee with atmosphere and a decent dessert, visit the well-rated historic cafés and artisan ice-cream shops around the Old Town. Cafés on the Square can be pricier, but many offer beautiful interiors and a vibe some visitors find worth the extra cost.
Classic long-standing establishments are worth experiencing for the atmosphere — they have their price — while small cafés on side streets are a great alternative, often serving excellent coffee and cake for much less.
If you’re saving money, consider buying a dessert from a bakery or gelateria a few streets off the Square instead of sitting on the main plaza.
Small lunch bars and canteens in the Old Town and Kazimierz regularly appear on lists of "where to eat cheaply". Pay attention to places offering a dish of the day, generous portions and friendly service.
If you want traditional, home-style cooking without overspending — look for canteens with good local reviews. A few of them have long histories and solid reputations among residents.
For dessert and coffee, the highest-rated cafés are often only a few steps from the Square — if you don’t need the immediate view of the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), you can pay less and still enjoy excellent flavors.
Choose a lunch bar or canteen with a “dish of the day”. It’s the fastest and usually cheapest way to get a full meal.
Find cafés and small restaurants in the side streets — they often have quick service and reasonable prices, and you won’t lose time traveling far.
If you plan a short stop, consider artisanal sandwiches, pierogi to go or local snacks you can eat on the move without sacrificing quality.
Mistake: going into the first restaurant you see on the Square. Solution: walk a few steps further or use a lunch menu.
Mistake: not reading the menu and not checking prices before ordering. Solution: always look at the menu displayed outside and ask about drink and side costs.
Mistake: no reservation on a weekend evening. Solution: book a table in advance if you plan dinner at a popular place.
Mistake: relying only on photos in windows. Solution: read local reviews and check whether the place offers what you actually need (for example vegetarian options).
Some historic cafés in the center are attractions in themselves — coffee there adds atmosphere, but prices are often higher. If you want the experience, it’s worth paying once; if you’re saving, pick a neighborhood café around the corner.
At lunchtime many restaurants run set menus that can save you several zloty — a great chance to try better food without a large expense.
Sometimes the smallest, unassuming places have the best price-to-quality ratio — ask locals or browse local recommendations.
Do I need to reserve a table? Usually not for lunch, but weekend dinner at popular places should be reserved in advance.
Should I leave a tip? Tips aren’t mandatory, but it’s customary to leave 10–15% for good service in restaurants. In milk bars and small canteens tipping is less common.
Are cards accepted? In the center most places accept cards, but some cheap canteens prefer cash — it’s good to carry a small amount on you.
Where to eat vegetarian/vegan? Krakow has a growing number of eateries with good vegetarian and vegan options; look for marked items on the menu or ask staff for off-menu suggestions.
Does a place on the Square always mean a better view? Yes, but it also usually means higher prices. If food quality matters most, head to the side streets.
Look for local lunch bars and canteens offering a "dish of the day" at a reasonable price. In the Old Town and Kazimierz you’ll find several well-rated spots serving home-style dinners and soups.
For coffee with atmosphere, visit one of the historic cafés near the Cloth Hall once — and for everyday coffee, choose the smaller cafés in side streets.
For a quick dessert try artisan gelato shops and bakeries a little away from the Square — the taste is often excellent while prices tend to be lower than strictly tourist venues.
Before entering a place: check the menu, prices, lunch hours and payment methods.
If you want to save: choose the dish of the day, milk bars or small lunch bars in side streets.
If you want the experience: it may be worth paying more once for coffee or dessert in a historic café on the Square.
If you need personalized advice, table reservations, help with logistics or even a whole day planned including meals — contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz via her site. She helps plan museum and sightseeing routes, arranges bookings for accommodation, restaurants and tickets, and can accompany you on tours.
With the guide’s support you’ll save time and avoid tourist traps — and you’ll discover Krakow through local flavors.
If this guide helped you — share it with friends or on your social profiles. Recommend it to anyone heading to Krakow so their visit can be tasty and budget-friendly!
And if you want someone to plan everything and show you around Krakow: contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz on her site — she’ll help organize the perfect stay.
