If you want a tasty lunch and an authentic local atmosphere, look for places recommended by residents or local bloggers – not those with loud photos of dishes at the entrance. In Krakow pay attention to the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze – each neighborhood has culinary gems. In Zakopane look for mountain inns away from Krupówki or for restaurants with a longer, proven history.
For many visitors a “good place” means: fresh ingredients, a simple menu, honest portions and no aggressive touts at the door. This quick filter helps avoid disappointment and overpaying.
In this guide I mainly recommend well-regarded places and those serving regional specialities: in Krakow — restaurants and milk bars, in Zakopane — mountain inns with Podhale cuisine.
Krakow has a long culinary tradition - from restaurants serving Old Polish dishes to milk bars offering home-style lunches. To taste local flavor, try żurek served in a bread bowl, pike-perch in porcini mushroom sauce, herring tartare or roasted game. Restauracja Pod Baranem is an example of a place with tradition and high quality, and in central and Kazimierz venues you’ll find modern reinterpretations of classics.
If you’re looking for an authentic, inexpensive meal, milk bars and small cafeterias are a great choice — these places serve straightforward home cooking, where you can get pork cutlets, pierogi or stuffed cabbage at reasonable prices. Such places are popular with locals and often highly rated.
If you prefer international cuisine, Krakow offers solid Italian trattorias, Asian restaurants and modern bistros with seasonal menus. Check lunch hours — many places offer attractive lunch menus between 12:00 and 16:00.
Podhale cuisine is hearty and built on dairy, potatoes and meat. Must-try dishes include oscypek (smoked sheep’s cheese, a protected regional product), kwaśnica (sauerkraut soup often made with mutton), moskole and placek po zbójnicku — one serving can be enough for two people.
In Zakopane there are inns and restaurants that focus on authenticity. Visit places with long traditions and those recommended by locals. Mountain inns with highlander music, spots serving moskole with bryndza or kwaśnica prepared in the traditional way are the best choice if you want to get to know the taste of Podhale.
Avoid eating at the first tourist spot on Krupówki — the main street has many places aimed mainly at visitors. It’s better to choose a trusted inn off the main promenade or go where you see local customers. In high season booking a table can be necessary.
Krakow: look for traditional restaurants serving Polish cuisine made from high-quality ingredients and local milk bars for a quick, cheap lunch. Among well-rated venues you’ll find classic regional restaurants, milk bars with generous portions and several excellent trattorias and bistros.
Zakopane: recommended places are those with authentic regional menus and a long history. Mountain inns with highlander music and venues known for oscypek, moskole and kwaśnica are reliable stops on the culinary map. Also consider cafes and small restaurants away from Krupówki for a calmer atmosphere and fair prices.
If you want a specific atmosphere — for a romantic dinner or family lunch — check reviews and booking options. On weekends and during the tourist season the best places fill up quickly.
Book a table in advance, especially on weekends and during high season. Even popular milk bars can be busy at lunch. If you plan to order a large dish (for example placek po zbójnicku), remember many regional dishes are very filling and one portion can often be shared.
When reading a menu, look for ingredient origin and producer notes — good places often provide this information. Avoid restaurants with overly varied menus (pizza, sushi, kwaśnica) — that’s often a sign the kitchen isn’t specialised.
If you want to take local products home: in Zakopane look for oscypek from mountain huts, local breads and preserves at markets or small regional sellers; in Krakow visit local bakeries and delicatessens that offer regional products.
1) Eating only on Krupówki or right by the Market Square — tourist centres are convenient but often more expensive and less authentic. Walk a few side streets and check local recommendations. 2) Not making a reservation — in season and on weekends you may not find a table without calling ahead. 3) Ordering overly large dishes — many regional dishes are rich; ordering one large plate for two people is often enough.
Another mistake is trusting only the look of a place. Pretty photos at the entrance don’t guarantee quality. Rely more on recommendations from residents or consistent reviews and look for places with a simple, coherent offer. If you want to taste local cuisine, choose an inn or restaurant that specializes in regional dishes.
Also remember seasonality: in winter atmosphere and warming dishes matter more; in summer look for places with a terrace and lighter, fresher options.
Oscypek has a long tradition and is protected by a designation of origin — authentic oscypek comes from mountain huts and must follow specific production rules. It’s more than a souvenir — it’s part of local identity.
Not all traditional dishes in Zakopane are expensive; some of the best experiences are simple, home-style lunches served in small family inns off the main promenade. In Krakow, milk bars can surprise with quality and authenticity — a great option if you want a genuine home-style meal without spending a lot.
If you want to combine lunch with sightseeing: in Krakow many restaurants in Podgórze and Kazimierz offer pleasant views and atmosphere after a walk; in Zakopane plan lunch after a short walk or on the way to/from a trail rather than in the middle of the day on Krupówki.
Do I need to book a table? — In popular restaurants and mountain inns yes, especially in season and on weekends. Can I find cheap, good lunches in Krakow? — Yes, milk bars and cafeterias offer authentic and affordable meals. Will I find local dishes in Zakopane away from Krupówki? — Definitely yes, many great inns are located off the main promenade or a few streets from the centre.
What should I try first in Zakopane? — Oscypek (grilled with jam or served cold with cranberry) and kwaśnica are characteristic choices. And in Krakow? — Try żurek, pike-perch in mushroom sauce or one of the local bigos variants; if you want authentic and cheap, go to a milk bar.
Do I have to try everything? — You don’t have to, but try at least one local dish in each place you visit to get a taste of the regional cuisine.
If this article helped you, share it with friends or on social media so others can find good places for lunch. If you’d like to visit Krakow with someone who will show not only the sights but also culinary gems, I recommend the services of tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on the guide’s website.
Enjoy your meal and happy culinary discoveries in Krakow and Zakopane! If you’d like, I can prepare a short list of places tailored to your budget and preferences (vegetarian, family-friendly, budget, fine dining).
