Kraków mixes history with cozy cafés, markets full of local produce and short romantic walks between sights. A May break in Kraków is a great opportunity for couples to taste local flavors — from handmade pierogi to oscypek and mountain trout — and to plan days that combine relaxing and sightseeing.
When planning a long weekend, combine the classic must-sees (Market Square, Wawel, Kazimierz) with less obvious food stops: open markets, small pierogi places and atmospheric restaurants serving Małopolska cuisine. Below you’ll find ready-made route ideas, a list of widely recommended pierogi spots and practical tips to avoid crowds and disappointments.
Day 1: a morning stroll through the Planty to the Market Square, coffee at a well-rated café, a light lunch of pierogi at a local favorite, the afternoon at Wawel Royal Castle and a romantic dinner in a restaurant with regional dishes.
Day 2: morning at Stary Kleparz or Hala Targowa — sample local snacks and buy fresh produce; explore Kazimierz and try the legendary zapiekanka on Plac Nowy; in the evening choose an intimate dinner near the Vistula or a walk along the river boulevards.
Day 3 (if you have time): visit Podgórze, check out a local market like Plac na Stawach, or take a short day trip to Ojcow National Park if you enjoy nature and trout at a country inn.
Kraków has many pierogi restaurants with strong local reputations — look for places that make pierogi by hand and use fresh regional ingredients. Popular names include Przystanek Pierogarnia, Pierogarnia Domowa, Eat Pierogi and other small pierogi bars with their own creative takes.
If you want a homemade taste, search for pierogi places that prepare fillings daily and offer the classics (ruskie, cabbage and mushroom, meat) plus a few seasonal variations. During May’s busy days try to come outside the lunch rush or reserve a table when possible.
Małopolska is more than pierogi. Try obwarzanki — Kraków’s characteristic bagel-like pretzels sold from carts; oscypek — smoked mountain cheese; trout from the Prądnik valley; and local cold cuts and pickles. Regional restaurants often have żurek, roast meats with mushroom sauces and game dishes on their menus.
For an elegant but authentic experience, consider booking a table at restaurants praised for their regional cooking and quality ingredients. Choose places with good local reviews that focus on tradition presented with modern taste sensibility.
The best way to discover the city’s flavors is to visit a market. Stary Kleparz and Hala Targowa are places to buy fresh bread, cheeses, cold cuts and seasonal vegetables. Smaller neighborhood markets like Plac na Stawach offer local specialties and less touristy goods.
In Kazimierz try street food, and at Plac Nowy taste the iconic zapiekanka, a long-time favorite of locals and visitors. Markets are also good for souvenirs: a jar of local honey, dried fruits or smoked sausage make nice edible reminders of your trip.
Plan a route that mixes meals with short walks. For example: start with coffee near the Planty, have a small snack at Stary Kleparz, lunch at a recommended pierogi place, spend the afternoon discovering Kazimierz and finish with dinner by the Vistula.
Use offline maps and make a priority list — during May the value of time goes up: some places get crowded and others close earlier. Booking a table and checking opening hours for the long weekend is a simple trick that will save you stress.
Limiting your food route to the Market Square is a common mistake. The best flavors are often found in markets, small side streets and outside the most touristy spots.
Not booking a table in popular restaurants during the May break can mean long waits. Also check whether your chosen places are open on holiday dates — some venues change hours during long weekends.
Avoid eating only at places right next to major attractions; prices there are sometimes high for the quality. Look for spots recommended by locals and pay attention to product freshness.
Obwarzanki krakowskie have a long history and are a city symbol — their short blanch before baking gives them a unique texture. Their form and method later inspired bagel variations abroad.
Małopolska has protected regional products — for example certain cheeses and pond-bred carp have specific local statuses that highlight their uniqueness. Keep this in mind when looking for truly authentic flavors.
Should I reserve tables? During the May break it’s worth reserving at popular restaurants, especially for dinner.
Are vegetarian and vegan options easy to find in Kraków? Yes — many pierogi places and restaurants offer veggie options, and markets have seasonal produce useful for special diets.
Do I need to carry cash? Card payments are common, but on small markets and food carts it’s useful to have some small change.
How to avoid crowds? Choose early mornings or late afternoons, plan meals outside the peak (for example between 2 pm and 5 pm) and visit markets outside weekend peak hours.
If this guide helped you plan your May break, share it with friends or on social media — it’s a great way to inspire others to enjoy Kraków’s flavors.
If you want your trip to be even more comfortable and tailored to a couple, consider hiring private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz). Details for contacting the guide are available on her page. With professional help, exploring Kraków and discovering its tastes can be stress-free and truly special.
