Pierogi are the half-moon dumplings Poland built into a national grammar. Kraków cooks them across 20+ fillings: ruskie (potato and farmer's cheese), meat, mushroom-and-cabbage, blueberry in summer, goose at Szara Gęś.
Where to eat it: 13 restaurants across 4 cities.
Polish pierogi descend from a 13th-century Eastern European dumpling tradition, with the form codified in Polish cooking by the 1600s. Kraków, as the royal capital until 1596, set the urban pierogi standard. The pierogi ruskie filling, despite the name, is named for Ruthenian (modern western Ukraine) and entered Polish cooking after the 1772 Galician partition. Pierogarnia Krakowiacy on Szewska and Przystanek Pierogarnia run dedicated pierogi counters with 20+ fillings each. The August Pierogi Festival on Mały Rynek runs 30 stalls competing for the year's best version.
Tours, tastings and classes that match this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Guided tour · 2.5 - 3 hours
A tipsy twist on Krakow’s best bites! Walk the city, try Polish favorites like pierogi and zapiekanka, enjoy a few drinks, and hear fun local stories...
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy in ruskie filling, Egg in dough
Tip from the editors. If a pierogi opens in the water, you under-sealed the edge or rolled it too thin. Press the dough between your thumb and finger to expel air before crimping.
Prosperity Social Club on Starkweather Avenue in Tremont, a 1938 tavern with wood-paneled walls, runs late pierogi and tavern fare on weekends to 01:00.
TryPierogi, kielbasa and tavern fare
The West Side Market on West 25th Street since 1912, the 60-vendor public market in the Hubbel and Benes Hall, runs cheap-eat lunches from bratwurst, pierogi.
TryCheap-eat lunches from 60+ vendors: bratwurst, pierogi, gyros, tacos
Hofbrauhaus Cleveland on Chester Avenue downtown, a licensed branch of the 1589 Munich Hofbrauhaus, runs Hofbrau Original, Dunkel and a Bavarian kitchen.
TryMunich-imported lagers, schnitzel and Bavarian pretzel
Pierogarnia Krakowiacy on Szewska in Kraków's Old Town runs a 30-strong pierogi carte: ruskie, meat, duck, spinach, sweet cherry. Located in Stare Miasto.
OrderA mixed plate of pierogi ruskie and pierogi with duck; a glass of kompot to wash it down.
TipPierogi come boiled or pan-fried. Pan-fried takes 5 extra minutes; ask for half-and-half.
Przystanek Pierogarnia in Kraków's Old Town is the no-nonsense pierogi counter locals queue at: 20 fillings, plates from 18 zl, open from 11:00 to late.
OrderPierogi z mięsem (minced meat) and the cabbage-and-mushroom version. Sour cream on the side.
TipCash and card. Counter seats only; ten stools and a window-bar.
Wesele in Kraków is the editorial pick for traditional Polish on the Rynek Główny: pierogi, roast duck, żurek, with a terrace pointed at the Cloth Hall.
OrderThe mixed pierogi plate and żurek soured-rye soup served in a bread bowl.
TipReservation recommended for evenings; the cellar room is quieter than the terrace in summer.
Miód i Wino in Kraków sits at the north end of the Old Town with a courtyard under linden trees. The carte is straight Polish bistro: pierogi.
OrderPork knuckle for two with honey beer glaze, with pierogi ruskie to start.
TipThe summer courtyard runs first-come weekdays; book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner.
Polakowski in Kraków's Kazimierz is the all-day Polish canteen for the Old Synagogue end: pierogi, bigos, schabowy, gołąbki, served counter-style 10:00.
TryPolish canteen plate under 30 zl
TipMiodowa 39 in Kazimierz is the flagship; the M1 mall branch has closed but Kazimierz remains open daily.
National Bakery on South 16th Street has baked Wisconsin kringle, paczki on Fat Tuesday and Polish pastries since 1925, with five locations.
Worth the queueAlmond kringle
Pierogies Plus is hand-made pierogi out of a former gas station in mckees rocks, run by a polish-born owner; few visitors make the short drive.
Why locals goHand-made pierogi out of a former gas station in McKees Rocks, run by a Polish-born owner; few visitors make the short drive.
TipOrder a mixed dozen to take home, or eat the boiled-and-fried ones at the counter. Worth the drive.
S&D Polish Deli in Pittsburgh: A Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
Why locals goA Polish deli, grocery and pierogi counter on the Strip that gets overshadowed by the bigger Italian market names.
TipBuy a dozen pierogi to go and a kielbasa. Ask about the monthly pierogi-making class if you want to learn.
Apteka on Penn Avenue in Bloomfield is an all-vegan Central and Eastern European restaurant in Pittsburgh. Handmade pierogi and a James Beard nod.
OrderThe handmade pierogi and whatever Central European special the kitchen is running.
TipCafe-style ordering; reservations only for parties of four or more. Open Thursday to Sunday.
Gooski's on Brereton Street in Polish Hill runs late and cheap in Pittsburgh. Pierogi, cheap drinks and punk shows in the old steelworker neighbourhood until.
TryPierogi and bar food
More cities are in research. Want pierogi covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.
