$$$$Bar MlecznyStare Miasto
Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą on Kraków's Grodzka is the city's most editorial surviving milk bar: laminated menu, queue-and-pay-first, full meals for 15 to 25 zl.
OrderŻurek (sour rye soup), kotlet schabowy with mash, kompot. The whole meal lands under 25 zl.
TipBring cash; the card terminal is unreliable. Tables share with strangers; queues at lunch.
$$$$Traditional PolishStare Miasto
Pod Aniołami in Kraków sits in a 13th-century cellar on Grodzka with a beech-wood grill at the centre of the room. Kitchen leans traditional polish.
OrderThe beech-smoked lamb shank, and oscypek with cranberry jam to start.
TipAsk for the vaulted-cellar room over the courtyard. Open daily from 13:00.
$$$$PierogiStare Miasto
Pierogarnia Krakowiacy on Szewska in Kraków's Old Town runs a 30-strong pierogi carte: ruskie, meat, duck, spinach, sweet cherry. Located in Stare Miasto.
OrderA mixed plate of pierogi ruskie and pierogi with duck; a glass of kompot to wash it down.
TipPierogi come boiled or pan-fried. Pan-fried takes 5 extra minutes; ask for half-and-half.
$$$$Bar MlecznyStare Miasto
Milkbar Tomasza on Kraków's Świętego Tomasza updates the milk-bar form: same prices and naleśniki, but table service and a younger crowd. Priced at $.
OrderNaleśniki with cottage cheese and strawberry jam; the żurek soup is the runner-up.
TipClosed Monday. Breakfast all day; the brunch plate at 25 zl is the steal.
$$$$Traditional PolishStare Miasto
Pod Baranem near the Wawel side of Kraków's Planty cooks classic Polish since 1997. Chef-founder Jan Baran's menu runs duck, veal cheeks, traditional soups.
OrderDuck with apple and red cabbage; veal cheeks in mushroom sauce.
TipReservation only in the evening; lunch easier as walk-in. Close to Wawel Castle.
$$$$PierogiStare Miasto
Przystanek Pierogarnia in Kraków's Old Town is the no-nonsense pierogi counter locals queue at: 20 fillings, plates from 18 zl, open from 11:00 to late.
OrderPierogi z mięsem (minced meat) and the cabbage-and-mushroom version. Sour cream on the side.
TipCash and card. Counter seats only; ten stools and a window-bar.
$$$$Vegan PolishStare Miasto
Veganic on Karmelicka in Kraków cooks Polish classics fully plant-based: pierogi ruskie with cashew cream, beetroot tartare, vegan żurek soup.
OrderVegan pierogi ruskie and the beetroot tartare. The vegan żurek runs in winter.
TipClosed Monday. The weekend brunch service is the easy table to take.
$$$$Traditional PolishStare Miasto
Wesele in Kraków is the editorial pick for traditional Polish on the Rynek Główny: pierogi, roast duck, żurek, with a terrace pointed at the Cloth Hall.
OrderThe mixed pierogi plate and żurek soured-rye soup served in a bread bowl.
TipReservation recommended for evenings; the cellar room is quieter than the terrace in summer.
$$$$Polish BistroStare Miasto
Miód i Wino in Kraków sits at the north end of the Old Town with a courtyard under linden trees. The carte is straight Polish bistro: pierogi.
OrderPork knuckle for two with honey beer glaze, with pierogi ruskie to start.
TipThe summer courtyard runs first-come weekdays; book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner.
$$$$Polish Home CookingStare Miasto
Smakołyki on Kraków's Straszewskiego is the cheap-and-honest student-canteen Polish home-cooking room: schabowy, pierogi, potato pancakes, full plate.
OrderKotlet schabowy with mashed potato and sauerkraut; pierogi ruskie as a starter.
TipCash only. Closes 22:00 weekdays; until 17:00 Sunday. No bookings.