Manekin in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz turns out crepes in 60-plus combinations, savoury and sweet, half-portions under 25 PLN. Counter order, fast service, the Polish chain's Tri-City room.
Tip: Half savoury, half sweet plate is the trick; spinach-and-feta then strawberry-and-cream.
Address: Aleja Grunwaldzka 270, 80-314 Gdańsk
Syria Kuchnia Orientu in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz works the Metropolia shopping centre food court, the most consistently recommended Middle Eastern counter in town. Falafel, shawarma, hummus plates.
Try: Falafel and shawarma
Tip: Order the falafel pita; lunch sets include hummus and tabbouleh under 35 PLN.
Pyra Bar in Gdańsk is the Old Town's most reliable potato counter: spuds with twenty-plus toppings, strong vegan options, full plates well under 40 PLN, the Poznań chain's Old Town room.
Try: Oven-baked stuffed potato
Tip: Counter order; pay first then choose your topping at the till.
Zapiecek on Długa serves the Polish toasted baguette zapiekanka in its classic form: melted cheese, sautéed mushrooms, ketchup, optional ham. Quick service to a Długa Street walk-by crowd.
Try: Zapiekanka with mushrooms and cheese
Tip: Order the mushroom-and-cheese classic with garlic sauce; double-portion is enough for two.
Bar Mleczny Stągiewna in Gdańsk runs a milk-bar counter on the bridge route to Granary Island. Pierogi, soups, barszcz with uszka, a full meal under 25 PLN.
Try: Pierogi and barszcz
Tip: Order at the counter; pay at the till. Daily specials run out by 14:00.
Bar Mleczny Neptun in Gdańsk is the most famous milk bar in town, on the Długa pedestrian street. Pierogi, gulasz, schabowy, soups, the kind of two-course lunch a tourist can have for under 25 PLN.
Try: Pierogi and gulasz
Tip: Variety drops fast; arrive before 14:00 for the best of the day's hot pots.
Pierogarnia Stary Młyn in Gdańsk specialises in oven-baked pierogi, a Pomeranian-style golden-topped version of the dumpling. Counter service, takeaway boxes, 18 fillings on the board.
Try: Oven-baked pierogi
Tip: The oven-baked ruskie with sour cream is the signature; ask for double cream.
