40 cheap eats rooms in Kraków, editor-picked. the best low-budget rooms in Kraków: the places editors actually return to. All Kraków food.
Noworolski ★ 4.8
ul. Sukiennice, Rynek Główny 1, 31-013 Kraków
Noworolski inside the Cloth Hall on Kraków's Rynek Główny pours coffee in Józef Mehoffer's art-nouveau rooms since 1910. Krakow artists, Habsburg-era trade.
Tip: The art-nouveau rooms are the photograph; the terrace on Rynek Główny is the better summer seat.
Kiełbaski z Niebieskiej Nyski (Blue Van) ★ 4.8
ul. Grzegórzecka 5, 31-532 Kraków
The blue Nysa van outside Hala Targowa in Kraków has grilled kielbasa off the wood-fired grill since the 1990s. From 20:00, the queue runs past midnight.
Tip: Cash only. Closed Sunday. Bread, kielbasa, mustard; 15 zl the whole thing.
Cafe Camelot ★ 4.7
ul. Świętego Tomasza 17, 31-018 Kraków
Cafe Camelot off Kraków's Świętego Tomasza is the wood-panelled folk-art cafe that ran the city's coffee tradition through the 1990s. Order the cafe latte.
Tip: The apple pie is the dish; the back-room library has tables for laptops.
Karma ★ 4.7
ul. Krupnicza 12, 31-123 Kraków
Karma on Kraków's Krupnicza is a third-wave cafe with a roastery in Nowa Huta. Order the flat white. At ul. Krupnicza 12. Booking recommended.
Tip: Closes 19:00 weekdays, 17:00 weekends. Cash and card. Brunch served until 14:00.
Cafe Mleczarnia ★ 4.6
ul. Meiselsa 20, 31-058 Kraków
Cafe Mleczarnia in Kraków's Kazimierz is the old courtyard cafe behind the Tempel Synagogue: wooden chairs, hot apple cake, a leafy garden hidden.
Tip: The hidden courtyard is the table to take. Closes 23:00 weekdays, midnight Friday and Saturday.
Endzior (Plac Nowy zapiekanka) ★ 4.6
Plac Nowy 4, 31-056 Kraków
Endzior at the round former kosher slaughterhouse in Kraków's Plac Nowy has poured zapiekanka, the open-face baguette, since 1989. Open daily 09:00-03:00.
Tip: Cash only. Open until 03:00 weekends. The half-metre version is shareable; ketchup and garlic sauce on the side.
Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą ★ 4.5
stare-miasto · ul. Grodzka 43, 31-001 Kraków
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.
Tip: Bring cash; the card terminal is unreliable. Tables share with strangers; queues at lunch.
Zaczyn ★ 4.5
ul. Tadeusza Kościuszki 27, 30-105 Kraków
Zaczyn on Tadeusza Kościuszki west of the Old Town grinds its own flours on-site and runs a 25-hour fermentation on every loaf. Sourdough country breads.
Tip: Soft challah with crumble lands warm on weekend mornings; queue for the early bake.
Wesoła Cafe ★ 4.5
ul. Rakowicka 17, 31-510 Kraków
Wesoła Cafe east of Kraków's Old Town runs third-wave coffee in a Rakowicka villa with Coffee Proficiency beans on pour-over and espresso, plus all-day.
Tip: Pour-over and espresso brewed alongside monthly guest roasters. Light lunch menu of salads, soups and wraps.
Ranny Ptaszek ★ 4.5
ul. Augustiańska 5, 31-064 Kraków
Ranny Ptaszek in Kraków's Kazimierz opens at 07:30 with sourdough toast, eggs Benedict, V60 filter and a counter the early-morning runners and laptop crowd.
Tip: Eggs Benedict the breakfast pick; the cinnamon bun runs out by 11:00.
Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą ★ 4.5
ul. Grodzka 43, 31-001 Kraków
Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą on Kraków's Grodzka is the city's most editorial surviving milk bar: full meal, soup-main-kompot, all in under 25 zl since the 1960s.
Tip: Bring cash; the card terminal is unreliable. Tables share with strangers.
Kiełbaski z Niebieskiej Nyski (Blue Van) ★ 4.5
ul. Grzegórzecka 5, 31-532 Kraków
The blue Nysa van outside Kraków's Hala Targowa grills kielbasa from 20:00 until 02:00. Bread, sausage, mustard, 15 zl. A Polish institution since the 1990s.
Tip: Cash only. Closed Sunday. Open from 20:00. Just kielbasa, bread, mustard.
Obwarzanek Krakowski (Rynek Główny carts) ★ 4.4
Rynek Główny, 31-042 Kraków
The red-and-yellow obwarzanek krakowski carts on Kraków's Rynek Główny sell the EU-protected salted ring bread, hot, for 2 to 3 zl. Open daily 06:00-22:00.
Tip: Choose poppy seed, sesame or salt. Best within 30 minutes of leaving the oven; older rings turn rubbery.
Cytat Cafe ★ 4.4
ul. Miodowa 23/1, 31-055 Kraków
Cytat Cafe on Miodowa in Kraków's Kazimierz is the literary cafe with secondhand books on every shelf and quotes stencilled across the walls.
Tip: Breakfast on a croissant runs until 13:00; an entire wall of boardgames keeps the afternoon crowd seated.
Andrus (Maczanka po krakowsku) ★ 4.4
ul. Świętego Wawrzyńca 16, 31-060 Kraków
Andrus in Kraków's Kazimierz revives maczanka po krakowsku, the city's marinated-slow-roasted-pork sandwich on a homemade bun. Started as a food truck 2014.
Tip: The sandwich runs 18 zl. Cash and card. Closed Sunday; queue at lunch.
Endzior (Plac Nowy) ★ 4.4
Plac Nowy 4, 31-056 Kraków
Endzior in Kraków's Plac Nowy rotunda has poured zapiekanka, the open-face baguette, since 1989. Mushroom-and-cheese is 12 zl; the half-metre version 22 zl.
Tip: Cash only. Open until 03:00 weekends. Half-metre version shareable.
Andrus (Maczanka) ★ 4.4
ul. Świętego Wawrzyńca 16, 31-060 Kraków
Andrus in Kraków's Kazimierz serves maczanka po krakowsku, the city's slow-roasted-pork sandwich on a homemade bun. About 18 zl; street-food since 2014.
Tip: Cash and card. The sandwich is built to order; queue at lunch.
Pierogarnia Krakowiacy ★ 4.3
stare-miasto · ul. Szewska 23, 31-009 Kraków
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.
Tip: Pierogi come boiled or pan-fried. Pan-fried takes 5 extra minutes; ask for half-and-half.
Milkbar Tomasza ★ 4.3
stare-miasto · ul. Świętego Tomasza 24, 31-027 Kraków
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 $.
Tip: Closed Monday. Breakfast all day; the brunch plate at 25 zl is the steal.
Endzior (Plac Nowy zapiekanka) ★ 4.3
kazimierz · Plac Nowy 4, 31-056 Kraków
The Plac Nowy zapiekanka window in Kraków's Kazimierz, Endzior at the round former kosher slaughterhouse, has poured open-face baguettes since 1989.
Tip: Cash only. Six windows ring the rotunda; Endzior is the consensus pick. Open until 03:00 weekends.
Cukiernia Michałek ★ 4.3
ul. Krupnicza 6, 31-123 Kraków
Cukiernia Michałek on Kraków's Krupnicza is the family-run pastry counter west of the Planty since 1958: rose-filled pączki, kremówka, sernik.
Tip: The rose-filled pączki are the counter pick; Fat Thursday queue runs hours long.
Jama Michalika ★ 4.3
ul. Floriańska 45, 31-019 Kraków
Jama Michalika on Kraków's Floriańska opened in 1895 as Cukiernia Lwowska. From 1905 hosted the Zielony Balonik cabaret; the Mloda Polska meeting room.
Tip: The hot chocolate is the order. The art-nouveau rooms at the back are the photograph; the terrace is the daytime spot.
Cafe Szafé ★ 4.3
ul. Felicjanek 10, 31-104 Kraków
Cafe Szafé on Kraków's Felicjanek is the bohemian living-room cafe west of the Planty: mismatched chairs, daily cakes, third-wave filter on the menu.
Tip: The carrot cake is the dish. Quietest before 11:00 if you want a workspace.
Milkbar Tomasza ★ 4.3
ul. Świętego Tomasza 24, 31-027 Kraków
Milkbar Tomasza in Kraków updates the milk-bar format with table service. Naleśniki with cottage cheese, pierogi, żurek, a brunch plate at 25 zl.
Tip: Closed Monday. The brunch plate is the steal; sit-down service, not a counter.
Obwarzanek krakowski ★ 4.3
Rynek Główny, 31-042 Kraków
The obwarzanek krakowski carts on Kraków's Rynek Główny sell the EU-protected salted ring bread for 2 to 3 zl. The city's cheapest food, walking-pace.
Tip: Best within 30 minutes of the oven. Poppy seed, sesame or salt; ask which came out latest.
Przystanek Pierogarnia ★ 4.2
stare-miasto · ul. Bonerowska 14, 31-068 Kraków
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.
Tip: Cash and card. Counter seats only; ten stools and a window-bar.
Vegab ★ 4.2
kazimierz · ul. Starowiślna 8, 31-038 Kraków
Vegab on Starowiślna near Kraków's Kazimierz is the vegan kebab and zapiekanka counter that beat the city's late-night habit at its own game.
Tip: Cash and card. Open until 02:00 every night; the kebab in pita is the order.
Bunkier Cafe ★ 4.2
Plac Szczepański 3a, 31-011 Kraków
Bunkier Cafe inside the Bunkier Sztuki gallery on Kraków's Plac Szczepański has poured coffee under a glass-roof terrace at the edge of the Planty park.
Tip: The glass-roofed terrace works year-round; the heated awnings run in winter.
Obwarzanek krakowski (Rynek Główny carts) ★ 4.2
Rynek Główny, 31-042 Kraków
The red-and-yellow obwarzanek krakowski carts on Kraków's Rynek Główny sell the EU-protected salted ring bread for 2 to 3 zl. Open daily 06:00-22:00.
Tip: Choose poppy seed, sesame or salt. Best within 30 minutes of the oven; older rings turn rubbery.
Bar Mleczny U Stasi ★ 4.2
ul. Mikołajska 16, 31-027 Kraków
Bar Mleczny U Stasi in Kraków on Mikołajska is the working-class milk bar near the Old Town walls: żurek, pierogi, kotlet schabowy, kompot, the bill under 22.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Cash only. Queue at 13:00; the small dining room shares with strangers.
Cheder ★ 4.1
ul. Józefa 36, 31-056 Kraków
Cheder in Kraków's Kazimierz is the cafe run by the Jewish Culture Festival in a former prayer house at Józefa 36 since 2008. Hebrew library, Turkish coffee.
Tip: Turkish coffee in copper jezve is the order; the back room runs hummus plates after 17:00.
Cafe Lisboa ★ 4.1
Dolnych Młynów 3/4, 31-124 Kraków
Cafe Lisboa on Dolnych Młynów in Kraków's Old Town has baked pastéis de nata by hand since 2017, the first Polish cafe to do so. Order the pastel de nata.
Tip: The pastéis de nata are baked through the morning; weekend afternoons sell out by mid-afternoon.
Chimera ★ 4.0
stare-miasto · ul. Świętej Anny 3, 31-008 Kraków
Chimera on Kraków's Świętej Anny is a salad-bar counter near the Jagiellonian University in a covered medieval courtyard. Located in Stare Miasto.
Tip: Cash and card. Daily 10:00-22:00; the covered courtyard is the main dining area.
Vanilla ★ 4.0
ul. Brzozowa 13, 31-050 Kraków
Cukiernia Vanilla in Kraków runs traditional Polish patisserie from two shops, Brzozowa 13 and Na Szaniec 14. Open daily 10:00-21:00. At ul. Brzozowa 13.
Tip: Sernik krakowski is the city's lattice-topped cheesecake; ask for it at the counter.
Europejska ★ 4.0
Rynek Główny 35, 31-011 Kraków
Europejska on Kraków's Rynek Główny pours coffee inside the historic Krzysztofory Palace. Order the viennese melange. At Rynek Główny 35. Booking recommended.
Tip: The cherry torte and a melange make the Habsburg-cafe order. Terrace on Rynek Główny.
Vegab ★ 4.0
ul. Starowiślna 8, 31-038 Kraków
Vegab on Starowiślna near Kraków's Kazimierz is the vegan kebab counter that broke the city's late-night habit. Seitan kebab in pita with garlic sauce.
Tip: Open until 02:00 daily. The seitan kebab with garlic sauce is the order; vegan zapiekanka as a backup.
Polakowski ★ 3.9
kazimierz · ul. Miodowa 39, 31-052 Kraków
Polakowski in Kraków's Kazimierz is the all-day Polish canteen for the Old Synagogue end: pierogi, bigos, schabowy, gołąbki, served counter-style from 10:00.
Tip: All-day Polish canteen on Miodowa in Kazimierz; counter service, no bookings.
Smakołyki ★ 3.9
stare-miasto · ul. Straszewskiego 28, 31-110 Kraków
Smakołyki on Kraków's Straszewskiego is the cheap-and-honest student-canteen Polish home-cooking room: schabowy, pierogi, potato pancakes, full plate.
Tip: Cash only. Closes 22:00 weekdays; until 17:00 Sunday. No bookings.
Polakowski ★ 3.9
ul. Miodowa 39, 31-052 Kraków
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.
Tip: Miodowa 39 in Kazimierz is the flagship; the M1 mall branch has closed but Kazimierz remains open daily.
Smakołyki ★ 3.9
ul. Straszewskiego 28, 31-110 Kraków
Smakołyki on Kraków's Straszewskiego is the cheap-and-honest student-canteen Polish room: schabowy, pierogi, potato pancakes, a full plate under 28 zl.
Tip: Cash only. Closes 22:00 weekdays, 17:00 Sunday. No bookings.