This year, Poland’s food scene has reason to shine: Gdańsk has been crowned the European Capital of Gastronomic Culture for 2025/26, placing this vibrant Baltic city firmly on every foodie’s map.
When travellers think of Polish cuisine, chances are pierogi come to mind first. But travellers who venture beyond the dumpling, can uncover a rich and surprising culinary landscape shaped by centuries of tradition, local ingredients, and creativity in Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk, three of Poland’s most popular destinations.
Read below to find out which Polish delicacies you might not know yet!
Gdańsk Named European Capital of Gastronomic Culture 2025/26
When travellers think of Polish cuisine, chances are pierogi come to mind first. But travellers who venture beyond the dumpling, can uncover a rich and surprising culinary landscape shaped by centuries of tradition, local ingredients, and creativity in Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk, three of Poland’s most popular destinations.
This year, Poland’s food scene has another reason to shine: Gdańsk has been crowned the European Capital of Gastronomic Culture for 2025/26, placing this vibrant Baltic city firmly on every foodie’s map. Poland also remains one of the most affordable gastronomic destinations in the world, with some destinations offering £2 beers and lunches for under £5.
GDAŃSK: FLAVOURS FROM LAND AND SEA
In Gdańsk, a city filled with maritime heritage, travellers are immediately met with the mouthwatering scent of the sea and smoked fish. Menus here highlight Kashubian cuisine, featuring dishes like śledź w śmietanie (herring in cream), smoked eel, and hearty stews flavoured with local herbs and root vegetables. Gdańsk’s culinary identity blends old and new – from rustic taverns to experimental bistros reinventing Baltic flavours.
Add to that a growing number of craft breweries, artisan bakeries, and sea-view dining spots, and it’s easy to see why Gdańsk is set to be Europe’s culinary capital in 2025 and 2026. Visitors shouldn’t miss a glass of nalewka – Poland’s traditional fruit-infused vodka.
WARSAW: WHERE HERITAGE MEETS INNOVATION
Listed as a ‘Rising Star of the East’ in Lonely Planet’s Gourmet Trails, Warsaw blends bold flavours with modern flair. The capital is located in the Mazowieckie Province and its food scene is fast-paced and creative yet rooted in Polish traditions. Indulge in steaming bowls of żurek, a sour rye soup served in a crusty bread bowl, or enjoy bigos, a slow-cooked stew of cabbage and meats. Local chefs are taking familiar flavours and giving them a creative twist – from smoked beetroot tartare to reimagined gołąbki, a cabbage roll dish.
The city is also dotted with milk bars – once humble worker’s canteens – now revived as retro-chic spots serving up authentic dishes for just a few złoty. It’s all part of what makes Warsaw an affordable yet exciting destination for any food lovers.
KRAKÓW: A TASTE OF TRADITION
From the cobbled streets of the Old Town to the bohemian cafes of Kazimierz, the culinary offerings in Kraków, capital of the Malopolska region, are just as distinct as its surroundings. Sample oscypek, a salty smoked sheep’s cheese from the Tatra Mountains, or snack on a warm obwarzanek, Kraków’s signature twisted bread, sold fresh from street carts.
Kraków’s rich Jewish heritage lives on through dishes like cholent, a slow cooked stew, served in family-run restaurants that line the historic quarter. And when the sun sets, nothing beats a cup of grzaniec galicyjski, a spicy mulled wine that warms the soul.
A GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE THAT DOESN’T BREAK THE BANK
Poland remains one of Europe’s most budget-friendly gourmet destinations. Whether you’re fine dining in a restaurant in a 16th-century townhouse or grabbing lunch at a market stall, the value for money is exceptional – and the quality of ingredients speaks for itself. In Poland, Michelin-starred tasting menus are priced between £80 and £130, while in the UK these can range from £160 – £300.
So, if you’re planning your next culinary getaway, Poland should be at the top of your list. With Gdańsk stepping into the spotlight as the European Capital of Gastronomic Culture 2025/26, there’s never been a better time to explore the flavours of this understated food paradise.
CULINARY TOUR
Regent Holidays (www.regent-holidays.co.uk / 01174 532 971) offers a seven-day culinary tour of Poland from £1395pp. Price is based on two people sharing and includes return flights from the UK, private airport transfers, accommodation in Gdansk, Warsaw and Krakow with a guided food tour of each city showcasing the regional culinary influences, and train tickets from Gdansk to Warsaw and Warsaw to Krakow in first class.
For further travel inspiration, visit www.poland.travel
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
