restaurants in poland

I don't remember if they're in Rick's books or not, but here's some recommendations. In Warsaw, Zapeicek is a great pierogi joint at the intersection of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Nowy Swiat (that's the huge roundabout with the metal palm tree). The borscht here is awful, but the pierogis are artery-clogging masterpieces.

I don't recall the name of the restaurant, but it sits at the NW corner of the main square in Krakow. Very elegant interior, very large portions of hearty food, and very cheap prices (compared to Western Europe). I ordered the standard pork and dumplings, and they brought out a portion that reminded me of the brontosaurus steak during the credits of the Flintstones.

The one Polish beer I remember is Zywiec... I don't even have to recommend it, you'll see it everywhere. Pretty much the Budweiser of Poland. It won't make you gag, but the taste is fairly blah.

All the following are in Krakow.

For a no-frills local favorite try Zapiecek Polskie Pierogarnie on Slawkowska. As the name implies, it's mostly pierogies(unlike some places, they make their pierogies on site, you can watch them being made through a little window), but they have other things as well.

There's a quaint, convenient little place on Szewska about half-way between the square and the park that surrounds the old town. It has the feel of a cafe, but it's a small buffet, mostly Polish food, but there are other things as well. Just ask for a big plate or a little plate and point to what you want. The small plate gets you 3-4 items, the big plate gets you 4-5 items. Also popular with locals.

Kramy Dominikanskie across from the US consulate on Stolarska is nice. It's traditional Polish food without what Rick calls the "ye olde" theme that other Polish restaurants favor. It's best to go when the weather is nice and you can sit outside, it's a little cramped inside. It shares a kitchen and patio space with an Italian restaurant, so if you have kids with you who would rather eat pasta you can just step across:)It's a little touristy, but still has a fairly local feel.

Szabla i Szklanka is a Polish/Hungarian restaurant just next to Hotel Wawel on Poselska. It's much more upscale and chic than the the others I've listed, but the food isn't really any better for the money.

By the way, just so you know, I'm a vegetarian (well, mostly)so I've not had much experience with dishes other than pierogies, borscht(barszcz in Polish)...that sort of thing. I have had bigos (thus "mostly vegetarian"). I don't know if it is still available as it contravenes EU food safety rules:) made from kielbasa, cabbage, onions,and sauerkraut, left to cook for several days. I hate kielbasa, but love bigos!Try it if you find it...if you dare:)

Tom has it on the money. I can't recall the name of the restaurant either, but I've been there and it is a good choice. Good food, service and prices.
You will have no problem finding Ziwiec to drink.

The cheapest and most "authentic" places are the "Milk Bars" ( signs will show Mlek ). There are a few in every city.Most are only open for lunch and dinner. some only for breakfast and lunch.
A terrific restaurant in the Old Town of Warsaw is
Slowianska ( Swo-vee-ahn -ska)

We had very good pizza in Krakow and perogis in Warsaw. Pizza place near the big head in Krakow - we spent a few pleasant meals having pizza and beer while the kid played in the head.

We had very good pizza in Krakow and perogis in Warsaw. Pizza place near the big head in Krakow - we spent a few pleasant meals having pizza and beer while the kid played in the head.

I'll suggest the milk bars, too. We visited several in Krakow (my favorite was recommended by Rick but I'm drawing a blank on the name right now). Great pierogi and other local favorites. A word of caution, though -- many portions are giant! We could have easily split most of the dishes there and still had leftovers. So delicious, though.

"We had very good pizza in Krakow" If you're talking about that place on the main square, I've eaten there as well. Not traditional Polish by any criterion, but I agree, still pretty good.

Great suggestions thank you all