Gdańsk is the perfect city for any traveler who loves to not only take in the sights but also sample the local cuisine! There is an abundance of Polish specialties available, and the city as a whole has a very affordable cost of eating out. Come join us for a full day as we break down what to eat in Gdańsk and take you through the ultimate food lover’s day in Poland. We apologize in advance for making you hungry, but at least you’ll know where some of the best restaurants in Gdańsk are when you get there!
Poland Travel Inspiration
- 15 Fun Things to do in Krakow Poland on Your First Visit
- A Food Lovers Weekend in Kraków Poland
- Summer in Zakopane: Hiking the Beautiful Kasprowy Wierch
- Complete Guide to Hiking Morskie Oko in Zakopane Poland
- Climbing the Bell Tower of St. Mary’s Basilica Gdansk
What & Where to Eat In Gdańsk Poland
A Sweet and Savory Breakfast
Our Pick: Cukiernia Pellowski
Cost: Coffee: $2 – Pastries: $1.50-$2.50
To start your Gdańsk food day, immediately head to one of the many cafes on Dluga Street. Here you can get a regular or specialty coffee, and pick from the several dozen breakfast pastries. A hot coffee and pastry is the perfect wake up meal, and it comes with an amazing view!
Also, the warm and colorful buildings that line the streets will only add to your delicious breakfast. We usually opt for a sweet and savory breakfast ourselves when searching for what to eat in Poland. At Cukiernia Pellowski this consisted of a spiraled cheese pastry and jelly-filled puff pastry!
Lunch at the Polish Milk Bars
Our Pick: Bar Mleczny Stagiewna Spichlerz
Cost: Tyskie Beer: $2 Each – Golabki with Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage $4.50
If you didn’t know about Polish Milk bars before visiting Gdańsk, it’s time to get familiar! Milk bars are cafeteria-style restaurants that serve high-quality meals at low prices. These traditional Polish meals were the closest we came on our Gdańsk food tour to an authentic home cooked meal.
Now we went to several Milk bars when looking for the best restaurants in Gdańsk. Yet if we had to choose one it would be Stagiewna Spichlerz! This was our favorite for its warm environment, indoor and outdoor seating, and amazing food. Expect a large and hearty serving of traditional Polish food at a very reasonable price.
→ Check Out our 3 Must Try Milk Bars in Gdańsk!
Snacking on the Motława River
Our Pick: Any Stall Near The River
Cost: $1 Each
In the mid-afternoon several vendors with small grills appear on the main streets. The grills look old and worn, but on top sits small disk-shaped balls. At first, we had no idea what they were. However, it isn’t often that we will pass up street food, especially if it is something we have never tried before.
Thankfully it turned out to be a good decision as we tried what turned out to be smoked mountain cheese topped with local jam. This was the perfect snack to eat in Gdańsk, and the only problem was having just one!
Drinks on a Boat
Our Pick: Oskar
Cost: Tyskie Beer $2
As we mentioned in our Gdańsk travel guide, the best place to grab a drink is on the Elblag Canal. Restaurants and bars fill the walkways with lively music and great views. One place that we stumbled upon when exploring Gdańsk was a floating bar right on the main strip.
This wooden boat serves large beers at cheap prices and offers the best views of the river. Now we didn’t try any Gdańsk food here, but for an ice-cold beer it was perfect! Try to grab a seat on the water for sunset if it’s not too packed!
A Delicious Pierogi Dinner
Our Pick: Pierogarnia Mandu
Cost: Traditional and Unique Pierogi $4.50-6.00 each
When looking for what to eat in Poland, no trip would be complete without some pierogi! This Polish staple can be found at many restaurants around Gdańsk. Luckily after a recommendation from our Airbnb host, we tried Mandu and were very happy that we did.
First and foremost, you should know this isn’t a quick meal. When we arrived we put our names on the list and sat down in the fun cloth chairs set up outside the restaurant. They took our drink order right away, and we enjoyed our beers with the two dozen other people hanging around Mandu.
Once seated inside, we placed our order and were told that they can take up to 45 minutes. The pierogi are rolled and prepared fresh to order so we had no problem waiting! We took the advice of our waitress and tried a soup (which was amazing) and patiently waited for our meal. Once they came, the pierogi were everything we wanted and more.
Our one regret is that others had this thick creamed wild mushroom sauce on their pierogi. However, being allergic Brigitte couldn’t order this on her Gdańsk food. Seeing the thick warm sauce over the pierogi, we could imagine how good it must have been. Mushroom sauce or not, this was by far one of the best meals we had to eat in Gdańsk!
Dessert on Długi Targ
Our Pick: Any Window Stall On Long Market
Cost: Mango Vanilla Swirl $1.50
Is any day ever really complete without dessert? Our recommendation is really unlike anything we have seen before. These spiraled ice creams look like they’re straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, and fill the already colorful streets of Gdańsk.
The ice cream has a slightly harder texture than you may be used to, but this fun treat still melts in your mouth! Dessert on Dlugi Targ will be the ultimate finish after eating at some of the best restaurants in Gdańsk.
Have any must-try dishes for what to eat in Poland or some of your favorite things to eat in Gdańsk? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Where to Stay in Gdańsk Poland
Ultra Luxury – Hilton Gdańsk – The Hilton Gdańsk is perfect for anyone looking for an upscale stay during their visit to Poland. This hotel offers a prime location, modern comforts, and a beautiful pool to relax in after a day of exploring.
Fun Vacation – Hotel Hanza – Elegant rooms make this warm hotel right on the Motława
Hostel Life – Five Point Hostel – Within walking distance of all the old town attractions, five point hostel offers a bright and clean budget friendly stay.
For more places to stay in Gdańsk you can explore the latest prices here!
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Poland Travel Planning
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities around the country. Book a Chopin Concert in Old Town Warsaw, skip the line at the Wawel Castle in Krakow, or enjoy Zakopane with Hot Bath Pools.
Flights: We always find great flight deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. This way you can plan your trip around the cheapest and most direct routes.
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars to rent vehicles on our travels. In Poland, there are many beautiful cities and mountain towns to experience.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered! We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
