Pierogarnia Krakowiacy
The name's a mouthful and so are the excellent dumplings
This traditional, proudly twee family restaurant – situated handily close to the main square – is a good illustration of just how versatile the pierogi scene can be. Behold: everything from the resolutely retro ‘Ruskie’, filled with potatoes, cabbage, onion and cheese; to more deluxe takes with duck and apple; and, for the sweet-toothed, a cherry- and mascarpone-filled dessert pierogi. It’s vegan friendly to boot, with a few mushroom options and even a saucy ratatouille dumpling.
23 Szewska, Old Town
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Pierogowy Raj
This unfussy pierogi joint (once in the historic centre but now relocated somewhat out of town) doesn’t have all that much room inside, so don’t be too mad if you don’t get a seat. Takeaway is well worth it, especially as it’s so cheap, with an option to order a dozen and mix-and-match the flavours. Special shout out to the spinach, cheese and garlic – get more than one – plus the vegan-friendly mushroom and lentil. And, as you’re getting a bunch, order two sweet options – we’d plump for blueberry and, for the grand finale, chocolate.
Gustawa Morcinka 14a, Wzgórza Krzesławickie
pierogowyraj.pl
U Babci Maliny
Ace dumplings just like grandma used to make
The name means ‘At Grandma Raspberry’s’, and the first thing you need to know about this delightful restaurant is they do huge, grandma-sized portions because they mean well and they love you. One of their venues – on Sławkowska – feels agreeably like a rustic forest cabin. The other – this one, on Szpitalna – leans into the geriatric aesthetic with doilies, old-fashioned lampshades and gilt-framed family photos. Mad portions, great cooking and it’s very, very cheap.
38 Szpitalna, Old Town
kuchniaubabcimaliny.pl
Nakryto
You can tell a lot about a pierogi place by how they jazz up their basic ‘Ruskie’. Here, at this date-night worthy spot, they mix the classic cottage cheese format with a dash of refined mint cream. Another fave is the chuck steak, with flavoursome cuts from the cow’s shoulder mixed with the obligatory caramelised onion. If you’re lucky there’s sometimes a Suska Sechlońska-brand smoked-plum pierogi on the specials board, made with nuts for added bite.
14 Beera Meiselsa, Kazimierz
nakryto.pl
Przystanek Pierogarnia
A chirpy and friendly little local chain, with branches in Bonerowska St, Krowoderska St, Rynek Dębnicki and more, doling out an exemplary line in quick, clean fast-food format pierogis. They’re hardly reinventing the wheel, but everything on the menu is solidly delicious, from the ‘student’ pierogi with potatoes and bacon, to the vegan with lentil and carrot, and a sweet strawberry option for dessert. They also do a mean cup of borscht – that’s beetroot soup. And a pierogi burger. You read that right.
14 Bonerowska, Wesoła Zachód
przystanek-pierogarnia.pl/en/pierogarnia-station