Krakow: Old Town & Kazimierz Food Tour with Tastings

Summary

Polish flavors, Krakow’s stories, shared laughter in Old Town

You’ll wander Krakow’s Old Town & Kazimierz with a local guide, sampling over a dozen Polish foods — from street snacks to hearty stews — plus vodka and craft beer tastings. Expect laughter over shared plates, stories that linger longer than the flavors themselves, and a sense of being welcomed into Krakow’s kitchen.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what Polish food really tastes like when you’re not just ordering pierogi from a menu? That’s what I was thinking as I waited under the spires of St. Mary’s Basilica, kind of nervous but mostly hungry. Our guide Marta showed up with this contagious energy — she waved us over and started talking about Krakow’s Main Market Square before we’d even left the shadow of the church. There was this smell of fresh bread drifting out from somewhere (I still don’t know which bakery) and pigeons everywhere, strutting like they owned the place.

We zigzagged through Cloth Hall, dodging locals on their way to work. Marta handed us our first bite — obwarzanek, that chewy, sesame-sprinkled bread ring you see everywhere here. It was warm in my hands and salty on my tongue. She told us how it’s been sold in Krakow for centuries (I tried to say “obwarzanek” properly; she laughed and said I sounded almost right). We stopped again for kielbasa at a little stand that looked older than my apartment building back home — smoky, peppery, hot enough to make me pause mid-sentence.

The real surprise came in Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter. The streets were narrower here, with faded murals and people chatting outside tiny bars even though it was barely noon. We sat down for a platter loaded with pickles and herring (not usually my thing), but honestly? The sharp vinegar hit mixed with fresh dill made me want another bite. Someone asked about vodka pairings and suddenly there were tiny glasses all around — Marta toasted “na zdrowie!” and told us a story about her grandmother sneaking sips at family dinners.

I lost track after dish number eight or nine — there were so many plates passed around that I just stopped counting. At some point we tried bigos (that hunter’s stew), and I remember its warmth more than anything else because it started raining lightly outside but none of us wanted to leave the table yet. It felt like we’d slipped into someone else’s family meal for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Krakow Old Town and Kazimierz Food Tour

• Start at St Mary's Church
• Pass through Old Town Market Square
• Pass through the Cloth Hall
• Walk through Jewish Quarter Kazimierz

Top questions

How long is the Krakow food tour?

The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

What areas does the food tour cover?

The tour covers Krakow's Old Town including Main Market Square, Cloth Hall, and Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter).

How many foods do you taste on this tour?

You’ll sample 13-14 different traditional Polish foods during the tour.

Is alcohol included on the Krakow food tour?

Yes, local vodka and craft beer are included as part of the tastings.

Does this tour include a local guide?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the tour and shares stories about Krakow's food culture.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation is available close to the meeting point.

Is this food tour suitable for gluten-free diets?

No, it is not recommended for travelers with gluten-free diet restrictions.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes guided walks through Old Town and Kazimierz with an English-speaking guide sharing stories along the way; tastings of 13-14 traditional Polish foods; plus local vodka and craft beer served during sit-down stops before you finish up back in central Krakow.