The Atlas · Nº 20 ·Poland

Most Popular Polish Food

Polish food is dumplings and soup and the long winter: pierogi boiled by the plateful, a sour bowl of żurek, kiełbasa and cabbage stewed down to comfort. It runs on potatoes, rye, and wild mushrooms foraged from the forest, and takes its cheesecake, sernik, as seriously as its mains.

139 dishes ranked·15 in the global top 1,000 ·12,648 diner ratings·Best rank Nº 72

Plate I — The Origins

Fig. 1 Where 139 ranked polish dishes were born. Dish origin

Drag to pan · Double-click or +/− to zoom · Select a marker for its entry

The Signature Dishes

The twelve highest-ranked Polish dishes, by global position.

Pierogi Ruskie, dumplings from Poland
Plate IIDumplings · Poland

1 Nº 72 worldwide

Pierogi Ruskie

Dumplings · Pierogi Galicyjskie · Вареники · Varenyky

The most popular of all pierogi, filled with a mix of mashed potato and fresh twaróg cheese, boiled then often pan-fried in butter and onions. Despite the name, which points to old Red Ruthenia rather than Russia, they are as Polish as it gets, eaten with a spoon of sour cream.

★ 4.4|86% positive |393 ratings

Pierogi, dumplings from Poland
Plate IIIDumplings · Poland

2 Nº 83 worldwide

Pierogi

Dumplings · Perogi · Pyrogy · Pierógi

Poland's national dumpling, half-moons of thin dough crimped around fillings sweet or savory, from meat and cabbage to cheese, mushroom, or summer berries. Once peasant food, now the centerpiece of the Christmas Eve table, they are boiled, sometimes fried, and always served in a heap.

★ 4.4|86% positive |705 ratings

Żurek, soup from Poland

3ŻurekNº 149

Soup · Also Barszcz Biały

A distinctively sour rye soup, its tang coming from żur, a fermented rye starter, thickened with cream and filled with white sausage and hard-boiled egg. Served for Easter and often ladled into a hollowed bread loaf, it is the taste of a Polish spring.

★ 4.4|432 ratings

Rolada z modrą kapustą, beef dish from Poland

4Rolada z modrą kapustąNº 162

Beef Dish

Silesia's Sunday plate, a beef roulade wrapped around bacon, pickle, and onion, braised slow, and served with cooked red cabbage and round potato dumplings. It is the region's proudest dish, the whole trio traditional and all but inseparable.

★ 4.3|82 ratings

Sernik, cheese dessert from Poland

5SernikNº 182

Cheese Dessert · Also Sernik krakowski

Polish cheesecake, made not with cream cheese but with twaróg, the country's fresh curd cheese, which gives it a lighter, tangier, slightly grainy crumb. Rooted in old Christian and Jewish baking, it comes plain, studded with raisins, or under a chocolate glaze.

★ 4.3|300 ratings

Sękacz, cake from Poland

6SękaczNº 299

Cake

A dramatic spit-roasted tree cake, batter poured layer by layer onto a turning spit over an open flame so it builds up drips and spikes like branches. A wedding and holiday showpiece shared with Lithuania and Belarus, it keeps for weeks and is sliced into rings.

★ 4.3|144 ratings

Kluski śląskie, dumplings from Poland

7Kluski śląskieNº 327

Dumplings

Silesian potato dumplings, small and round with a signature dimple pressed into the top to catch the gravy, made from cooked potato and potato starch. Chewy and mild, they are the classic Silesian partner to a beef roulade and its dark sauce.

★ 4.2|184 ratings

Rosół, meat soup from Poland

8RosółNº 418

Meat Soup

Poland's clear golden broth, most often rosół z kury from chicken, simmered for hours with root vegetables and poured over thin noodles. It is the traditional start to Sunday dinner and a wedding-feast classic, restorative and unhurried.

★ 4.2|323 ratings

Karpatka, cake from Poland

9KarpatkaNº 423

Cake

A Polish cream cake of two sheets of baked choux pastry sandwiching a thick vanilla custard, its bumpy, cracked top said to resemble the peaks of the Carpathian mountains that give it its name. Dusted with icing sugar and cut into squares.

★ 4.2|119 ratings

Chleb prądnicki, rye bread from Poland

10Chleb prądnickiNº 433

Rye Bread

A large, dark rye bread made around Kraków since the 1400s, dense and long-keeping with a thick, almost black crust. Once baked in huge loaves that could weigh several kilos, it is a protected regional specialty and the bread of old Małopolska.

★ 4.2|19 ratings

Naleśniki, pancake from Poland

11NaleśnikiNº 488

Pancake

Poland's thin crepes, griddled and rolled or folded around a filling, sweet with fruit and sweet curd cheese or savory with mushrooms and meat. The savory ones are sometimes breaded and fried, and either way they are everyday home cooking.

★ 4.2|37 ratings

Zupa borowikowa, mushroom soup from Poland

12Zupa borowikowaNº 527

Mushroom Soup

A fragrant soup of borowiki, the king boletus mushrooms Poles forage in autumn woods, simmered into a deep, earthy broth often finished with cream and served over noodles. It is the taste of the forest and a fixture of the meat-free Christmas Eve supper.

★ 4.1|87 ratings

The Departments

Every Polish dish in our ranking, grouped the way you'd order them.

The Complete Ledger

All 139 Polish dishes in the world ranking. Every entry, leaf by leaf.

139 entries
  1. 72 Pierogi Ruskie Dumplings Subcarpathian Voivodeship ★ 4.4
  2. 83 Pierogi Dumplings Poland ★ 4.4
  3. 149 Żurek Soup Poland ★ 4.4
  4. 162 Rolada z modrą kapustą Beef Dish Silesian Voivodeship ★ 4.3
  5. 182 Sernik Cheese Dessert Poland ★ 4.3
  6. 299 Sękacz Cake Poland ★ 4.3
  7. 327 Kluski śląskie Dumplings Silesian Voivodeship ★ 4.2
  8. 418 Rosół Meat Soup Poland ★ 4.2
  9. 423 Karpatka Cake Poland ★ 4.2
  10. 433 Chleb prądnicki Rye Bread Kraków ★ 4.2
  11. 488 Naleśniki Pancake Poland ★ 4.2
  12. 527 Zupa borowikowa Mushroom Soup Poland ★ 4.1
  13. 741 Zrazy wołowe zawijane Beef Dish Masovian Voivodeship ★ 4.1
  14. 763 Szarlotka (Pie) Sweet Pie Poland ★ 4.1
  15. 961 Barszcz czysty czerwony Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 4.0
  16. 1,053 Zapiekanka Snack Poland ★ 4.0
  17. 1,069 Marcinek Cake Podlaskie Voivodeship ★ 4.0
  18. 1,079 Leniwe pierogi Dumplings Poland ★ 4.0
  19. 1,102 Paszteciki Savory Pastry Szczecin ★ 4.0
  20. 1,118 Kiełbasa polska Sausage Poland ★ 4.0
  21. 1,277 Żymła Bread Silesian Voivodeship ★ 4.0
  22. 1,348 Potato Soup (Zupa ziemniaczana) Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 3.9
  23. 1,368 Kopytka Dumplings Poland ★ 3.9
  24. 1,369 Kotlet schabowy Pork Dish Poland ★ 3.9
  25. 1,489 Pierekaczewnik Savory Pastry Podlaskie Voivodeship ★ 3.9
  26. 1,493 P Pieczeń cielęca Veal Dish Poland ★ 3.9
  27. 1,567 Gzik Dip Poland ★ 3.9
  28. 1,582 Apple-Stuffed Duck (Kaczka z jabłkami) Duck Dish Poland ★ 3.9
  29. 1,608 Placki ziemniaczane Pancake Poland ★ 3.9
  30. 1,774 Kielbasa Sausage Poland ★ 3.9
  31. 1,789 Rosół z kury Chicken Soup Poland ★ 3.9
  32. 1,851 Kwaśnica Vegetable Soup Żywiec ★ 3.9
  33. 1,857 Wołowina pieczona Beef Dish Poland ★ 3.9
  34. 1,968 Lemon Soup (Zupa cytrynowa) Soup Poland ★ 3.9
  35. 2,010 Kapusta zasmażana Vegetable Dish Poland ★ 3.9
  36. 2,032 Zupa grzybowa Mushroom Soup Poland ★ 3.9
  37. 2,046 Ś Śliwka w czekoladzie Chocolate Dessert Poland ★ 3.9
  38. 2,248 R Róża karnawałowa Sweet Pastry Poland ★ 3.8
  39. 2,259 P Pieczeń wieprzowa z winem Pork Dish Poland ★ 3.8
  40. 2,260 Żebroczka Casserole Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.8
  41. 2,273 Fasolka z migdałami Vegetable Dish Poland ★ 3.8
  42. 2,336 C Corn Salad (Sałatka z kukurydzy) Salad Poland ★ 3.8
  43. 2,471 Parzybroda Vegetable Soup Kielce ★ 3.8
  44. 2,823 Racuchy Pancake Poland ★ 3.8
  45. 2,857 Krokiet Pancake Poland ★ 3.8
  46. 2,935 Kotlet z piersi kurczaka Fried Chicken Dish Poland ★ 3.8
  47. 3,374 Z Zygmuntówka Cake Warsaw ★ 3.8
  48. 3,457 Ż Żeberka wędzone Pork Dish Poland ★ 3.8
  49. 3,485 Chałka Sweet Bread Poland ★ 3.8
  50. 3,489 Piróg Biłgorajski Savory Pie Lublin Voivodeship ★ 3.8
  51. 3,558 Sałatka ziemniaczana Salad Poland ★ 3.7
  52. 3,579 Pyry z gzikiem Potato Dish Poznań ★ 3.7
  53. 3,630 Proziaki Soda Bread Subcarpathian Voivodeship ★ 3.7
  54. 3,637 Bułka z pieczarkami Street Food Masovian Voivodeship ★ 3.7
  55. 4,145 R Rolada z mięsa mielonego z pieczarkami Ground Meat Dish Poland ★ 3.7
  56. 4,162 Bigos Stew Poland ★ 3.7
  57. 4,163 Gołąbki Ground Meat Dish Poland ★ 3.7
  58. 4,219 Mizeria Salad Poland ★ 3.7
  59. 4,221 Gulasz Stew Poland ★ 3.7
  60. 4,229 Toruńskie pierniki Cookie Toruń ★ 3.7
  61. 4,244 Kartacze Dumplings Podlaskie Voivodeship ★ 3.7
  62. 4,256 Kiełbasa wędzona Sausage Poland ★ 3.7
  63. 4,328 Forszmak Lubelski Stew Lublin ★ 3.7
  64. 4,395 K Kasza gryczana ze skwarkami Porridge Poland ★ 3.7
  65. 4,492 K Kawior z bakłażana Spread Podlaskie Voivodeship ★ 3.7
  66. 4,657 Rurki Sweet Pastry Poland ★ 3.7
  67. 4,685 S Szpajza Dessert Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.7
  68. 4,688 Siemieniotka Soup Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.7
  69. 4,817 Knysza Street Food Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.7
  70. 4,865 Torcik wedlowski Dessert Poland ★ 3.7
  71. 4,872 Rolada z kurczakiem i pieczarkami Appetizer Poland ★ 3.7
  72. 5,064 Baranina Mutton Dish Poland ★ 3.6
  73. 5,073 Kartofle gotowane Vegetable Dish Poland ★ 3.6
  74. 5,136 Grochówka Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 3.6
  75. 5,140 Kremówka Cake Poland ★ 3.6
  76. 5,163 Moczka Sweet Soup Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.6
  77. 5,659 K Kawior po żydowsku Offal Dish Masovian Voivodeship ★ 3.6
  78. 5,758 Faworki Sweet Pastry Poland ★ 3.6
  79. 5,773 Piernik Cake Toruń ★ 3.6
  80. 5,788 Zupa ogórkowa Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 3.6
  81. 5,805 Zupa pomidorowa Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 3.6
  82. 5,925 Kołocz śląski Cake Opole Voivodeship ★ 3.6
  83. 5,962 Podpłomyk Flatbread Poland ★ 3.6
  84. 6,117 Bliny gryczane Pancake Poland ★ 3.6
  85. 6,224 Cebularz Lubelski Flatbread Lublin Voivodeship ★ 3.6
  86. 6,370 B Bryjka Porridge Poland ★ 3.5
  87. 6,520 Rogal świętomarciński Sweet Pastry Greater Poland Voivodeship ★ 3.5
  88. 6,551 Kotlet mielony Pork Dish Poland ★ 3.5
  89. 6,620 Zupa buraczkowa Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 3.5
  90. 6,630 Flaki po warszawsku Offal Soup Masovian Voivodeship ★ 3.5
  91. 6,795 Kotlet z indyka Turkey Dish Poland ★ 3.5
  92. 6,852 Pasztet Pâté Poland ★ 3.5
  93. 6,891 Babka ziemniaczana Casserole Poland ★ 3.5
  94. 6,894 Wiejska Sausage Poland ★ 3.5
  95. 6,932 Sałatka wiosenna Salad Poland ★ 3.5
  96. 6,933 Kapuśniak Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 3.5
  97. 7,118 Łazanki Pasta Poland ★ 3.4
  98. 7,169 Budyń Pudding Poland ★ 3.4
  99. 7,514 Ryba smażona Fish Dish Poland ★ 3.4
  100. 7,589 Babka Sweet Bread Poland ★ 3.3
  101. 7,667 Krupnioki śląskie Blood Sausage Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.3
  102. 7,828 Surówka z białej kapusty Salad Poland ★ 3.3
  103. 7,869 Ż Żymlok Blood Sausage Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.3
  104. 8,094 Ćwikła Side Dish Poland ★ 3.2
  105. 8,115 Obwarzanek krakowski Bread Kraków ★ 3.2
  106. 8,134 Kiełbasa biała parzona Wielkopolska Sausage Greater Poland Voivodeship ★ 3.2
  107. 8,145 Kogel mogel Dessert Poland ★ 3.2
  108. 8,209 Szałot Salad Silesian Voivodeship ★ 3.2
  109. 8,230 Pieczeń z mięsa mielonego Ground Meat Dish Poland ★ 3.1
  110. 8,286 Makowiec Sweet Bread Poland ★ 3.1
  111. 8,295 Wuzetka Chocolate Cake Warsaw ★ 3.1
  112. 8,333 Zrazy Meat Dish Poland ★ 3.1
  113. 8,353 Mazurek Cake Poland ★ 3.1
  114. 8,358 Ryba po grecku Fish Dish Poland ★ 3.1
  115. 8,397 Golonka Pork Dish Poland ★ 3.0
  116. 8,426 Sałatka warzywna Salad Poland ★ 3.0
  117. 8,429 Chłodnik litewski Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 3.0
  118. 8,485 Surówka z marchewki Salad Poland ★ 3.0
  119. 8,503 Smalec Spread Poland ★ 3.0
  120. 8,510 Rolmopsy Appetizer Poland ★ 2.9
  121. 8,538 Sałatka z burakow Salad Poland ★ 2.9
  122. 8,539 Schab faszerowany Pork Dish Poland ★ 2.9
  123. 8,546 Makówki Dessert Silesian Voivodeship ★ 2.9
  124. 8,568 Kiełbasa parówkowa Sausage Poland ★ 2.9
  125. 8,574 Zupa rybna Fish Soup Poland ★ 2.9
  126. 8,590 Sałatka z boczkiem Salad Poland ★ 2.9
  127. 8,613 Zupa szczawiowa Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 2.8
  128. 8,621 Andruty Kaliskie Wafer Kalisz ★ 2.8
  129. 8,630 Pyzy Dumplings Poland ★ 2.8
  130. 8,645 Klopsiki Meatballs Poland ★ 2.8
  131. 8,657 Pieczarki marynowane Pickling Poland ★ 2.7
  132. 8,687 Kartoflanka Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 2.7
  133. 8,719 Strawberry Soup (Zupa truskawkowa) Sweet Soup Poland ★ 2.6
  134. 8,722 Zupa jarzynowa Vegetable Soup Poland ★ 2.6
  135. 8,733 Wodzionka Bread Soup Silesian Voivodeship ★ 2.5
  136. 8,783 Kaszanka Blood Sausage Poland ★ 2.3
  137. 8,806 Czernina Offal Soup Poland ★ 2.0
  138. 8,826 Flaki Offal Soup Poland ★ 1.7
  139. 10,788 B Baked beans (Fasolka po bretońsku) Stew Poland
Leaf 1 of 4

Gazetteer

A Regional Tour of Polish Food

Where Poland's ranked dishes were born, and what to order there.

Questions, Answered

Polish food, frequently asked. Answered from the data.

What is the most popular Polish food?
Pierogi, without contest, draw the most ratings, the stuffed dumplings that are Poland's national dish. Our best-ranked is the potato-and-cheese Pierogi Ruskie, at #72 worldwide. The sour rye soup Żurek is the other great favorite, close behind on both counts. All 10 Polish dumplings & pastries →
What food is Poland known for?
Dumplings, sour soups, and sausage. Pierogi are the icon, but Poland is a nation of soups too, from the sour rye Żurek to the clear Rosół and the wild-mushroom Zupa borowikowa. Kiełbasa sausage and cabbage run through the hearty mains, with cheesecake Sernik to finish. All 31 Polish soups & stews →
What is Poland's national dish?
Pierogi, the filled dumplings eaten in every form and at every celebration, are Poland's unofficial national dish. Bigos, the long-simmered hunter's stew of sauerkraut and meats, is the other contender. In our data the top-ranked Polish dish is Pierogi Ruskie, the potato-and-cheese kind.
What is the most famous Polish dessert?
Sernik, the Polish cheesecake made with fresh twaróg curd for a lighter, tangier crumb, is the best known. For something showier, Karpatka layers choux pastry over vanilla cream, and Sękacz, the spit-roasted spiky tree cake, is the grand wedding centerpiece. All 26 Polish desserts & sweets →
What should I eat in Silesia?
Silesia is Poland's deepest food region on our map, and it does Sunday dinner properly. The signature is Rolada z modrą kapustą, a beef roulade with red cabbage and round Kluski śląskie, the dimpled Silesian potato dumplings that soak up the gravy.
What Polish dishes do locals love that tourists miss?
Home cooking beyond the pierogi bar. Zrazy wołowe zawijane are beef roulades stuffed with pickle and bacon in a dark sauce. Szarlotka is the deep apple pie every grandmother bakes, and Marcinek, a many-layered thin-pancake cake, is a treasure of the Podlasie east.