Polish Christmas Market Food Guide: The Good Stuff You Shouldn’t Skip

Polish Christmas markets are famous for their traditional foods, regional treats, and warm winter drinks. There’s no shortage of wonderful food and drink that you’ll end up loving at Polish Christmas Markets.

This super simple Christmas Market guide breaks down exactly what to eat and drink at Polish Christmas Markets—oscypek, bigos, pierogi, mead, mulled wine, and more—so you can plan your visit to Polish Christmas Markets with preparation and taste the best of Poland’s holiday season. Whether you’re heading to the Christmas Markets in Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań, or Warsaw, these are the classics you won’t want to miss..

Visiting Poland for the Christmas Markets? Read these next

• Polish Folk Shows: Which One is the Best?
• Where to Stay in Kraków for Christmas
• Traditional Polish Foods to Try in Kraków:Plus Restaurants you can go to!
• A Guide to Nowa Huta for First-Timers
• Tlusty Cwartek: Where to Find the Best Polish Donuts in Krakow
• Best Tours to Take in Krakow, Poland for First-Timers
• Poznan Christmas Market Guide
• Bydgoszcz Christmas Market Guide
• Gdansk Christmas Market Guide

Stepping Into a Polish Christmas Market

Imagine the smell of smoked cheese mingling with cinnamon, wood smoke, and mulled wine. The air bites your cheeks, snowflakes catch in your hair, and somewhere nearby a choir is singing “Cicha Noc.” (bit dramatic, I know) That’s when you realize you’re standing in the middle of a Polish Christmas market — one of Europe’s most underrated holiday experiences (seriously!)

I’ve wandered markets across Poland, from Kraków’s twinkling Rynek Główny to Gdańsk’s seaside wonderland and Wrocław’s storybook stalls, and here’s the one thing I tell everyone:

Come hungry!!!

Polish Christmas markets aren’t just about shopping. They’re a celebration of comfort food, tradition, and winter warmth. So grab a steaming cup of Grzaniec (Polish mulled wine) and let’s dive into the treats that make a Polish winter unforgettable.

1. Oscypek – Smoked Sheep’s Cheese from the Mountains

Price: 10–18 PLN
Where: Most common in Kraków, Zakopane-style stalls, and Wrocław

If you see a stall with wooden carvings, plaid shawls, and the smell of smoke in the air — stop. That’s Oscypek, a Tatra Mountain cheese that’s been smoked over pinewood and molded into intricate patterns.
Served warm with cranberry jam, it’s salty, smoky, and slightly sweet — the perfect Polish street snack.

Pro Tip: Always check for the “Protected Designation of Origin” stamp. Real Oscypek comes only from the Podhale region.

2. Kiełbasa – Grilled Polish Sausage

Price: 18–30 PLN
Where: Everywhere, especially Kraków and Poznań

No Polish Christmas market is complete without a sizzling grill loaded with thick, juicy kiełbasa. Usually served on a crusty roll with mustard, these sausages vary by region — garlicky in Kraków, peppery in Wrocław, and smoky in Gdańsk.

Pro Tip: Order one from the late-night stands near Kazimierz’s Plac Nowy for a local-approved experience.

3. Bigos – Hunter’s Stew

Price: 15–25 PLN
Where: Wrocław, Poznań, Kraków

Known as Poland’s national dish, bigos is a hearty stew made with cabbage, sauerkraut, mushrooms, and sausage. It’s rich, tangy, and best enjoyed with rye bread and a mug of mulled wine.

Fun fact: Bigos actually tastes better the longer it simmers — some vendors cook it for days before serving.

4. Pierogi – The Beloved Dumpling

Price: 15–25 PLN
Where: Every major city’s market

Pierogi aren’t just food — they’re comfort in a bite. You’ll find stalls frying them in butter until crisp-edged or serving them boiled and steaming.
Must-try fillings:

• Pierogi ruskie: potato and cheese
• Kapusta i grzyby: sauerkraut and mushroom
• Na słodko: sweet ones with blueberries or poppy seeds

Pro Tip: Look for stalls where pierogi are handmade on the spot — the dough is thinner and softer.

5. Placki Ziemniaczane – Potato Pancakes

Price: 15–25 PLN
Where: Wrocław & Kraków markets

Golden, crispy, and just greasy enough to make you smile, placki ziemniaczane are Poland’s answer to hashbrowns. Traditionally topped with sour cream or mushroom sauce, they’re a satisfying snack for cold nights.

Local tip: Try them “po góralsku” — highlander-style — with goulash poured on top.

6. Zapiekanki – The Polish Street Food Classic

When the temperatures drop and you need something hearty, zapiekanka is the go-to snack. Think of it as an open-faced baguette pizza: half a long roll covered with sautéed mushrooms, cheese, and ketchup — and often loaded with extras like ham, pickles, or garlic sauce.

At Christmas markets, it’s the smell that gives it away first: sizzling cheese and bread toasting on open grills. It’s cheap, filling, and perfect to eat while wandering the stalls.

Where to try it: You’ll find it at nearly every market, but Plac Nowy in Kraków’s Kazimierz district is legendary for its zapiekanki stalls.
What to pair it with: A shot of Soplica hazelnut vodka or a steaming mug of mulled beer (grzane piwo).
Pro tip: Always ask for extra garlic sauce — locals swear by it.

7. Ryby – Traditional Polish Fish Dishes

You can’t talk about Polish Christmas without mentioning ryby, or fish. It’s the cornerstone of Wigilia (Christmas Eve dinner) and often makes its way into market stalls in creative ways.
The most traditional version you’ll see is carp — either fried golden with breadcrumbs or served cold in aspic (karp w galarecie). Don’t be surprised if you also find smoked trout, herring in oil or vinegar (śledź w oleju), and even salmon rolls with horseradish cream.

Where to try it: Look for stalls serving regional mountain fish in Zakopane or fried carp sandwiches in Kraków’s market.
What to pair it with: A hot cup of kompot z suszu (smoked fruit drink) or mulled white wine.
Fun fact: In many Polish homes, the Christmas carp swims in the family bathtub before being cooked — a quirky and beloved holiday tradition still alive today.

Sweet Treats That Taste Like Polish Christmas

8. Makowiec – Poppy Seed Roll

Price: 8–15 PLN per slice

A swirl of buttery dough, ground poppy seeds, honey, and nuts — this dessert is at the heart of Polish Christmas Eve. It’s rich but not too sweet, and pairs perfectly with coffee or tea.

10. Szarlotka – Polish Apple Cake

Price: 10–15 PLN

Warm, spiced apples nestled in a crumbly crust — Poland’s version of apple pie. Some vendors serve it café-style with whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. This is NOT apple strudel, it’s more cake like and quite delicious

11. Orzechy Karmelizowane – Candied Nuts

Price: 10–15 PLN

You’ll smell these before you see them. Almonds roasted in caramelized sugar fill the air with that unmistakable holiday scent. Who doesn’t love candied nuts! Vendors typically sell them at the market stalls, and you can get a big bag of them!

12. Pierogi na Słodko – Sweet Dumplings

Price: 12–20 PLN

Sweet pierogi stuffed with berries, cheese, or even chocolate are a hidden gem at many markets. Try them dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with cream. They usually come in fours, split with the family and enjoy these.

1. Grzaniec – Polish Mulled Wine

Price: 15–25 PLN

The signature drink of every Polish market, Grzaniec is made from red wine spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and orange peel. Each city has its own twist — Kraków’s is famously fruity, while Wrocław’s version has a hint of honey.

Pro Tip: Keep the souvenir mug; it’s your cheapest refill ticket and the best keepsake.

2. Miód Pitny – Polish Mead

Price: 12–20 PLN

This honey wine has been made in Poland since medieval times and ranges from light and floral to syrupy sweet. It’s perfect if you want something festive but not too strong.

3. Soplica and Nalewka (Polish Flavored Vodka Liqueur )

Price: 8–15 PLN per shot

A winter staple and a local favorite for a quick warm-up.

Popular Soplica flavors include:

• Hazelnut
• Walnut
• Plum
• Raspberry
• Cherry
• Quince
• Salted caramel
• Forest berry

Pair a hazelnut or plum shot with Grzaniec for the classic Polish combo.

You’ll find these dishes at markets in:

• Kraków: Rynek Główny
• Wrocław: Rynek & Christmas Fair
• Gdańsk: Targ Węglowy
• Poznań: Plac Wolności + Stary Rynek
• Warsaw: Barbakan & Old Town

Each market has its own vibe, but the food list above is consistent across the country.