Zapiekanka in Kraków
Plac Nowy's famous baguette
A zapiekanka (zah-pyeh-KAN-kah) is half a baguette, baked open-faced with mushrooms and melted cheese and finished with a stripe of ketchup. It's been Poland's favourite street snack since the communist era, and the place to eat one in Kraków is the round market hall on Plac Nowy in Kazimierz.
What's on it
The classic
Chopped mushrooms (pieczarki) and melted yellow cheese on a crisp half-baguette, with ketchup on top. Order it as "zapiekanka klasyczna" or just point.
The extras
Hatches offer long lists of toppings: ham, chicken, salami, fried onion, chives, jalapeños, garlic sauce, even smoked oscypek cheese. Most menus are posted outside each window.
Vegetarian?
The classic mushroom and cheese version is meat-free. Check the toppings list for vegetarian specials, or ask: "bez mięsa?" (bez MYEN-sah).
Where to eat one Plac Nowy, Kazimierz
Plac Nowy on the map ↗The Okrąglak
The round brick building in the middle of Plac Nowy was once a market hall. Today it's ringed with small serving hatches, most of them selling zapiekanki. You order at the window, pay, and eat standing up or on a bench nearby.
Which hatch?
Every regular has a favourite. Endzior is one of the best-known names, with a long queue to prove it. Our advice: pick the hatch with the longest local queue, or walk the whole circle and read the menus first.
When to go
Zapiekanki are an evening and late-night food in Kazimierz. Hatches open from around midday and many stay open well into the night, especially at weekends. Hours vary from hatch to hatch.
More cheap street food for in between
Obwarzanek krakowski
3–5 złKraków's own braided bread ring, sold from little blue carts all over the city, with sesame, poppy seeds or salt. The cheapest breakfast in town.
Milk bars
For a proper sit-down meal at street-food prices, a milk bar set lunch costs about 25–35 zł. See all our cheap eats in Kraków →
FAQ
Where is the best zapiekanka in Kraków?
At Plac Nowy in Kazimierz, where the round market hall (Okrąglak) is lined with hatches selling them. Endzior is one of the best-known, but every local has a favourite.
How much is a zapiekanka in Kraków?
Typically 20 to 35 zł at Plac Nowy, depending on the size and toppings.
What is a zapiekanka?
Half a baguette baked open-faced with mushrooms and cheese, finished with ketchup. It's a Polish street food classic that dates back to the communist era.
Is zapiekanka vegetarian?
The classic mushroom and cheese version is meat-free. Many toppings add ham, chicken or salami, so check the menu.
When are the Plac Nowy zapiekanka stalls open?
Hours vary by hatch. Most open around midday and many stay open late into the night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.