Introduction

Planning a city break in Poland and curious what vegan food in Poland is like? We have good news – Poland is surprisingly very accommodating for people on a plant based diet and there are a variety of affordable options you’ll want to try. 

Since Asia is originally from Poland and we both lived there for a number of years, we’ve gathered plenty of local insight on travelling Poland as vegans. Over the past decade Poland has transformed into a very vegan friendly destination. The capital of Poland, Warsaw, ranks as one of the best places to travel as a vegan. We’re not surprised as in the main cities in Poland you will find plenty of plant-based restaurants as well as spots offering clearly marked vegan options. There’s also a growing community of locals that are fully embracing plant-based diets. 

Just bear in mind that rural areas might be a bit slower to catch up. But don’t worry, we have a full section in this post dedicated to traditional Polish dishes that are naturally or accidentally vegan. 

We also have a full guide available of Where to Go in Poland, giving you some local tips of the best spots to visit. 

Things to Consider

Most Polish dishes can be made vegan with a few simple tweaks such as leaving out eggs or substituting meat for a plant-based alternative. It’s worth staying alert and always checking ingredients. Some common things to check are: 

• Are soups and sauces made from vegetable or meat stock
• Are pasta, dumplings and pancakes made from eggs
• Is there any cream or cheese added to dishes
• Has lard been used in a recipe

How Expensive is Vegan Food in Poland?

Poland is a very affordable travel destination – accommodation, attractions and eating out is not expensive so travelling to Poland as a vegan on a budget is quite easy. Eating out in fully vegan restaurants will cost you around £10 per person which is significantly cheaper than in most Western countries. 

Polish supermarkets are also a great place to find some affordable vegan food in Poland. A block of tofu typically costs around £1, ready to cook vegan burgers or sausages are about £2, and plant-based milk costs less than £1, so you’ll definitely save money by cooking your own meals. We have a full section dedicated to vegan options in Polish supermarkets below. 

Accidentally Vegan Traditional Polish Food

You don’t have to miss out trying traditional Polish dishes when on a plant-based diet! Below are some local options that are naturally vegan. You will be able to get these dishes in most places, even in less touristy areas. 

Pierogi

Pierogi are Polish dumplings and the dough is traditionally made out of a simple mix of flour and water. However, some places might add eggs to them so it’s best to check before you order. Popular vegan friendly fillings include cabbage and mushroom or spinach. 

If you are looking for a treat there are sweet options with strawberries, blueberries or apple and cinnamon filling that are absolutely delicious. 

Łazanki

Łazanki is another great option if you want to try some traditional vegan food in Poland. This is a very simple dish but absolutely delicious – it’s a mix of sauerkraut, square shaped pasta and mushrooms. As a child, this was my go to dish!

Barszcz

Barszcz is a beetroot soup that is a must-try when visiting Poland! If you’re visiting over the Christmas period, chances are that you will get to try traditional Barszcz z Uszkami which is a Polish beetroot soup served with mushroom dumplings (that should be fully vegan).  

Bear in mind that Barszcz is sometimes served with sour cream so make sure you ask to have it without it. Also, some very traditional restaurants might use meat stock rather than vegetable one so it’s best to check that too. 

Pyzy

Pyzy is a type of Polish potato dumpling, typically round and very soft. There’s normally no filling inside. They can be served with mushroom or meat sauce so always make sure the option they’re serving you is vegan.  

Knedle

Knedle is another sort of dumpling – yes, Polish people love their dumplings! This dish is prepared with a mix of potatoes, flour and water, making them accidentally vegan. They’re usually served sweet, with plum or strawberry filling. 

Zupa Grzybowa

Zupa Grzybowa is a mushroom soup. It’s a great option to warm up on a cold winter day and sometimes is served with pasta, making it even more filling. Just bear in mind again that you check it’s a vegetable stock.

Best Vegan Restaurants & Places to Eat Out

Eating out in Poland as a vegan has never been easier! In major cities there are plenty of fully vegan restaurants where you can try plant-based versions of traditional Polish food, vegan fast food or international options such as vegan pad thai or ramen. Below are some of our personal recommendations.

Milky Bars

Poland is also a great place to eat out on a budget, even on a plant-based diet. We recommend visiting Polish milky bars that are simple self-service cafeterias offering a variety of nutritious dishes for around £2-£4 per meal. They became widespread during the communist period so visiting them will allow you to experience some Polish history. Even though they serve mainly traditional Polish food, some of it will be accidentally vegan. 

Kilo Restaurants

Kilo restaurants are very popular in Poland and are a common lunch spot for locals. They’re a great option for finding vegan food in Poland because you can choose exactly what goes on your plate and most items are clearly marked. While you might not find a vegan burger on offer, there are plenty of pasta dishes, vegetables and potato options. You will find these restaurants in most shopping malls, with Olimp and Marche  being the most popular chains. There’s even a kilo restaurant located in the arrivals area of Wroclaw airport. 

Vega, Wrocław

This wonderful fully vegan restaurant is located right on Wroclaw’s old market square and has become our go-to spot whenever we’re in the city. It actually consists of two parts, the downstairs area is a fully vegan version of a traditional Polish milky bar. It serves classic dishes such as Pierogi, vegan pancakes and plant based versions of cutlets with mash potatoes and salad. The upstairs is a little bit more fancy, making it a great option for an evening out. 

They also have an amazing selection of vegan cakes. You can browse the menu on the Vega Official Site.

GRANVEGANO, Poznań

When visiting Poland, you must try a zapiekanka. These are long, toasted baguettes that are traditionally served with cheese and mushrooms. You’ll also find versions topped with ingredients such as ham, chicken, pickles, onions, or various vegetables. The best place to try a vegan version of zapiekanka is GRANVEGANO located in Poznan city centre. You will find a wide range of affordable options served with a variety of toppings. 

WYPAS, Poznań

WYPAS is a cosy, fully plant based restaurant located in central Poznań. It’s a true hidden gem and a great spot to enjoy an evening out. Each main dish takes inspiration from a different cuisine. You can find options such as vegan Polish schnitzel, Hungarian style potato pancakes with tomato sauce, or a mixed Middle Eastern platter. You can check out the full menu and seasonal specials on Wypas Official Site.

Falla, Most Major Cities

Falla is a popular vegetarian chain that can be found in most cities in Poland, offering a variety of fully vegan options. Their menu includes Middle Eastern inspired plates, vegan burgers and our personal recommendation – vegan grilled cheese served with salad and mashed potatoes. You will find Falla restaurants in the following cities: Warsaw, Poznań, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Słupsk, Bydgoszcz, Łódź and Lublin. 

Pizza Loft, Kraków

Pizza Loft is a fantastic place if you’re craving a truly great vegan pizza. Their pizza comes on authentic, thin, crispy crust, and there are a variety of vegan toppings to choose from, including vegan ham, vegan sausage and vegan feta cheese. There are also plenty of gluten free options, making it a welcoming place for a variety of dietary needs.

Manna, Warsaw and Gdańsk

Manna is a lovely fully plant-based restaurant with locations in both Warsaw and Gdańsk. It’s a bit more expensive for Polish standards but still affordable for a nice evening out – we paid £15 per person for a meal with a drink. This restaurant serves a wide range of Polish and international dishes as well as an extensive selection of organic vegan wines and craft beers. You can check out the full menu on Manna Official Site. This spot even ranks amongst 10 best restaurants in Gdańsk, which is amazing to see for a fully vegan place!

Poland Vegan Fast Food Options

If you’re travelling around Poland and want to grab some fast-food, here is the overview of what options are available in the major chains.

McDonald’s

Options are limited. You can order a Veggie Burger which contains a vegan patty, some lettuce and tomato, but you have to customize it by removing cheddar cheese and mayo. Same applies to their Veggie Wrap, ask for it without the cheese and mayo sauce. 

Burger King

Luckily, Burger King has great plant-based options. You can order Plant-Based Whopper, and many locations also serve vegan nuggets.

KFC

Sadly, there’s no vegan option in KFC in Poland at the moment. If you’re veggie, they have a Halloumi Burger on the menu. 

MAX Burgers

MAX Burgers is the best option if you’re craving affordable vegan fast food in Poland. Originally from the Nordics, this chain is rapidly expanding in Poland. Their vegan options include Plant Beef Burger and a more unusual, lighter option – the Salad Wrap Burger.

Polish Supermarkets as a Vegan

If you’re staying in a rented apartment or an Airbnb, you will probably want to make some of your own food. There are plenty of great vegan options in Polish supermarkets, allowing you to prepare delicious and nutritious meals. Below are some examples of the best places for a vegan food shop and what you can find in major supermarkets. 

Biedronka

Biedronka is a Polish supermarket chain that can be found literally everywhere. It’s also likely the cheapest place to do your food shop. They offer a wide range of affordable vegan options under their own brand called Go Vege. You can find there a variety of vegan cheeses, tofu blocks, plant based milks, yogurts, cereal bars, vegan sauces and fake meats such as sausages and vegan burgers. 

Żabka

Żabka is a chain of convenience stores that can be found on each corner in towns and cities, almost like a Polish 7-eleven. It offers plenty of vegan options to grab when you’re on the go, including vegan chicken sandwiches, vegan hotdogs and salads. If you have access to a kitchen, there are also vegan ready meals, vegan cheeses and plant based milks.

Lidl

This German-owned supermarket chain is also a great place to find some cheap vegan food in Poland. Lidl offers a wide range of plant based options, including vegan schnitzel, sausages, various plant based milks and yogurts, vegan cheeses, cookies and even some ready meals like vegan lasagne. 

Final Thoughts on Vegan Food in Poland

If you were worried about what travelling to Poland as a vegan would be like, we hope that our guide has shown you that Poland has plenty of great options and that vegan food in Poland is incredibly affordable. You can dine in nice fully plant-based restaurants for less than half of what you’d pay in Western Europe. Try some traditional Polish dishes at iconic milky bars or cook your own delicious meals using the convenient products available in supermarkets.