When you think of Gdansk, you probably picture colorful facades along the Motlawa River, cobbled lanes, and the scent of the Baltic Sea in the air. But there’s another way to experience this port city — through its food.
Every bite here tells a story of merchants, sailors, and centuries of cultural exchange. Here are eight dishes that reveal the true taste — and soul — of Gdansk.
1. Herring — Śledź po Gdańsku
You simply can’t leave Gdansk without trying herring. Once the lifeblood of the city’s trade routes, herring remains a beloved local classic.
Try it marinated in oil and onions, in cream sauce with apples, or with sour pickles and rye bread. Locals love to pair it with a shot of chilled Polish vodka or a glass of crisp local beer.
👉 You’ll taste our favorite version during our Gdansk Food Tour — at a spot where locals still come after work for a simple plate and a chat. You can book your tour here.
Herring served with oil and onion
Photo: https://spizarnia.sklep.pl/sledz-z-cebulka-w-oleju.html
2. Smoked Fish from the Baltic
From the nearby fishing villages to the bustling city markets, smoked fish — especially mackerel — is a symbol of Baltic life. The aroma alone draws you in. It’s best enjoyed straight from the smoker, still warm, with a squeeze of lemon and fresh bread.
Gdansk’s proximity to the sea means you’ll always find fish that’s both fresh and full of character.
3. Pierogi z Kaszub — Kashubian-Style Dumplings
The Kashubian region, just west of Gdansk, has its own culinary identity — rich, hearty, and full of flavor. Their pierogi are often stuffed with herring, buckwheat, or smoked meat, and topped with onions fried in butter.
These dumplings are comfort food at its finest and a direct link between the countryside and the coast.
4. Żurek — Sour Rye Soup
Few dishes capture Poland’s character better than żurek.
Made from fermented rye flour and often served with sausage, egg, and horseradish, this soup is tangy, warming, and deeply satisfying. It’s especially popular during Easter, but in Gdansk, you’ll find it year-round — sometimes served in a bread bowl.
It’s one of those dishes that instantly makes you feel at home, even on your first day in the city.
5. Golden Pierniki — Gingerbread from the North
While Toruń is Poland’s gingerbread capital, Gdansk has its own version — less sweet, more spiced, and often glazed with honey. Gingerbread has been baked here for centuries, originally brought by merchants trading along the Baltic coast.
You’ll find charming local bakeries where this tradition continues, often using family recipes passed down through generations.
6. Krupnik and Polish Vodka Traditions
Food in Gdansk always comes with something to drink.
Krupnik — a spiced honey liqueur — and flavored vodkas infused with herbs or fruit are local favorites. They reflect the city’s old merchant wealth and the Polish talent for turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
👉 Our Food Tour in Gdansk reveals how these traditions survive today — and you’ll even learn how to toast like a local.
7. Barszcz and Other Home-Style Soups
Polish grandmothers have a soup for every season, and in Gdansk, barszcz (beetroot soup) reigns supreme.
Served hot or cold, clear or creamy, it’s a symbol of family gatherings and Sunday lunches. Try it with tiny dumplings called uszka — a comforting reminder of how closely food and family are intertwined in Polish life.
8. Sernik and Sweet Endings
No meal in Gdansk is complete without dessert.
Sernik, a creamy Polish cheesecake made with twaróg (farmer’s cheese), is the city’s most beloved sweet treat. Some versions include raisins or a thin layer of chocolate glaze — each bite rich but never too sweet.
Pair it with a cup of strong Polish coffee and you’ll understand what locals mean by “slow Gdańsk afternoons.”
Taste the Story for Yourself
Gdansk’s cuisine isn’t just about food — it’s about history, community, and the joy of sharing a meal.
If you’d like to go beyond restaurant menus and taste the real city, join our Gdansk Food Tour. You’ll visit family-run eateries, sample authentic local dishes, and discover the flavors that make this port city so unique.
👉 Book your Gdansk Food Tour here
Come hungry — you’ll leave full of stories.