Gdańsk Food Tour – A Delicious Introduction to Polish Cuisine

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How much do you know about Polish cuisine?

Before our Gdańsk food tour, we knew little about Polish cuisine beyond pierogis. We had a vague idea that beets and potatoes played a starring role, but we weren’t sure what else to expect. So, we booked a food tour on our first day in Gdansk – to get a crash course in Polish flavours and make sure we knew exactly what to order for the rest of our trip.

We met our guide, Bartek at the Golden Gate (Brama Złota) for Gdańsk Food and Sightseeing Tour with Bart. The group size was capped at 15 people, but when we arrived, found out it was just the two of us – plus Bart. The introvert in me panicked for a moment. But after spending a short amount of time with Bart, realised that this was our lucky day!

Read on for my honest review of the experience – what we ate, what we learned, and whether I think it’s worth your time and money.

Planning a trip to Gdańsk? This food tour was one of the highlights of my visit—delicious, insightful, and fun.

👉 Click HERE to check prices and availability

A Polish charcuterie board featuring an assortment of sliced meats, various cheeses, fresh vegetables including radishes and bell peppers, leafy greens, and a small jar of mustard. In the background, there are four glasses of different types of beer. — Zakąski

Stop #1 – Beer and Starters: A Taste of Polish Hospitality

As we made our way to the first stop, Bart pointed out local landmarks and shared stories about Gdańsk’s history and culture. It was clear this tour would be about more than just food.

A Gdańsk local, Bart had spent six years working in hospitality in Scotland, so his English was excellent. But more than that, he was warm, engaging, and full of insight. His passion for Polish food and its cultural roots came through in every story.

Our first stop took us down into a cozy underground bar, where we were presented with a beautiful charcuterie board. Alongside the usual cured meats, cheese & bread, there was a generous selection of pickled vegetables and a paddle of craft beer.

Pickling is deeply rooted in Polish tradition, once essential for preserving vegetables through harsh winters. The tangy crunch of the pickles balanced perfectly was the richness of the meats and cheeses. This was a side of Polish food we hadn’t expected -and it was delicious.

A man sits at a bar counter, engaging with a bartender who is serving a drink. The bar features a black-and-white mural of a crowd scene on the front of the counter, and the walls are adorned with various drink menus and bottles. — Retro Vodka Bar

A person is holding a shot glass filled with vodka, in one hand and a piece of bread topped with steak tartare in the other hand. — Bottoms Up!

Stop #2 – Vodka and Steak Tartare: Drinking Like a Local

Next, Bart led us to a retro bar tucked away in a quiet side street. The decor was straight out of the communist era – walls covered in old newspapers and black-and-white footage flickering on vintage TVs.

Bart explained this bar attracted people his parents’ age who feel a certain nostalgia for the communist years – not necessarily for the politics, but for the familiarity and simplicity of that time. It opened the door to a fascinating conversation about how that period is remembered in modern Poland.

This stop was all about vodka (wódka) and steak tartare (tatar wołowy). And not the diluted stuff with cola or lemon—this was vodka the way Poles drink it: straight, as a shot. Poles and Russians both claim to have invented vodka – a rivalry as intense as the Australia vs. New Zealand debate over pavlova.

Immediately after the vodka came the steak tartare — a bold mix of raw minced beef, raw egg yolk, onion, and pickled cucumber, served on bread. It was my first time eating raw meat and raw egg. I had to silence the little food safety officer in my head who was waving a red flag. But when in Rome… or in this case, Poland.

Bart explained that the purpose of the steak tartare is to help you drink more vodka. Cheers – or Na zdrowie (pronounced nah zdrov-yeh) – to that!

For tour dates and availability click HERE

A plate featuring wild boar sausage, pierogi, fresh greens, and a red decorative piece, accompanied by a glass jar of pickled beetroot. — Wild Boar Sausage & Pierogi

Stop #3 – Pierogis, Wild Boar and Makowiec: A Hearty Polish Feast

Our final stop took us across the Motlawa River to a riverside restaurant where we were treated to pierogis and wild boar sausage. The boar was served with potato dumplings, mushrooms, and pickled beetroot. The pierogis – Poland’s most famous dish – were filled with duck and cranberries.

Bart explained that wild boar are native to the forests of Poland. With no natural predators, they are wreaking havoc on crops and even wandering into cities. Controlled culling is required, hence their appearance on the menu.

To wrap things up, we were served a slice of makowiec—a traditional Polish poppy seed cake. Makowiec is made from sweet yeast dough rolled up with a rich filling of ground poppy seeds, honey, and sugar, then topped with dried fruit. It was delicious, though after such a feast, I think I would have appreciated it even more on an emptier stomach!

A slice of Polish dessert, makowiec, is shown on a light blue plate. The dessert is a poppy seed roll topped with white icing, walnuts, and dried fruits such as raisins and candied orange peel. — Makowiec

Other Gdańsk food tours to consider

If Bart’s tour doesn’t quite fit your schedule, here are two other well-rated options that might appeal. I haven’t personally taken these, but they’re popular with other travellers. Both are private tours:

Gdansk Private Traditional Polish Food Tour

This private walking tour takes guests to five local eateries to sample traditional Polish dishes like pierogi and cheesecake. You can choose from several start times to suit your schedule and good option if you’d rather skip the group tour and get a more personalised experience.
👉 Check availability and reviews here.

Taste of Poland – Food and Culture Tour

This 3-hour tour combines local food tastings with cultural stories and sightseeing. You’ll try traditional dishes like pierogi and potato pancakes, with insights into Polish culinary heritage along the way.
👉 Check availability and reviews here.

Final Thoughts: Why a Gdańsk Food Tour is a Must-Do

A good food tour does more than just fill your stomach—it gives you a better appreciation of a city’s culture.

This Gdańsk food tour was the perfect introduction to Polish cuisine and Bart made the experience even better. His insights added so much depth to the evening, making it far more than just a food tour. We arrived in Gdańsk knowing little beyond pierogis, but left with a newfound appreciation for pickled vegetables, wild boar, poppyseeds in dessert and how to drink vodka like a local.

If you’re visiting Gdańsk and want to experience the city through its food, I highly recommend joining this tour with Bart. You’ll leave not just well-fed but with a deeper understanding of Polish history and culture. Book your Gdańsk food tour here before spots fill up!