What to eat in Lublin

Most of the region's main dishes sit on one menu, at Pyzata Chata: forszmak as a starter, świeżonka or tripe soup as a main. Cebularz, a flatbread topped with onion and poppy seed, is what sets Lublin apart from the rest of Poland, sold in bakeries across the centre.

Forszmak lubelski — a herring starter

Forszmak is a paste of herring, hard-boiled egg, apple and onion, mashed into a thick spread and put on bread, and at Pyzata Chata it runs €5.23 as a starter, before the main course arrives.

Where to stayWhich part of town holds most restaurants like this one:Where to stay in Lublin →

Świeżonka and tripe soup — two mains

Świeżonka is roast pork in a large portion, enough for two to share; at Pyzata Chata it runs €9.11. Tripe soup in the Zamość style takes its name from Zamość, a town south-east of Lublin; at the same restaurant it runs €5.23.

Day tripsWhether Zamość itself, where the soup gets its name, is worth the trip:Day trips from Lublin →

Pierogi ruskie — seven to a plate

Pierogi ruskie are filled with potato and curd cheese, hand-sealed and served seven to a plate. At Pyzata Chata they run €8.42.

2 daysWhich day in the plan leaves room for a longer lunch:Lublin in 2 days →

Cebularz — the flatbread that stands for the city

Cebularz is a flatbread of yeast dough, topped with caramelised onion and poppy seed, baked in Lublin's bakeries since the interwar period. The Regional Cebularz Museum walks through the whole baking process and gives a taste with a ticket from €3.65; it's open Wed–Sun, shows at 11:00, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:00.

Set lunch and street food

At Koper Włoski a set lunch, soup and a main course, runs €6.40, on weekdays at lunchtime. On the street, a kebab at Unique Kebab or Pyszny Kebab runs €2.50–5, and a main course without a drink at an ordinary place €6.80–8.65.

BudgetHow these meals add up to a day's spend:What Lublin costs →

When to goWhether the crowds in late July, during the Carnaval, change what's on offer in the centre:The best time to visit Lublin →