6 of the Best Cafes & Restaurants in Katowice for Traditional Silesian Cuisine

A shortlist of the best restaurants in Katowice for Silesian fare, plus my tips on what to order at each one.

A compilation of Polish, German, Czech and Austrian influences, Silesian cuisine features some of the most interesting and unique regional dishes in Poland.

When visiting Katowice, the biggest city in Poland’s Silesian Voivodeship and main hub of Upper Silesia, trying a few of the local delicacies is simply a must-do.

Characterised by hearty meat dishes, fluffy potato dumplings and rich bread soups, Silesian food is substantial and gratifying, with surprising textures and flavours.

This quick Silesian food guide will introduce you to six of the best cafes and restaurants in Katowice that I think are worth a visit.

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6 of the best restaurants in Katowice for traditional Silesian food & Polish classics

1. Chata z Zalipia

I never forget my first meal in a new city – and in this case, lunch at Chata z Zalipia was my first meal in Poland. We chose this restaurant because it was close to our accommodation, but it turned out to be one of our most memorable meals in the city.

Chata z Zalipia has a folksy interior, with a traditional stove at the entrance and painted Silesian flowers on the walls and tables. Normally I would regard a restaurant like this as a bit naff, but here, it just works!

The menu reads like a hit-list of Polish must-eats and Silesian specialties, making this a great spot to try a range of authentic recipes. We opted for the Rolada z Modra Kapusta, Katowice’s most famous dish. The presentation at Chata z Zalipia on a beautiful traditional ceramic crockery is very photogenic.

The beef roulade with bacon and pickles inside is a bit of an acquired taste – to me, it’s too much like a mashed up hamburger. I much preferred the sides: Classic red cabbage and best of all, a hearty serving of Kluski Slaskie (Silesian potato dumplings). Made from mashed potatoes and finely grated raw potatoes, Silesian dumplings have a gluey-like texture.

We also ordered the Placki Ziemniaczane (Polish potato cake) topped with a rich mushroom sauce. The crisp cake and creamy sauce is a match made in heaven.

• Address: Wojewodzka 15
• Opening hours & reservations: Facebook
• What to order: Rolada z Modra Kapusta; potato cakes with mushroom sauce

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2. Zurownia

Zurownia is a contemporary restaurant known for putting a gourmet spin on Silesian classics. It’s a great place to try traditional fare, including vegetarian-friendly versions of local dishes.

We visited this Katowice restaurant on a rainy evening and fell in love with the cosy, intimate atmosphere. Set in a heritage building down an unsuspecting side street south of the train station, Zurownia embraces an industrial-chic aesthetic, with exposed brick walls decorated with rusted chains and archival photos of the coal mines. The restaurant’s logo – a crossed pick and hammer – captures Katowice’s industrial spirit.

As the name suggests, the specialty dish here is Zur. This Silesian take on the popular Slavic soup is prepared with sour rye and potatoes. Zurownia has three versions: A classic soup with bacon and potatoes, Zur with porcini mushrooms, and a vegetarian Zur.

We felt like something more hearty so opted for another local meal that we didn’t find anywhere else: Silesian Maczanka. Almost like an Istanbul-style wet burger, this dish of braised pork neck packed on a bun with onion, pickled cucumber and horseradish was the best thing I ate in Katowice, hands down.

Kulebele, potato dumplings stuffed with beef, bacon, pickled cucumber, onion and sauerkraut, are another crowd favourite. Zurownia even has a vegan take on Silesian dumplings.

Zurownia has a full bar, serving cocktails and draught beer.

The restaurant does fill up – we were lucky to get a table – thus reservations are recommended.

• Address: Juliusza Ligonia 16
• Opening hours & reservations: Facebook
• What to order: Silesian Maczanka; Zur soup; Kulebele dumplings

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3. Wiejska Chatka

Located on the edge of Plac Grunwaldzki, Wiejska Chatka has a lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the sculpture park. It’s another restaurant in Katowice that takes homestyle cooking and applies premium ingredients and Instagram-worthy presentation to take it to the next level.

We ordered a plate of perfectly pleated Pierogi (Polish dumplings) filled with cottage cheese, potato and onion. They have several versions including spinach, sauerkraut and mushroom, and even sweet Pierogies with raspberry.

We also looked to the ‘Country Cuisine’ section of the menu to order Placki Ziemniaczane potato pancakes topped with smoked salmon, cottage cheese and dill. They were divine! The Plackowa Chatka pancakes layered with spinach also sound delicious.

If you’re unsure of what to order, Wiejska Chatka offers meal sets for groups of 2-12 people. At the time of our visit, the restaurant wasn’t serving alcohol – I think because of a licensing issue. But they do have some delicious homemade lemonades and fruit compotes.

The Polish version of compote is quite different to the Georgian drink of the same name I’m used to – for one, it’s served at room temperature.

• Address: Plac Grunwaldzki 4
• Opening hours & reservations: Facebook
• What to order: Pierogi; potato pancakes

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4. Slaska Prohibicja

Our host in Katowice only recommended us one restaurant to visit: Slaska Prohibicja. Little did he know I already had this trendy bistro saved to my wish-list.

Located in Nikiszowiec district, Slaska Prohibicja (which translates to ‘Silesian Prohibition’) has a very special setting inside a heritage building that once served as the miners’ refectory. The restaurant is huge, with different dining areas and an outdoor space.

For drinks, order from the ‘Architectural Cocktails’ menu – concoctions inspired by different Modernist buildings in downtown Katowice. For example, the Library Cocktail with sugarcane, pineapple and vanilla is a tribute to the Art Nouveau-inspired Education House of the Silesian Library. I can’t tell you how much I love this concept!

For something closer to home, there’s a Nikiszowiec digestif with brandy and Maraschino.

It was a little early in the day for hard liquor, so we stuck to the food menu. Portions here – like most restaurants in Katowice – are huge, so order wisely. If you’re really ravenous after wandering the streets of Nikiszowiec, the Rolada here comes with bottomless Silesian dumplings.

The highlight for us was definitely the Pierogi z Pieczonq Kaczka, dumplings stuffed with roasted duck and served with smoked cream, cranberry jam and crispy pork lardons.

I must admit that I was a bit underwhelmed by the short menu, but the dumplings were excellent. Despite the fancy setting, prices are fair and the atmosphere is spot on.

• Address: Krawczyka 1
• Opening hours & reservations: Facebook
• What to order: Pierogi z Pieczonq Kaczka

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5. Cafe Byfyj

Also in Nikiszowiec, Cafe Byfyj is my favourite place for breakfast in Katowice. We ate here before our tour of the miner’s district.

Named after a staple piece of furniture in every Silesian apartment – the byfyj (buffet), where foodstuffs and mother’s best china are stored – the cafe has a cute, retro feel, with paper streamers flying above the outdoor tables and a diner-esque interior in shades of pink and cream. Be sure to visit the restroom while you’re here!

Like Slaska Prohibicja, Cafe Byfyj is located inside a heritage red-brick building, only this one is on the ground level and looks out over Nikiszowiec’s main square. I highly recommend sitting outside on the patio and people-watching.

Next door, there is a popular bakery-patisserie called Piekarnia Cukiernia Michalski. Cafe Byfyj was founded by the daughter of the proprietor, and they source all these delectable cakes, cookies and sweets from dad.

The breakfast-brunch menu highlights organic and locally produced ingredients. We ordered one omelette and one ‘Really Hungry’ breakfast – scrambled eggs with sausages, a salad, ketchup and mustard.

Three types of bread are served wrapped in a delightful brown paper bag with individual sticks of Vouhe butter. It’s a small touch, but it made the meal for me.

• Address: Krawczyka 5
• Opening hours & reservations: Facebook
• What to order: The Really Hungry breakfast

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6. Synergia

Synergia is my top choice for a traditional, easy breakfast and excellent coffee in Katowice. The cafe has two city branches on either side of the railway station.

We went for the classic breakfast of eggs, sausages and salad with bread. We enjoyed the barista coffee so much, we ordered a second cup plus a post-breakfast slice of cheesecake to go with it.

In fact, the cake cabinet at Synergia is a highlight, making this Katowice cafe more than suitable for afternoon tea after a day out exploring the city.

• Address: Andrzeja 29/2 & Opolska 18
• Opening hours & reservations: Facebook
• What to order: Coffee & cake