If you are in Chicago and missing traditional Polish cuisine, you will not have to search for long. The city has plenty of restaurants serving up delicious Polish dishes at affordable prices. We have put together a list of the top 7 Best Polish Restaurants in Chicago. Each spot on our list offers something unique, along with warm service and a cozy atmosphere. If you are wondering where to find Polish food near you, this guide is for you.
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- Podhalanka
- Kasia’s Deli
- Staropolska Restaurant
- Red Apple Buffet
- Smakosz Restaurant
- Olivia’s Taste
- Polish Bistro
Podhalanka
Located in Wicker Park, this restaurant is known for its homemade cuisine and friendly service. Podhalanka has been serving authentic Polish food near you in Chicago for over thirty years. It is situated in the historic Polonia Triangle, a key spot for the city’s Polish community. Podhalanka is a go-to for soups. They offer Jarzynowa, Krupnik, Fasolowa, Rosół, Barszcz Czerwony, Żurek, Kapuśniak, Ogórkowa, and Pieczarkowa, all at great prices — a bowl of soup costs just $3.50. Popular main dishes include Pieczeń Wołowa, Pieczeń Wieprzowa, Gulasz Wołowy, Gulasz Wieprzowy, the beloved Gołąbki, Placki Ziemniaczane, and pierogi with various fillings. For something special, try the beef tripe (Flaczki) or pork knuckle (Golonka). The rich flavors will leave a lasting impression.
Address: 1549 W Division St, Chicago
Kasia’s Deli
This place specializes in pierogi and gołąbki, which are famous among all the gourmands in town. They also sell all kinds of other snacks and delicacies. Kasia’s Deli is yet another best Polish restaurant in the Ukrainian Village. It was established in 1982 by Kazimiera ‘Kasia’ Bober and has gained a reputation for serving authentic and delicious Eastern European cuisine. They really shine in the pierogi department, selling pierogies with beef, potato, and even jalapeno for $0.99-1.59 per piece. The enticing aroma of spices and the thick crusts are irresistible. You can also try such typical Polish dishes there as gołąbki (stuffed cabbage) and gulash, potato pancakes, cheese blantzes, and various soups, including borscht and chicken noodle soup. Kasia’s also has quite a lot of various sandwiches, among which you’d find not very typical ones but still worth trying; they are very filling, like sausage and corned beef, $8-9 each.
Address: 2101 W Chicago Ave, Chicago
Staropolska Restaurant
Staropolska Restaurant is a beloved spot of Top 7 best Polish restaurants in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. Locals love it for its cozy, homely atmosphere that feels like a classic European dining room, complete with booths, a bar, and warm, welcoming decor. The menu at Staropolska features a variety of Polish delicacies: sausage, pierogi, potato pancakes, bacon-wrapped plums, paprika chicken, and gołąbki. These dishes often come with mashed potatoes and a tomato sour cream sauce. Expect generous portions! Prices range from $5 to $11 for soups, $14 to $16 for pierogi, $18 to $22 for beef and veal, and $22 to $23 for seafood. The rustic interior, with lots of dark wood, makes it one of the best Polish restaurants in Chicago. It is perfect for a quick dinner or a large event.
Address: 3030 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
Red Apple Buffet
The restaurant is located in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago. Since 1984, it has been serving the Polish expat community and is famous for its wide variety of traditional Polish and Eastern European dishes. Red Apple Buffet is a buffet-style restaurant with a rich menu. They offer soups, dumplings, pierogi, gołąbki, Polish schnitzel, pork knuckles, roast duck, beer-soaked ham, and desserts. Their fresh bread and pastries are particularly noteworthy. Besides the incredible taste, the menu is surprisingly affordable. The average check at Red Apple Buffet is $32.99 per person, with discounts for children. The place boasts an authentic interior that feels like a cozy country house, enhancing the dining experience.
Address: 6474 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
Smakosz Restaurant
Smakosz Restaurant is the next best Polish restaurant in Chicago’s Jefferson Park. The restaurant has a quite long history; it was opened in 1985 by Edward Kaminski. Through nearly four decades, Smakosz has been serving its customers the most classic and state-of-the-art dishes from Polish cuisine. The venue became famous for its pierogi, classic dishes, seafood, and chef’s specials. You may try pierogi with sauerkraut and mushrooms, meat, potato and cheese, spinach and feta, as well as sweet options like blueberry. Classic dishes range from borscht, potato pancakes, cheese blintzes to signature Lublin pork crowned with a fried egg. At Smakosz, you can get to eat salmon and trout — often appearing in the 'Fish Fridays' — beef tenderloin tartare, and Hungarian crepes. Smakosz offers both dine-in and takeout options. The most distinctive features, apart from the tasty dishes and a cozy atmosphere, are the hearty, friendly service and accessibility to people with disabilities due to its location near bus stops and the Blue Line Jefferson Park Transit Center.
Address: 5619 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago
Another best Polish restaurant is located at 7157 W Belmont Ave, Chicago. It is worth visiting not only for the cozy atmosphere but also for quite an authentic range of Polish cuisine. The best thing on the menu has to be the soups and main courses. First up, you could choose from the following: Flaczki (tripe soup), Rosół (chicken soup), or Żurek z kiełbasą (white borscht with sausage). For the second course, you could choose from Placek po węgiersku (Hungarian potato pancakes with goulash), a dish called ‘Polish plate’ (gołąbki, Polish sausage, potato pancakes, pierogi), or a traditional breaded pork cutlet — Kotlet schabowy. And of course, the pierogi with various fillings are just splendid at Olivia’s Taste: meat, potato with cheese, sauerkraut with mushrooms, potato dumplings with mushroom sauce.
Address: 7157 W Belmont Ave, Chicago
Polish Bistro
If you are looking for Polish food near you, you could check out the Polish Bistro. Located in the Irving Park neighborhood in Chicago, this space is ideally placed for an eatery, and you will love the sights while visiting. The reputation of this bistro is based on homemade Polish cuisine and friendly surroundings. Here, you can eat the dishes that you were used to eating at home. Potato pancakes with goulash, Polish sausage with grilled onions, stuffed cabbage rolls, casseroles, and soups will be at your disposal in the wooden interior with lovely tablecloths and fresh flowers around. In addition, to see the comfortable interior, the restaurant will please you with a rich and varied menu of traditional Polish dishes. You will be sure to come for tasting potato pancakes with goulash, Polish sausage with grilled onions, stuffed cabbage rolls, casseroles, and soups. The check is rather democratic; average prices per person vary between $10 and $20. The hall of the Polish Bistro consists of some halls: inside, on the outdoor terrace, and a bar that offers a great choice of various drinks: from Polish beer to liqueurs. The restaurant has a wide audience. It will be good for many vegetarians to come with families or order take-out and delivery.
Address: 8303 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago
