Plac Nowy is the small market square at the centre of Kazimierz where Krakow eats its favourite street food. The round hall in the middle, known to everyone as the okrąglak, is ringed with serving windows selling zapiekanka: half a baguette toasted with mushrooms and cheese, finished with toppings and a stripe of sauce, eaten standing up. One costs around 10 to 18 PLN, the windows stay open late, and on Sunday mornings the square fills with a vintage and flea market.
What it is
The okrąglak was built in the early 1900s as a market hall and later served as a kosher poultry slaughterhouse when this was the heart of Jewish Krakow. Today its windows hatch zapiekanki instead, and the square around it works as the open-air living room of the district: market stalls by day, a ring of bars and cafes by night. It is not a monument you tick off; it is where the Kazimierz Jewish quarter actually happens.
What to try and see
- The classic zapiekanka: mushrooms, melted cheese and ketchup on toasted baguette. Order this the first time; everything else is a variation.
- Loaded versions: the windows compete on toppings, from ham, pickles and corn to more inventive combinations. Pick one window, not one of everything.
- The Sunday market: from early morning, stalls of vintage clothes, records, cameras and curiosities take over the square. Come before noon.
- The bars around the square: Plac Nowy is one of the district's main evening meeting points, and a zapiekanka at midnight is a Krakow tradition in itself.
Practical information
The square is public and free at all hours. A whole zapiekanka is half a baguette and genuinely filling; two people can split one if dinner is planned. Prices run roughly 10 to 18 PLN depending on size and toppings. Most windows serve into the night, later still at weekends, which is why the square stays busy long after the museums close. Bring a card but keep some cash as a backup. Seating is limited to kerbs and a few benches, so expect to eat standing like everyone else.
Getting there
Plac Nowy sits in the middle of Kazimierz, about 1.5 km from the Main Market Square: a 15 to 20 minute walk through the Old Town and down Starowiślna or the quieter side streets. Trams along Starowiślna and Krakowska stop a few minutes' walk away. If you would rather ride than walk, our Kazimierz electric cart tour covers the district's synagogues and streets around the square.
Tips
Queues are information: locals line up at the window they rate, so join the longest one and treat the wait as part of the experience. Weekday afternoons are calm; Friday and Saturday nights are the full show. Combine a Sunday morning at the flea market with a walk through the synagogue streets before the day-trippers arrive. For where Plac Nowy fits in a longer stay, see our Krakow guide.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a zapiekanka?
Half a baguette toasted open-faced with mushrooms and cheese, plus toppings of your choice and sauce. It dates from the communist era, when it was one of the few fast foods available, and it never went away.
How much does a zapiekanka cost?
Roughly 10 to 18 PLN depending on the window, the size and the toppings. Even the loaded versions are among the cheapest full-size meals in central Krakow.
How late are the windows open?
Hours vary by vendor, but the square is known for late service, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. During the day and evening you will almost always find several windows open.
When is the Sunday market?
Sunday mornings, wrapping up around midday. Arrive early for the best pick of vintage clothes, records and oddities.
Is Plac Nowy worth visiting at night?
Yes. The square is one of Kazimierz's main nightlife hubs, surrounded by bars and busy into the small hours. It is lively rather than rowdy on most nights, but it is a nightlife area, so expect noise late.
Other places worth seeing
Ready to explore?
Book a tour, hop on an electric cart, or arrange a private transfer.