When I first visited Katowice, I was a fresh university graduate on a budget – so naturally, I gravitated towards places that were either super convenient or super affordable (ideally both). But when I came back a few years later and started doing a bit more research, I was honestly surprised by how many amazing cafés and restaurants this city has to offer.
I’ve now been to Katowice four times, and I’m still working my way through the ever-growing list of places I want to try – partly because I keep finding new spots, and partly because I love revisiting the ones I already know and adore.
So, I figured it’s high time I put all that research to good use and shared my go-to list of the best cafés and restaurants in Katowice, broken down by the type of meal to make your trip planning that little bit easier.
Looking for ideas on what to see and do while you’re here? Check out my full Katowice travel guide – it’s packed with top things to do and day trip suggestions!
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Best places for breakfast
Kafej
📍 ul. Chorzowska 5, open daily 8:30 am – 7:30 pm
If there’s one breakfast spot in Katowice that always gets mentioned, it’s Kafej – and for good reason. It’s easily one of the most popular places in town, and once you go, you’ll see why.
I’d definitely recommend booking ahead or turning up the moment they open at 8:30. Every time we arrived a bit later, it was tricky to find a table – we usually had about an hour before the next reservation rolled in.
The menu changes slightly with the seasons, but you’ll always find a mix of bagels, eggs, toast, and other breakfast favourites. I’ve been back several times and I still haven’t managed to work my way through all the things I want to try. My top pick so far is probably the waffle with bacon, rocket, and parmesan – but the bagels are really good too.
They’re also known for their sweet pastries, so definitely leave a bit of room – or pop into their café later, which I’ll be covering in the cafés section!
The location is great too: right near Spodek and the Jerzy Ziętek roundabout, so whether you’re planning a day of sightseeing or hopping on a tram to explore further out, it’s a perfect starting point.
Lajkonik
📍 Several locations in Kraków and Katowice – we visited the one at Staromiejska 3. Open 6:30 am–8 pm on weekdays, 8 am–8 pm on weekends.
Lajkonik is a very close second favourite – and one we discovered completely by accident. We needed somewhere that opened super early before our morning train to Vienna, and as soon as I stepped in, I was obsessed.
It’s actually a chain of bakeries with locations in both Kraków and Katowice, but it still has that cosy, no-frills feel I absolutely love. You can grab some bread or pastries to go, or sit down with a coffee and enjoy them right there.
Surprisingly, places like this aren’t that common where I live, so I make the most of them whenever I can. They also have great deals – think a sandwich and coffee set for 25 PLN or under (about €5.90 / £4.90). You can check out the latest combos on their menu here, because the promo sets don’t usually have English translations once you’re inside the café.
If you’re grabbing a set, you can also add a small sandwich for just 3 PLN (about €0.70 / £0.60) – they’ve got ones with tuna, pepper and tomato, or egg spreads. And don’t even get me started on the sweet pastries. I’m still thinking about that Kinder Bueno croissant… the cravings hit hard as I was editing these photos!
Piekarnia Michalski
📍 Several locations in Katowice and Mysłowice – we visited the one at Plac Miarki 2. Open 6 am–6 pm Monday to Friday, 6 am–2 pm Saturday, closed Sunday.
Piekarnia Michalski is an artisanal bakery that’s been going strong since 1990, now run by the third generation of the Michalski family.
They’re the same people behind Cafe Byfyj and the bakery next door in Nikiszowiec (which I’ll mention later on), but if that’s a bit too far out for you, they’ve also got a café right on Plac Miarki (Miarki Square). One time we stayed just around the corner, so of course we had to pop in.
The place has this lovely, old-school ‘staying at your grandma’s’ vibe. They don’t have a full kitchen, so you’ll need to pick from their selection of sandwiches and pastries. But the prices are so good, you don’t really have to choose… we ordered both, obviously. 😉
It might not be quite on the same level as Lajkonik, but if you’re staying nearby, it’s a solid option. Plus, it opens at 6 am, which makes it ideal if you’ve got an early train or a packed day ahead.
Kofeina Bistro
📍 ul. 3 Maja 13, open 8 am–6 pm Monday to Saturday, 9 am–2 pm Sunday.
We also stopped by Kofeina Bistro, which is super close to the main train station – great if you’re arriving early or need a bite before catching a train.
Out of all the places in this guide, it’s probably the one I’d be least likely to return to, but only because the space is really small and a bit cramped.
The main seating area is basically a row of tightly packed tables, and as it’s quite a popular spot, even a handful of people waiting can make it feel a bit hectic. However, they do have a small, more private seating area tucked away at the back, so if you’re not fussed by the setup, it’s still worth a stop.
The food itself was really decent, though the prices are on the higher side. I went for the croque madame, and my boyfriend got the breakfast platter with cheese, ham, quark, jam, and a soft-boiled egg. You can even add a glass of Prosecco to your breakfast for just 5 PLN (about €1.20 / £1).
One thing I do absolutely recommend is buying their bread. They had some from the day before, so we grabbed a couple of loaves at 50% off (just 5 PLN each!). For proper ecological bread with no additives, even the regular price is a total steal.
Urban Coffee
📍 ul. Warszawska 15, open from 8 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 7 pm on weekends
Urban Coffee was hands down the discovery of our latest trip to Katowice. We first spotted it while walking to the flat we were renting and decided to come back the next morning. It’s their first location outside Kraków (where they already have four cafés), and they’ve absolutely nailed it with this one.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know I have a bit of a soft spot for cafés with beautiful interiors – and this one had me at hello. It’s the kind of place I’d happily bring my laptop to and spend a few hours working or just relaxing with a good coffee.
Their breakfast menu centres around bagels (which they bake in-house), but you’ll also find classics like shakshuka, pancakes, avo toast, and more. And speaking of coffee – this place is a dream for specialty coffee lovers. You could really taste the quality, and it instantly became one of my new favourite spots for a caffeine fix.
They’ve also got their own version of Crumbl cookies. I’ve never had the original, so I can’t compare, but theirs was generously sized, reasonably priced, and absolutely delicious. We split one between us and it was the perfect little sweet treat.
Cafe Kattowitz
📍 ul. Świętego Jana 7, open from 10 am to 10 pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 10 am to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 am to 10 pm on Sundays
We must’ve walked past this place five or six times before we finally went in – and honestly, the only reason it took us so long was the opening hours. It doesn’t open until 10 am (11 on Sundays!), which is a bit late if you’re an early breakfast person like me. Nine is usually the latest I’m willing to wait… but in this case, it was worth it.
Café Kattowitz feels like a little slice of Vienna right in the middle of Katowice – which makes perfect sense, as that’s exactly what inspired it.
It’s inside a beautiful neo-baroque townhouse from 1892. The whole space is designed to reflect the style and atmosphere of Katowice between 1890 and 1920, back when the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and known as Kattowitz. Most of the furnishings are original antiques. You’ll find vintage postcards, old photographs, and portraits of local historical figures on the walls, and it really feels like time has stood still inside.
They’ve modelled the café after old Viennese coffee houses, where the café culture originally came to Katowice from. The breakfast menu is all about the classics: eggs, pancakes, croque madame, and even a set inspired by Daisy von Pless (whose home in Książ Castle we visited). I didn’t get a chance to try their lunch or dinner options, but if they’re anything like breakfast, I’d happily go back for more.
Best restaurants for lunch and dinner
Żurownia
📍 ul. Juliusza Ligonia 16, open from 12 to 9 pm on Sundays and Mondays, and from 12 to 10 pm from Tuesday to Saturday
When I first started putting together this blog post, I was genuinely surprised by how few lunch spots I had compared to the breakfast ones… But if that’s not proof of how much I love this place, I don’t know what is!
Ever since our first visit to Żurownia, I can’t imagine a trip to Katowice without stopping by. Despite being one of the most popular restaurants in the city, we’ve never had trouble getting a table, the food always comes out quickly, and the prices are incredibly reasonable for the portion sizes.
As the name suggests, the star of the show here is żur – a sour rye soup that’s especially popular around Easter in Poland. It’s one of my favourite soups of all time, and this version is easily the best I’ve ever had. (My mum doesn’t make it, so I can say that guilt-free 😉)
The fun part is that it’s basically a build-your-own żur situation. You choose your broth (there’s a veggie one too), then pick your sides. The classic combo is sausage and egg, but my go-to is a fresh bread roll with a very generous serving of horseradish. Theirs is intense – just how I like it – but fair warning if you’re not used to it!
Try to save some space for the other dishes too, though! I’d recommend the kulebele, which are a twist on traditional Silesian dumplings, filled with pulled beef, bacon, pickles, and onions. There’s a veggie version, and you can order just one dumpling instead of a full portion, which is ideal if you’re already having the soup.
Śląska Prohibicja
📍 ul. Krawczyka 1, open from 12 to 10 pm every day
This one’s definitely on the fancier side, but honestly – so worth the splurge. You’ll find it in the Nikiszowiec district (and if you need a reminder why you have to visit, I’ve got a full Katowice travel guide for that 😉). The interior is absolutely gorgeous – the restaurant is inside a 100+ year-old building that was originally a workers’ hotel for miners coming in from outside Katowice.
If you’re going to make the trip out here, come specifically for the traditional Silesian roulade with red cabbage and Silesian dumplings. Yes, it’s a bit pricier than your average restaurant – but here’s the kicker: you get unlimited dumplings.
That’s right, you can keep asking your waiter for more, which seriously speaks to my carb-loving soul. (I may or may not have almost been late meeting a friend because I went in for a second helping…)
Also, I’m obsessed with their special cocktail menu where each drink is inspired by a Katowice landmark. It’s such a fun and creative touch – and if the cocktails are anything like the food, you’re in for a treat.
Bułkęs
📍ul. Wojewódzka 21 – open Monday 2–10 pm, Tuesday to Thursday 12–10 pm, Friday 12–11 pm, Saturday 11 am–11 pm, Sunday 11 am–10 pm
Once you’ve had your fill of Silesian classics and want to switch it up, Bułkęs is the kind of place that might just ruin other burgers for you. They’re definitely on the pricier side, but I’m not exaggerating when I say this might’ve been one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, if not the best.
If you’re visiting with someone, do yourself a favour and share the loaded fries – we went for the Czech-style ones with fried cheese, and they were divine. They also have veggie burgers and even American-style pancakes, which looked amazing, so I’d love to come back and try those next time.
I noticed they offer weekday lunch deals until 4 pm, which is a nice way to save a bit of money – just keep in mind the options are more limited (I think it was around three choices), but still a solid shout if you’re nearby.
Best places for a drink
27th Floor
📍ul. Uniwersytecka 13, cocktail bar open from 6 pm to midnight every day
The very first place I ever went for a drink in Katowice was the 27th Floor bar. It’s on the 27th floor of the Courtyard Katowice City Center hotel* and gives you a chance to enjoy a cocktail with a view over the city.
Now, Katowice might not have the most impressive skyline, but I’ll happily take any excuse for a drink with a view, and this one ticks both boxes at once. It’s been a few years since my first visit, and I’ve noticed the prices have definitely gone up – probably because a lot of people were coming just for the view. Still, if you want to see the city from above while sipping something nice, it’s a fun little spot to check out.
Upojeni Multitap
📍 ul. Świętego Jana 10, open from 3 pm to midnight Sunday – Thursday, and from 3 pm to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays
Just around the corner from Lajkonik and right across from Cafe Kattowitz, you’ll find Upojeni Multitap – a spot our friends introduced us to, and one I’m really glad we checked out. If you’re after something much more laid-back, it’s a great place to chill with friends over a drink or two.
They’ve got 14 taps with rotating craft beers, plus a solid selection of bottled ones too. And if you’re feeling peckish, you can order food as well – anything from burgers and steak to pizzas, bowls, and tapas-style snacks.
We went for the patatas bravas which, okay, weren’t quite up there with my all-time favourites in Malaga (those are hard to beat), but they absolutely hit the spot after a full day of exploring.
Best cafés and dessert places
Słodki Kafej
📍 ul. 3 Maja 10/2, open from 9 am to 5:30 pm Tuesday – Sunday, closed on Mondays
When it comes to the best cafés in Katowice, Słodki Kafej easily earns the top spot on my list. It’s the café version of the breakfast place Kafej I mentioned earlier, and honestly, it deserves just as much love.
You know those places that just seem like they’d be so much fun to work at? That’s the vibe I get every time I watch their Insta stories – the team seems to be having the best time, and I love a café that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
From the moment you walk through the door, it feels like you’ve tumbled straight into Wonderland. When I first visited, they even had a full-on gum dispenser (sadly, I think it’s gone now to make room for more tables). I’d happily take each of the pastries too, and the best part is they taste just as good as they look.
Cafe Byfyj
📍 ul. Krawczyka 5, open 9 am – 9 pm Tuesday–Thursday, 9 am – 10 pm Saturday, 9 am – 8 pm Sunday, closed on Mondays
Cafe Byfyj is another place I mentioned earlier when talking about the Michalski family bakery – and if you’re heading to Nikiszowiec, it’s a must. You’ll find it right on Plac Wyzwolenia (Liberation Square), which is kind of the heart of the district. It’s a great place to start exploring, and it’s also where the miners’ orchestra parade kicks off on 4th December (more on that in my Katowice guide).
A byfyj is the Silesian word for a kredens – basically a dresser or a cabinet where your nan might have kept the good china – and that’s exactly the kind of vibe this café gives off. It’s warm, homely, and packed with cakes that look like they came straight from someone’s kitchen.
Sure, you can get some of them next door at the bakery too, but there’s something about sitting in the middle of Nikiszowiec with a coffee and a slice of cake, just watching the world go by. All their ingredients are top quality and seasonal too… so yes, I’m officially counting this as the healthier pastry option. That’s how it works, right? 😉
They also serve breakfast if you’re in the area early, so it’s a great spot to fuel up before a day of exploring Nikiszowiec.
Katowice Nie Lizbona
📍 ul. Andrzeja Mielęckiego 8, open from 10 am to 8 pm every day
The name of this next spot – Katowice Not Lisbon – comes from a cheeky Instagram hashtag that popped up several years back. Locals would post photos of not-so-pretty parts of the city (think dirty pavements or peeling paint) and tag it #KatowiceNotLisbon, either as a joke or to highlight the contrast between the two places. But then something shifted. People started using it to share lovely shots of Katowice too – and that’s the spirit this café ran with.
They took the name and opened a cosy little Portuguese spot that specialises in pastéis de nata. So, if you’re craving a bit of Portugal (and I always am – I swear I left a piece of my heart there), it’s the perfect place to stop by.
The coffee’s great, the custard tarts are everything you’d hope for, and you can even order a glass of wine. On a sunny day, sitting outside kind of feels like a mini escape to Lisbon – or maybe even a bit of Paris.
Tradycyjna Pączkarnia Słowik
📍 ul. 3 Maja 5, open from 7 am to 8 pm on weekdays, from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays, and from 12 pm to 6 pm on Sundays
One of the most popular Polish pastries has to be pączki – our version of doughnuts, but not the kind with a hole in the middle. These are round, fluffy, and fully sealed to hold as much filling as possible. 😉
The classic version comes with rosehip jam, but I’ll be honest – it’s not really my thing. If I’m going to splurge on the calories, I want something a bit more indulgent.
I’m all for good-quality pączki, but let’s face it – some bakeries have started charging silly prices for what’s essentially a fancy doughnut. That’s why I love this spot so much.
They’ve been making pączki the traditional way since 1977, and the prices are still totally fair – often better than what you’d pay elsewhere for something half as good. They’ve got over 30 different flavours (not all at once, of course), and they genuinely taste like something your grandma would make.
The Hot Donut
📍 ul. 3 Maja 11, open from 8 am to 8 pm Sunday to Thursday, and from 8 am to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays
I wasn’t sure whether to include The Hot Donut after talking about the more traditional pączki from Słowik – but I decided it deserved a spot. Yes, it’s definitely more modern, but it’s also really good.
While the Słowik doughnuts have that classic look with icing or powdered sugar on top, these ones are all about over-the-top toppings and creative flavours. If you’re after something like Kinder Bueno White, Ferrero Rocher, or Kinder Country, this is the place to be.
They’re also only slightly more expensive than the traditional ones, so if you’re after a fancy doughnut that won’t break the bank, you’ll love it here.
We actually popped in for breakfast one day, too – and yes, they serve savoury doughnuts. If you’re brave enough for that combo, it’s worth a try. I got the set with a doughnut, fried egg, and a coffee for 24 PLN (about €5.70 / £4.80).
While mine was a bit dry, my boyfriend’s version with a breaded chicken breast was super juicy – just a tad more expensive. So if you’re on a bit of a budget, it’s a fun, quirky option for breakfast!
Same Maszkety
📍 ul. Damrota 6, open from 2 pm to 8 pm Monday to Thursday, 2 pm to 9 pm on Friday, and 10 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
The final spot on this list is called Same Maszkety, which translates from Silesian as Only Treats – and that pretty much sums it up!
They’re known for their pastel, Instagrammable interior (and a cute little courtyard in the summer), plus some indulgent desserts. Think bubble waffles piled high with toppings.
It was right next door to where we were staying, so we popped in just for coffee – but even that felt like a treat. Their sweet coffees with Kinder Surprise eggs or pistachio cream are perfect if you’ve got a sweet tooth and want something a bit extra.
Which of these spots would you most like to try? Feel free to bookmark this post – I’ll be updating it regularly (another Katowice trip is already in the works!).
