Cuisine often serves as a primary motivation for travel, so make sure to indulge in the local dishes.
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Lodz is around $21 (zł77) per person, with previous travelers spending from $9 to $45. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Lodz are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $6
- Lunch: $3 to $8
- Dinner: $6 to $15
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $3
In Lodz, most authentic Polish food is served in the more expensive restaurants and are situated along Piotrkowska Street. Polish cuisine shares many similarities with other West Slavic countries like neighboring Czech and Slovak, and has also been widely influenced by other Central European cuisines. It is rich in meat, winter vegetables (like cabbage), herbs, and spices. Dishes are typically hearty, using a lot of cream and eggs and usually served with noodles or cereals like kasha. A few national dishes include a stew of meat, sauerkraut, and fresh cabbage called bigos, a potato-filled dumpling known as pierogi (can also be filled with sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese, and fruits), a kind of sausage called kielbasa, sour cucumber soup, mushroom soup, and a soup made from beetroots known as borscht. Being a major city, Lodz also has plenty of options for international fare, from Italian pizza to Irish pub food, as well as Balkan, Cuban, French options, and more. Alternatively, for the cheapest food, there are many kebab or Yem joints that offer sandwiches for around 6-8 PLN ($1.77-2.36 USD).
Several hotels include breakfast with your stay, while others charge separately for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly depending on the hotel. Knowing this in advance can guide your budget decisions. It could be worth it for the tasty buffet available at the hotel, or you may wish to find a cheaper option at a local bakery or cafe.
Opt for a reusable water bottle to avoid buying drinks everywhere. It's beneficial for the earth as well.
If you're considering a tour, double-check which meals are included in the package. There may be instances where you'll have to pay for your own meals, potentially stretching your budget.
If you want to experience the culture in Lodz, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Lodz Private Traditional Polish Food Tour for $194 details