Bialystok, the capital of the Podlasie region, is the perfect starting point for a culinary journey through the region. It is here that there are three unique places where traditional Podlasie cuisine is presented at its best.

The first stop is the Zapiecek Jadło Podlaskie restaurant, located in the heart of the city at Rynek Kosciuszki. The restaurant, decorated in the style of a country cottage, introduces guests to the atmosphere of the Podlasie countryside. The menu is based on traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation. The flagship dish is potato babka - a true symbol of Podlasie cuisine. At Zapieck it is prepared according to the original recipe from grated potatoes, bacon and onion, baked until the crust is crispy. It is also worth trying potato kiszka, kartacze stuffed with meat or Lithuanian cooler. Prices at Zapieck are moderate, which, combined with large portions, makes this place attractive to families.

Just a few steps away, also at Rynek Kosciuszki, is Gospoda Podlaska. The restaurant is distinguished by its rustic decor with wooden furniture and traditional decorations. The menu focuses on dishes characteristic of the region, but with a hint of modernity. Particularly recommendable are the dumplings with various fillings - from the classic ones with meat, through Russian, to seasonal ones with berries or blueberries. The inn is also famous for its knot cake - a traditional dough baked in layers on a rotating roller over a fire. According to local legend, the best knot cake should have exactly 40 layers, and it takes as many as 40 eggs to prepare it. This unique baked product is an integral part of Podlasie weddings and family celebrations. Prices at Gospoda are slightly higher than at Zapieck, but the quality of the dishes fully compensates for this.

The third Bialystok stop is the Lipcowy Ogród Restaurant, located a little further from the center, on 42nd Infantry Regiment Street. The place is distinguished by a beautiful, spacious garden, where you can enjoy Podlasie specialties outdoors during the summer season. The restaurant's menu combines traditional Podlasie dishes with Polish and European cuisine. Particularly noteworthy is the home-baked bread, served with homemade lard and pickled cucumbers. Among the main courses, meats reign supreme - Podlasie-style pork loin with mushroom sauce or tenderloin in sauce made of local berries. The July Garden also offers a wide selection of homemade liquors, including the famous żubrówka - a vodka made with bison grass, which grows only in the Bialowieza Forest. Prices here are higher than at other establishments, but the elegant decor and professional service make this place ideal for special occasions.

Comparing the three Bialystok establishments, one can see that Zapiecek focuses on authenticity and homely atmosphere, Gospoda Podlaska on tradition with a touch of modernity, and Lipcowy Ogród on elegance and a wider selection of dishes. In terms of price, Zapiecek is the most affordable, while Lipcowy Ogród is in the higher price category. However, all three places are united by a passion for local products and respect for the region's culinary heritage.

Leaving Bialystok, it is worth heading to smaller towns where traditional Podlasie cuisine is cultivated with even greater reverence, and local specialties are prepared according to recipes passed down from generation to generation.

In Hajnówka, the gateway to the Bialowieza Forest, there is the Tastes of Podlasie restaurant. This inconspicuous establishment on Priest Ignacy Wierobiej Street is a real treasure trove of regional delicacies. The restaurant is famous for dishes prepared according to old recipes, using local products. Particularly recommendable are marciszki - potato pancakes with minced meat, onions and spices, deep-fried. The history of this dish dates back to the time when poor residents of Podlasie had to be creative to feed their families with limited resources. Today, marciszki is a delicacy sought after by tourists. The menu also includes solianka - a thick, sour and spicy soup of Russian origin, which has become a permanent fixture in Podlasie cuisine. Prices at Tastes of Podlasie are affordable and portions are generous, making this place an ideal stop while visiting the Bialowieza Forest area.

Another spot on the culinary map of Podlasie is Dobromil Kitchen, located in the picturesque village of Dobromil near Bialowieza. This is a unique place - a combination of a restaurant and an agritourism farm, where guests can not only taste traditional dishes, but also see how they are made. Dobromil cuisine specializes in dishes prepared with products from the restaurant's own farm or from local farmers. The hallmark of the establishment is sourdough bread baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. According to local legend, the sourdough used for baking is more than 100 years old and was given to the current owners by the grandmother of one of them. Among the main courses, the most noteworthy are dumplings with venison and potato babka with sauce made from ceps harvested in the surrounding forests. Prices here are slightly higher than at Tastes of Podlasie, but the opportunity to commune with authentic rural culture fully compensates for this.

Traveling further east, we reach the village of Kruszyniany, where there is a Tatar Jurta - a unique place not only on the map of Podlasie, but all of Poland. This restaurant, run by a Tatar family, is a true window into the culture and cuisine of the descendants of the Tatar settlers who came to the area in the 17th century. The restaurant is housed in a traditional yurt, and its décor draws on Tatar culture. The menu offers authentic Tatar cuisine, which has enriched Podlasie's culinary tradition for centuries. The flagship dish is kolduny - small dumplings stuffed with lamb meat with onions and spices. History says that kolduny were the favorite dish of Prince Vytautas, who brought the Tatars to the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Also worth trying is pierekaczewnik, a multi-layered pastry layered with meat or cheese that requires extraordinary skill in preparation. Each layer must be so thin that you can read a newspaper through it. Prices at Tatar Jurta are moderate, and the portions will satisfy even the most demanding guests.

The last stop on our culinary tour is Trześcianka - a picturesque village located in the heart of Podlasie, famous for its traditional wooden architecture and colorful shutters. It is here, at number 62A, that you will find Sielskie Podlasie - a place that is currently closed, but plans to reopen for May 2025. Before it closed, the establishment was famous for its authentic Podlasie cuisine with Belarusian influences. Particularly prized were blinis - fluffy yeast pancakes served with a variety of toppings, from traditional cream and caviar to jams made from local fruits. The history of blinis in Podlasie dates back to the time when the area was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and later the Russian Empire. Today they are an integral part of local cuisine. This place, although currently inaccessible, is worth remembering for the future, as it promises to return with an even richer range of traditional dishes.

Comparing the four establishments, one can see that each offers a slightly different perspective on Podlasie cuisine. Flavors of Podlasie focuses on traditional dishes from the Bialowieza Forest area, Dobromil Kitchen relies on products from its own farm, Tatarska Jurta introduces elements of Tatar cuisine, and Sielskie Podlasie (when it reopens) will present cuisine with Belarusian influences. Price-wise, Flavors of Podlasie is the most affordable, while Dobromil Kitchen and Tatarska Jurta offer slightly more expensive, but more unique culinary experiences.

Podlasie cuisine, while deeply rooted in tradition, is not stagnant. Modern chefs are respectful of the region's culinary heritage, while introducing subtle innovations that allow traditional dishes to exist in a modern context.

Zapiecek Jadło Podlaskie in Bialystok perfectly illustrates this approach. Although the restaurant serves classic Podlasie dishes, the chef is not afraid to experiment with the form of serving or additions. The traditional potato babka gets a new face thanks to a sauce made of local mushrooms and herbs harvested in the surrounding forests. Kartacze, also known as cepelins, is another example of a dish that combines tradition with modernity. These large potato dough dumplings stuffed with meat have Lithuanian roots, but have gained a local character in Podlasie. At Zapieck, they are served with a variety of toppings - from the classic gravy with crackling to more sophisticated mushroom sauces. Prices at Zapieck are moderate, making traditional Podlasie cuisine accessible to a wide audience.

Gospoda Podlaska, also located in Bialystok, goes a step further in combining tradition with modernity. The restaurant is famous for its potato kiszka, a dish that was once a poor man's dish, but is now a culinary symbol of the region. Potato kiszka is a stuffing of grated potatoes, onions and spices, traditionally baked in a pork intestine. At Gospoda Podlaska, the dish is prepared according to a traditional recipe, but served in a modern way - with a sauce of bay boletes and red onion jam. Another example of a creative approach to tradition is Podlasie cooler - a cold soup based on kefir with the addition of cucumbers, radishes, eggs and dill. At Gospoda it is served in a modern version - with dill foam and beet chips. Prices at this establishment are slightly higher than at Zapieck, but the quality and creativity of the dishes fully justify it.

The July Garden Restaurant in Bialystok represents the most modern approach to Podlasie cuisine. The chef draws inspiration from traditional recipes, but is not afraid to combine them with techniques and ingredients from other regions or countries. One example is the knot cake, a traditional Podlasie pastry, which at July Garden is served with mascarpone cream and forest fruit sauce. The history of knot cake dates back to pagan times, when the baked product was said to symbolize the tree of life. Today, thanks to the creativity of the chefs, it is getting new life in a modern version. The July Garden also offers a wide selection of meat dishes, including venison prepared according to old recipes, but using modern culinary techniques. Prices at this restaurant are the highest among the places described, but the exceptional culinary experience makes up for the higher cost.

Tatar Jurta in Kruszyniany is a place where tradition is treated with special respect. Tatar cuisine, which has enriched the Podlasie culinary landscape for centuries, is presented here in its most authentic form. At the same time, the owners take care to make the dishes accessible to modern palates. Pierekaczewnik, a multi-layered pastry with meat or cheese filling, is prepared according to a recipe passed down from generation to generation. Legend has it that the ability to prepare this complicated dish was once a prerequisite for good marriage among Tatar girls. Today, pierekaczewnik is served with fresh herbs and yogurt sauce, which emphasizes its unique taste. Prices at Tatar Yurt are moderate, and the authenticity of the culinary experience makes this place worth a visit even for those on a tight budget.

Tastes of Podlasie in Hajnówka and Dobromil Kitchen in Dobromil represent the most traditional approach to the region's cuisine. In these places, recipes are passed down from generation to generation, and dishes are prepared from local, seasonal products. Potato babka, potato kishka, bliny or solianka - all these dishes are served in a form that has changed little for generations. At the same time, the owners of these establishments care about the highest quality ingredients, often sourced from their own farms or local suppliers. Prices at both places are affordable, allowing you to fully experience traditional Podlasie cuisine without overburdening your wallet.

All in all, the Podlasie culinary trail offers an extraordinary journey through the flavors and traditions of the region. From the most authentic rural dishes served at Tastes of Podlasie or Dobromil Cuisine, through Tartar specialties in Kruszyniany, to modern interpretations of traditional dishes in Bialystok restaurants - there is something for everyone. Regardless of the place you choose, one thing is certain - Podlasie cuisine is a fascinating blend of cultural influences, which has been shaped over the centuries at the meeting point of various traditions, creating a unique culinary landscape.