Places to Eat
Food served in the Białowieża Forest region are usually regional dishes. A nature trip may turn into exploration of traditional specialities. The exceptional character of this cuisine results from rich forest resources and a tradition of exploring them. The multicultural nature of the region is reflected in restaurant menus, rich in specialities from Polish, Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian and Jewish cuisine. Recipes used by chefs, often passed from one generation to another, maintain the unique flavour of served meals. The traditional cake prepared by the inhabitants of this region, called ‘hajnowski marcinek’, was registered in the List of Traditional Products maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The List of Traditional Products from the Białowieża Forest Region already includes Twaróg hajnowski (Hajnówka curd cheese) and Lipiec białowieski (type of honey). According to the information at the Ministry website, as of July 27, 2016, in Poland 1572 products were register in the list, including 61 from Podlaskie Voivodeship. The largest number of registered products, 209, come from Podkarpackie Voivodeship.
They include dairy and meat products, fruit and vegetables, bakery and confectionery products, oils and fats, honeys, ready meals and dishes, and drinks. Natural and legal persons and unincorporated organisation units can submit products to be entered into the list.