Also: Restaurants in Krakow
The restaurants worth a reservation in Kraków, from neighbourhood bistros to the new classics.
The restaurants worth the trip in Kraków. bistros, neo-classics, neighbourhood favourites, and the rooms locals book first.
Bottiglieria 1881 in Kraków's Kazimierz holds Poland's only two Michelin stars. Przemysław Klima cooks Polish ingredients on a long tasting menu only.
OrderThe full tasting menu with the Polish-wine pairing from a 700-bottle list.
TipClosed Sunday and Monday. Book three weeks ahead for Friday or Saturday; midweek is easier.
Karakter in Kraków's Kazimierz is the loud, low-lit neo-bistro with chef Daniel Myśliwiec. Open kitchen, offal-heavy modern carte, small Polish growers.
OrderThe tartare for the table, then whatever is on the grill list that night.
TipCounter walk-ins often available at 18:00. The dining-room tables take booking only.
Pod Aniołami in Kraków sits in a 13th-century cellar on Grodzka with a beech-wood grill at the centre of the room. Kitchen leans traditional polish.
OrderThe beech-smoked lamb shank, and oscypek with cranberry jam to start.
TipAsk for the vaulted-cellar room over the courtyard. Open daily from 13:00.
Wesele in Kraków is the editorial pick for traditional Polish on the Rynek Główny: pierogi, roast duck, żurek, with a terrace pointed at the Cloth Hall.
OrderThe mixed pierogi plate and żurek soured-rye soup served in a bread bowl.
TipReservation recommended for evenings; the cellar room is quieter than the terrace in summer.
Miód i Wino in Kraków sits at the north end of the Old Town with a courtyard under linden trees. The carte is straight Polish bistro: pierogi.
OrderPork knuckle for two with honey beer glaze, with pierogi ruskie to start.
TipThe summer courtyard runs first-come weekdays; book ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner.
Pod Norenami in Kraków runs the city's most editorial vegan kitchen with a pan-Asian menu: ramen, gyoza, banh mi, sushi rolls. Krupnicza is the original room.
OrderThe gyoza and a bowl of the shoyu ramen with king oyster mushroom.
TipCash and card; closes around 22:00. Walk-ins for early dinner, book for prime time.
Hamsa in Kraków's Jewish quarter cooks Tel Aviv-style Israeli: hummus, shakshuka, sabich, fresh pita off the saj. Located in Kazimierz. Priced at $$.
OrderHummus with slow-cooked lamb and fresh pita; arrive before the dinner queue at 19:30.
TipBook the terrace for sunset. The same group runs Hamsa Tel Aviv next door for a fuller dinner menu.
Klezmer-Hois in Kraków's Kazimierz is the Polish-Jewish kitchen in the 16th-century Great Mikveh on Szeroka. Gefilte fish, cholent on the carte.
OrderGefilte fish, the chicken liver pâté and a glass of Slivovitz to finish.
TipBook ahead for evenings with klezmer concerts. Check the concert calendar in advance.
Starka in Kraków's Kazimierz cooks classic Polish in a townhouse cellar with a courtyard garden, and pours its house-aged Starka vodka in 8 to 25-year-old.
OrderDuck with baked apple and the 10-year Starka vodka flight; courtyard table in summer.
TipBook the courtyard for sunset; the cellar room is the better seating in winter.
Szara Gęś on Kraków's Rynek Główny runs a Polish carte in a Cloth Hall-facing dining room. Located in Stare Miasto. Kitchen leans polish-french.
OrderThe roast goose for two with red cabbage and apple, in November during goose season.
TipReservation only on weekends. The Cloth Hall side tables go first; ask when booking.
Ariel on Szeroka in Kraków's Kazimierz is a 16th-century tenement-house restaurant cooking Galician Jewish and Polish dishes across two dining rooms.
OrderCarp Jewish-style to start, then roast goose with cherries; a shot of slivovitz to close.
TipKlezmer concert runs every night (separate ticket); book the upstairs dining room for the larger space.
Zazie Bistro in Kraków's Kazimierz runs straight Lyonnais-bistro grammar: tartare, escargot, blanquette de veau, tarte tatin. Kitchen leans french bistro.
OrderBeef tartare and the tarte tatin to share. House red by the carafe.
TipWalk-in only. Get there before 19:00 or queue 30 minutes. Closed Sunday.
Cargo Grill & Deli on Plac Nowy in Kraków's Kazimierz fires dry-aged Polish beef and fresh European seafood with a wine cellar to match. Priced at $$$.
OrderDry-aged Polish ribeye with a bottle from the cellar; deli counter for cured meats on the way out.
TipBook the dining room for dinner; daytime walk-ins lean toward the deli side of the room.
Fiorentina on Grodzka in Kraków's Old Town is the Tuscan-inspired room with a vaulted red-brick ceiling. Located in Stare Miasto. Priced at $$$.
OrderThe bistecca for two with a Brunello by the bottle, and the gnudi as a starter.
TipThe bistecca needs ordering in advance; closed Sunday. Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition.
Filipa 18 in Kraków's Kleparz is the neo-Polish room inside Hotel Indigo. Located in Stare Miasto. Priced at $$$. At ul. Świętego Filipa 18.
OrderWhatever tartare is on, and the duck with smoked plum if it's running.
TipTasting menu Tuesday to Saturday 17:00-22:00. Book a week ahead for weekend dinner.
Guided tour · 4 hours
Savor the flavors of Poland on a 4-hour food tasting tour of Krakow. Learn about the local food culture, and hear fascinating stories about the Polish relationship to ...
Guided tour · 4 hours
Go on a journey through the vodka culture of Poland on a 3.5-hour tasting tour in Krakow, and visit 3-4 different shot bars to taste 6-7 different types of vodka. Hear...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Eat your way through the historic Kazimierz district of Krakow on a 3-hour food tasting tour. Visit at least 4 local restaurants to try 11-13 different dishes and 2 vo...