CK Browar ! Probably Krakow’s first microbrewery, and still one of the few. The place is famous for its beer marinated “golonko “ aka “ham-hock” served on the spit, and beer served in beer giraffes. The restaurant with its ensuite microbrewery offers place for about 300 guests seated - apart from the main pub room, it also has some atmospheric smaller rooms (e.g: knight’s room, hunter’s room), restaurant room, club room. It’s perfect for stag do or sports groups, and you can book the Brewery Feast dinner here.
Restauracja Pino, The Pino Restaurant group is frequented by both locals and visitors to the city. A common popular and appealing menu choice from burgers to sirloin steak including pizza. There are 4 other Pino locations apart from the restaurant in the city centre dotted around the city, each specialised as Pino Riverside, Italia, Garden & Sweets.
Indian Masala, highly regarded as one of the best curry houses in Krakow situated in the thoroughfare passage between Rynek and Maly Rynek. Poppadom, paneer, Balti and vindaloo to name but a few of the excellent Indian favourites available and outdoor seating in the Spring/Summer seasons.
Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa, Loved by Krakowians and tourists alike with multi-cultural Galician style recipes infused with Polish meats and sausage. Platters of various cheeses and cold meats along with the famous breadcrumbed veal steaks washed down with locally crafted beers. The restaurant has a kids playroom area, garden and a full view of the magnificent Wawel Castle, well worth a visit.
Krakow in particular attracts some of Europe’s top rated chefs to its high level culinary restaurants. It is only fitting to start with a top French restaurant as the bold title infers the overwhelming influence of French cuisine around the world.
Bottiglieria 1881- located in Bochenska 5 street in Krakow, this restaurant is a prestigious Michelin 1 star award winner for 2020. Very good selection of wine, highly recommended tasting menu.
Cyrano de Bergerac, this wonderful and atmospheric venue offers French and Polish dishes with an excellent wine cellar to compliment the fine dining choice recipes. The proprietor is Polish but gained the ‘je ne sais quoi’ factor with experience of working in France. Situated in Ul. Sławkowska 26 in the Old Town.
Corleone Restaurant, a mere 5-minute-walk from Rynek, the main square. The most exquisite Italian menu with original ingredients brought from Bell’Italia and the Mediterranean. In the sunshine months the decorated garden area enhances the whole experience of Eat Italy Style, a great place for families plus a vegetarian menu too.
Restauracja Wierzynek, This fine upmarket traditional Polish restaurant is on the main square itself. A 14th century building displaying its 650 year old historical legends and folklore that makes Krakow such an enchanting city. Apart from the quality cuisine hand-made chocolates are a speciality along with vodkas and wines produced locally. This venue treats feasting as an art and is suitable for large groups.
Krakow has all the well-known international fast food chains but also a healthy specialised Food Truck & Outlets with freshly cooked international delicacies apart from the Polish recipes. Mexican tacos, Donner kebabs or Belgian fries will delight your taste buds. There are many other Street Food outlets of high standards and always good value for money including plenty of Donner Kebab & Mexican Taco places dotted around the city.
Moa Burger, Massive medallion burgers including vegetarian options to eat in or take-away. This highly frequented venue will amaze you with the choice of burger whether it is beef, lamb or chicken you desire served with doorstep chips is a welcome treat for many a patron of MOA. Beer available too.
Shrimp House, Shrimps cooked and prepared in over 20 different ways, pasta, tempura, fried and in Thai soup, you name it and they have it even in a sandwich version. Prosecco is on offer along with soft drinks.
Hala Targowa, The Polish sausage van, yes, an iconic grilled sausage cooked in a Soviet era food truck is a much sought after trend, early evening to late at night for a ‘kielbasa’ (sausage) in crunchy bread.
Plac Nowy, is a square in Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter, that is famous for another Polish culinary favourite, the Zapiekanka. The square itself is surrounded by pubs, clubs and eateries but everyone heads to the Zapiekanka kiosks in the centre of Plac Nowy. This treat is a larger version of the Welsh rarebit with added toppings on the melted cheese, so satisfying any time of the day or night.
Some other venues that also require a mention are:
Chimera Salad Bar - for that extra zing of choice. Marmolada for their Potatoe Pancakes & Ghoulash. Also the Bar Mleczny or Milk Bar which is a typical cheap but wholesome café offering Polish dishes. These bars originated during the Communist Occupation under the USSR regimes and sometimes the only places that had any amount of food, however, the modern trend of reviving this nostalgic eatery offers healthy food at low prices in most cases. The Pierogi is a stalwart Polish dish often translated as ‘dumplings’ but resemble Italian ravioli in truth. Pasta-like sacks crimped and filled with minced meat, cheese, spinach and even fruits as a dessert. You will find them in most restaurants or dedicated venues called a Pierogarnia, one great venue is Pierogarnia Krakowiacy in the Old Town.
Whatever your inkling for or fancy Krakow has it, top quality restaurants, traditional, international, vegetarian and vegan, fast food, breakfast cafes, pizza and most places allow online orders with several delivery services you are spoilt for choice. You will always eat well and keep well in buzzing and enchanting Krakow.
