The 10 Best Restaurants in Krakow, Poland

Starka is an essential stop for those interested in experiencing high class Polish cuisine. Located just a short walk from the majestic gothic Corpus Christi Basilica, customers can enjoy the restaurant’s famous homemade flavored vodkas surrounded by red walls covered by Heinrich Zille’s caricatures. The menu offers staples of Polish cuisine: sour rye soup, Starka salad, pork sirloin, delicious desserts and an assortment of flavored vodkas.

Located east of the Old Town, in the district of Nowa Huta, Stylowa is one of the most authentic restaurants in Krakow. Serving traditional Polish dishes such as veal escalops in a mushroom sauce with buckwheat, Stylowa prides itself on its long and winding history, dating back to the 1950s. Throughout the years, the restaurant bore witness to and withstood the shifts of liberalisation and constraint brought by the Polish communist regime. It remains a local legend of Nowa Huta and a must-visit spot for those interested in Poland’s political and culinary history.

With its medieval atmosphere, history and charm, Pod Aniolamiis a hidden gem on Krakow’s culinary scene. Located in the gothic cellars of a 13th-century building that once served as a goldsmiths’ workshop, Pod Aniolami showcases medieval interiors that transport guests to another era. The menu offers lovingly prepared, mouth-watering delicacies of Polish cuisine such as homemade lard, Polish and Russian dumplings, succulent wild boar steaks and grilled duck fillets.

Dawno Temu na Kazimierz is a modern-day tribute to Krakow’s complex, fascinating history. The décor here is a mix of shabby chic, old-school vintage and genuine ruin. Two highlights of the menu are the honeyed lamb and the melt-in-your-mouth roast duck with cherries.

Cyrano de Bergerac ranks among the top restaurants in Krakow and is a treat for visitors looking for a French-style restaurant in the heart of the city. Its location in the cellars of a medieval building from the end of the 15th century, is one of the factors that put the venue on Krakow’s map of the best cultural restaurants. Roman Polanski and Prince Charles have enjoyed a meal here.

Few places offer such a panoramic view of Krakow’s landmarks, the Old Town, the River Vistula and the Wawel Castle, as this trendy rooftop restaurant. Located on the top floor of Hotel Kossak, Café Oranzeria features a large terrace, open from spring until autumn. Even during cold Polish winters, large windows allow customers to enjoy delicious dishes, including vegetarian and gluten-free specials, while taking in a scenic perspective of the city.

Alebriche, a great place to sample authentic Mexican food with Yucatan influences. Taking its name from the fantastical creature alebrije, the restaurant is run by a Mexican family with Polish ancestors. Alebriche is located just ten minutes from the Main Square and serves up homemade tortillas, quesadillas, enchiladas, nachos, tamales or specials such as chicken in mole sauce.

By Diana Condrea