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Eating out in Poland is a wonderful opportunity to sample Polish history, culture and heritage, as restaurants range from haute cuisine to medieval cellars. As Poles are very proud of their culinary tradition, dining in Krakow promises to be an unforgettable experience. Here’s 10 of our favorite restaurants to visit.

Krakow

Starka

Restaurant, Polish

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.

Stylowa

Restaurant, Polish, European

Stylowa
© Zygmunt Put
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.

Pod Aniolami

Pod Aniolami
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.

Pod Wawelem-Kompania Kuflow

Located halfway between the Main Square and Kazimierz, Pod Wawelem-Kompania Kuflow cooks up generous portions at reasonable prices, while offering a step back in time. The experience of dining during the Austro-Hungarian Empire is recreated through the décor and smaller details such as the waitresses’ uniforms and the original one-liter beer steins. The restaurant features Under the Wawel, a chopped steak with herb butter and fries, which can be enjoyed while admiring the sights of the Wawel Castle.
Św. Gertrudy 26-29, Krakow, Poland, +48 12 421 23 36

http://instagram.com/p/BCgB5X0ta25/?taken-at=313107157

Dawno Temu na Kazimierzu

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

Restaurant, French

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.

Café Oranzeria

Restaurant, European, Fusion, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

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

Restaurant, Mexican, Polish

By Diana Condrea
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

About the author

Diana Condrea was born in Romania and although she travelled and studied abroad, she still has a keen affection for the specific culture of Eastern Europe and her home country. With a Bachelor’s in Political Sciences and a Master’s in Tourism, Diana’s main cultural interests relate to the immaterial heritage of Eastern Europe, Balkan and Latin American countries, travel photography and contemporary literature. Diana also works on developing Uncover Romania, a personal initiative of recreating Romania’s image as a cultural destination.

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