Best Restaurants in Krakow Right Now

To help guide you through the best restaurants in Krakow to visit, we’ve rounded up a list of our favourite places to eat in Kraków, Poland. Add all or some of these to your itinerary for an unforgettable Krakow food experience.  

Kraków has no shortage of excellent restaurants offering delicious food, which will satisfy all tastes and pockets. This cool Polish city has a remarkable presence of vibrant youth which is reflected in some of the food you will find in its restaurants. 

Beyond traditional Polish cuisine, which tends to draw inspiration from Eastern European and Jewish methods of cooking, you can also expect to find many restaurants serving old Polish classics made using creative flavors, without losing the old charm. Like a lot of cities, it’s as easy to have an awesome dining experience in Krakow as it is to have an awful one.   

To help you out, here are our top picks of the best restaurants in Krakow for Polish cuisine as well as scrumptious vegan and vegetarian food, guaranteed to leave you happy and satisfied. See our favourite things to do in Krakow here.

Best Restaurants in Krakow for Polish Cuisine

1. Starka-Restaurant and Vodkas

Starka-Restaurant and Vodkas in the Jewish Quarter is one of the most highly praised restaurants in Krakow offering well-priced, delicious traditional Polish cuisine.

Similar to other restaurants in the Jewish Quarter, Krakow’s coolest neighbourhood, Starka looks unassuming, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised that the food served there might be the best Polish food you’ll ever eat.

We visited Starka midweek for lunch as it opened at 1 pm and just about managed to grab a table as it filled up quickly.

Paintings by the German artist, Hendrick Zille, furnishing Starka’s warm red walls, give the restaurant a lot of character and make for a cosy and relaxed dining setting.

The menu at Starka is thoroughly authentic Polish fare with a modern flair. Starters (25 zl to 66 zl) include a surprisingly flavourful sour rye soup, locally known as zalewajka, Polish cold cuts and sausages served with a selection of pickles and vodkas or variations of home-made pierogi or Polish polish dumplings.

My favourite pierogi are stuffed with spinach and sheep milk cheese or beef cheeks and marjoram. The Pierogi at Starka has become my new favourite thing as they’re the best dumplings I’ve ever had.

For the mains (44 zl to 74 zl) you have some 10 choices, three of which are vegetarian. Our top picks on the menu are succulent beef cheeks cooked in hunter’s sauce with bacon and wild mushrooms served with spinach, potato gnocchi and a variety of root vegetables or a fabulous beef tenderloin steak with red wine sauce served with a pumpkin puree, root vegetables and steak chips.

To finish off, walnut cake (22 zl) drizzled in Bailey’s liquor and served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce is seriously good. I’m told that all the dishes at Starka are incredibly tasty, so feel free to try something new.

Starka is best known in Krakow not only for its delicious Polish cuisine but also for its excellent collection of flavoured vodkas produced on-site which make great aperitifs or after-dinner drinks.

Though I’m not a vodka fan, I found the coconut-flavoured vodka I sampled drinkable. With a choice of over 20 types of flavoured vodkas, Starka is one of the perfect places in the Krakow Jewish Quarter for vodka tasting if that’s your thing. 

There is live music at the restaurant on Wednesday and Friday evenings so you could visit these days for a night of Polish feast and a bit of fun.

It’s important to book ahead to avoid disappointment!

Address: Józefa 14, 31-056 Kraków, Poland

Popular Krakow Vodka Tasting Tours

2. Pod Aniolami Restaurant

Pod Aniolami is one of the best Krakow Old Town restaurants offering refined traditional Polish food from its prime location on Grodzka Street, part of Krakow’s Royal Route and a short walk from the main Market Square. The three-floor restaurant is housed in a building which dates back to the 13th century, but it’s beautifully restored whilst retaining its mediaeval charm.  

We ate at Pod Aniolami during the Christmas period and found it impressively decorated for the festive season, starting from the outside right to its courtyard, where we ate our dinner.

The restaurant’s main focus is marinated meats grilled over a wood fire, French delicacies like foie gras as well as traditional Polish dishes some of which were new to me, such as bigos or hunter’s stew (a stew of pan-fried sauerkraut, several types of meat, herbs and prunes) or Anielska Maczanka (deer stewed in red wine served with rye bread).

Starters include smoked salmon tartar with hot honey mustard, Polish herring served with apple and onion in sour cream or Oscypek and smoked sheep cheese from the Polish Tatra Mountains region, served with cranberries and prunes (26 zl).

I’m always excited to see oscypek on any menu because it tastes amazing. Starters are accompanied by a mix of nutty and grain bread served with the really tasty house special butter. 

Superb main dishes to enjoy at Pod Aniolami include duck fillet and grilled apple stuffed with cranberries served with red cabbage and raisins in wine (65 zl) or fire-grilled beef sirloin marinated in rosemary served with zucchini and capers-rosemary sauce (72 zl). Whole joints of meat cooked over the fire with all the trimmings are also offered on advance order.

For dessert, Pod Aniołami’s famous homemade apple pie with cinnamon served with vanilla ice cream and egg liqueur is a must (19 zl). It has a lovely thin crust with a filling that’s mildly sweet and beautifully spiced.

Pod Aniolami’s extensive wine list includes some Polish wines which made me quite excited because I was keen to sample them and it’s just as well, they are quite good.

Pod Aniolami is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Krakow Old Town, so tables are in high demand. Book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Address: Grodzka 35, 31-001 Kraków, Poland

3. Art Restaurant

Art Restaurant located in a stylish townhouse on Kanonicza Street in Krakow Old Town or Stare Miasto, is consistently named one of the best restaurants in Krakow for sumptuous Polish cuisine. The restaurant focuses on blending locally sourced, seasonal produce with imaginative cooking techniques to create one of the most amazing fine dining experiences in Krakow. 

Art Restaurant is not only known for its culinary offerings but also for its excellent wine list which alone is worth a visit. The restaurant’s sommelier will assist you to make a choice from its wide collection of medium to rich full-bodied reds, refreshing chilled whites, crisp champagne or sparkling Prosecco.

The restaurant’s magnificent five-course tasting menu is unsurprisingly popular as it’s also a remarkably good value at 199 zl per person or 450 zl with optional wine pairings from its excellent wine bar to accompany the dishes.

Art Restaurant’s menu is seasonally appropriate, so this winter you can expect dishes like wild boar served with mushrooms and cucumber, sea trout served with celery, fennel and beetroot or duck served with pumpkin and rowan berries finished off with mint, lime and creme brulee. A vegetarian tasting menu is also offered at 199 zl per person.

With decor that exudes elegance, live piano music and spectacular staff whose service is often likened to those of Michelin star restaurants, your visit to Art Restaurant will truly be your best Krakow dining experience.

A full-tasting menu is 259 zl per person or 510 zl with optional wine pairings.

A 10% tip is expected. 

Address: Kanonicza 15, 33 – 332 Kraków, Poland

4. Restauracja Pod Baranem

Restauracja Pod Baranem, located on 21 Gertrudy Street, a short walk from Wawel Castle, has a longstanding history of being one of the best restaurants in Krakow offering scrumptious traditional Polish cuisine with a European twist.

The restaurant is spread over five beautiful rooms decorated with striking modern Polish art as well as colourful traditional Polish interiors which makes for a characterful and cosy setting to dine in.

Restauracja Pod Baranem champions fresh Polish produce, creating a menu packed with Polish classics with a wide choice of gluten free options and vegetarian dishes.

Starters include stuffed cabbage rolls served with a rich mushroom sauce (42 zl), beef tripe soup, supposedly a hangover cure (29 zl) or sour rye soup (26 zl), a personal favourite of mine.

For the mains, there is an endless choice of some 18 dishes which include duck breast with apple sauce (52 zl), wild boar fillet with hunter’s sauce (91 zl) and lamb chops with mint sauce (125 zl).

To finish off, the gooey gingerbread cake (23 zl) with whipped cream and a little bit of chocolate sauce is a must. 

For groups, Restauracja Pod offers a three course meal (180 zl to 195 zl per person). You can also choose a whole roasted goose (serves 7) with all the trimmings (499 zl), but an advance order is required.

Address: Świętej Gertrudy 21, 31-048 Kraków, Poland

Best Restaurants in Krakow for Vegan & Vegetarian Food

5. Veganic

Visiting Krakow is such a delight for vegans or vegetarians because there are so many great restaurants like Veganic, that have mastered the art of creating mouth-watering vegan and vegetarian food.

We’ve been visiting Veganic from the time it was located at Tytano Complex and have embraced its move to an impressive new location on 34 Karmelicka Street, a short walking distance from Krakow main square.

My son Tyrone follows a vegan diet and Veganic is one of his favourite restaurants in Krakow, which omnivores like myself can also appreciate.

Starters (16 zl to 19 zl) include vegetables in tempura served with a mango curry mayo, herbal polenta fries served with a garlic sauce, an old favourite of mine and breaded oyster mushroom in a Mexican sauce.

For the mains, I usually go for gnocchi with kale pesto (28 zl) while Tyrone’s favourites include the kimchi burger with seitan served with cucumber, sriracha mayo and teriyaki sauce or the smoked tempeh served with carrot puree and a variety of vegetables (39 zl).

To finish off, we never forget to try any of Veganic’s delicious homemade vegan cakes. 

We also recommend adding Veganic to your list of the best breakfast in Krakow. We’ve enjoyed healthy and delicious dishes on their breakfast menu like shakshuka (21 zl), huevos rancheros (23 zl) or hummus with pickles (20 zl).

The Vegan drink menu is fantastic with something for everyone. I like that they have a great selection of craft beers which we are always excited to try. 

Address: Karmelicka 34, 31-124 Kraków, Poland

6. Ranny Ptaszek

Ranny Ptaszek, an all-day-long vegan and vegetarian breakfast and brunch bar, located in the Jewish Quarter, is by far one of the coolest restaurants in Krakow.

It’s one of those little gems every neighbourhood should have. It has interior decorations that combine retro colours and contemporary furnishings, Ranny Ptaszek exudes charm, sophistication and friendliness.

Regulars return to Ranny Ptaszek simply for their beautiful coffee and delicious cinnamon spiced apple crumpets served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and home-made jams (26 zl), but don’t ignore other dishes on their menu which are even more satisfying.

My go-to choice is the hearty breakfast (26 zl), a dish of chickpeas in tomatoes, roasted vegan Hungarian sausage and fried egg served with classic hummus, pickles and warm pitta bread.

I’ve also tried and loved the restaurant’s version of Sabir (22 zl), a Middle Eastern pita sandwich stuffed with salad vegetables, poached eggs, roasted eggplants, coriander and tahini sauce.

For vegans, we recommend the delicious bowl of goodness (22 zl), a mix of warm bulgur with roasted vegetables, smoked plums and olives, served with parsley and tahini sauces or ratatouille (25 zl) served with warm pitta bread.

Choose to pair your meal with a sparkling Prosecco or a brut red or white wine for the ultimate Krakow breakfast or brunch. 

Ranny Ptaszek has great reviews and is on many people’s top list of places to eat breakfast in Krakow so it can get busy. We recommend getting there early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid queuing.

Address: Augustiańska 5, 31-064 Kraków Poland

7. Bhajan Cafe

When you’re out to dine in Krakow and looking for food that’s aromatic, spicy and flavourful, then, make a point to head to Bhajan Cafe. Bhajan Cafe is a wonderful Indian restaurant, conveniently located around the most popular attractions in Krakow, between Wawel Castle and the Jewish Quarter.

With a brand ethos that focuses on nourishing, fresh and hearty food, made from high-quality ingredients, you will not be surprised that Bhajan Cafe features on many lists of Krakow’s best Indian restaurants.

Bhajan’s mixture of nice modern furnishings, beautiful wall art and slow-tempo Indian music makes for a delightful atmosphere to enjoy its delectable culinary offerings.

Recently, the menu at Bhajan Cafe has exclusively become vegan with few vegetarian and gluten-free options.

For starters, we recommend the whopper samosas (Indian fried dumplings stuffed with potatoes and green peas) (15 zl). One of the restaurant’s specialities, Hara Bhara kebab (spiced fried vegetable patties with cashew nuts (16 zl) is another great starter choice to try. So often these dishes can be greasy but here they’re crispy and delicately spiced.

For the mains, the palak paneer (Indian cheese dumplings in a creamy spinach sauce) tastes really good and is one of the best variations I’ve ever tried. We’ve also gone for different types of meal sets which are good value and filling.

We recently tried the meal set for two which consisted of paneer in a sweet and spicy sauce, aloo chat (fried potatoes in tomatoes with spices), naan with vegetables (Indian pie stuffed with vegetables) and basmati rice. The heat of most of the dishes at Bhajan is manageable and the flavours are superb.

The portions at Bhajan’s are quite generous, so we’ve never had room for desserts. 

No alcohol is served at Bhajan, but the drink menu is loaded with equally nourishing and refreshing drink choices. I always go for a fiery ginger beer or a refreshing rose-flavoured kombucha. 

Address: Stradomska 17, 31-068 Krakow Poland

Best Restaurants in Krakow for Cheap Polish Food

8. Bar Mleczny Tomasza

Bar mleczny or milk bars such as Bar Mleczny Tomasza are cafe-style restaurants in Poland specialising in inexpensive and seasonal Polish food. The history of milk bars in Poland dates back to 1896 initially serving mostly dairy products, hence the name ‘milk bars’.

Milk bars grew in popularity during the communist era because the bulk of the Polish population couldn’t afford to eat in regular restaurants. They became a means by which ordinary people could have access to cheap and nutritious food.

Although few remain in their original form, milk bars such as Bar Mleczny Tomasza that continue to trade have reinvented themselves, retaining their longstanding tradition of offering Polish staples at affordable prices. 

Our first visit to Bar Mleczny Tomasza was out of curiosity and we’re glad we did. It’s now among our list of best places to eat in Krakow, especially for breakfast or brunch and a safe choice on occasions we can’t seem to agree on where to eat.

It’s conveniently located in the Old Town, close to the main town square. Although small, it’s tastefully decorated, the staff are friendly and a great place to mingle with locals.

Bar Mleczny Tomasza serves breakfast all day with dishes like fried eggs, or poached eggs with spinach, grilled peppers and cottage cheese (17 zl), full Irish breakfast (25 zl) and mains such as breaded pork chop, potato and side salad (20 zl). I always love pancakes with spinach & garlic dressing topped with gouda cheese (15 zl). 

Don’t miss the milk bar’s daily specials menu which is always created with interesting and budget-friendly dishes.

Address: Karmelicka 34, 31-124 Kraków Poland

9. Andrus Food Truck

Visiting Andrus Food Truck, located at Judah Food Market in the Jewish Quarter is an experience worth adding to your list of places to eat in Krakow. We are recommending Andrus Food Truck in this guide even though it’s not a restaurant because you can’t get far in Krakow before you realise that food trucks are a big part of Krakow’s vibrant food scene.

The allure of food trucks in Krakow like Andrus’ is compelling. Food is perfectly prepared fresh on order, the prices are incredible and it’s a fun way to try something new while also supporting local businesses. 

Andrus specialises mostly in Polish pulled pork sandwiches (Maczanka) which are popular street food in Krakow. To make the sandwiches (16-23 zl), a crusty bun is loaded with marinated and slow-cooked pork neck or loin pulled into juicy strands and served with your choice of various toppings such as roasted beetroot, jalapenos and stewed onion as well as intriguing sauces like dark chocolate mousse or mustard-pickle. 

Andrus’ pulled pork sandwiches are huge and messy, but part of this great food experience. Remember to visit with an empty stomach. The whole experience at Andrus reminds us of the food trucks you see in the United States, particularly in Chicago and New York.

Judah Food Market where Andrus Food Truck is found has several other food stands which are great for trying other delicious Polish street food such as zapiekanka, pierogi and chimney cakes. The atmosphere at the market is lovely and a great place to hang out, especially if you’re visiting Krakow during the summer months.

Debit Card & Credit Card Accepted.

Follow Andrus Food Truck on Facebook for description on up-to-date location.

Good to Know

If street food is your kind of thing, be sure to check out Plac Nowy in Kazimierz for a feast on the popular Polish Pizza or zapiekanka. You could also consider taking a Krakow Food Tour for a chance to sample some of the best Polish food there is in Krakow.

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We hope you’ve found our Krakow best restaurant guide to be a great read. We will make additions to the list as we travel to Krakow and discover other cool places to eat a wide range of cuisines.

We have many other places such as the Polish restaurant Czarna Kaczka, the Kielbasa or Polish sausages from the Blue Nysa Van, the highly recommended sushi from Urara and Michelin guide recommended Hana Sushi on our bucket list, so we can’t wait for our next Krakow trip.

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