Krakow is my favorite foodie city in Poland. It is bursting with cafés, food trucks and restaurants, serving everything from traditional Polish fare to contemporary delights recommended by the Michelin guide.
After eating my way through the city for almost 15 years, and even living here, I thought it was about time I shared my list of the best restaurants in Krakow.
I’m not much of a fine dining person, I can appreciate it once in a while, but the restaurants you’ll find on this list are more good value places. I like food that tastes good, looks good and fills you up without breaking the bank.
So pack your bags and join me on a journey through the best restaurants in Krakow that I’m sure will get your taste buds tingling!
If you run a restaurant in Krakow you want me to review, please get in touch here.
Article overview
1. Nova Resto Bar
This is in my mind the best restaurant in Krakow. Whenever I show people around the city, I always take them here for lunch. The menu is extensive and prices are reasonable.
You can choose to sit inside or on their covered patio. Get there before or after the mid-day lunch rush if you want a table outside on sunny days. Inside is a little dark, so it’s better for a cozy dinner with cocktails.
The menu includes a mix of European and Asian dishes, everything from ramen and tartare to pierogi and burgers. Normally a restaurant with such a wide range of dishes might lack in quality, but everything I’ve eaten here has been delicious.
My favorites are the tuna tartare, the Greek platter and the sirloin steak. The strawberry and passionfruit lemonade is also delish. My mouth is watering just from writing this!
Where: Estery 18, 31-056 Kazimierz Kraków
2. Manzana
Manzana is another one of my old-time favorites. They have moved quite a bit over the years, but you can now find them in the old town. I have tried all the Mexican restaurants in Krakow, and Manzana is the best. It feels the most authentic.
I recommend sharing because their tapas are by far the best. I always order chips and salsa, you get a mix of normal corn tortilla chips and larger wheat chips with a delicious homemade salsa. And I always get both pork and chicken taquitos. My taquitos recipe is actually inspired by this place.
I can also recommend the pulled pork nachos and the crunchy chicken strips with peanut sauce. Complete your meal with an ice-cold strawberry margarita.
Where: Świętego Tomasza 6, 31-014 Kraków
3. Plac Nowy 1
Another one of the best restaurants in Krakow is Plac Nowy 1. The food is always super fresh well-made and delicious!
Set in the main square in Kazimierz, which is actually quite of an eyesore, Plac Nowy 1 is the fanciest restaurant on this list. Though not pretentious or overly expensive.
You’ll still find burgers and pizza on the menu, along with dry seasoned entrecote steak and hoisin duck bao buns. And do yourself a favor, get the rhubarb lemonade with basil. Yum!
I like to sit in their covered sunroom. It is very cozy with string lights and green plants, the perfect spot for a date. During the summer months, they also have a large area outside which is really nice.
Where: Plac Nowy 1, 31-056 Kazimierz Kraków
4. Hamsa
Hamsa Hummus & Happiness Israeli Restobar, located on Szeroka Street in the heart of Kazimierz, has been widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Krakow for over a decade.
This vibrant eatery offers a journey through the flavors of the Middle East, with a menu that emphasizes fresh, authentic Israeli cuisine. The restaurant’s namesake dish, hummus, is a must-try, served in a variety of styles and accompanied by warm, freshly baked bread.
Beyond hummus, Hamsa’s menu features an array of mouthwatering options, including falafel, shakshuka, and a variety of mezze plates that are perfect for sharing. I always love coming here!
Where: Szeroka 2, 31-053 Kazimierz, Kraków
5. Oké Poké Krakow
Okay, so Oké Poké is more of a takeout restaurant, but I had to include it because the poké bowls are the best in Krakow. And how stunning!? The interior is also super cute, it reminds me of the cafés in Bali.
They have a few tables outside in the warmer months and a few stools inside, however, I recommend you take it with you and have a picnic down by the river. There are benches to sit on if you don’t have a blanket.
Choose from a selection of smoothies and poké bowls, or create your own as I usually do. My favorite combo is spicy tuna, wakame, edamame, red cabbage, ginger, cucumber and fried onion with siracha mayo.
Where: Krakowska 29, 31-062 Kazimierz
6. Mr. Vincent
The name says it all, Pierogi MR Vincent is one of the best restaurants in Krakow for pierogi. They pride themselves on serving authentic, traditional flavors, using time-honored recipes, just like they are made in a Polish grandmother’s kitchen.
Choose from classic options like potato and cheese, meat and cabbage with mushrooms to more adventurous fillings such as spinach and feta or sweet pierogi with fruits.
My personal favorite fillings are the “Sicilian” with potato, onion, cured cheese, dried tomato and basil, and the “Russian Lift” with potato, onion, cottage cheese and bacon.
Pierogi MR Vincent, inspired by Vincent van Gogh himself, is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. I used to live in the same building, let’s just say I’ve been here a time or two.
Where: Bożego Ciała 12, 33-332 Kazimierz Kraków
7. Hawajskie Niebo w Gębie
Hawajskie Niebo w Gębie, a Hawaiian/Pacific-inspired restaurant in Kazimierz, is the perfect spot for a girl’s night out or your next hot date. It is one of Krakow’s most colorful restaurants, decorated with tropical murals, green leaves, flowers and patterned tiles.
The fried chicken was super crunchy yet juicy, the best I’ve tasted in a while. I also love the Kalua pork in panko, pulled beef bao buns and jackfruit tacos.
But, while the food is yummy, the cocktails are what it’s all about here. If you look closely you can see the dry ice flowing out of the skull-shaped glass. It made quite a statement when it hit the table, so fun!
Where: Krakowska 20, 31-062 Kazimierz Kraków
8. Dolabella Due
Located in an abandoned alley with a profound urine stench, Dolabella Due, one of the best Italian restaurants in Krakow, can be hard to find. But I promise, it is worth your effort, and it doesn’t stink inside. Haha.
This is the only restaurant on this list located right off the main square, as I tend to stay away from the many tourist traps here. The restaurant itself is very small and it gets busy in the evening, so I recommend booking a table.
Do yourself a favor and order a pizza. They are soo good with crispy crusts that are still fluffy on the inside. Service is also great, attentive yet not overbearing.
Where: Rynek Główny, pasaż Bielaka 10, 31-042 Kraków
9. EL & N (London) Saski
Known for its vibrant and Instagram-worthy interiors, adorned with cherry blossoms and chic decor, EL&N is the perfect place to bring your sister, mother and girlfriends. It is definitely one of the most Instagrammable cafés in Krakow.
This is one of those places you go for the interior first, but then the food turns out to be pretty good as well.
The café offers a wide range of options, from artisanal coffees and decadent pastries to healthy salads and gourmet sandwiches. I went with the chicken and mozzarella sandwich which was surprisingly flavorful and the focaccia was super airy.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, EL&N is committed to using high-quality ingredients, the name stands for Eat, Live and Nourish after all. I also loved that I could both order and pay on the iPad on the table.
Where: Sławkowska 3, 31-014 Kraków
10. Trattoria La Famiglia
Trattoria La Famiglia is another one of the best Italian restaurants in Krakow’s Old Town. It doesn’t always get the best reviews, but I love it because of the cozy setting. It is very small and you feel like you’re transported to a family-run trattoria in Italy.
In winter, it is especially nice when it gets dark early and the restaurant is mostly lit by candles and fairy lights. In other words, it’s perfect for a date, just remember to book the window seat.
And the food is pretty good too with the menu featuring Italian favorites such as pizza capricciosa, spinach lasagne with ricotta and mushroom risotto. My favorite is the penne with chicken and gorgonzola sauce, even though I’m not normally a fan of blue cheese.
Where: Bracka 6, 31-005 Kraków
11. Well Done BBQ
Well Done, an American diner in Kazimierz, is the perfect option when you’re craving something other than pierogi, cabbage and schnitzel.
I mean, this picture speaks for itself. Who doesn’t want a burger made from fluffy pancakes and juicy fried chicken, topped with bacon!? And they have honey mustard and mozzarella sticks, it doesn’t get much better in my eyes.
Yes, I’m kind of simple like that.
There’s a small, covered seating area outside, and the inside features red leather seating and walls decorated with license plates and metal signs. To find the restaurant, just look for the large BBQ sign surrounded by roses.
Where: Mostowa 2, 31-061 Kazimierz Kraków
12. Bagelmama
I love to swing by Bagelmama in Kazimierz, for a quick breakfast or brunch. As you can see in the photos, I tend to get the same one every time, the everything bagel with eggs, bacon and cheddar. My second favorite is the chicken curry with extra red onion.
In addition to delicious bagels, the menu also includes burritos, soups and desserts like New York Cheesecake and carrot cake. And they make their own iced tea, which I veeery much appreciate.
Where: Dajwór 10, 31-052 Kazimierz Kraków
13. Andrus (Judah Food Market)
Okay, so this is not technically a restaurant, but a food truck serving the best kind of street food. I just couldn’t leave Andrus out, as I eat here at least once every time I’m in Krakow.
I love the generous homemade buns filled to the brim with juicy Polish pulled pork. My favorite is number 5 called “Mizeria” with cucumber slaw and sour cream to cut through the fattiness. It is so big that I can barely finish it, probably the perfect portion for a meat-hungry man.
You can sit down at a table, or even better, bring it down to the river for a little picnic. The freshly baked chimney cakes, from the food truck in the corner, are also mouthwateringly good.
🌟 Best Krakow food tour
Calling my fellow foodies! If you’d like to explore Krakow’s food scene beyond these restaurants, I highly recommend this food tour.
You get to sample authentic Polish cuisine, vodka, craft beer and a delicious dessert, all while learning about the city’s culinary culture.
Popular Poland travel guides
- Is Poland worth visiting? Pros and cons
- WROCLAW: Is this Poland’s most beautiful city?
- 22 stunning fairytale castles in Poland you have to see!
- How to get from Kraków Airport to the city center (all options)
- 2 days in Gdansk: The perfect itinerary for first-timers
- 17 best day trips from Gdansk Poland
I’ll keep adding to this list as I continue eating my way through the city!
Leave a Reply