Wawel Castle Apartment

Located in the trendy Plac Nowy square in the city’s historic Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, this busy and buoyant restaurant adopts a chic brasserie-style aesthetic with high-top tables and a terrace that’s ideal for the summertime. The menu showcases appealing variety, with the globally influenced dishes ranging from oysters to arancini and tempura to ceviche. Whatever you choose, there’s a unifying theme of sensible pricing and quality execution from the kitchen team.

It’s easy to miss this likeable little wine bar tucked away in the Old Town, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled, lest you lose out on all the joys it has to offer. There’s a comforting, rustic feel to both the look and the cooking, with a semi-vaulted ceiling and whitewashed brick walls providing the perfect setting for the generous and full-flavoured dishes. A wonderful risotto with Polish porcini mushrooms is a prime example. The fun, trendy wine list focuses on orange and natural options, hence the ‘Nat’ in the name.

A younger sibling to the acclaimed Bottiglieria 1881, this buzzing modern brasserie feels distinctly of-the-moment. From the pared-back yet well-appointed décor to the open kitchen and counter seating, it’s no wonder the place is so packed. The cooking resurrects and reinvents Polish classics – such as homemade kaszkanka (black pudding) – while offering a selection of high-quality meats cooked over the grill. Assured, personable service suits the vibe of the place well.

A fun evening out is on the cards at this lively spot inspired by the night canteens of Bangkok. An open kitchen and vintage vibe contribute to the party atmosphere, which is helped along by a range of Thai-inspired cocktails. The authentic menu covers all four regions of Thailand, with vibrant dishes delivering the hallmark blend of sweet, sour, spicy and salty. Sharing is encouraged and the dishes are well-priced, so don’t hold back when ordering.

Situated within Stradom House – a modern, luxuriously appointed hotel hiding behind a 14th-century edifice – this stylishly appointed restaurant offers a proudly Polish repertoire. The à la carte includes dishes like herring with apple or confit duck leg with plum sauce, which all pack in plenty of flavour and avoid overcomplicating things. The tasting menu, meanwhile, plays like a greatest hits of classic Polish cuisine and is paired with exclusively Polish wines and liqueurs.

The beautiful vaulted, red-brick ceiling is a key attraction at this well-run and deservedly busy restaurant. An experienced chef takes traditional dishes and gives them a modern update, while using the best of the local larder and delivering plenty of flavour. Their house specialities include Dover sole cooked over a wood-fired grill and, as the name would suggest, Fiorentina steak, which is dry-aged for 30 days before being chargrilled and served with a choice of sauces.

Global and Polish influences are effectively integrated at this basement restaurant inside the Queen Hotel, close to Kraków Old Town. Choose to sit in either a traditional brick-built room or a more modern space furnished in black and white, then sit back and enjoy the attractively presented modern dishes. There’s a good degree of detail in the cooking, which showcases precision and effective flavour contrasts throughout.