Otium Boutique

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.

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.

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.

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.

In an area of the city filled with restaurants, seek out this atmospheric spot where the menu reads like a ‘greatest hits’ of Japanese cuisine. Gyozas, nigiri, yakitori… all will be provided by the skilled kitchen team; and while the place lives up to its name with a wide sushi selection and multiple cuts of beef cooked on the robata grill, it’s worth diverting your attention to the terrific vegetable tempura. It’s all perfect for sharing, so bring some friends and sample as much as possible.

Steak lovers need look no further than this smartly dressed restaurant from the same owners as Fiorentina and Kogel Mogel. An eye-catching parrilla grill is at the heart of the operation, used with great skill on prime steaks from Poland and the US, best enjoyed with a glass of red wine from the impressive list. Don’t overlook the other dishes too, such as the beef pretzel with a deliciously piquant gherkin and caper cream. Cheery, genuine service is the perfect finishing touch.

There’s a chic, retro quality to this lively brasserie in Kraków’s Old Town, which sports several dining rooms – including one with a vaulted brick ceiling – plus an enclosed garden terrace. It's a smart place, with the menu bringing modern updates to classic Krakovian dishes, as well as those from wider Poland. This is simple, satisfying cooking with a generous touch that no doubt pleases their regulars. For dessert, the hot apple pie made with Polish Szara Reneta apples is not to be missed.