For a delightful coffee break or a breakfast in a cozy café nestled in the heart of the old town, just a stone's throw from the main square, make your way to Camelot café. This charming establishment, adorned with pink walls and vintage decor, welcomes guests every day from 9 am. Set within what was once a brothel, you can relish treats like avocado toast, orange crêpes, and the café's signature indulgence, the thick and luscious hot chocolate mocha.

Camelot Café is open daily from 9am to 10pm.

A brief stroll from Camelot Café, nestled right in the middle of the Old Town Square, you'll find Café Szał. Perched atop the Cloth Hall, this café provides an incredible panorama of St Mary's Basilica, offering an ideal spot to observe the ebb and flow of passersby in the square. The entrance is located on the ground floor of the hall, facing the Basilica. Access is through the museum entrance adjacent to the tourist office, making it a perfect pit stop after or before exploring the Cloth Hall or St. Mary's Basilica.

Café Hevre is by far our favorite place in Krakow. Ideal for a coffee break in a rather unique place. This Café is located inside a former jewish prayer hall in the heart of the Kazimierz district. The blue frescoes with Hebrew inscriptions bear witness to the building's past, and it has now been converted into a bar-restaurant. We recommend going there during the day for a coffee, then at night for a cocktail.

Hevre boasts the advantage of its proximity to various focal points within Krakow's Jewish quarter, including the Schindler's List passageway and Joźefa Street, where numerous vintage clothing and jewelry shops line the streets.

Located right in the heart of the Jewish quarter, not far from the old synagogue, this charming café/restaurant opens its doors everyday at 8am for breakfast. Breakfast is served à la carte, or as an all-you-can-eat buffet of Polish specialities that you can enjoy for less than €9. 

The outside of Kolanko number 6 is decorated with climbing plants and frescoes. The interior is cozy, nicely furnished with wooden furnitures. There is even a lovely courtyard for the warmer days. 

Do not miss Café Mleczarnia in the Kasimierz district, a place where everything seems frozen in time. With its vintage crockery, black-and-white portraits on the walls and the sweet smell of coffee, this restaurant, popular with locals and tourists alike, offers the perfect setting for breakfast or a coffee break accompanied by a slice of cake. 

It's impossible to travel to Poland without trying the famous Pierogi, tasty Polish dumplings filled with meat, cheese, vegetables and sometimes all three! Pierogies can be eaten savory, sweet, steamed or fried, with or without sauce. There's a wide choice to suit all tastes and diets.

There are a lot of Pierogarnia in Krakow, restaurants serving almost exclusively Pierogis. It can sometimes feel overwhelming to pick up the right one.

We recommend Pierogi Mr Vincent restaurant for a unique pierogi experience. The interior is adorned with the theme of Vincent Van Gogh's works, featuring replicas of his most famous paintings on the walls and a ceiling painted in the colors of 'Starry Night'. While we're not entirely sure about the connection between Vincent Van Gogh's artwork and Polish dumplings, we absolutely loved this place! The pierogis are delicious and very reasonably priced. We each enjoyed two plates of pierogis for around 10 euros, including drinks.

Another must-do experience while on a trip to Poland is to have lunch in a Milk bar, a Mleczny Bar. Mleczny bars are cafeterias where people with the most modest budgets  come to eat. You'll see students sharing a table with the elderly or workers. It is also a favorite spot for workers looking for something good and cheap to eat during their lunch break. In Mleczny bars, there are no frills. Dishes are served on plain white plates, and you have to bring your plate and cutlery back once you've finished your meal. The choice is often very wide. You can order pierogies as good as those served in Pierogarnias, nourishing soups, croquettes (vegetable or meat begnets), as well as Polish dishes soaking in meaty sauce. 

While in Krakow, we recommend having lunch in the Bar Mleczny Pid. Go there a bit before or after lunchtime, as it is located right next to the hospital and the medical staff seem to appreciate this place for their lunch (there can be a bit of a queue). As the menu is displayed exclusively in Polish, we advise you to point to the dishes that interest you or to use Google Translate. 

We had a full plate of croquettes and pierogies each, with a glass of compote, for just about €5 each.

Another recommendation for a bar mleczny in Krakow is Bar Mleczny Pid Temida which is closer to the main square.

Situated in the Old Town, not far from Rynek Główny, we highly recommend Tawerna Wilczy Dół  restaurant for a medieval-themed dinner. This restaurant, located in the basement of the Old Town, is inspired by the book "The Witcher" by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

With candlelight, animal skins, a wooden throne, and even humorous menus, every detail is carefully crafted to immerse you in the world of the book and the series.

For a quick yet hearty lunch featuring Polish specialties in a cozy atmosphere, visit Smak Bar. We recommend indulging in their pierogies and potato pancakes, served with a delectable mushroom sauce. The best part is, the prices are very reasonable and coupled with efficient service.

To conclude your Krakow adventure on a high note, we highly recommend the Metrum Resto Bistro., a rooftop bar situated on the outskirts of the gardens encircling the Old Town. This establishment not only serves up delectable traditional Polish dishes but also provides an incredible vantage point for enjoying the view of St Mary's Basilica and the picturesque rooftops of the Old Town. Operating from 8 am to 6 pm, it's the perfect spot to visit for a leisurely lunch or a delightful brunch.

There are plenty of street food options in Krakow if you want to grab a bite to eat, or sample a range of Polish specialities without interrupting your visit to the city. Here are the ones we think are a must.

Dobra Paczkarnia is a bakery chain dedicated to crafting and offering an array of Polish doughnuts. With locations in major cities across Poland, including Krakow city center, these doughnuts, characterized by their triangular shape, boast rich toppings and an extensive selection. Whether you're tempted by the flavors of apple and cinnamon, Nutella and almond, plum, or others, you'll have the opportunity to savor more than one during your visit to Krakow. So delightful are these treats that we even took some with us on the plane for the journey home!

On the square in the old town, you can't miss the stalls offering thin, golden round breads that resemble pretzels. These are Obwarzanek, ring-shaped loaves sprinkled with salt and poppy seeds. The crumb is white and soft, while the crust is golden. The texture and taste of Obwarzanek are often likened to a combination of pretzels and bagels. You can enjoy this treat for just 3 PLN, or just under 0,70 euros.

Plac Nowy is one of the main squares in the Kazimierz district. The round building at its center once housed a fish market. Today, the square hosts second-hand goods dealers every day and a vintage clothes market every Sunday. It is also a favorite spot for locals to indulge in Polish street food.

We recommend taking a lunch break on Plac Nowy to try one of the famous Zapiekanka, a toasted half-baguette topped with cheese, mushrooms, and other accompaniments. There's a vast selection on Plac Nowy, with the entire central building serving Zapiekanka of all kinds.

Located in the Kazimierz district, Alchemia  is a bar open every day from 9 am to 2 am. You can visit for a coffee, lunch, or an evening drink with friends. Lit by candlelight and adorned with plants, this pub exudes charm and is popular among both locals and international tourists.

Stary Port is a pub themed around sailors and the sea, which might seem unusual for a city like Krakow. Situated in the basement of a building, you'll quickly find yourself immersed in the maritime atmosphere, thanks to the carefully crafted decor and live music. Just outside the Old Town, this pub is primarily frequented by locals.

Hala Forum  is a former hotel on the banks of the Vistula, and its ground floor has been transformed into several trendy bars and restaurants that are popular with locals. Relax in one of the many lounges, enjoy a drink, and have dinner with a view of Wawel Castle by night.