Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or date night, there are countless romantic things to do in Krakow. After all, this is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. Who could fail to feel in love, wandering hand in hand with a special someone, through the medieval old town’s cobbled streets? Stopping for a quick smooch as you pass the beautiful baroque facades. Okay, you get the picture.
Some of the best romantic things to do in Krakow aren’t always obvious to tourists. Don’t worry though, if you’ve left it late with your plans, or if you’re just looking for inspiration to spice up your city break- we’ve got you sorted. Here are our top tips for romantic restaurants in Krakow and romantic ideas to put that spark into your weekend away.
Romantic restaurants in Krakow
Tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to romantic restaurants in Krakow. Between Krakow Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Kazimierz and Podgórze, there are fancy dining options on every street. In fact, in 2019 the culinary experts listed no fewer than 25 Michelin recommended restaurants in Krakow.
Even better than that, Krakow is cheaper than many other European cities. So a 5-star romantic meal in Krakow is likely to cost a fraction of the price it would cost to dine in say, Paris or Rome. So which restaurant to whisk your date off to? Let us help you decide.
For a great evening in Krakow join the Full Polish Food & Vodka Tour: the best Polish food tour in Krakow
Any quick Google search will return a list of Krakow’s most popular romantic restaurants (and therefore busiest and most likely, most expensive). This means a table at any of these will likely have been booked up weeks ago.
If you feel like trying your luck anyway, try Cyrano De Bergerac for delicate French cuisine, or Pod Baranem for fine Polish food cooked to perfection. Otherwise here is our list of romantic restaurants in Krakow that are equally as good and just a little less well known.
Padre
This quaint restaurant is tucked away just off Krakow’s Planty park, which surrounds the Old Town. Despite being only a few minutes walk from the main square, Padre is often not as busy as many of the restaurants in the Krakow main square. However, it is definitely just as good.
Step down into a beautiful cellar restaurant, hidden from the outside. The ambience, service and food at Padre are all exquisite. Definitely one of Krakow’s most underrated restaurants. And for how good it is, the prices really aren’t too expensive either.
Wiślna 11, 31-007 Kraków
Pod Aniołami (Under the Angels)
One of the many restaurants lining Grodzka- the main street leading from Wawel castle to the main square in Krakow- and one of the best. Like many venues in Krakow, Pod Aniołami looks smaller from the outside, so despite attracting a lot of passers by, there should be plenty of room tucked away in the various nooks and crannies of this lovely basement restaurant, to be able to seat you and your beau at a candlelit table.
Grodzka 35, 31-001
Trattoria La Campana
This beautiful romantic Italian restaurant In Krakow Old Town, has been Michelin recommended ten years in a row. La Campana is situated close to Wawel Castle.
Marble frescos and Italian architecture adorn the walls as you enter. The food and service are excellent as you would expect. It’s a little pricier than some of the other options on this list but compared to most European cities it’s still a cinch for the romantic dinner you’ll receive.
The pièce de résistance of La Campana, is a beautiful outdoor seating area. Perfect for dining al fresco, under the stars in the summer.
ul. Kanonicza 7, 31-000
Starka
Starka is one of the most popular romantic restaurants in the Jewish Quarter of Krakow- Kazimierz. It is simple but elegant. Live music makes for a beautiful romantic setting and the food is traditional Polish cuisine done well.
Prices are very reasonable and the service, atmosphere and food are all top-notch. It can get busy though so try to book a few days in advance.
ul. Józefa 14, Kraków
Honorary mentions for romantic restaurants in Krakow :
Romantic restaurants in Krakow Old Town:
Miod i Maliny– Grodzka 40, 31-044
Moo Moo Steak & Wine Sienna 9, 31-041
Pimiento Argentinian Steak Stolarska 13, 31-043
Kogel Mogel– Sienna 12, 31-041
Romantic Jewish Quarter Krakow Restaurants:
Basically, many of the restaurants in Jewish Quarter Krakow will make for a wonderfully romantic Krakow evening. However we suggest starting with Ulica (street) Szeroka.
Szeroka: Ariel, Szara & Once upon a time in Kazimierz are all situated on Ulica Szeroka and all worth a mention as romantic restaurants in Jewish quarter Krakow. As is Zazie Bistro on ulica Jozefa.
Vidok is also wonderful as a romantic Krakow rooftop restaurant (see below).
Try the best Cocktail bars in Krakow
There are dozens of cocktail bars around Krakow, so it is the perfect place to head for a cheeky tipple, to loosen up the mood with your date.
Movida
Located only a two-minute walk from the main square, Movida is a classic cocktail bar in Krakow Old Town- popular with locals and tourists alike. Think leather booths and celebrity pics adorning the walls. A sophisticated place where you can sip on a swanky martini while you gaze into your lover’s eyes across the table.
Mikołajska 9, 31-027
Sababa
Sababa is an elegant and stylish Krakow cocktail bar on Ulica Szeroka in Jewish Quarter Krakow. It’s upstairs to Hamsa, a very popular middle-eastern restaurant. The decor is dark and classy and the cocktails are even better.
Szeroka 2, 31-056
Mercy Brown’s
Krakow’s most secret cocktail bar, Mercy Brown’s is a classic 1920s speakeasy, complete with hidden entrance and one of the most original cocktail lists around. It can get pretty hard to find a table here so dress to impress and even try to get on the guest list in advance. Once inside, surprise your date by transporting them back to the days of prohibition America, where you can sip on a drink that is almost as cool as the surroundings.
Straszewskiego 28
Look over the city from a Krakow rooftop bar
There are a surprising amount of great Krakow rooftop bars where you can look down over the city with a loved one. Surprisingly, they’re not always as crowded as one might imagine.
Most of the rooftop bars in Krakow are open for the summer months only so might not be much good when it comes to Valentine’s day. However, they’re perfect when you’re looking for a romantic thing to do on a summer’s night in Krakow.
Metrum Restobar- (Music Academy Rooftop bar, Krakow)
This cool cafe/ restaurant offers amazing views over the city and in particular, of St. Mary’s Basilica. It isn’t open late, so surprise your Valentine by taking them up for a bite of lunch with a view. Look into each other’s eyes high above Krakow’s main streets and…well you know the rest!
Świętego Tomasza 40, 31-014
Check out our list of the best rooftop bars in Krakow
Vidok (Jubilat Rooftop)
Impress your partner with a moonlit view of Wawel Castle and a meal overlooking the Vistula river, by taking them to Vidok. The rooftop of the Jubilat shopping arcade is known for its panoramic view. The restaurant is great for a Romantic dinner with a view, or treat yourselves to a glass of champagne overlooking one of Krakow’s most beautiful views.
aleja Zygmunta Krasińskiego 1, 31-111 Kraków
Treat your partner to a fancy breakfast
Charlotte
This popular breakfast restaurant is great for a little indulgence. Guests dine on baskets of fresh bread and croissants, all washed down with prosecco and freshly squeezed orange juice. The kicker here though is the condiments. To accompany the bread and pastries, guests choose from a selection of jam jars, each filled with melted milk chocolate, white chocolate and fresh fruit jams. Sure to have your Valentine’s date sticking around at least long enough for breakfast!
plac Szczepański 2, 31-011
Image source: Charlotte
Take your sweet for something sweet at a Krakow Chocolate Cafe
There are actually a few options if you’re looking for a chocolate cafe in Krakow. They specialize in thick, hot chocolate mugs and calorific, rich chocolate desserts. There isn’t much to separate these, in our eyes at least. However, the most popular among locals are Karmello, and Wedel Chocolate cafe (yes the same company that makes Polish chocolate).
Karmello
Karmello are master chocolatiers and this is evident from just walking past one of their two Krakow Old Town locations. The amazing range of fanciful chocolates in all flavours and styles is laid out immaculately in the display for all to see. They do of course have special Valentine’s day boxes of chocolates on offer in store, if a heart shaped box and bow is more your style, but you can also just sit and sample a few chocolates while sipping on a hot drink with your loved one and watch the world go by.
Floriańska 40, 30-962
Pijalnie Czekolady E.Wedel
As with Karmello above, the draw here is of course the chocolate. Wedel are a well known Polish chocolate manufacturer and this cafe in Krakow’s main square is the perfect spot to try some. Here you can sip on hot chocolate and dine on delicious chocolate desserts, but if you really want to impress your valentine, you can also introduce some alcohol to the occasion in the form of prosecco, or even sit sipping on rich, chocolate vodka. Polish vodka brand Chopin make their very own chocolate tipple and you and your partner can try it, and much more here.
Rynek Główny 46, 31-017
Take a romantic walk down the Vistula River
Finally, the Wisła (Vistula) river runs right through the heart of the city close to Krakow Old Town and Jewish quarter. It’s a favourite spot for many Krakow couples strolling hand-in-hand along the banks of water.
Try walking the stretch that runs from Powisle- close to Wawel castle, all the way along to the Father Bernatek footbridge in Jewish Quarter Krakow. On the way, you’ll pass Wawel castle, Krakow’s fire-breathing dragon- Smok Wawelski. As well as Krakow’s version of the Hollywood walk of fame and the beautiful 18th-century baroque facade of the church of Skałka.
The Father Bernatek bridge itself is also an impressive sight. If you’re in time for sunset, the view from the ramparts of Wawel castle and the river, is enough to make any lovers swoon over each other.
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