Places to go in Krakow #9: Irish Mbassy

Before you start, no spelling mistake here- they weren’t allowed to call it an ‘Embassy’ as this may be considered confusing by some people (casting no direct apersions at anyone).

Did I forget to mention they have some cool pictures on the walls?

Places to go in Krakow #8: Pierwszy Lokal

Or, in full, ‘Pierwszy lokal na Stolarskiej po lewej stronie idąc od Małego Rynku’…i.e. ‘First Place on Stolarska on the left going away from the Maly Rynek’ or ‘The Long Name Bar’, or simply ‘Long Name’ as I prefer to save time referring to it. If difficulty finding a place to sit is any indicator of quality then Long Name is up there with the best of them.

Just about squeezed the whole name in...

Places to go in Krakow #6: Caffe 4D

Formerly known as Italia Lody Caffe, the owners have seemingly picked up the current craze in the film and TV world for all things 3D and taken the logically sound, but ultimately nonsensical, step of adopting 4D as part of the name of their cafe.

Places to go in Krakow #5: Pinokio

Anyone living more than 500m away from this old school pizza place (I can’t bring myself to use the word restaurant, it’s little more than a big takeaway with some tables) but trust me when I say it’s their loss.It’s a bit of a hike for the casual visitor up to Pradnicka street to the north of the city centre, but worth it.

Places to go in Krakow #4: Cafe Bambus

Ever since I discovered the Zupa Bambusowa (a kind of Thai-style spicy soup with chicken and veg), I’ve been a regular visitor to Bambus for both day or evening occasions, for which it serves equally well.

How Bambus looks on a busy day in the Market Square

Places to go in Krakow #3: Prowincja

A true Krakow icon, Prowincja and its offshoot next door Nowa Prowincja, have been providing locals and tourists with light lunches, coffee, cake, hot chocolate (the ultra-thick variety seemingly designed to make you more thirsty) and the occasional alcoholic beverage for many a year now and the appeal shows no sign of lessening. They are the twin cylinders of the ul. Bracka coffeehouse engine.

Two peas in a pod- Prowincja nearest the camera, and Nowa Prowincja the other side of the doorway to Cafe Bracka and Pergamin

Places to go in Krakow #2: Domowe Przysmaki

Dangerously situated just across the street from the all-conquering ‘U Babci Maliny’ on ul. Slawkowska (the full address is Slawkowska 24a- not far from the sw. Marka church- you don’t really want to try pronouncing the name to ask for directions!), this little place is left to pick up the scraps of the slightly-more-adventurous-tourists-and-occasional-Pole trade selling traditional Polish fare.

Now featuring summer outdoor seating area!

Places to go in Krakow #1: Bagelmama

No longer a candidate for smallest restaurant in Kazimierz/Krakow/the world, having relocated to ul. Dajwor near the Galicja Jewish Museum, but not much else has changed since i first visited Bagelmama nigh on 5 years ago.
Regardless of Bagelmama’s physical attributes, the important thing here is the food; whether it be a quick snack bagel or a more substantial Mexican inspired meal, Bagelmama simply cannot be outdone. Generous folk that they are, they even let you choose how hot (or not) you want your food, should you go down the Tex-Mex route.

The view from ul. Dajwor heading towards Szeroka and Plac Nowy