Eating out in Krakow

We enjoyed a meal at this restaurant in Krakow and have listed it as a help to other people visiting Krakow in holiday.

Other places to visit in this part of Poland:

• Wieliczka and the salt mines
• Auschwitz (Oswiecim in Polish)
• Zakopane and Tatra National Park
• the Dunajec River and white water rafting
• Lake Czorsztyn

Restauracja Starka in ulica Jozefa 14, Krakow

The restaurant is fairly small and essentially divided into two sections, a front half for smokers (they haven't quite given up in Poland) and the next section for non-smokers. Each section has a handful of tables of varying sizes allowing for anything from couples to families or groups of friends dining together.

The interior has been cleverly and stylishly designed and creates a romantic cafe atmosphere.

The food is well cooked, tastes good and attractively presented. You need to have time to wait for courses because it's far from fast food but so it the result.

The main dish menu featured a small but good range of dishes including beef, duck, rabbit, lamb (almost impossible to find on the menu in Poland), pork loin, pork knuckle (traditional Polish), pork ribs, trout and a Camembert dish. We chose the pork loin because we find that it's usually preferable to select something the Poles are familiar with but will be braver and will try an alternative next time. The pork loin came with a plum sauce served in a miniature gravy boat, Krakow style potatoes which are essentially fried with herbs and spices, and a selection of boiled vegetables that were cooked to perfection.

The apple cake (containing Anise and cinnamon) that we had twice that day is arguably the best we've ever eaten in Poland. It was accompanied by a scoop of ice cream.No whipped cream which for us was an improvement.

The mulled wine was an added pleasure. Cappuccino could have been served in larger cups but that's being picky. They did have a wine list but we didn't look at that because we were driving afterwards.

The clientele was very much international and the atmosphere convivial. There were German, American, Oriental and Polish people there during our meal. No music so that you can have a conversation with friends. The toilet was scrupulously clean and the waitress who served us was efficient, attentive and attractive.

Our meal for 2 which consisted of pork loin with plum sauce, szarlotka dessert, coffee and mulled wine came to 113 zloty.

More Restaurants we have enjoyed in Krakow

Krakow has hundreds of restaurants to choose from in addition to the coffee shops and fast food outlets. It can be 'Foodie Paradise' if you happen on the right ones. We're keeping a list of those we have enjoyed as we discover them so that visitors to Krakow can also have good meals out.

• Pod Aniolami in Droga Krolweska, between the Main Square and Wawel Castle can be recommended for the best pierogi in town and beautifully cooked meat dishes.
• The cafe connected to Sukiennice in the Old Square serves delicious extravagant apple cake or szarlotka complete with whipped cream and ice cream. We cannot resist their hot chocolate with whipped cream - especially on a cold winter's evening.

• More good restaurants in Cracow