Do you need to book restaurants in Krakow?

In many European cities, if you want to enjoy the best restaurants, it is necessary to make a reservation. There are restaurants in the world which do not accept customers who do not have a reservation at all. Many people on a trip to Poland and to Krakow wonder whether it is necessary to make a reservation for restaurants in Krakow. Do you need to book restaurants in Krakow?

Restaurants in Krakow

Krakow is a gastronomic desert. Yes, strolling through the streets of Krakow, gastronomic outlets are practically everywhere. Unfortunately, many restaurants in Krakow are very expensive and very poor. Especially in the centre, you can find typical tourist traps where Poles don’t eat, and the prices are absurd, with the cheapest Polish dishes costing as much as a good lunch a few dozen metres away.

Krakow is a culinary desert when it comes to good quality restaurants. There is only one restaurant with two Michelin stars in the entire city and not a single restaurant with a single Michelin star. In other popular tourist cities in the region, the situation is different, with a total of seven in Budapest, two in Prague and 10 in Vienna. Always check Michelin Guide and Google reviews when looking for a restaurant in Krakow.

Do I need to book a restaurant?

As far as reservations are concerned, you will need a reservation for the best restaurant in Krakow, Bottiglieria 1881, and for the best restaurant near Zakopane, Giewont. Similarly, if you decide to try a tasting menu at one of the better restaurants in Krakow, a reservation will be necessary. The same applies to visits to higher-end restaurants offering unique products. If you want to try Kobe beef at Pimento, it’s worth contacting the restaurant in advance.

The same goes if you want to enjoy lobster at places like Albertina or Farina. Generally, the truly good restaurants in Krakow encourage making reservations. Likewise, if you want to book a private dining experience, for example at Folga, or if you have any food intolerances, it’s worth consulting the tasting menu at a place like Restaurant Copernicus at least 24 hours before your visit. Reservations are also required at extremely popular spots, such as one of the best pizzerias in Krakow, Nolio.

For most good restaurants in Krakow (good does not mean those recommended in large numbers on Facebook groups) a reservation is not needed if we go there on weekdays during lunch time.

For typical lower-end restaurants in Krakow like Warsztat or Alchemia od Kuchni, reservations won’t be needed, just as for the higher-middle-range ones like Pod Różą or Trzy Rybki.

In the evenings, especially on Friday and Saturday, for good or popular places such as Zazie Bisto, Karakter, Cyrano de Bergerac, Wierzynek, Nolio or Grey Goose, for example, a reservation may be needed. The same goes for popular entertainment venues like Plac Nowy 1, for example.

Tourist traps located in the center of Krakow and normal restaurants that Poles go to do not require booking.

On special occasions, such as Christmas Eve, when many restaurants serve a special tasting menu featuring traditional Polish Christmas dishes. Also, on days like Valentine’s Day or Women’s Day, it’s worth making a reservation in advance, even at cheaper establishments.

Do you book restaurants in Krakow?

Summary: Do you need to book restaurants in Krakow? Generally reservations for restaurants in Krakow are not necessary except in the extreme case of very good or very popular establishments. Reservations may be necessary if you are going to a good restaurant serving a tasting menu or if you are going to order something unusual such as Kobe beef or lobster. It is also worth making a reservation if you are going with a large group of people.

In most cases, especially in the tourist traps which are abundant in the centre of Krakow, reservations to restaurants are not necessary. For most mid-range and lower-end restaurants, as well as tourist traps, no prior reservations are needed, and you can simply walk in. The same applies to chain restaurants or cheaper spots. Generally, restaurant reservations in Poland are not a common practice; most Poles enter restaurants from the street.