Restaurant
Bottiglieria 1881
A two-Michelin-star restaurant in Kazimierz where chef Przemysław Klima serves seasonal tasting menus that rework Polish dishes, backed by a strong wine list.
Pod Baranem
A restaurant near Wawel founded in 1997 by chef Jan Baran, serving Polish cooking with European touches, from żurek and pierogi to lamb cutlets and game.
At a glance
- Type
- Polish cuisine with European touches
- Area
- Old Town, Kraków, Poland
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- podbaranem.com
Good to know
- Reservations recommended
- Game and veal dishes
- English-language website
Why we recommend it
Pod Baranem stands on Świętej Gertrudy Street, on the edge of the Old Town near Wawel. It was founded in 1997 by an experienced chef, Jan Baran, whose name, meaning ram, gives the restaurant its title: Pod Baranem translates as Under the Ram. Nearly three decades on, it remains an established address for classic Polish cooking.
The menu describes itself as Polish cuisine with European accents, and that is a fair summary. On the traditional side you will find bigos, the hunter's stew of cabbage and meats, żurek, the sour rye soup that is a Polish staple, and pierogi. The kitchen also cooks game and veal dishes, and the restaurant highlights several plates of its own: lamb cutlets, veal sweetbreads, smoked trout and a beef tenderloin served à la Barbakan. That balance makes it a good place to order a classic soup and then try something a little more refined for the main course. If you are new to Polish food, starting with a bowl of żurek and following it with one of the house specialities gives a good sense of both sides of the kitchen in a single meal.
The style is relaxed but proper, suitable for a family meal, a dinner for two or a business lunch. Older visitors and those who want a quieter alternative to the restaurants on the Main Market Square will appreciate it, and the location makes it a practical stop after visiting Wawel. Vegetarians will find fewer options, as the menu leans towards meat and fish, so ask staff for advice.
The restaurant is open from 13:00 to 22:00 from Monday to Saturday and from 13:00 to 18:00 on Sundays, with the kitchen closing an hour before the doors. Seating is limited, so the restaurant asks guests to reserve in advance by email or phone, and same-day bookings are taken only by phone. Bear the early Sunday closing in mind if you want dinner at the end of a weekend.
The restaurant is within easy walking distance of both Wawel and the Main Market Square, and Kazimierz is a short walk to the south, so it is easy to combine dinner with an evening drink in the old Jewish quarter.
Pod Baranem FAQs
When was Pod Baranem founded?
In 1997, by the chef Jan Baran.
What kind of food does it serve?
Polish cuisine with European accents, including żurek, bigos, pierogi, game and veal.
What are the signature dishes?
Lamb cutlets, veal sweetbreads, smoked trout and beef tenderloin à la Barbakan.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Saturday 13:00 to 22:00 and Sunday 13:00 to 18:00; the kitchen closes an hour earlier.
Do I need to book?
Yes, ideally. Seating is limited, so reserve by email or phone; same-day bookings are by phone only.
Where is it?
At ul. św. Gertrudy 21, on the edge of the Old Town near Wawel.
Is it good for vegetarians?
Options are limited, as the menu focuses on meat and fish.
Is there an English version of the website?
Yes. The website has an English-language version.