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.
Starka
A Kazimierz restaurant serving traditional Polish dishes with modern touches, homemade pierogi and more than twenty house-made flavoured vodka infusions.
At a glance
- Type
- Polish restaurant with house vodka infusions
- Area
- Kazimierz, Kraków, Poland
- Official site
- starka-restauracja.pl
Good to know
- Homemade vodka infusions
- Vegetarian dishes
- Live acoustic music
- Online booking
Why we recommend it
Starka is a Kazimierz favourite for visitors who want classic Polish food in a relaxed setting. The restaurant takes its name from starka, a traditional Polish vodka aged in oak, and from a legend in which a father buried a barrel of vodka when his daughter was born and opened it on her wedding day. That story sets the tone: the restaurant is as well known for its drinks as for its food.
The menu is built on traditional Polish fare with modern touches. Signature dishes include a crispy pork knuckle and slow-cooked beef cheeks. For a lighter start, try the red beetroot soup served with croquettes. The pierogi are made in-house by a cook named on the menu as Mrs Rysia, and the restaurant is proud enough of them to claim they are the best in town. Vegetarian dishes are also served, so mixed groups should have no trouble finding something for everyone. The combination of generous Polish cooking and a lively room makes Starka a good choice for groups of friends and for couples who want a casual evening rather than a formal dinner.
Then there are the drinks. The house vodka infusions, made on site, come in more than twenty flavours, from blueberry, ginger and pear to more unusual options such as mango, pineapple and coconut. Ordering a few small glasses to share is a good way to taste the range, and staff can help you choose.
On Wednesday and Friday evenings there are live acoustic performances from 20:30, which adds to the atmosphere but makes those nights busier. Online booking is available through the restaurant's website, and walk-ins are accepted when there is space, depending on the weather and demand. Booked tables are held for fifteen minutes, so call ahead if you are running late. Groups of nine to thirty are asked to choose a set menu in advance and arrange the details by email. Phone bookings are taken from 12:15.
Starka is on Józefa Street in the heart of Kazimierz, around fifteen to twenty minutes' walk from the Main Market Square. Its location makes it an easy dinner stop after a day exploring the synagogues and museums of the old Jewish quarter.
Starka FAQs
What food does Starka serve?
Traditional Polish dishes with modern touches, including pork knuckle, beef cheeks, beetroot soup with croquettes and homemade pierogi.
What are the vodka infusions?
Homemade flavoured vodkas in more than twenty flavours, such as blueberry, ginger, pear, mango and coconut.
Are there vegetarian dishes?
Yes. The restaurant serves vegetarian options.
Is there live music?
Yes. Acoustic performances take place on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 20:30.
Do I need to book?
Booking online is recommended; walk-ins are accepted when space allows.
How long is a booked table held?
Fifteen minutes after the booking time, so call if you are running late.
Can groups book?
Yes. Groups of nine to thirty choose a set menu and arrange details by email.
Where is Starka?
At ul. Józefa 14 in Kazimierz.