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.
Wierzynek
A long-established restaurant on the Main Market Square serving Old Polish cuisine in art-filled rooms, named after the merchant who hosted a royal feast in 1364.
At a glance
- Type
- Old Polish cuisine
- Area
- Old Town, Kraków, Poland
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday)
- Official site
- wierzynek.pl
Good to know
- Historic dining rooms
- Art collection
- Online table booking
Why we recommend it
Wierzynek takes its name from one of the most famous stories in Kraków's history. In 1364, at the request of King Casimir the Great, the Kraków merchant Mikołaj Wierzynek hosted a celebrated feast for the wedding of the king's granddaughter to Emperor Charles IV. The restaurant on the Main Market Square builds on that legend, and its rooms are a popular choice for special occasions.
The menu concentrates on Old Polish cuisine, the cooking of the noble and merchant households of past centuries. Expect refined meat dishes, fresh fish, traditional side dishes and forest mushrooms, which are a long-standing ingredient in Polish cooking. The menu changes, so ask the staff which dishes are in season. It is a good place to try classic flavours in a more formal setting than a tavern.
Much of the pleasure is the setting. The restaurant occupies several rooms, each with its own atmosphere, and all are decorated with works of art from different eras, including works by prominent Polish artists. Mention when you book if you would like a table overlooking the square. The style is elegant and traditional, which suits couples, family celebrations and business dinners more than casual meals. Visitors with an interest in Kraków's history will also enjoy eating in a restaurant whose name leads straight back to the 14th-century city, and its address on the square makes it easy to find after a day of sightseeing. Smart casual dress fits the rooms, although no dress code is published.
Opening hours vary through the week. Wierzynek is closed on Mondays, opens for dinner from 17:00 to 22:00 from Tuesday to Thursday, and serves from 13:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, until 23:00 on Friday and Saturday and 22:00 on Sunday. That makes a weekend lunch a good option if you want to see the rooms in daylight. Tables can be booked through the restaurant's website, and booking is wise for weekend evenings.
The restaurant stands on the Main Market Square at number 16, facing the Cloth Hall and a short walk from St Mary's Basilica and the Rynek Underground. It is easy to combine dinner with an evening walk through the Old Town.
Wierzynek FAQs
Why is the restaurant called Wierzynek?
It is named after Mikołaj Wierzynek, the Kraków merchant who hosted a famous royal wedding feast in 1364.
What kind of food does it serve?
Old Polish cuisine, with meat dishes, fresh fish, traditional sides and forest mushrooms.
What are the opening hours?
Closed Monday; Tuesday to Thursday 17:00 to 22:00; Friday and Saturday 13:00 to 23:00; Sunday 13:00 to 22:00.
How do I book?
Use the table booking button on the restaurant's website.
Is there a dress code?
No dress code is published, but smart casual clothing suits the elegant rooms.
Where is it?
At Rynek Główny 16 on the Main Market Square.
Can I have lunch there?
Yes, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, when it opens at 13:00.
What is special about the interiors?
Each room has its own character and is decorated with works of art, including works by prominent Polish artists.