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Stary Theater
Founded in 1781, and based at this building since 1799, Krakow’s “Old Theater” has reflected the monumental changes in Polish history over its 200-plus years. The Stary had its heyday…
Groteska Theater
During the fall–spring season, the Groteska produces mask and costume dramas for children and adults, some veering to the experimental side. Children’s workshops are also held. The…
Bagatela Theater
Known for its light comedies and musicals, the Bagatela is named after poet and literary professor Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński, murdered in the war. The theater was founded in 1919, and…
Rotunda
Many a band has performed at this student-center venue near Park Jordan, a couple of tram stops from the Old Town. From the outside it looks like the booking policy is completely…
Kawiarnia Naukowa
Krakow’s favorite grunge bar stages the occasional live act in a cramped side room. But even if there’s not a band on, the vinyl spun behind the big stone bar (yup, they're still…
Forty Kleparz
Despite, or perhaps because of, an unfashionable location toward Kleparz market north of the Old Town, this atmospheric spot has established itself as one of the main venues for live…
Stalowe Magnolie/Piano Rouge
These two jazz clubs under the same management share a similar scarlet color scheme and louche style. Sister establishment the Piano Rouge (Rynek Gƚówny 46) is on the main square—jazz…
Piec Art
In business since 1999, this downtown jazz club has attracted all the great Polish names thanks to its central location and renowned acoustics—the venue bills itself as the “Acoustic…
Mile Stone Jazz Club
With its glam settees and low lighting, the Mile Stone on the ground floor of the Qubus Hotel is just the right place for a posh date. However, the discerning jazz fan is unlikely to…
Harris Piano Jazz Bar
If you go to just one jazz bar in town, this should be it. Right on the market square, this basement club is rightly one of Krakow’s most popular music venues. All the big names in…
Pod Baranami
This palatial arena, set right on the main market square, is one of the most famous cultural institutions in Krakow. The cinema comprises three screening rooms, showing classic…
Multikino
This massive multiplex is north of the city center, conveniently located right by the Aqua Park. A dozen screening rooms show mainly standard Hollywood fare, with regular all-night…
Kijów
A major venue for the Krakow Film Festival, the Kijów boasts the largest cinema screen in central Krakow. As well as the 800-seater Large Hall, the Kijów also screens movies in an…
Cinema City
This 10-screen complex is the most comfortable venue to enjoy a movie in Krakow. Great for sound and special effects, Cinema City also scores high for accommodating wheelchair-bound…
ARS Cinema
By far the most elegant cinema in Krakow, ARS is set in two historic mansions a short walk from the main market square; it has five screening rooms. An adventurous agenda of European…
Kurant
An old-school music store on the main square, Kurant keeps CDs and books behind glass cases and on behind-the-counter wooden shelves. There’s a good selection of Polish folk and jazz…
Zen Sushi Bar
One of the most popular of Krakow’s sushi restaurants, Zen attempts to be as authentic as possible, with a dining area upstairs where diners kneel on a tatami floor. In the intimate…
Zapiecek Polskie Pierogarnie
An Old Town cheapie (but goodie), this pierogi place dishes out steaming bowls of dumplings from a little hatch. Zapiecek is anything but sloppy though—the wooden interior is kept…
Youmiko Sushi Bar
In this minimalist eatery, delicate shapes of rice, fish, and vegetables are created to order, half the fun being watching the expert chef prepare your hosomaki, futomaki, or nigiri.…
Wesele
From the folks behind the reputable Miód Malina on Grozdka, this rustic eatery (‘The Wedding’) serves classic Polish dishes, including the stand-out goose breast, presented in a range…
Wentzl
Beneath a sign dated 1792, this gourmet fixture on the market square is known for its signature recipes, often game marinated in an extravagant fruit-based sauce. Curiosities among the…
Vanilla Sky
Light, creative, mainly Mediterranean cuisine is served here in contemporary surroundings, and with a lovely terrace view to boot. Well-sourced, local ingredients are used in soups…
Trzy Papryczki
Commonly acknowledged to dish up the best pizzas in town, the “Three Peppers” uses all kinds of ingredients to flavor their famed pies. Pizzas come in two sizes, and are priced between…
Trufla
Customers in this narrow, fashionably decorated dining room peruse the handwritten menu featuring daily-changing specials such as feta or goat’s-cheese salad, two sizes of goulash, or…
Szara
One of the most famous places in town, with a sister branch in Kazimierz, “Gray” provides a constant turnover of tourists with hefty portions of duck, veal, or beef lavished with wine…