Szara Restaurant
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Editor's review
The atmosphere of true class and distinction seems inevitable for a building with 700 years of history under its frescoed arches. A spectacular architectural monolith which, without having moved an inch from its prime location in Krakow's Main Square, managed to survive royalty, wars, invasions, communism, has existed within several different empires and even starred in Hollywood films.
Through the subdued glow of classic lounge sconces, moody jazz floats softly down from the grand stone eaves of the 14th-century gothic domed ceiling. The feeling that you are about to smoke a cigar, sip a whiskey and chat metaphysics with Sartre is only enhanced by the abundance of elegant mahogany, imposing wrought iron table pedestals and quintessential black & white checkered marble tiles. Decadent photographic tributes to the beauty of Parisian women, taken in the 90’s by the former owner, peer exquisitely on from high, ancient walls.
General Manager Filip has a distinguished yet decidedly humble and unpretentious air. His words are embedded with real love as he speaks of his 14-year strong relationship with this noble restaurant & bar. “This place, this square, the people, the passion...” he serenades to a soundtrack of chiming glasses, clinking cutlery and soft chatter of patrons “It’s not my job – it’s my life.”.
Filip, as do many of Szara’s guests, heartily recommends that house favourite, the Raraka, simply must be experienced. A Scandinavian speciality; the half-Polish, half-Swedish founder’s refined influence can be felt throughout the menu. Crisped to a perfect golden hue, fried potato gratings create a delicate circular latticework, which could perhaps be described as a fritter cum dosa. The simplicity of a dusting of black pepper and a squeeze of lemon perfectly compliment the clean, gentle flavour of the robust red caviar and the oh-so-finely diced red onion. Sour cream completes the understated magnificence and although listed as a starter, it’s definitely big enough to share.
On their diverse and impressive menu with an emphasis on classic Swedish and French cuisine, you'll discover many other delights to tempt your palate. The rather celestial atmosphere of the building can be tasted in every bite of the food. Szara’s talented chefs bestow the highest level of care upon the ingredients and their preparation, creating not only authentic but truly memorable dining experiences. Fish soup à la Bouillabaisse, Cod Tenderloin & Plankstek are some of the most famous and you'll find them alongside classics such as Foie gras, Provansal style snails & Grilled Tournedos Rossini. There’s even a section in the menu dedicated entirely to cheese (AOC). Did we mention the wine list? You might have guessed – it's extensive and divine.
In short; this is a place to fall in love.
Editor
Editor & Krakow Local
Reviews
Just came home from Poland and had to write a review for this restaurant. The food and atmosphere are amazing! Our waitress, Margaret, was very attentive. The young green beet soup was a thing of beauty. We liked our lunch so much we immediately made dinner reservations. Do not miss this gem!
SZARA is our highlight during our annual Christmas / New Year visit to Krakow. We always begin our visit, spend with them and closing out our last day before we return to New York. we look forward all year to our meals that never seem to disappoint us.
New Years Eve dinner format is unusual. most restaurants have a fixed menu / in SZARA you can order A’la Carte menu which gives a freedom to go outside to experience the crowd celebrating new years on the square. It is very fun to watch and be part of people (total strangers) wishing happy new year like they have been your friend for years.
Going back to Szara - The service is very friendly & accommodating special requests. Over the years on our visit to SZARA they start to feel like family. We are very picky about our food and where we dine. Since, as wrote above we looking forward to out meals and Szara every year is a proof that this place is highly recommended by us. Try and you will be not disappointed
Each time I visit Krakow, I return to Szara Restaurant. This is not only because of the polite and efficient service, but also as the quality of the food has never disappointed. Great place to sit outside & people watch with a cool glass of beer in the summer and perfect in the winter for feeling cosy & warming yourself up with their fine European menu. I can also recommend Szara as a perfectly charming place in which to consume your breakfast as you prepare your mind for the day ahead. I hope to return again promptly. Five Stars from me.
Sir David Attenborough - Is that you??
Absolutely awful. Waiter with scruffy beard and blue shirt gave me a harsh verbal talkback as I simply told him my dish was cold. Terrible behaviour and he then tried to overcharge us for our wine. Obnoxious and very rude. Said some unsavoury things to my 12 year old daughter at the table. Simply will not recommend this terrible establishment.
Ten friends from the UK chose to eat at Szara on Monday 14th March in the evening. The restaurant is splendid , full of atmosphere and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their chosen meal. The service was amazing, the waitress was so attentive and made sure everything was perfect. I can definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone travelling to the beautiful city of Kraków.
Me and my family visit the wonderfull restaurant mand times and we wil back for more. We get breakfast - delicious - and to years my daughter in Low' S birthsday vás celebratet for A very, very nice and delicious dinner. When we get the dessert all light in the restaurant turen off - and the fantastic waiters get in with birthsdaycake, candleligt and Birthsday song - very touching.
We look very forward to went back to Krakow and Szara again.
Me and my wife with friends had a meal at the above restaurant while on a short break to Krakow (WOW).
The meal was excellent also the bear the most amazing thing was the price. The meal all of us had would have cost over £100.00 pounds in the UK this worked out at lees than £10.00 pp. 26/03/2015
Thre of us enjoyed a 1st class meal with you at your Restuarant last Sunday evening and it was a real joy and a great experience,and the drinks to follow were a treat.
The main course was duck would you be able to tell me just how it was cooked as it was exceptionally tender and duck leg is not one of the easiest meats to get just right
The last rating is long a'go and something has changed. The service from the employeded was superb, no problem. We were 4 persons from Denmark and our freinds said that the restaurant was superb. Maybe, but the day we was visiting it was no go for the main course for the person who was choising the veil medalions, the meat was "no eatebel" it was not me dalions, it was a dry/non eatebel peace of meat. Sorry. No response from the "chef". No good. The rest was 8 to 10.
Min sambos 60-års middag med våra vänner Åt Tournedos ett mycket gott vin till +lite efter åt helt underbart gott trevlig personal o en vacker miljö kan varmt rekomenderas
Absolutely fantastic! The Chicken Supreme Stuffed with Dates was truly a memorable experience... simply amazing!
Wonderful service.
The food was absolutely amazing, both in terms of taste and presentation. The mushroom soup is GORGEOUS! The staff speaks English and is extremely helpful. I would definitely recommend it!
Yes. This one was worth the bit extra. Really great service but not too stuffy. And the food.... Simply gorgeous. Beef tournedos sumptuous... Quite a cool bar next door too
We treated ourselves here on the last night, and it didn't disappoint. Tip top standards all round.Delicious steak, and blinis. We ate outside but inside looks beautiful too. Excellent.
Beautiful building and really sumptious food, as good as any we've tried. Yeah its quite pricey but I think its worth it and would definitely revisit. Staff were very friendly and goats cheese starter, leg of goose, lamb shanks and a good New Zealand Cabernet Sauvignon and two small bottles of mineral water came to 297 Zloty.
Myself and 3 friends enjoyed an amazing meal here!! Definately reccommend it, especially the planksteak :)
This beautiful restaurant, with it's magnificently painted gothic arched ceiling, cleverly looks twice its actual size by use of lots of mirror glass down two walls. It's a lovely feeling to sit there and be looked after by the friendly, helpful, well informed staff offering very professional service. And then the food...! One of the best meals I've had anywhere in more than fifty years of seeking out top quality restaurants. The kitchen uses best quality ingredients which are then prepared with imagination and love by a team guided by a superb chef, so love is exactly what you feel when its comes to eating what's placed before you. It's not cheap (250 PLN -- about £52), but then I did have three courses, a half bottle of good Cote du Rhone, a small beer, two vodkas and coffee. But I assure you that it's worth every zloty and more!
A great experiance.
PS: they have opened a branch in Zamierz, where I had an excellent two course set lunch for the equivalent of £7.95 (39PLN). Superb!
Having already been to the Kazimierz Szara restaurant a few days previously, we didn't hesitate eating at the Krakow main square restaurant. Again the food was wonderful, service great and generally worth every penny. I would strongly recommend this to anyone visiting Krakow.
we enjoyed our meal here. They fitted us in when we were late and tired and we had a lovely meal. It was a bit expensive though.
Tried this place once and I'm not really sure what it is trying to be . Wine and food prices are expensive by Krakow standards . We ate here once and paid double the standard rate for the square (Rynek). There is much better vaule available , and , in my opinion, the whole set up is a bit pretentious .
Not a bad restaraunt not the best we had but still good. Nice staff , relaxed atmosphere & good food served inside or outside.
Visited Szara Kazimierz... Excellent meal! Smoked salmon
rolled around a fresh Wasabi cheese is a great starter and Grilled tournedos
with red wine sauce, sundried-tomato, feta cheese, cream, bacon, served with roasted "half-moon" potatoes the best for months! Tiramisu is a classic desert well accomplished here! Recommended!
The service was very good. Food of the international nouveau cuisine type, tasty and imaginative. House red wine quite expensive but very good. Quite pricy overall but recommended for a special meal, or to those who will pay for extra quality.
Ristorante Szara in Cracovia non si puo piu'.Si trova sulla Piazza di Vechio Mercato. Interno di ristorante in stillo gotico, una meraviglia, niente da dire, cibo ottimo, servizio non ce' male. C'e anche un bar con vero cafe' italiano. Si beve come in casa!
I have eaten in Szara many times, evry time l'm nicely surprised. The food is always great, the service is exellent. l have never payed more than 10 zl for water. Happy New Year from me to the hole Szara staff.
A real gem. We thought that the food was exceptional and would definately visit again. The staff were very efficient but some were a bit stuck up. Bad form for a waiter. Go there - it had the best food we found in Krakow.
fab food dont order a jug of water it was 55 zls 10 £ in english money my partner sent it back shame it has a great menu my main dish was cheaper than the water shame we will not be going there again we can get ripped off in london so when we go back we will not be eating there again we did tell them how fooish they were
It is not a Polish restaurant - it is a international restaurant in Poland. Have a look at the menu on the net site (www.szara.pl) Actualy I just looked at the net site for the first time and it probably gives a good indication on the restaurant - professional and fun..
Centrally located in the square, it is a superlative international restaurant.
The cuisine is outstanding, and the presentation on the plates is equally impressive.
Tony Magnus?Sydney, Australia
Great atmosphere and nice espresso machine. Too bad they use such cheap beans. The coffee was awful.
Excellent!! Great meals, we went there. Just to check it out. But we went every night, sitting on the terras. LLovely, very kind personel, they are so nice. A bit in a rush everytime, pay attention to your customers and it will get back to you...
Gourmet meals with reasonable prices. Friendly service - who said you can't eat well in Poland? Highly recommended!
Noisy music. The worst place for me (of course the better ones by the windows kept free during may stay). The food: an artificial something on huge plates,mushroom soup without too much mushrooms, fish without salt... would not recommend this restaurant.
Anette from Germany
The food is outstanding and the ambiance is great, most importantly, the waitresses and waiters are attentive and courteous. This represents great value. And it has class, something you simply cannot buy.
Special thanks to Asa and the "Pepper-Mill - Man in black.
...truelly magnificent place and would recomend it to anyone just like a city. Aparently Warsaw used to be Paris of the east now it's definitly Cracow.
I certainly agree with what has already been written. The ambiance, decoration, food everything is excellent. Only downside for me was price of wine, just as bad as UK. Food prices very good value. I had teh bouillbase soup and a steak dish, excellent. The house red was a Chateau 2002, also excellent. We made friends with a couple from brazil, altogether a wonderful evening.
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