Krakow is one of those cities where the cafes are almost as much of a reason to visit as everything else. Whether you’re wandering through the Old Town or getting lost in the winding streets of Kazimierz, each spot has a story and a setting that makes the coffee taste even better. Here are five of the most unique places to sit down and take it all in.
Singer is one of those places you walk into and immediately understand why everyone talks about it. Located in the heart of the Jewish quarter, every table in the cafe is made from a vintage Singer sewing machine, which gives the whole space a character you genuinely won’t find anywhere else. It’s candlelit, a little dim and feels like it hasn’t changed in decades, which is entirely the point. During the day it’s a cozy spot for coffee and watching the world go by, and as the evening settles in it takes on a completely different energy. A Krakow institution and worth every minute.
Also in the Jewish quarter and one of the most visually striking spaces I’ve sat in anywhere. Hevre is housed in a former 19th century synagogue, and the building still carries all of that history with it, high ceilings, traces of the original frescoes on the walls and a sense of grandeur that makes even a morning coffee feel a little special. In the morning it’s a cafe, by evening it becomes a bar and restaurant with a menu that pulls from Jewish, Polish and European influences. Whether you stop in for breakfast or a drink at the end of the day, the space itself is reason enough to visit.
If Singer feels like stepping back in time, Mleczarnia takes it one step further. This cafe in the Kazimierz district has a wonderful old fashioned quality to it, vintage crockery, lace tablecloths, black and white portraits on the walls and the smell of coffee and cake that hits you the moment you walk in. It’s popular with locals and visitors alike, which says everything. A great spot for breakfast or a slow afternoon with something sweet.
If the other spots on this list lean into atmosphere and history, Karma is where you go when you want exceptional coffee first and foremost. One of the first specialty coffee shops in Krakow, located a short walk from the main square in the Old Town, Karma has been setting the standard for coffee in the city since 2010. They roast their own beans and the baristas know exactly what they’re doing. The space is bright and welcoming in a way that feels different from the candlelit rooms of Kazimierz, which makes it a perfect morning stop before a day of exploring. If you take your coffee seriously this is the one not to miss.
Camelot is tucked away on a small street just off the main square and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, which makes finding it feel like a small reward in itself. The cafe spreads across several rooms and a front patio, and if you make your way through to the back there’s a secret courtyard that’s worth the wander. The apple cake here is apparently the most famous in all of Krakow and after trying it I’d say that reputation is well earned. It’s the kind of cafe that has been making people want to sit for hours and the kind of place that was described as someone’s favourite cafe in the world, and I completely understand why.
Krakow has no shortage of beautiful places to sit with a coffee and I could have kept this list going. But if you’re working with a few days these five will give you a really good sense of what makes the city’s cafe culture so special. I hope you find your own favourite along the way.
