Restaurant Hawelka

Hawelka is something of a Cracovian institution. Founded in 1876, this is an elegant, rather formal throwback to the twilight years of the Austro Hungarian Empire. A stately portrait of the Emperor Franz Josef adorns the walls, resplendent with his legendary bushy whiskers - Hawelka hails from that golden epoch when the Austrians and Poles put aside their differences and Cracow regained its status as Poland's cultural capital. Thus you'll find Austrian classics amongst the traditional Polish fare, with goulash and Viennese dumplings served up with a hearty flagon of Polish beer. Less pricey than its sister restaurant the Tetmajerowska upstairs, this is still a pleasant place to enjoy well cooked Polish fare.

Great sitting outside in the summer. Superb view of the Old Market, and the food was pretty good and not expensive either.

The food was OK but the service horrible. We were four people, three of us got the food at the same time but the fourth got her salad around 7-10 minutes later. Waitresses were not very friendly at all so we didn't tip. A bit disappointed

Prompt service, reasonable prices and superb food! Perfect if you're looking to try traditional Polish cuisine!

We had a fantastic time at their Beer Festival yesterday - it lasts until the 10th October, so get down there quick! Lots of beer and sausages, and party games to keep everyone amused. Great fun!

This is a nice restaurant right on the square. It's nice in the summertime to sit and have a coffee on the square and the service is excellent.

very nice3 food we had a brill meal here friendly service to

Nice restaurant, if a little pretentious. Very poor wine list, with most wines being very mediocre and rather overpriced, which is sadly the case in most polish restaurants.

Just returned from Cracow and was delighted with Hawelka, service as well as food. It is true that one has to wait longer for the food/drink as maybe in Austria or the US, but that appears to be generally so in Poland. Was delighted with the friendliness of the service personnell and the good food. Decor and music were also nice.
I'll be back.

The restaurant has fantastic location. Excelent food. And above all the staff was really friendly. We will come back!

Great food in a very grand dining room. The staff were brilliant and the food was great and really bought me back to my childhood memories of my mother's Polish home cooking, if you're in Krakow you have to have a meal here.

Last went to this restaurant in 2004 and I'm delighted to say it's as good as ever. It offers a relaxed take on formal dining, in well-lit and comfortable surroundings. Waiters are very pleasant and not unfriendly; the food is excellent and the overall experience is very good indeed.

We were looking for an upmarket restaurant that served traditional Polish food, and we weren't disappointed! Courteous and efficient service, excellent food with a good range of choices (we chose mouth-watering wild boar and duck dishes) and well priced. The decor is a bit 'faded grandeur' but we didn't mind this - if you are looking for modern chic, this isn't for you!

Please one table for two person on 27.5.07

for artists - and an oasis of peace right in the center of the city.RYNEK GLOWNY.

ROTTEN FOOD. I am still sittin on da toilet.

our favorite restaurant in krakow. the food and service were excellent. pretty waitresses gave us space while still being attentive. the innovative desserts were amazing...

Very disappointed with our second visit. Waiter very unfriendly. Although I am bilingual and speak Polish perfectly he did not respond well. Food was mediocre. Had to ask several times for a jug of water - he kept telling me I could not have one. The bigos was not appetising at all - I can cook a better one myself.

The food was wonderful, I had wild boar with juniper berries, Liz had pork with plum sauce. Food was wonderful, service excellent, surroundings immaculate. I would heartily recommend the restaurant to anyone.

We had a super meal in Hawelka. Pork with plums and excellent roast duck. The waiter helped us through the choice of vodkas - we did have quite a few! A lovely old fashioned and freindly place which was good value.

The pierogi we had were delicious, the 2 waiters who served the 3 of us wheeled our meals over on a trolley, then in unison served them and uncovered them, the decor was beautiful, red with old paintings on the walls, creating a wonderful atmosphere - I definitely recommend it! A wonderful experience where we were treated like royalty.
Nothing like it in Australia or the US -try it.

Very good meal. The portions were large and the service efficient and friendly. We would go again. Enjoyable.

I agree with the comment that this restaurant does not deserve the reputation that it has, nor the prices it charges as a consequence of its reputation. We visited just before New Year 2005 and received poor, slow service and indifferent quality food that was barely warm. To make matters worse the waiters were totally indifferent to the fact that the front door kept sticking open (they were usually in the kitchen keeping warm!) and it was left to me and another guest to take it in turns to shut the door. The next day I had a "frozen shoulder" as a result of sitting in the icy draught.

The Hawelka seems to have attracted a lot of favourable reviews on websites like this and in guide books. I really cannot understand why. The food is of poor quality and meagre portions. When we ate there we had an unforgettable dining experience for all the wrong reasons. With so many good places to eat in Krakow, this one should be avoided. I'd give it 0/5 id I could.

I've been in this restaurant dining with a large portuguese group, last 8th August 2004. The dining-room was splendorous, and I've been treated like a prince.

We ate here on the last night of our holiday in Krakow (3/1/04). It was one of the highlights of our trip. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding. One of the best meals we have had anywhere!