Chlopskie Jadlo

This restaurant of the immensely popular Chlopskie Jadlo Group is where it all began - on the road from Cracow to the mountain resort of Zakopane. The fairly simple house at the side of quite a busy road belies an interior filled with authentic rustic furniture, and full of atmosphere. The restaurant is famous for its large portions, and for its free bread and dripping which arrives at the beginning of the meal. Give yourself plenty of time if you are planning an onward journey, and enjoy what has become something of a Polish institution. Splendid.

I was really surprised to see some of the negative reviews of this place on this site. I was in Krakow on a business trip and our hosts took us here for dinner. I didn't know what to expect. On this night, the food was spectacular. We started with some wonderful breads, spreads, and sausages. We then made a trip to a small "salad bar" that had saurkraut, some type of carrot salad, and a vat of pickles that were so good, I could have eaten them for dinner. The menu is like a book and thankfully, our hosts did the ordering. After some time of enjoying the breads, sausages, etc. (and of course some vodka), we heard the clang of a bell. The waitress brought out literally, a wooden boat of food. Pierogi, Pork roast with crispy skin, pierogi, beef roulade, saurkraut and mashed potato, I can't even remember it all. We had a great time, wonderful food and a great experience. No salt mine here. I would love to return and explore that large menu. I mentioned my ecperience to a coworker that had visited this restauant on his visit to Krakow. He told me he ate at the same place on his visit and that it was some of the best food he had ever eaten. From the other reviews, maybe this place is a crap shoot. If in doubt, I would take the chance. I'm looking forward to going again.