The search for American flavors in Krakow should begin with Well Done restaurant, located on Mostowa Street in the picturesque Kazimierz district. This establishment, honored with the Travelers' Choice 2024 award, is a real gem for lovers of American cuisine. Well Done stands out not only for the high quality of the dishes it serves, but also for the authenticity of its recipes straight from the United States. The restaurant's interior is reminiscent of classic American diners from the 1950s, with distinctive red couches and a black and white checkerboard on the floor, creating a unique atmosphere straight out of American lifestyle movies.

The Well Done menu is a true journey through the culinary regions of the US - from New York steaks to Texas ribs to California burgers. Particularly noteworthy is the BBQ burger with bacon slices and barbecue sauce, which is one of the restaurant's bestsellers. An interesting fact is that the restaurant prepares its own sauces and marinades according to traditional American recipes, which gives the dishes a unique, authentic taste. Prices at Well Done can be described as average, which, combined with the high quality and generous portions, makes this place attractive to a wide range of customers.

Slightly different in character is the Hard Rock Cafe, located at St. Mary's Square, in the heart of the Old Town. This global restaurant chain, known for its combination of American cuisine and rock atmosphere, has been operating in Krakow since 2007 and has quickly become one of the most popular places among tourists. Krakow's Hard Rock Cafe is housed in a historic building, which creates an interesting contrast between the historic surroundings and the modern American interior design. The walls are decorated with memorabilia related to the legends of rock music, including instruments, costumes and photos of the artists.

Hard Rock Cafe's menu is a classic of American cuisine - from their legendary burgers, to sandwiches, to ribs and steaks. Try their flagship product, the Original Legendary Burger, which consists of juicy beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, onion rings and a lettuce leaf, served with fries. Hard Rock Cafe is also famous for its cocktails and soft drinks, which are served in distinctive glasses that you can take with you as a souvenir (for an additional fee). Prices at Hard Rock Cafe are higher than at other establishments due to the brand's prestige and location, but the quality and atmosphere make up for the higher cost.

An interesting fact about Krakow's Hard Rock Cafe is that the establishment regularly organizes live concerts, during which you can listen to local bands performing rock classics. This makes a visit to this restaurant not only a culinary, but also a cultural experience, combining American flavors with the universal language of music.

Moo Moo Steak & Burger Club on Holy Cross Street is a place that revolutionized the Krakow burger scene, introducing premium burgers made from the highest quality beef to the menu. The history of this establishment dates back to 2014, when two friends, fascinated by American culinary culture, decided to create a place offering authentic US flavors in the heart of Krakow. The name refers to the sound that cows make, which is meant to emphasize that the focus here is on high-quality meat.

Moo Moo's interior is an elegant space with industrial elements - brick walls, wooden tables and leather couches. The open kitchen allows guests to observe the food preparation process, which adds authenticity and transparency to the restaurant. Moo Moo's menu centers around two main categories - steaks and burgers. The latter deserve special attention for their variety and quality. Burgers are prepared from Black Angus beef, which is aged for a minimum of 21 days, which gives the meat its unique tenderness and flavor.

Among the bestsellers are the Truffle Burger with truffle mayonnaise and mushrooms and the Blue Cheese Burger with blue cheese and caramelized onions. It is interesting to note that Moo Moo was one of the first restaurants in Krakow to introduce medium-rare burgers to the menu, which was a real revolution in the local food market. Prices at Moo Moo can be described as higher than average, but the quality of the ingredients and the craftsmanship of the preparation fully justify the difference.

Of a completely different nature is Banda Burger's LOKAL27, located on St. Lawrence Street in the Kazimierz district. This small, cozy establishment was born out of a passion for street food and American burger culture. The founders of Banda, inspired by their travels in the US, decided to transfer the idea of food trucks serving simple, but excellent-tasting burgers to Krakow. Over time, the mobile food outlet turned into a permanent establishment, which quickly gained recognition among locals and tourists.

The interior of LOKAL27 is the quintessential casual, youthful atmosphere - graffiti on the walls, simple wooden tables and chairs and ubiquitous references to American pop culture. The menu is relatively short, but each item has been refined to perfection. Banda is especially famous for its classic cheesburger, which, despite the simplicity of its ingredients (beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickled cucumber and proprietary sauce), impresses with its flavor and juiciness. Also worth trying is the Spicy Banditos burger with jalapeño and chipotle sauce, which introduces a bit of a Mexican touch.

An interesting fact is that Banda Burger's is one of the few burger shops in Krakow that bakes its own buns, which significantly affects the quality of the final product. Prices at LOKAL27 are affordable, which, combined with high quality and authenticity, makes the place enduringly popular, especially among younger customers and students.

It is worth mentioning a local legend associated with Banda - it is said that the recipe for their proprietary sauce was created by accident, when one of the founders mixed up the ingredients during his culinary experiments. However, the mistake turned out to be a hit, and the mysterious sauce became the hallmark of the establishment, whose composition remains a closely guarded secret.

Beyond the most famous places, Krakow also hides less obvious establishments that deserve the attention of lovers of American cuisine. One such place is Matt's, located slightly off the main tourist routes, on Kącik Street. This unassuming restaurant, founded by an American expat named Matt, who fell in love with Krakow while traveling in Europe, offers the most authentic American culinary experience in the city.

The story of Matt's is a fascinating one - the owner, fascinated by the contrast between Polish tradition and the booming city of Krakow, decided to create a place that would be a bridge between cultures. Initially, the place was to be a small burger bar, but over time it has grown into a full-fledged restaurant with a wide menu of American classics. Matt's interior is reminiscent of a typical American diner with elements alluding to Polish culture - on the walls hang both photos of New York streets and Krakow landmarks.

Matt's menu is a real journey across the United States - from New York pastrami sandwiches, to Chicago deep dish pizza, to New Orleans po' boys. Of particular note are the burgers, which are prepared according to traditional American recipes. The flagship product is the Brooklyn Bridge Burger - a massive construction consisting of two beef patties, bacon, cheese, a fried egg and onion rings. It's a real challenge for even the biggest hunger pangs!

An interesting fact about Matt's is that the restaurant holds an annual competition in eating burgers on time, referring to the popular cooking competitions in the US. The event attracts both locals and tourists, becoming a local attraction. Prices at Matt's can be described as average, which, combined with generous portions and authentic taste, makes this place attractive to a wide range of customers.

Comparing all the described establishments, there are some differences that can help you choose the place that best suits your individual preferences. Well Done stands out for its wide menu covering different regions of the US and its affordable prices, making it an ideal choice for families and those looking to explore the diversity of American cuisine. Hard Rock Cafe offers not only food, but also a unique cultural experience of rock music, which attracts mainly tourists and music fans. Prices here are the highest among the described establishments.

Moo Moo Steak & Burger Club is for those who appreciate high quality and elegant interiors, willing to pay a little more for premium burgers. Banda Burger's LOCAL27 attracts younger customers with its laid-back atmosphere, affordable prices and authentic street food character. Matt's, on the other hand, is the most authentic American experience, perfect for those looking for authentic US flavors and interesting stories.

The location of each place is also worth noting - Well Done, Banda Burger's and Hard Rock Cafe are all located in the city center, making them easily accessible to tourists visiting Krakow. Moo Moo is also centrally located, though a bit off the main tourist routes. Matt's, on the other hand, requires a short trip outside the strict center, which can be both a disadvantage (for those with limited time) and an advantage (less crowded, more local atmosphere).

Regardless of your choice, each of the restaurants described offers a slice of American culinary culture in the heart of Krakow, allowing you to travel through the United States without leaving Poland's borders. It's fascinating how American cuisine, and burgers in particular, have found their way into a city with such a rich history and culinary tradition, creating an exciting new food scene that attracts locals and tourists alike from around the world.