In the heart of the royal city, among historic townhouses and bustling streets, there are real treasures for those seeking gluten-free delicacies. One such place is Baked Gluten Free Bistro, located at 7 Koletek Street, just a few minutes' walk from Wawel Castle. This small but extremely cozy restaurant was born out of a passion for healthy food and a desire to prove that a gluten-free diet can be just as delicious as a traditional one.

Baked stands out from other establishments primarily because the entire kitchen is 100% gluten-free, which eliminates the risk of cross-contamination - the biggest enemy of people with celiac disease. The restaurant has an interesting history - it was founded by a family whose daughter struggles with celiac disease, which gives the place authenticity and a guarantee of safety. The menu is mainly based on Polish zapiekanka in a gluten-free version, but you'll also find pizza, pasta and desserts - all gluten-free. Especially worth trying is the zapiekanka with traditional oscypek and cranberry, which combines highland flavors with a gluten-free base.

Nearby, at 6 Trynitarska Street, is Zakręcona Kawiarenka - a place that has won the hearts of Cracovians not only with its gluten-free baked goods, but also with its unusual history. The restaurant is located in a historic building, which, according to urban legend, witnessed a romantic love story during World War II. Today, the café continues the tradition of a place where people and stories meet, while offering a safe space for those with gluten intolerance.

The Twisted Café is best known for its gluten-free cakes and desserts, which are indistinguishable from traditional baked goods. The owner, a passionate pastry chef, has spent years experimenting with different gluten-free flour blends to achieve the perfect texture and taste. Particularly recommended is the gluten-free version of krakowski cheesecake, which many guests say tastes better than the original. Prices at the cafe are on the average level, which, combined with the quality and safety of the products on offer, makes this place extremely attractive.

It's worth mentioning that both establishments regularly organize educational events on celiac disease and the gluten-free diet, making them not only places to eat, but also centers of the gluten-free diet community in Krakow. Zapiekane organizes workshops on baking gluten-free bread, while Zakręcona Kawiarenka holds regular meetings with dietitians specializing in celiac disease.

As for the differences between the two places, Baked focuses more on main dishes and offers a more extensive dinner menu, while Twisted Cafe specializes in baked goods and desserts. Zapiekane also has slightly higher prices, but offers larger portions, making the value for money similar at both places.

Cracow also boasts places that combine vegan and gluten-free cuisine, creating a veritable paradise for those with special dietary requirements. One of the pioneers of this trend is Turlaj Klopsa at 60 Karmelicka Street, a place with a fascinating history dating back to 2014, when it became one of the first in Poland to serve plant-based meatballs in a completely gluten-free version.

The restaurant's name refers to the old Krakow tradition of 'turlaj klopsa' - a folk game held during the Easter holidays in Krzemionki. Today, Turlaj Klopsa reinterprets this tradition in a modern, plant-based way. The restaurant is distinguished not only by its food, but also by its interior - industrial design with elements alluding to Cracovian folklore creates a unique atmosphere. The menu is based on meatballs made from various plant-based ingredients, served in a variety of ways - with sauces, in rolls or as a side salad. All sauces and side dishes are labeled for allergens, which is invaluable for people with celiac disease.

Particularly recommendable are the chickpea meatballs with curry sauce, which have already become a legend among Krakow's vegans. Prices at Turlaj Klopsa are at an average level, making the place accessible to a wide range of customers. The restaurant also regularly hosts events promoting healthy lifestyles and conscious eating, which further builds a community around it.

A little further down the same street, at number 34, is Veganic Restaurant - a place with a unique history. The restaurant is located in a tenement that before the war belonged to a Jewish family of confectioners. Today, drawing on this tradition, Veganic offers, among other things, gluten-free and vegan versions of traditional Jewish baked goods. The restaurant features an elegant, minimalist interior that contrasts with the building's rich history.

The Veganic menu is a true journey through world cuisines - from Polish pierogi in a gluten-free version, to Italian pasta, to Asian curries. All dishes are 100% plant-based and labeled for allergens. Particularly worth trying are the gluten-free pierogies with buckwheat groats and mushrooms, which pay homage to traditional Polish cuisine in a modern twist. Prices at Veganic are slightly higher than at Turlaj Klopsa, but this justifies the more exquisite nature of the dishes and the elegant interior.

Interestingly, Veganic works with local suppliers, and many of the ingredients come from Małopolska organic farms. The restaurant also organizes vegan wine tastings (many wines are clarified using animal products), which is rare even among vegan establishments.

Comparing the two places, Turlaj Klopsa offers a more casual experience, with a simpler menu centered around one main ingredient - meatballs. Veganic, on the other hand, offers a more refined dining experience, with a broader menu and elegant surroundings. Turlaj Klopsa is ideal for a quick, tasty meal during the day, while Veganic would work better for an evening out or business lunch. What both places have in common, however, is an uncompromising approach to the quality and safety of the gluten-free dishes offered.

Cracow also boasts places that specialize exclusively in gluten-free cuisine, creating safe havens for people with celiac disease. One such place is Posiłek Bez Glutenu, located at 57 Bohaterów Września housing estate. This unassuming establishment, founded by a family whose two children struggle with celiac disease, has become a true institution among Krakow's gluten-free diet community.

Meal Without Gluten is distinguished by the fact that the entire kitchen is dedicated exclusively to preparing gluten-free food, eliminating any risk of cross-contamination. The restaurant has an interesting history - it was built on the site of a former bakery that had operated here since the 1960s. The owners decided to preserve some of the original equipment, combining tradition with the modern requirements of gluten-free production.

The menu includes both on-site dishes and baked goods for take-out. Particularly appreciated are the gluten-free dumplings, made according to a traditional recipe from buckwheat and potato flour, and sourdough bread, which many customers find indistinguishable from traditional bread. Prices are at an average level, but given the specialized nature of the establishment and the quality of the products, they represent good value.

Gluten-Free Meal also organizes workshops on baking gluten-free bread and cakes, which are very popular among people just starting out on a gluten-free diet. The restaurant also collaborates with Krakow hospitals, providing gluten-free meals for patients with celiac disease.

At the other end of the gluten-free spectrum is Krowarzywa Vegan Burger at 8 Slawkowska Street, a place that proves that fast food can be both vegan and gluten-free without sacrificing taste. Krowarzywa is located in a historic building in the heart of the Old Town, which adds to the charm of this modern concept.

The history of Krowarzywa is fascinating - the chain started in Warsaw as a small food truck, and within a few years became a nationwide brand with locations in major cities. The Krakow branch, opened in 2016, quickly became a favorite of locals and tourists alike looking for plant-based alternatives.

The menu centers around vegan burgers, which can be served in a gluten-free bun. All sauces are labeled for allergens, and the staff is trained to serve customers with celiac disease. Particularly recommended is the 'Cieciorex' burger with a chickpea cutlet, which can be ordered gluten-free. Prices are affordable, which, combined with the central location, makes this place very attractive.

Krowarzywa also engages in educational activities about plant-based and gluten-free diets, holding meetings and lectures. The restaurant cooperates with the Viva! Foundation in promoting healthy lifestyles and animal rights.

Comparing the two places, Posiłek Bez Glutenu offers a more traditional, homemade approach to gluten-free cuisine, with an emphasis on Polish dishes and baked goods. Krowarzywa, on the other hand, represents the modern trend of combining a vegan and gluten-free diet, in the form of a popular fast food restaurant. Posiłek Bez Glutenu is ideal for those looking for safe, home-cooked meals and baked goods, while Krowarzywa will work better for younger customers and tourists looking for a quick meal in the city center.

The future of gluten-free dining in Krakow looks bright. Growing public awareness of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, combined with the city's rich culinary tradition, is creating fertile ground for the development of more specialized establishments. It is worth noting that Krakow's gluten-free restaurants not only provide a safe place for people with celiac disease to eat, but also actively contribute to educating the public and normalizing the gluten-free diet.