Crakow's Main Square, the largest medieval town square in Europe, is not only the tourist center of the city, but also a cluster of exceptional restaurants that pay homage to the slow food philosophy. One of them is Dobra Kasha Nasza, a place that, as the name suggests, has made traditional groats the real star of the menu. This inconspicuous restaurant, tucked away in a tenement at 28 Market Square, brings back to life the forgotten flavors of Polish cuisine. The history of groats in Polish gastronomy dates back to Slavic times, when they were a staple of sustenance. Today, in a modern interpretation, millet, buckwheat or pearl groats become the base for exquisite dishes, combining tradition with modernity.

Good Our Groats is famous for its seasonal menu, which changes according to the availability of local products. In summer it serves light salads with groats and fresh vegetables from farmers in Malopolska, and in winter it warms up with stews and casseroles. Prices here are moderate, which, combined with its location in the heart of the city, makes this place attractive to tourists and locals alike.

Just a few steps away, at 17 Market Square, is Szara Gęś w Kuchni - a restaurant that owes its name to the legend of the gray geese once bred by Krakow's townsfolk. The restaurant is located in a historic building, where, according to accounts, one of the first taverns in Cracow functioned in the 15th century. The interior combines historical elements with modern touches, creating a cozy atmosphere conducive to long, leisurely meals.

Grey Goose's specialty is, of course, goose meat - a meat that holds a special place in Polish culinary tradition, especially around St. Martin's Day. The restaurant serves it year-round in various renditions - from the classic confit leg to modern interpretations with the addition of seasonal fruits. Prices here are higher than at Good Nashua, but the quality of the products and the craftsmanship of the preparation fully justify it.

The third spot on the slow food map at Market Square is Sukiennice Restaurant, located in the iconic Cloth Hall building, which has served as the city's commercial center since the 14th century. The historic interiors, overlooking the bustling square, create a unique setting for a culinary experience. The menu is based on traditional Polish recipes, often forgotten or known only in specific regions of the country.

The Sukiennice Restaurant is distinguished by its approach to meat - it uses only local farms, where animals are treated humanely and fed with natural feed. Particularly recommendable is their sour soup on homemade sourdough, served in bread baked on site according to a pre-war recipe. Prices here are high, reflecting the prestigious location and the quality of the ingredients, but the unique culinary experience in the heart of medieval Krakow is well worth it.

Leaving the main square and delving into the picturesque streets of old Krakow, we come across another slow food gem. At 47 Floriańska Street you will find Stodoła - a restaurant whose design is reminiscent of the country cottages and barns of Malopolska. The history of the place is fascinating - the building that houses the restaurant remembers the times when Krakow was surrounded by walls, and Florianska Street was the main artery leading to Floriańska Gate. According to urban legends, dishes and cutlery from the 17th century were found in the basement of the tenement, which inspired the current decor.

The Barn specializes in game dishes, sourced from local hunters in the Niepołomice Forest. The menu changes not only seasonally, but also depending on successful hunts. Boar with boletus, deer in juniper sauce or hare pate are just some of the specialties offered. Prices here are average, and portions are generous, which attracts both tourists and Cracovians who appreciate solid, traditional cuisine.

Moving on to Szpitalna Street, there are two special places worth stopping at. The first is Szalone Widelce at 40 Szpitalna Street - a restaurant that, despite its name suggesting madness, pays tribute to slow, careful cooking. The restaurant is housed in a tenement that before the war belonged to a well-known Cracow family of confectioners. Today, the chef draws inspiration from pre-war cookbooks found during the renovation of the building.

Mad Forks is famous for its one-pot dishes, prepared over an open fire for hours. Their beef stew with buckwheat groats or bigos aged for seven days are true culinary revelations. Prices here are affordable, and the atmosphere is conducive to long conversations at the table - in keeping with the slow food philosophy. The restaurant also organizes cooking workshops where you can learn traditional food preservation techniques, such as pickling and smoking.

The second place on Szpitalna Street is Tawerna Wilczy Dół (Szpitalna 22) - a place inspired by hunting and mountain cuisine. The name refers to the legend of wolves, which in the Middle Ages were said to inhabit the surrounding forests and sometimes venture into the city during harsh winters. The interior is decorated in the style of a mountain lodge, with wooden tables and hunting trophies on the walls.

The Tavern's specialty is food prepared over a fire - whether grilled, smoked or roasted in embers. Particularly recommendable are trout from local farms, marinated in herbs and roasted whole. The menu is complemented by homemade liquors, prepared according to recipes handed down from generation to generation. Prices here are average, but the quality and authenticity of the experience fully compensate for this.

A little farther from the center, at 28 Floriana Straszewskiego Street, is Smakołyki Restaurant - a place that could pass for the definition of slow food. The restaurant is housed in a restored building from the early 20th century, and its interior has retained original architectural elements, such as stucco and wooden floors. The chef personally visits local farms, selecting the best products for his menu.

Smakołyki is famous for dishes inspired by Galician cuisine - a mix of Polish, Austrian, Jewish and Ukrainian influences. Their potato pancakes with goulash, prepared according to a recipe from the time of the c.k. monarchy, or dumplings with buckwheat groats and cottage cheese are true culinary time travel. Prices here are average to high, but portions are generous and can satisfy even the largest appetites.

Cracow, as a city with rich history and multicultural traditions, also offers slow food restaurants inspired by cuisines from different corners of the world. One such place is the Restaurant - Taste of Ukraine at 21 Grodzka St. The restaurant, which opened in 2015, quickly gained recognition among both Cracovians and tourists seeking authentic flavors from across the eastern border. The building that houses the restaurant has a fascinating history - according to city chronicles, one of the first printing houses in Krakow, publishing cookbooks among other things, operated here in the 16th century.

Ukrainian Taste is distinguished by its approach to traditional Ukrainian dishes, which are prepared according to original recipes, but using local, Małopolska products. Ukrainian borscht with beans and cabbage, vareniki (Ukrainian dumplings) with various fillings or grape leaf stuffed cabbage rolls - all prepared slowly, with respect for tradition and product. Prices here are affordable, and the atmosphere is conducive to long, family meals, in keeping with Ukrainian feasting traditions.

Another place that combines the slow food philosophy with international inspirations is Pierwszy Degree at 17 Krakowska St. This small restaurant, located in the Kazimierz district, is housed in a building that belonged to a Jewish merchant family before the war. Today's décor draws on that history, combining Jewish elements with modern touches.

First Degree specializes in fusion cuisine, combining the traditions of Jewish, Polish and Mediterranean cuisine. The menu changes weekly, depending on the availability of seasonal produce. The chef personally visits the Stary Kleparz market, selecting the freshest ingredients for his dishes. Particularly recommended are their interpretations of chulent, a traditional Jewish Shabbat dish, or hummus with Polish root vegetables. Prices here are average, and the intimate atmosphere is conducive to intimate gatherings over good food.

At the end of our culinary journey, it is worth visiting two restaurants that, although they differ in profile, share a deep commitment to slow food principles. The first is Pod Baranem at 21 Swietej Gertrudy St. This elegant restaurant is located in a historic tenement house that, according to urban legends, was once a meeting place for Krakow's artistic bohemians. Today, Pod Baranem continues this tradition, attracting lovers of good food and art.

The restaurant is famous for dishes inspired by Old Polish cuisine, but prepared with a modern twist. Their specialty is venison - venison in juniper sauce or deer haunch with forest mushroom sauce. All meats come from reliable suppliers, and vegetables and herbs often come from the restaurant's own garden. Prices here are high, but the quality and craftsmanship of the preparation fully justify it.

The last item on our map is Mad Forks on Szpitalna Street - a place that, despite its name, approaches cooking with unusual seriousness and respect. The restaurant is housed in a restored building from the early 20th century, and its interior combines retro elements with modern touches. The chef regularly organizes 'mushroom' expeditions to the Niepołomice Forest, and the collected treasures of the forest go straight to guests' plates.

Crazy Forks specializes in dishes inspired by the cuisine of various regions of Poland, with a particular focus on Malopolska and Podkarpacie. Their sour soup on homemade sourdough, prepared over three days, or pierogi with buckwheat groats and cottage cheese are true culinary revelations. Prices here are average, and the atmosphere is conducive to long conversations at the table - in keeping with the slow food philosophy.

Krakow, as the European Capital of Gastronomic Culture 2019, is constantly developing its culinary scene, and slow food restaurants are an important part of it. Combining respect for tradition with openness to new trends, Krakow's chefs create places that not only feed, but also educate and inspire. Whether you prefer traditional Polish cuisine or international fusion, there is a slow food restaurant in Krakow that will satisfy your culinary desires.