There are two gems of Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Krakow that deserve special attention: Wiệt Nam and Bonjour Pho.

Wiệtnam, located at 2 Kazimierza Brodzińskiego Street, is a place that has won praise from Cracovians and tourists alike. The restaurant boasts an impressive 4.6/5 rating based on more than 100 reviews, making it a leader in our ranking. The restaurant stands out above all for its excellent pho bo - a soup with beef that, according to customers, contains 'amazingly tender meat.' The secret lies in the broth's long cooking process, which takes up to 12 hours, giving it a deep, multidimensional flavor. Wiệt Nam is a place where tradition meets modernity - the interior is decorated in a minimalist style with subtle Vietnamese touches, such as traditional lanterns and paintings depicting scenes of life in Vietnam.

A historical curiosity: the restaurant's owners are from northern Vietnam and have brought with them recipes that have been passed down in their family for generations. Particularly noteworthy is the bun cha - grilled pork with rice noodles and herbs, a dish that became world-famous after it was consumed in Hanoi in 2016 by then US President Barack Obama with Anthony Bourdain.

Bonjour Pho at 12 Krupnicza Street, on the other hand, is a place that takes guests back to the days of French colonial influence in Vietnam. Rated 4.5/5, the restaurant serves Vietnamese cuisine with a subtle French twist. The restaurant's specialty is trout with herbs, prepared according to a traditional recipe from the Dalat region of central Vietnam. The interior of Bonjour Pho was designed to reflect the atmosphere of Vietnamese-French cultural fusion - old maps of Indochina hang on the walls, and the furniture is reminiscent of colonial style.

Interestingly, Bonjour Pho offers Vietnamese-style coffee (ca phe sua da) - a strong, sweet coffee served with condensed milk and ice, which is a legacy of French influence in Vietnam. The restaurant's owners also hold periodic cooking workshops where you can learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Both restaurants offer reasonably priced dishes, although Bonjour Pho is slightly more expensive due to its more elaborate ingredients. In Wiệt Nam, you'll pay around 30-40 zlotys for a full meal, while at Bonjour Pho you should expect to spend around 40-50 zlotys. Both restaurants are very popular, especially at lunchtime, so it's worth considering booking in advance, especially if you plan to visit on the weekend.

The Kazimierz district, known for its rich Jewish history and unique atmosphere, has also become home to two excellent Vietnamese restaurants: Yum Yum Viet Nam and PHO EVER.

Yum Yum Viet Nam, located at 20 Józefa Street, is a true gem among Vietnamese restaurants in Krakow. With an impressive rating of 4.7/5 based on 35 reviews, the restaurant has earned the second place in our ranking. The restaurant is famous for its huge portions, which satisfy even the most demanding gourmets. The owners are from central Vietnam, in the Hue region, which is famous for its spicy dishes and distinctive flavors. That's where they brought the recipe for bun bo hue, a spicy soup with rice noodles and beef, which is one of the restaurant's flagship dishes.

A unique aspect of Yum Yum Viet Nam is the authenticity of the dishes served. The chef regularly imports hard-to-find ingredients directly from Vietnam, such as the banana leaves in which some dishes are wrapped, or the special herbs used to prepare traditional dishes. The restaurant's interior is modest but cozy, with decorative elements reminiscent of Vietnamese culture, such as traditional non la hats and paintings depicting rice fields.

Interestingly, at Yum Yum Viet Nam you can try the cha ca dish - grilled fish with dill and peanuts, which according to legend was created by the Doan family in Hanoi as a dish for Vietnam's independence fighters during the French occupation. Today, it is one of the most recognizable dishes of Vietnamese cuisine.

On the other hand, PHO EVER, located at 25c Dajwór Street, is a relatively new player on the Vietnamese scene in Krakow, which has quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach to traditional cuisine. In addition to classic Vietnamese dishes, the restaurant also offers bubble tea and poke bowls, which attracts younger customers. The restaurant's specialty is pho ga, a chicken soup prepared according to a recipe from southern Vietnam, where the broth is slightly sweeter and more flavorful than the northern version.

PHO EVER's interior is modern and minimalist, with bright colors and plenty of natural light. The restaurant also stands out for its eco-friendly approach - it uses biodegradable take-out packaging and tries to minimize food waste.

As for prices, Yum Yum Viet Nam offers dishes in the 25-45 zloty price range, which, combined with large portions, makes this place very attractive in terms of value for money. PHO EVER is slightly more expensive, with prices in the range of 30-50 zloty, but also offers a wider selection of fusion dishes and drinks.

Both restaurants have their own unique advantages - Yum Yum Viet Nam attracts with its authenticity and generous portions, while PHO EVER offers a modern approach and more variety. The choice between the two depends mainly on individual preferences - traditionalists will be delighted with Yum Yum Viet Nam, while those looking for a new culinary experience should head to PHO EVER.

Leaving the tourist center of Krakow and heading west, it's worth stopping by 20B Juliusz Lea Street, where you'll find Sao Viet Restaurant - fifth in our ranking, but definitely worth a look for true lovers of Vietnamese cuisine.

Sao Viet, which translated means 'Vietnamese Star,' is a place run by a Vietnamese family that settled in Krakow more than a decade ago. The restaurant is distinguished by the authenticity of the dishes served, which are prepared according to traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation. The restaurant specializes in dishes from the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam, where the cuisine is characterized by sweeter flavors and abundant use of fresh herbs and fruits.

One of the most unique dishes on the Sao Viet menu is canh chua - a sour soup with pineapple, tomatoes and fish that perfectly captures the character of South Vietnamese cuisine. Also worth trying is banh xeo - a crispy pancake filled with shrimp, mung bean sprouts and herbs, which is eaten wrapped in lettuce leaves with a side of fish sauce.

Sao Viet's interior is modest but cozy, with decorative elements evocative of Vietnamese culture. Traditional Vietnamese musical instruments and photographs depicting daily life in Vietnam hang on the walls. The restaurant has a more family-oriented feel than the other establishments in our ranking, which creates a unique, intimate atmosphere.

An interesting fact about Sao Viet is that the owners regularly organize small cultural events, where you can not only taste Vietnamese specialties, but also learn about the traditions and customs of this fascinating country. Particularly popular are the Vietnamese New Year (Tet) celebrations, when the restaurant serves a special festive menu and guests can take part in traditional games and rituals.

In terms of pricing, Sao Viet ranks in the middle range - you'll pay around 35-45 zloty for a full meal. The restaurant also offers a take-out option, which is a good option for those living in the area.

To sum up our ranking of the five best Vietnamese restaurants in Krakow, it's worth noting the variety these places offer. From the elegant Wiệtnam in the city center, to the colonial atmosphere of Bonjour Pho, the authentic flavors of Yum Yum Viet Nam, the modern approach of PHO EVER, and the family atmosphere of Sao Viet, each of these restaurants has its own unique character and specialty.

In terms of value for money, Yum Yum Viet Nam is the best, with its huge portions at affordable prices. For those looking for the most authentic flavors, we recommend Wiệt Nam or Sao Viet. Lovers of fusion and modern interpretations of traditional dishes should head to PHO EVER, while those who appreciate elegance and historical references will find that at Bonjour Pho.

Regardless of your choice, each of these restaurants offers a fascinating culinary journey to Vietnam - a country with a rich history and an even richer culinary tradition, which, thanks to these venues, is becoming increasingly accessible to residents and visitors to Krakow.