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Destinations › Poland › Krakow

From City of Vodka to City of Beers? What do you drink in Krakow?

Talking to locals one is under the impression that Krakow is indeed a vodka city. But over time, Krakow developed a vibrant beer culture that cannot be ignored. So, is Krakow now a City of Beers? 

The vodka scene in Krakow is diverse and varied. Many varieties, from Wyborowa, Chopin and Sobieski to Soplica or wisent vodka. The wisent vodka, 40% alcohol, is consumed through a grass straw to give it a very distinct taste. The steppe grass that grows in Poland turns this vodka into something truly special. On our food tour through Krakow, we tasted some exquisite vodkas. Between the pure taste and the flavoured varieties in the Bistro Café Bar Trójkat, I found quite a few flavours that I liked.

Four bottles of flavored Polish vodka from Racibórz are lined up on a wooden table, featuring flavors like lemon with honey, quince, burnt sugar, and elderflower, captured during a food tour in Krakow.
Rows of small glasses filled with various types of vodka are lined up on a wooden table during a food tour in Krakow.

Tasting prepared We found ourselves in bars quite a few times after dinner, where we had pure vodka or vodka shots for 1€ each.

Four shot glasses containing colorful alcoholic drinks are lined up on a dark wooden bar in Krakow, featuring two layered green and dark red shots alongside two creamy, pale yellow shots.

Just right for the stomach after the good food we had in Krakow.

Krakow, City of Beers

We noticed a constant change in Krakow that transformed it from a City of Vodka to a City of Beers. A vibrant craft-beer scene is on the rise in the city. Little pubs that serve a multitude of interesting beers can be found all over the city.

An outdoor patio of a Krakow beer garden features vibrant, spool-shaped tables in red, yellow, and blue, surrounded by eclectic metal chairs under large black "John Lemon" umbrellas. The seating area is nestled between historic, weathered buildings, creating a relaxed urban atmosphere for patrons to enjoy a drink.

By accident, we stumbled upon a hip scene on a seemingly pretty shabby property. But it is here, where an array of taverns, restaurants and pubs found a home. Deckchairs and benches cover the area and sometimes it is impossible to know which chairs belong to which establishment. But in fact that doesn’t even matter. You’d like something that A doesn’t serve, go get it at B and sit down at C. No one cares if “their” chairs are only used by “their” customers.

A wide shot of a beer bar in Krakow shows a large chalkboard menu listing 25 different craft beers above a long row of silver taps. A neon sign reading "pijże" glows above the bar, where a bartender stands ready to serve patrons.

We faced a tough decision at the bar. 25 different craft beers at reasonable prices. All you can do is give some of them a try. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes not so much. I went for a cherry beer. Tangy, bitter, red.

Two glasses of beer, one a smaller reddish ale and the other a larger golden lager from a Kraft brewery, sit on a yellow wooden table in Krakow.

Near the Vistula, we found our favourite pub. We still don’t know if “pub” is the best word to describe it. It offers 12 different craft beers, slow food and skateboards. We enjoyed all of their flavours except for two. We thoroughly enjoyed their 5er tray. A tray with 5 different beers in 0.25 l glasses served on a skateboard.

A flight of five beers in various shades from dark stout to pale ale sits on a rustic wooden board, capturing the craft beer culture in Krakow.
A beer flight featuring five glasses of varying golden and amber brews is presented on a dark wooden paddle in Krakow.

Craft Beer – selection The different colours of the beers were spectacular, and the different flavours catered to all tastes. From dark and bitter beers to soft, almost fruity tastes. Really tasty. Prices for beers in Krakow, even after all our trips to different countries, remain unbeaten at 1 – 1.50€ per glass.

Address:

Miejscówka Józefińska 4
30-529 Krakau

A vertical banner for Miejscówka, a craft beer pub and boardshop in Krakow, hangs on a light-colored building next to an open doorway.
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About Susanne Jungbluth

Ich bin Susanne, die Verfasserin dieses Magazins. Als Berlinerin mit chronischem Fernweh schreibe ich von faszinierenden Städtetrips bis hin zu entspannten Genusswanderungen in der Natur. Meine Reisetipps richten sich an unternehmungslustige Genießer, die das echte Leben, fremde Kulturen und gutes Essen schätzen. Begleite mich auf der Suche nach der nächsten Reiseinspiration! www.susanne-jungbluth.de

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Krakow
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