The best restaurants Carpathians

This karczma defies all competition and sets the expectations of the Polish people. Everything here is close to perfection. Folk art, colorful carpets, beautiful wooden peasant furniture and some of the most beautiful glass paintings you can find in Zakopane. The regional cuisine served here is exquisite and very original, all enjoyed to the accompaniment of live music played by folk bands. The terrace in summer is green and opens up to the beauty of the mountains. In these cases, it is absolutely necessary to go there.

Semi-gastronomic restaurant that never gets full and that you should call well in advance (when it takes reservations). The chef, Tomek Gut, relies on carefully selected products from local suppliers, and a unique selection of organic and biodynamic wines (the current rage) for his cuisine that mixes traditional recipes with gastronomy. The result is stunning and if you can (and want to) pay the price, it is a recommended stop on this journey. Take advantage of it, the notoriety of this restaurant is only increasing.

If you don't like Polish food, if you've had your fill of traditional dishes or mountain specialties, if it's the fifth time in a week that you don't know what to eat, or if you simply want to eat Italian, this is the place for you. The restaurant is always busy, simply because everyone loves a good fresh pasta dish and the locals love a little variety. A treat in a modern and pleasant setting.

Located on the top floor of a building overlooking the very touristy Krupówki street, this café takes in the lively crowds below. It stands out for its very contemporary decoration, where the tone is more like kitschy chalets; its brunch/pastry/bistronomy cuisine where a lot of "traditional" is done; and for its clientele, more like bobos, trendy couples and trendy tourists than the more popular crowds of this mountain resort. The place is worth it for its cakes and its terrace with a view, one of the most beautiful in downtown.

This friendly family restaurant is not to be missed under any circumstances! Located in the heart of the historical center, it is known as the white wolf, in town and elsewhere: it is agreed that you will taste some of the best pierogi in Poland (and, in our humble opinion, it is true). In fact, the cuisine is not limited to simple Polish ravioli, here everything is very good, prepared from fresh and selected local ingredients. Moreover, the service is fast and friendly. A very very good address.

Set in a forest not far from the city center, this restaurant overlooking Zakopane is a place with a beautiful atmosphere not to be missed. First and foremost, its small room with a wooden staircase leading to a mezzanine conveys a rustic, charming and convivial atmosphere, while its delicious regional cuisine comforts the body and heart after a long walk, and all this for a small price.

You'll find warm, friendly service (in English). The restaurant also has a children's area on the mezzanine floor, ideal for families.

A cuisine worthy of the framework, you can enjoy refined and inventive dishes in cosy space, large club chairs in which to relax, music, shows… A unique place in Szczawnica.

An excellent address just 10 minutes from the center of Zakopane, in a quiet area somewhat removed from the city crowds. The restaurant is housed in a beautiful mountain villa dating from the late ^19th century, surrounded by a magnificent garden. The decor isn't much different from most mountain restaurants in the area, but it's beautiful and the food is good. You'll find a few more locals and Poles than tourists, proof of the success of this establishment, which has made a name for itself in the eyes of the locals.

This small mountain house on the side of the road hides its secrets: it has long been a historic meeting place, where artists and thinkers on their way through the countryside used to come to meet and talk. Today, Villa Marta continues to serve traditional and regional cuisine in an artistic atmosphere, with frequent concerts on Fridays and Saturdays and a garden with a barbecue on sunny days. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the homemade ice cream, made 100% from fresh products.

THE most prominent café/restaurant in town, an institution! The interior is very comfortable, chic and modern, a perfect invitation to come and sip a cocktail, have lunch (a French inspired menu) or take a coffee break. Its decoration is airy and copies the luxurious French style of the turn of the century. Café Helenka is strategically located on Dietla Square, so you can stop in between visiting the Pieninskie and Uzdrowiska museums. A tip: go to the back room to see the mineral water gallery.

Old Polish cuisine restaurant in a traditional setting with large wooden benches, fireplace, antlers hanging on the walls, waiters in traditional costume. The chef in the kitchen offers his guests a wide range of dishes from the old Polish cuisine. The Krakowiak tavern is huge, with a capacity of about 300 people on its two floors, so don't be surprised by the crowds or by the events it hosts. The portions are hearty and the food is very good with regular folk music performances.

Practical and efficient. Simple and good. Pierogi as we like them, executed to perfection. A very good address.

Away from the city center and the many addresses on Krupówki Street, Marzanna is an original address with a family atmosphere that's well worth a visit. You'll enjoy local recipes and hearty dishes with a "grandma's cooking" feel. The soups are very good, and vegetarians will be delighted. The decor is highly original, with numerous objects on display throughout, giving the place a much-appreciated "brocante" style. Please note, however, that the house does not serve alcohol.

In the heart of Zakopane, here's a very friendly, family-run restaurant, all dressed in wood and decorated in a warm, traditional style. On a sunny terrace in summer or by the fire in winter, you can enjoy a rather classic, robust menu to recover from a day's hiking or skiing, and every evening at 6pm, live Polish folk music accompanies aperitifs and the start of meals. Meals will be made up of Polish specialties, which are quite well prepared. A good option.

A fine address for this renowned Zakopane establishment. Here, chef Darius Siciarz invites you to make some wonderful discoveries, using products (always fresh, of course) from the Tatra mountain range with a welcome gastronomic touch. The decor is equally pleasing, with beautiful works of art set off by traditional touches. To make matters worse, the wine list is also very attractive and the welcome rather warm. On the first floor, there's also a good tea room.

This "Cat's Castle" with its medieval, folkloric and...jungle decor is a pure delight! The legend of the brigand Pipikas is closely linked to the town of Szczawnica. He is said to have lived in the "Cat's Castle" where he hid his plundered treasures. Thanks to the dynamism of its current owner, who knew how to renovate it while preserving its quirky charm, the establishment is now back to its former splendor. In addition, one eats there very well a mixture of Slavic specialities, are in particular famous its tartar and its pierogis.