Pod Baranem

Pod Baranem, or 'under the ram', open since 1997 and situated just a couple of hundred metres from Wawel Castle opposite the Planty gardens is fine example of proper Polish cuisine.

Inside, Pod Baranem has five air-conditioned rooms that can seat up to around 100 people. Antique furniture and linen tablecloths give a late 19th century bourgeois feel offset by plenty of natural light and touches of exposed varnished brickwork. A large painted mural of Krakow adorns one room, and two open wood fires add to the overall feeling of cosiness.

Moving on to the menu - Pod Baranem sets out to provide the classic Polish dining experience that was for too long hostage to the communist times. Complimentary bread and 'Smalec' (Polish pork dripping, and far tastier than it may sound to novices) starts things off, and after choosing typical hot or cold starters you can pick from a mouth-watering selection of meat dishes that includes pork, beef, veal, lamb, venison and wild boar. Fish dishes include freshwater perch with leeks and wild mushrooms, and, perhaps surprisingly, vegetarians are also well catered for. They also have a goodly number of gluten-free dishes listed - very handy for those with specific allergies.

Dishes are cooked fresh to order and the uniformed service is friendly and to a high standard. The bill will come as a revelation to anyone used to western European prices, but perhaps most telling is Pod Baranem's popularity with Krakow natives - a sure sign of quality and value.