Step back in time to the Kazimierz of yesteryear with a visit to Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz. From its ancient floorboards to the authentic wood furniture and adorned with artefacts of Kraków’s past, this restaurant is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your stomach. Merging the histories of Polish and Jewish culture, Once Upon a Time pays a real tribute to the culture-rich past of Kraków. From the outside, the restaurant is decorated like the shopfronts of the past with weathered window shutters, shabby window displays and peeling shop signs that proudly display their names.
The interiors of each shop front is preserved to look as it would’ve in the past, a glimpse at the grocers of the early 20th century but the cultural tributes go beyond that. The Once Upon a Time menu is decorated to look like an antique newspaper, and is stocked with traditional fare like pierogis (Polish ravioli), cholent (a thick meat stew) and borsch (a beetroot soup). They offer a wide selection of beers, liquors, traditional meads and ciders, as well as soft drinks for everyone’s liking. On top of the traditional lunch and dinner menu, Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz offers a special breakfast menu with a mixture of typical Polish and Jewish breakfast feasts, such as shakshuka, ‘omlet’ and grilled lamb. It’s a great place to fill up on a hearty breakfast before starting a day of touring and exploring.
In the evening, the restaurant hosts live music concerts paying tribute to the klezmer and traditional sounds of the region. Whether you make it a pitstop or a focal point of your evening, Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz is a one-of-a-kind restaurant that truly speaks to the souls of its guests, whether local or international. Visit Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz for every day from 10am until midnight for an unforgettable Jewish-Polish cultural experience.
