The most popular places are: ''U babci Maliny'' (transl.:"At Grandma Malina's House", at 17 Sławkowska and 38 Szpitalna Streets) and more rustic ''Chłopskie Jadło'' (''The Countryside Food", at 3 Św. Jana and 9 Grodzka Streets). Walls that are inlaid with wood, wonderfully embroidered tablecloths and fireplaces that keep you warm - everything makes a cosy atmosphere and emphasizes the famous Polish hospitality.

With what is the Polish cuisine associated? With pierogi, of course. The enthusiasts of this dish can find many bars and restaurants serving it in different ways. We strongly recommend ''Zapiecek'' (which means ''the prominent part of a stove where people used to sleep''; at 39 Sławkowska Street) and a small, cosy place ''Pierożki na Miodowej'' at 34 Miodowa Street in Kazimierz.

BARY MLECZNE (literally: "milk bars")

Bary mleczne are relics of the past, still alive and popular - most of them remember communism.

You can find tens of them in Cracow and there are very different people inside that have something in common, though: a passion for traditional and home-made food, just like at home. The dishes are served until they run out and sometimes if we don't get there on time, there will be no favourite pancackes left.

Frequent visitors have to get used to the typical interior of that places: oilclothes on the tables, artificial flowers as a decoration, caps and aprons of the women who work there. There are even bars, where the guests have to remember about... their own cutlery.

Some of these bars deserve the name of a bar of cult. One of them is situated in Grodzka Street, close to the Main Market Square. It's a perfect place for a meal during a break at the university or after work.

STAND-UP BARS

These places are ideal to start the weekend party or to have a break during a night tour from one club to another. It's worth going there with friends to have a quick snack, order something to drink and peacefully chat (preferably in Polish :) ). The main drink (apart from tea and coffee) is often vodka and some typical Polish appetizers like gherkins, pickled herrings or bread with lard go with it.

''Ambasada Śledzia'' ("The Herring Embassy", 8/10 Stolarska Street) is a recent, but already cult place. Once inside, it's a stand-up bar, and outside you can sit in a cosy garden. We recommend especially kwaśnica, a soup made of sauerkraut and meat. Also, there is a bar that looks like one from the twenties - it's called ''Banialuka'' ("A Silly Thing", at 6 Szczepańska Street). You can try there some typical Polish snacks and drinks. Recently, at 3 Warszauera Street in Kazimierz, a new bar has been opened: "Zlew'' ("The Sink"). It's a very small place, but it also has a great atmosphere. You can try some bigos there (sauerkraut and meat stew), it's very good.

The golden rule of all of the stand-up bars are flat prices: 4zł for the alcohol and 8zł for the snacks. In addition, all of them are open 24h/day.