The Cloth Hall is not only historic stalls and exhibitions — it’s also a place where history meets the everyday rhythm of Kraków. After an intense visit to the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art or a wander through the market stalls, many people dream of a moment of rest with a good coffee and a dessert. Around the Cloth Hall the choice is wide: from elegant historic cafés and terraces with views over the Square to small specialty cafés in side streets. It’s useful to know which places offer not only decent coffee but also an atmosphere worth lingering in.
If a view and postcard-perfect photos matter to you — expect higher prices and more crowds. If quality coffee or a calm atmosphere is more important, a few steps away from the Cloth Hall you’ll find places serving specialty coffee, often with a better quality‑to‑price ratio. In this article I’ll suggest where to sit depending on your mood, which places have the best terraces, and how to avoid common tourist traps.
The Cloth Hall has its own café traditions going back to the 19th century; in this part of the Square venues inspired by Viennese salons appeared, and some have survived in altered forms to this day. Cafés like Noworolski have a long history of being frequented by the city’s artistic and intellectual elite. That’s an important context — when you sit in such a place, you drink coffee where many cultural meetings in Kraków once took place.
Remember that the interiors of historic cafés are often historic objects themselves — with mirrors, wood paneling and Art Nouveau details — so some of them attract visitors not only for the menu but also for the atmosphere of a historic salon.
If you want to feel the “salon” atmosphere, Noworolski Café, located on the east side of the Cloth Hall, is a natural choice. The interiors are kept in the style of old Viennese cafés; it’s a place for those who appreciate elegant surroundings, classic desserts and a quiet moment with history in the background.
It’s a good spot for a dessert after the gallery and for a restful moment inside — typically drier and often calmer than the popular outdoor terraces. Keep in mind the place can be busy and prices reflect the tourist location and the restoration of historic interiors.
If you dream of coffee with a view of the Market Square and St. Mary’s Basilica, one of the most spectacular options is the café located on the Cloth Hall’s roof level. The terrace offers a view many consider unique: the scene of market life unfolding below, flower sellers, street musicians and the panorama of landmarks.
The entrance can be not immediately obvious — doors aren’t always easy to spot and tourist traffic can be intense. Consider coming in the morning or late afternoon outside peak hours if you want a table with the best view. Prices on terraces with a view are usually higher, but for many guests the perspective and the photos make the extra cost worthwhile.
Inside the Cloth Hall there are also venues offering fuller menus — restaurants and patisseries where you can have lunch, cake or coffee without needing to stay out on the Square. This is a practical option when you want to escape the noise on the Market Square and prefer indoor service.
Venues inside often have a tourist profile, but many also take care over the quality of desserts and coffee. If you value convenience (toilets, shade, soft chairs), the Cloth Hall interior will be a good choice.
If your priority is specialty coffee, brewing methods or a smaller, more intimate interior, it’s worth stepping off the main Square a few steps. Świętego Tomasza Street and the area around Plac Szczepański are home to several great roasteries and cafés serving alternative brew methods.
These places often offer freshly roasted beans, knowledgeable baristas and a calmer atmosphere for conversation. For families and people with dogs, small garden terraces in side streets are usually a better choice than crowded tables right by the Cloth Hall.
Consider the time of day: the best views have a price and are busiest between 11:00 and 15:00. If you want to work quietly or read, choose morning or late afternoon.
Check payment options before ordering — not all traditional places accept cards, and some accept cash only.
If you travel with children or a dog, pick small terraces in side streets — they’re usually more family‑ and pet‑friendly than central terraces.
Remember prices: cafés with a view of the Square usually charge more than cafés in side streets. If you want to save, order coffee and sit in a nearby café rather than at a prime terrace table.
On hot days look for shaded terraces or air‑conditioned interiors. On rainy days a cup of coffee inside the elegant Cloth Hall tastes especially good.
Assuming all cafés around the Square are the same — that’s a mistake. Coffee quality and service can vary significantly within a few meters.
Sitting immediately at the first table with a view — it’s better to check the menu and prices before taking a seat, especially on terraces.
Not planning for a restroom or a break after sightseeing — not all stalls and stands have seating, so plan your coffee break in advance.
Expecting silence at the most touristy tables — the Market Square is a stage of urban life; street music and bustle go hand in hand with the views. If you want quiet, choose the side streets.
Can you find cheap coffee near the Cloth Hall? Yes, although “cheap” is relative in the Main Market Square. For lower prices, choose small cafés in side streets instead of a table with the best view.
Can you get traditional sweets in cafés on the Square? Yes — many venues serve classic Kraków desserts and cakes, often tied to the city’s confectionery traditions.
Do terraces accept reservations? Not all cafés allow reservations for outdoor terraces; if you have a group or want a specific table, call ahead or come outside peak hours.
Are cafés open late after visiting in the evening? Most cafés and restaurants around the Square stay open late during the tourist season, but hours vary off season. Check opening hours for the day.
For a postcard view and dramatic photos: the Cloth Hall roof terrace. A once‑in‑a‑lifetime option for people who want to see the Market Square from above.
For historic atmosphere and an elegant dessert: a café inside the Cloth Hall that preserves the tradition of old salons — ideal for lovers of atmosphere and décor.
For the best specialty coffee and a calm conversation: cafés a few steps from the Square, for example along Świętego Tomasza Street and around Plac Szczepański, where barista skill and fresh roasting are valued.
For families and people with dogs: small terraces in side streets offer comfort, quiet and often faster service.
Not all the most famous coffee addresses by the Square have been in the exact same spot forever — some venues changed names, owners or decor while retaining their role as meeting places with a dessert tradition.
Interiors of some cafés are historic and protected, so you taste not only the coffee but a piece of Kraków’s history.
Not every terrace with a view is easy to find — sometimes the entrance leads through inner corridors, steps or hidden doors, so look carefully when searching for access.
Do you have a card or cash? Many places accept cards, but it’s useful to have small change just in case.
Do you want a view or great coffee? Set your priority and it will be easier to choose a place.
If you travel with a group, consider reserving for evenings or weekend lunches.
Wear comfortable shoes — walking the Square and cobbled streets can make themselves felt before you reach your desired café.
If this post was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — recommendations of tried places are always useful to other visitors.
If you’d like a tour of the Market Square, the Cloth Hall or the whole Old Town led by an experienced guide, consider booking a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details and offer information are available on the guide’s website. Enjoy your coffee in Kraków and have great walks!
