The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is more than a historic building and a souvenir market — it’s also a place that opens onto one of the most recognizable panoramas in Poland. Sitting at a table in a café or restaurant located in or next to the Cloth Hall gives you a view of St. Mary’s Basilica, the Town Hall Tower, the stream of passersby and the city’s everyday rituals. In this article I’ve gathered the best spots and practical tips so your visit is pleasant, tasty and stress-free.
Fancy morning coffee, a light midday dessert or an elegant dinner after sightseeing? Below you’ll find places worth considering and advice on how to reserve a table, what dishes to order and what to expect in terms of prices and logistics. If you want to jump straight to recommendations — skip to the section “Where to sit with a view of the Square.”
If you’re looking for specific addresses and opening hours I also mention those details and the character of each venue — based on information provided by the restaurants, local guides and current notes about seasonal terraces.
The Cloth Hall is a Renaissance building standing in the middle of the Main Market Square, the central point of Kraków’s historic centre and part of the UNESCO-listed Old Town. The building houses trade stalls, galleries and — on the upper floor or in adjacent buildings — dining venues that offer views over the lively Square.
In practice, not all venues around the Square have the same quality of view — there are large restaurants with windows facing the townhouses, small cafés on terraces and elegant dining rooms in historic venues that overlook parts of the Square. It’s worth checking whether the table you reserve is actually on the view-facing side.
Additionally, the Cloth Hall houses a museum section (the 19th-century Gallery in the Cloth Hall), and there are official museum and city guides working nearby — if you want to combine a meal with a tour, you can arrange a guided visit through the museum or institution first.
Restauracja Sukiennice (Rynek Główny 3) - located in the Cloth Hall building itself; windows and bar seats offer views of the Town Hall and part of the Square. The menu focuses on Polish and Galician cuisine — try homemade pierogi, sour rye soup (żurek) or trout dishes. The place is popular with visitors, so booking during the season is recommended.
Café Szał / terrace by the Cloth Hall - a spot often mentioned for its terrace that lets you admire the Main Market Square “from above.” Ideal for coffee, cake and light snacks. The terrace is most pleasant on warm days, but can be crowded in the evening during high season.
Wierzynek (Rynek Główny 16) - a legendary venue with a long history, offering representative dining rooms and a chance to feel Kraków’s historic atmosphere. Not every hall has a direct view of the Square, but some rooms and windows allow you to observe the market. This is a place for those who want a refined meal combined with a historical experience.
Szara / Szara Gęś (Rynek Główny 6 and 17) - both venues are praised for the quality of their cuisine; Szara has earned culinary distinctions and its interiors and windows look out onto the Square. A good choice for a more sophisticated lunch or dinner.
Le Prive and other restaurants in the townhouses by the Square - several well-reviewed, elegant places in neighbouring buildings offer views of the Square. Expect higher prices but carefully prepared menus and attentive service.
Note: many places by the Square also offer street-level seating and tables along the pedestrian area — a good alternative to upstairs terraces, especially on long sunny days.
If you want a local taste while enjoying the view, choose venues that specialise in Polish or Lesser Poland (Małopolska) cuisine presented in a modern way. Worth ordering: homemade pierogi (various fillings), żurek served in a bread bowl, locally farmed fish such as trout, Wiener schnitzel, or seasonal dishes based on regional produce.
For dessert: Kraków-style cheesecake or kremówka (the papal cream cake is more of a bakery treat than a restaurant dessert). In cafés pick freshly brewed coffee, local cakes and lighter desserts that are easier to enjoy while watching the scene on the Square.
For dinner: if you want a complete elegant meal, check the wine list — good restaurants by the Square usually have a wine selection that pairs well with Polish and European dishes.
Prices around the Square are generally higher than in side streets. Expect that coffee in a view café will cost more than in a café on Kazimierz, and a meal at a Square restaurant will be pricier than in less central spots.
Reservations: during the tourist season (spring–summer and long holiday weekends) book ahead if you want a table with a view. Many restaurants accept online or phone bookings — when you reserve, specify that you want a window table or a terrace spot.
Best times: morning coffee (about 9:00–11:00) and late afternoon (about 16:00–18:00) are moments when the Square is attractive but not yet crowded. Evenings (20:00+) have a special atmosphere, but venues are often full and louder. If you want photos without crowds, come very early in the morning.
Terraces and outdoor tables are fantastic in spring, summer and early autumn, but in winter many of these places reduce seating or install heaters — which affects comfort and price. Not all venues around the Cloth Hall keep terraces year-round.
Accessibility: if you’re using a stroller or have limited mobility, check in advance whether the venue has an elevator or ground-level access — historic townhouses often have steps. Call ahead to confirm.
Noise and crowds: remember the Square is the city’s social centre — music, street performers and tourists are normal. If you want a quiet meal, choose earlier hours or a dining room on a side façade.
Assuming every window table has the same view — before booking, ask whether it’s a front-facing table and what the view options are.
Not booking in season — window tables are limited; reserve early, especially for dinner.
Underestimating price — expect higher bills in central view spots; check the menu before entering.
Expecting silence and intimacy in the main square — the Market is lively and noisy; if you prefer a calm atmosphere, choose a venue on a side street that still offers a view of part of the Square rather than the busiest central area.
Next to the market stalls in the Cloth Hall there is the 19th-century art gallery (part of the National Museum) — you can combine coffee with a short museum visit.
Some places have terraces that give a ‘bird’s-eye’ perspective of the Square, but not all terraces are visible from the street — ask about a terrace when you make a reservation.
Some restaurants serve dishes made from local Małopolska products (for example fish from nearby farms or produce from the Sądecczyzna region) — a nice way to taste regional flavors in the city centre.
Do I have to book? - In season, definitely yes, especially for evening dinner and if you want a table with a view.
Are children welcome? - Yes, many places by the Square have children’s menus or family options, but check stairs and stroller access before arrival.
What are the prices? - From moderate to high; coffee and dessert in a view café usually cost more than outside the centre; a full dinner will be pricier in well-known or centrally located restaurants.
Do I need to dress up? - Most places accept smart casual. In more upscale restaurants (Wierzynek, some halls of Szara) avoid very sporty attire.
Do venues accept card payment? - Yes, most places by the Square accept cards and contactless payments, but it’s useful to have small change for minor purchases and tips.
When booking, clearly specify that you want a “table with a view of the Square” or a “window table.” Reservation systems sometimes don’t distinguish table positions, so it’s better to confirm by phone or email.
If you want photos without crowds, come for very early morning coffee — the Square wakes up earlier than most tourists.
On payment: tipping is customary; if service was exceptional, leave a few extra percent.
Restauracja Sukiennice - directly in the Cloth Hall building, classic Polish cuisine.
Café Szał - terrace with a view of the Square, a good option for coffee and dessert.
Wierzynek - historic, representative restaurant with atmosphere and elegant halls.
Szara / Szara Gęś - venues with high culinary standards and windows facing the Square.
Le Prive and other elegant restaurants in the townhouses by the Square - good for special occasions.
Kraków is best discovered slowly — sit at a table, order something local and give yourself time to watch the city. A visit by the Cloth Hall is one of those moments when history, architecture and everyday life blend in a single view.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it helps others plan a great visit.
If you’d like more personalised help while exploring Kraków, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Details and contact information are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website — consider booking a combined sightseeing and culinary route to discover the best views and tastes of the city.
