The May holiday (majówka) in Kraków brings lively streets, long queues and a great outdoor atmosphere — so planning for 30–60 people is best done well in advance. A culinary route doesn’t have to be only about food: combine food stops with short viewpoint or historical stops so participants can move, stretch their legs and discover the city between tastings. Below you’ll find tried ideas, realistic times, a list of places friendly to large groups and practical tips to avoid the most common organizational mistakes.
If you want a ready-made plan tailored to your group’s preferences (pace, dietary needs, mobility level) — as a private tour guide I can help compose it and handle reservations; contact details are available on the guide’s website.
In early May many venues operate on a special rhythm — some restaurants extend hours, food trucks and seasonal beer or dining gardens appear, and the atmosphere in the Old Town and Kazimierz is very festive. It’s a great chance to try local seasonal treats outdoors.
At the same time, the May holiday means heavier tourist traffic: restaurant reservations fill up fast, popular spots get crowded, and road traffic can delay coach transfers. That’s why early bookings and a flexible plan with smaller subgroups are essential.
Transport: for this size group it’s best to have 1–2 coaches, but consider leaving buses at a designated parking area outside the strict center and moving by short walks or public transport (tram, bus) — this is often faster and more convenient than navigating a large coach through narrow streets.
Reservations: the most important point — contact venues at least 2–3 weeks before the May holiday (for a May weekend book even earlier). For 30–60 people restaurants often propose a group menu or block tables; ask for written confirmation of terms and service times.
Splitting the group: dividing into sections of 10–15 people makes service easier in narrower venues and at attractions. For guided parts consider having 1–2 leaders for smaller subgroups so the route runs smoothly.
Time: a half-day route is 3–4 hours (2–3 food stops + 1 short historical/viewpoint stop), a full day is 6–8 hours (4–6 tastings + 2 memorial/viewpoint stops).
Diet and allergies: when you collect bookings, ask participants about allergies and diets. Good venues offer vegetarian/vegan options and quick substitutions.
Start: meet in the center at the Main Market Square — a short introduction to Kraków and practical pointers (15–20 minutes). This meeting place is easy to reach and familiar to everyone.
Stop 1 (breakfast / coffee): a café near the Market or in Kazimierz where the group can quickly get coffee and small bites. Choose places with good reviews that can handle larger orders after reservation — it’s a perfect warm-up before the walk.
Walk: short transfer/walk to Kazimierz — a short talk about the district’s history and a break for conversation (20–30 minutes walk + 15 minutes mini-introduction).
Stop 2 (local tasting): a restaurant serving traditional Polish dishes where participants can try classics (pierogi, żurek, meat dishes) — group ordering speeds up service. Kazimierz has venues very friendly to groups that offer group menus and a good atmosphere.
Finish: a short stop on the Vistula boulevards or on the Bernatek footbridge, perfect for a group photo and relaxing after lunch.
Timing: start around 9:30–10:00, finish around 13:00–14:00 — ideally before the biggest afternoon crowds.
Morning: coffee and a mini-tasting of obwarzanek or local pastries in a cozy café. Then a walk around the Old Town with a short story about the hejnał and the Cloth Hall (20–30 minutes).
Late morning: visit Wawel (outside or with a brief entry to a selected interior) — photos and historical anecdotes. Then transfer to Zabłocie and a quick view of Schindler’s Factory from the outside (if the group doesn’t have time for a full museum visit).
Lunch: a restaurant friendly to groups — a group menu with local suggestions. Around Kazimierz and Zabłocie you’ll find places that can handle a larger party efficiently with prior arrangement.
Afternoon: walk around Kazimierz with stops for small tastings (for example Middle Eastern flavors or sweet treats) — Kazimierz offers a wide variety of cuisines and tastes.
Evening: finish on the Vistula boulevards or at a trendy riverside spot with the option of a reserved table/service for the group. It’s a great time to chat and wrap up the day.
Starka (Kazimierz) — traditional Polish cuisine in an atmospheric interior; well-rated and known for group-friendly service.
Pod Wawelem — generous portions and a "royal" vibe; recommended for larger groups because of menu and space.
Forum Przestrzenie — a relaxed, modern option by the Vistula, good for a casual evening or route finale; offers plenty of room and a friendly atmosphere for bigger groups.
Hamsa (Kazimierz) — Middle Eastern cuisine, great for groups looking for variety and well-liked flavorful dishes.
Massolit Books & Café — an excellent place for a coffee break in Kazimierz, recommended for groups who want to rest and feel the neighborhood’s literary vibe.
Note: when choosing a venue suggest a group menu and confirm guest numbers and dietary needs no later than 7 days before the event.
Many popular restaurants are happy to prepare outdoor "tasting stations" in good weather — this shortens waiting times and creates a festival-like atmosphere without long lines. Ask about this option when booking.
If you plan to take short videos or group photos at memorial sites (e.g. Podgórze, Płaszów), inform participants in advance about photography rules and respectful behavior — this preserves the atmosphere and shows respect.
During the May holiday many food trucks and seasonal gardens appear near the boulevards — include a short "quick stop" in the plan, but don’t rely on full service for 60 people at these points.
No reservations or booking too late — result: no space and the need to improvise. Fix: reserve venues at least 2–3 weeks before the May holiday, earlier for a May weekend.
Packing too many attractions into one day — result: group fatigue and higher risk of delays. Fix: limit to 3 main food stops and 1–2 shorter sightseeing points on a half-day route.
Not preparing for diets and allergies — result: health issues and dissatisfaction. Fix: collect dietary information when people sign up and confirm availability of options in advance.
Do coaches need special permission to enter the center? Parking a large coach in the strict center can be difficult — it’s better to plan a parking spot on the edge of the center and use short tram rides or walks.
How much time to reserve for lunch for 30–60 people? With a group menu plan on 60–90 minutes for the meal; if you expect people to linger, add 30 minutes for relaxed conversations.
Is it worth combining the culinary route with museum visits? Yes, but then you must book group tickets in advance — for example to Schindler’s Factory or Wawel — and adjust the route timing because museums have their own entry limits.
Planning a culinary route for 30–60 people is a lot of fun but requires logistics and foresight. Book places early, split the group into smaller sections and choose venues known for good group service — that’s the key to a calm, tasty May holiday in Kraków.
If you’d like help with organizing the route, reservations and matching menus to your group’s needs — I invite you to contact me. Contact details are available on the tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz’s website. If you found this article useful, share it with friends or on social media so others can plan a perfect May holiday in Kraków!
