Polish Folk Show with 3-Course Dinner in Old Town Krakow

A historic artists' café on Floriańska Street

The default show takes place in one of Krakow's most storied cafés, opened in the 1890s on Floriańska Street and soon the favourite meeting place of the painters, poets and journalists of the Young Poland art movement. In 1905 it hosted the city's first literary cabaret, and the walls still carry the stained glass, carved furniture, paintings and caricature puppets that those artists left behind.

Sitting here for a Polish folk show in Krakow feels like stepping into a living museum. The Art Nouveau interior is warm and intimate, so every seat is close to the performers. Arrive a little early to look at the drawings and portraits on the walls before the music begins at 19:00; the whole evening, show and dinner, takes about an hour and a half.

The folk show: songs, dances and regional costumes

Polish folklore varies from region to region, and the show brings several traditions to one small stage. Expect the quick, stamping steps of the krakowiak, the dance of the Krakow region, along with stately and spirited couple dances from other parts of the country. Women wear floral skirts, embroidered vests and red coral beads; men wear striped trousers and caps decorated with peacock feathers.

Live musicians play violin, accordion and bass while the dancers explain the stories behind the steps. The programme is split into two sets of about 25 minutes, and the performers invite guests to join in, so do not be surprised if you are pulled onto the floor. It is a light-hearted, family-friendly evening and one of the most enjoyable things to do in Krakow at night.

A three-course Polish dinner

After the show, the kitchen serves a three-course dinner of traditional Polish dishes. Polish cooking is hearty and comforting: a typical menu starts with a soup or starter, moves on to a main course of meat or dumplings with potatoes and seasonal vegetables, and ends with a sweet dessert. The exact menu is set by the venue and can change with the season.

The dinner is included in the ticket, while drinks are ordered and paid for separately at the table, where you can choose water, juices, soft drinks, coffee or tea. If you have dietary needs, such as vegetarian food or allergies, let us know when you book and we pass the request to the venue in advance. Children aged 6 to 12 have their own ticket type.

Krakow Old Town in the evening

Floriańska Street is part of the Royal Route that once led kings from St. Florian's Gate to the Main Market Square and up to Wawel Castle. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, is at its most atmospheric in the evening, when the Cloth Hall and the towers of St. Mary's Basilica are lit up and the trumpet call sounds from the tower every hour.

Because the café is right on this street, the folk show fits easily into an evening walk: stroll the Market Square before 19:00, enjoy the show and dinner, then walk back through the lit lanes. With the second option, the show moves to a restaurant with wide views over the city and includes the Lajkonik, Krakow's bearded folk horseman who leads a colourful parade each June.