Hedwig's — Restaurant in Krakow

We came to Hedwig's on a recommendation from another Kraków bartender. He suggested that if we like sophisticated cocktails in a cool environment, it would be a good place to try.

The interior is stunning. The architecture of the old church combined with the sleek style of a hotel cocktail bar. You can certainly tell it used to be a church and I come from a place where many, many houses of worship have been converted into various types of businesses and residences, and this is one of the best designed ones I've seen.

Unfortunately, the drinks don't quite live up to the standard. From what we had, they were good, but not amazing. The presentation is simple, which is fine if the drinks are particularly impressive in taste and the vibe is minimalistic modern. Considering the rich antique history of the space and thematic elements of the menu (drinks being named after old famous paintings), it doesn't quite gel with the modernist presentation of the cocktails. They all seemed to look the same...

I enjoyed the Lady With An Ermine. It wasn't the most creative or impressive negroni riff I've had, but it was decent. The other cocktail was also okay, but it was quite a bit sweeter than we expected. Prices are very reasonable. About €10-12 a drink, which is average for a cocktail bar.

Service was almost nonexistent. They seemed more interested in playing on the POS and talking to each other. The bartender didn't seem very engaging either, but this service style is not unexpected for Poland. No water or small snacks given. For a venue of this level and price point, that is expected.

The bartender who recommended us to come here did warn us not to come on weekends because the DJ music is awful and really unsuitable for the atmosphere, and we wouldn't be able to talk to each other. We did come in the early evening on a weekday and there were very few people there, which is probably for the better because the acoustics are intense. You can hear every other guest's conversation if you're in the lounge area.

Overall, it is a decent drinks experience in a very unique venue which is let down slightly by the lack of true originality in the cocktails, and the fact you are not allowed to order genuine classics. You can only order off their signature menu and that's a red flag for any place that calls itself a cocktail bar, but seems pretty standard for European hotel bars.

I'd say to check it out at least for the ambience and design, but don't expect too much from the...

A HIDDEN GEM 💎

Hedwig’s is a hidden gem tucked away in the desacralized chapel dating back to the XIV Century. Stepping inside, you’re greeted with a blend of heritage and old-world elegance, seamlessly infused with visionary design. The club’s interiors are nothing short of spectacular, offering day and night dining, a cocktail bar, and a wine cellar that exude an undeniable charm.

During my visit on a lazy Sunday afternoon, my girlfriend and I stumbled upon this enchanting spot quite unexpectedly. Despite not having it on our radar, we were immediately captivated by the beautiful decor and the impeccable attention to detail, even extending to the impressive bathroom facilities.

With only three other patrons at the bar, we had the entire place to ourselves, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the unrivaled atmosphere. The staff were attentive and welcoming, ensuring that our experience was nothing short of exceptional.

I opted for “The Strange Garden” cocktail, a delightful concoction featuring Brugal infused with grilled pineapple, Franklin & Sons elderflower & cucumber tonic, lemongrass cordial, and lime. Priced at just 43 Polish Zloty (approximately $10.75 USD), it was an absolute steal considering the caliber of the drink and the ambiance of the venue. In comparison to my experiences in New York City, where similar cocktails can easily set you back double the price, Hedwig’s offers incredible value for money.

While our visit was brief, I left with a strong desire to return for more drinks and to experience the lively atmosphere with a DJ on weekends. Hedwig’s undoubtedly exceeded my expectations, and I can’t wait to revisit this hidden gem during my next...

This is a genuine concern. The approach for the guest wasn’t pleasing as it should have been. Unfortunately, one of the waitress (who shall remain anonymous) willingly spilled my drink, there was no napkin provided. She was in a hurry or so. But still, an absolutely worrying treatment . Love the atmosphere & the bar manager is kind hearted, but felt very disappointed by one of the girl and one barman at the bar. At the same time, every other staff member was very kind. Apart from one guy who took or order and smelled like he had smoked a few cigarettes. I am very impressed about every one else’s approach. Tho, the culture towards guest from one of the lady’s was very unacceptable. The guy who took our order should keep in mind that it’s a 5-star hotel and he shouldn’t be smelling like ash-try when serving a guest. The barman kept on interrupting my conversation with a lady at the bar. I hope they really do sth to improve the service of this 5-star hotel. This wasn’t fair at all. The barman is not even attending the guests and busy on his phone constantly. Very disrespectful treatment from two of the staff members. I hope this will help train the staff. It was very hard for me to place this as a review. I marked the atmosphere as 5 because it is a true delight to experience the ambiance but the staff made this experience...