Once Upon A Time | Chajim Kohan — Restaurant in Krakow

Kasia was an excellent waitress—efficient, hardworking, and a great communicator. She gave us fantastic recommendations, all of which were spot-on, and she was very patient despite the language barrier. Very good at her job, with great timing.

This restaurant was a perfect introduction to traditional Jewish food. The food is incredibly flavourful and has a true home-cooked feel. I recommend the Cymes, which is similar to a Moroccan lamb tagine with apricots—rich, sweet, and savoury. For the fried pierogi, the beef pierogi was very good, crispy on the outside and well-seasoned. The other pierogi is okay, the cottage cheese and potatoes are better than the cabbage and mushrooms one.

The Jerusalem mix was an extremely pleasant surprise, especially the liver, which lacked the usual iron taste that often puts me off. The turkey breast was decent, though slightly dry and could use more sauce. The fillet of trout was light, refreshing and citrusy—good if you enjoy fresh flavours but not my style. The roasted leg of lamb was generously portioned and incredibly tender, though mildly seasoned I would say.

In terms of dessert, we tried the cheesecake pascha and the apple pie. The apple pie resembled an apple strudel more than an apple pie but it was good, with warm flavours due to the cinnamon. The cheesecake pascha is great to try if you’re interested in trying traditional Jewish food.

Overall, the food is homely, comforting, and packed with flavour—definitely worth a visit!

Recommendations for traditional Jewish food: beef pierogi, cymes,...

Very nice atmosphere, amazing history of the building and its past occupants that is explained on the newspaper style menu. There was a couple playing violin and accordion on Thursday night. That was like a concert! I hope that the service and food that night was an exception to the rule (I've read other great reviews). The girl serving us forgot to bring the right cutlery twice. She also took my partner's plate away after we ate but left mine sitting in front of me until we were actually leaving. She never asked us if we would like some desert or what was wrong with the food (I didn't eat much and left a lot on the plate). There was also a hand written note on the bill that service is not included! This note was definitely the line crossed, and that's why I'm writing this review. The starters were nice but the main course overcooked and bland. Rocket leaves were wilted, and if I were at home, I'd be throwing them out. It was not worth a single penny we paid for this meal. It is a shame because this restaurant has the best spot in town.... Hope it takes this review as constructive criticism and improves on the points...

A memorable evening at Once Upon a Time

We had a fantastic experience at Once Upon a Time in Kraków. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, thanks in part to the accordion player who added a cheerful rhythm to the evening without overwhelming conversation.

Our server, Wiktoria, was outstanding—friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout. She guided us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm, and every dish she recommended delivered.

Highlights included:

A beautifully cooked trout—crispy skin, tender meat, and well-seasoned without fuss. The Cymes, a traditional Jewish stew, was hearty and flavorful, with a comforting depth that felt both unique and special.

The cheesecake pascha was smooth and balanced—not overly sweet or like any cheesecake you’ve had before, just rich enough to end the meal on a high note.

This place blends thoughtful service, great food, and a touch of old-world charm. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy Kraków’s culinary and cultural spirit in...