Restauracja Salvia — Restaurant in Krakow

I've never had to write a negative review for a restaurant before, but this experience was too disappointing not to share. This is for our visit at 8PM on December 19th, 2024: We found the place after searching for a "Fine Dining" restaurant in Krakow to celebrate my Dad's Birthday. Upon arrival, we were impressed by the beautiful place and its lovely atmosphere. It was busy due to what looked like company Christmas parties, but plenty of tables were still available. A gentleman greeted us, took our coats, seated us, and handed us menus. Unfortunately, that was the last bit of attention we received for nearly 45 minutes. It was baffling. You could say that it was a busy night but ignoring a table for that long is unacceptable, especially when we were seated next to the wine coolers where staff frequently passed by. The staff saw us smiling, with nothing on the table except the open menus for nearly forty-five minutes, and they just looked away. Other tables that were seated after us had already received their drinks and food. Why the staff chose to ignore us, I don't know. I would love to hear an explanation from the management team. Given it was a special occasion, we didn’t want to create a scene or leave in frustration. Instead, my Mom had to get up from her seat and flagged down a waitress, politely pointing out how long we had been waiting and asking if we could at least order drinks. Even then, we had to wait further because now the staff had to deliberate on who would be "lucky" enough to handle this table that was filled with unhappy customers. When our orders finally came, we did our best to salvage the evening and enjoy the meal, but honestly, the food didn’t make up for the poor service. It wasn’t memorable or worth the hassle. And what really saddens me and compels me to write this is that at no point did anyone acknowledge the delay or attempt to make amends for the poor service. A simple apology would have gone a long way, but it was as if the issue didn’t exist. I truly hope they learn from this so that no one else has to experience the ignorance we faced...

We had dinner at Salvia located just across from the Radisson Red in Kraków, and had a wonderful experience. Our group of eight tried a variety of dishes, from hearty burgers to mushroom croquettes, all paired with an impressive selection of drinks. The food was fresh, well-prepared, and beautifully presented.

I personally loved the cauliflower steak, which was absolutely delicious. The flavors were rich and satisfying, and the kimchi on the side added a perfect tangy kick that elevated the dish. It was clear that a lot of attention was given to both the quality of ingredients and the balance of flavors.

The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout our meal. Whether you're in the mood for comfort food or something a bit more adventurous, Salvia has something for everyone. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great dining experience in Kraków!

I completely forgot to take pictures but...

We had such a lovely experience at this restaurant! As soon as we ordered, we were welcomed with a soft dough bun and some black olives a simple but delicious little pre-starter that really set the mood.

For starters, I had the octopus with chorizo, yogurt, and potato super tasty and full of flavor. My wife went for the king prawns in a buttery sauce, and they were just as amazing.

Then came the mains wow. I had the grilled cod loin with salad and fries, which was fresh and perfectly cooked. But the real star was my wife's dish she tried Wagyu steak for the first time, and it was phenomenal. Served with creamy mash and peppercorn sauce, she loved it so much she didn’t leave a single bite!

Everything from the food to the service was spot on definitely a 10/10 experience. It’s a bit of a splurge, but honestly, so worth it.

Highly, highly recommend if you’re looking for a special meal and a warm,...