Szara Gęś w Kuchni Restaurant — Restaurant in Krakow

Title: A Mixed Experience at Szara Ges

I recently decided to visit the highly rated Szara Ges to indulge in their 7-course tasting menu, hoping for a memorable culinary experience. While the food itself turned out to be excellent, the overall dining experience left me with mixed feelings.

Upon arriving just before 5 pm, I found the restaurant empty, as it was before the typical dinner rush. A waiter was diligently setting up tables for the evening service. When I kindly requested him to remove the second place setting from my table since I was dining alone, he flatly refused, stating it wasn't his job, and walked away. The lack of flexibility and hospitality from the staff at the outset was quite off-putting.

Shortly after, my assigned waiter finally appeared, but unfortunately, he didn't clear the unnecessary setting either, leaving me no choice but to move it all myself to a nearby table. This initial interaction already set a somewhat disappointing tone for the evening.

As the meal progressed, the flavors and presentation of the dishes were truly exceptional. The chef's expertise was evident, and I savored each bite with delight. At one point, the waiter acknowledged that he brought out one of the courses in the wrong order, and I assured him that it was perfectly fine. Mistakes happen, and I was willing to overlook this one.

However, my satisfaction took a turn for the worse when I discovered a bug floating in my champagne glass. This was definitely not the type of surprise I had anticipated. To my surprise, the waiter didn't acknowledge the issue or offer to exchange the glass, which left me feeling quite let down by the restaurant's lack of attentiveness and response to a clear hygiene concern.

Furthermore, throughout the meal, I noticed that I constantly had to reach over to the table with water to refill my glass, as the waiter seemed less attentive than I would have expected in such an esteemed establishment.

While I generally am not overly demanding when dining out, my visit to Szara Ges left me questioning if my service expectations were too high for Polish restaurants. When choosing a highly rated venue, I believe that certain minimum standards, such as attentive service and appropriate responses to issues, should be met.

In conclusion, the food at Szara Ges was undeniably exceptional, and the chef's culinary skills are truly commendable. However, the lackluster service, unresponsiveness to an issue with my champagne glass, and the need to consistently refill my own water glass dampened the overall experience. If the restaurant could address these service-related aspects, it would undoubtedly elevate the dining experience and match the high standards set by...

A modern, unforgettable take on Polish cuisine!

Szara Gęś completely redefines what Polish food can be. Traditionally hearty and heavy, here it’s transformed into light, creative, beautifully balanced dishes that feel indulgent without weighing you down. Every bite was art — both in flavor and presentation — and I genuinely can’t choose a favorite dish because they were all extraordinary.

We started with cocktails: the Basil & Grapefruit Fizz, which was bright, refreshing, and absolutely delicious, and the Lumiere Spritz, complete with delicate snapdragon flowers floating in the glass — almost too pretty to drink (almost).

The comber z jelenia (venison loin) starter blew me away. It was so unique, with incredible textures and a flavor combination that was earthy, rich, and unlike anything I’ve had before. For mains, the potato dumplings in Bursztyn cheese sauce with seasonal vegetables were pure comfort in an elevated form, while the dry-aged beef tenderloin with spinach and pepper sauce was cooked to absolute perfection. Even the homemade bread with butter was so good it deserves its own round of applause.

Sides like caramelized carrots with hazelnuts and brown butter and roasted potatoes with garlic and herbs were flawless. We didn’t leave a single crumb.

And the dessert? An absolute showstopper. Their signature Szara Gęś arrives as a whimsical cotton candy nest with chocolate feathers and a white chocolate egg filled with a silky mousse, a mango “yolk,” and a nest of dark chocolate cookie crumble. Taking all those elements in one bite was ridiculously good — the perfect marriage of flavors and textures.

The service was just as memorable. Our server was so kind, warm, and knowledgeable, offering great suggestions and letting us explore the stunning second floor after our meal. Each room has its own theme, and my favorite was the lush, maximalist-but-not-tacky Amazon room. Whoever designed it — please decorate my house.

The restaurant is filled with accolades and awards and pictures of famous individuals who ate there- no surprise why! Seriously and truly, hats off and the absolute utmost highest compliments to the chef!!! Chef, you are a true artist!!!

We sat outside on a perfect day, but inside is breathtaking. This was a meal I’ll never forget, worth every single penny, and a must-visit if...

We recently visited this restaurant hoping for a pleasant family meal during our travels. While the food itself was decent and met our expectations, the service we received left a lasting negative impression that overshadowed everything else.

From the moment we were seated, the waitress assigned to our table—a blond woman with her hair tied in a low ponytail and black sheer tights—made us feel unwelcome. Her demeanor was distant and uninviting, and her facial expressions gave the distinct impression that she viewed us as little more than naïve tourists ready to overspend. It was clear from the start that we were being judged, which is not something anyone should feel when dining out.

To make matters worse, we waited an unreasonably long time for our food to arrive. There was no explanation, no apology—just silence. Watching other tables who arrived after us being served first made the delay even more frustrating. It felt like we were being deliberately overlooked.

The most troubling part of our experience came when it was time to settle the bill. We made the decision to leave a tip and clearly stated the total amount we wanted to pay, asking for the bill to be rounded up accordingly. She then questioned whether we would prefer to leave a significantly larger tip—something that caught us off guard. We politely repeated our intended amount, not once but twice, with multiple family members confirming it.

Despite this, the final payment included a tip that was DOUBLE what we had clearly and REPEATEDLY communicated. This wasn’t a miscommunication—it was a deliberate override of our instructions. It gave the strong impression of a calculated move to extract more money from unsuspecting customers. It felt deceptive and disrespectful.

While we understand that tipping customs can vary, what we experienced was not a misunderstanding—it was a disregard for our wishes as guests. We left feeling taken advantage of and disappointed by the service and the attitude toward us as visitors. Unfortunately, we won’t...