Austeria Klezmer Hois

I stayed here with a friend and we agreed that the place felt like staying at our grandmas home - if grandma and grandpa also hosted literary meetings and klezmer concerts - with the antique furniture and lacy table clothes and the yummy smells from the kitchen. We liked it so much that we extended our stay to relax in Krakow a few extra days. The staff was very nice and went out of their way to meet any special requests we had (they even packed a breakfast for my friend who had a very early flight!) The location of the hotel couldn't be better, in the heart of the restored Jewish quarter, right on a tram line, post office next door, and an easy walk to the castle and old town, to the Wisła river, and to the former Jewish ghetto. The hotel has a lovely patio with a garden of native plants. It was nice to relax here, watch the birds and the bees and chat a bit with other travelers (or not). The only drawback might be the sound of traffic but it's forgivable given the nice place and kind staff and great location Food was very good. When we stayed, breakfast was served from 7-11 which was great given our random schedule, some early mornings, some sleeping in. Each room had our own breakfast table over flowing with pretty typical Polish breakfast things, like cheeses and breads, sliced vegetables, plus smoked fish and very tasty hummus! I was especially excited about the smoked mackerel and my friend about the herring, bc these are smelly foods we weren't about to eat in our room. If you're American, you may want to ask for your scrambled eggs more well done than is typical. Also, the hotel appears to bake a fresh szarlotka (apple cake) every day which is also served at breakfast. Come to breakfast early so that you can sit and enjoy it! We loved the 8PM Klezmer concerts and only wish that the other guests would follow the "please be quiet during the concert" signs on the door. The concerts are only about an hour so make a reservation for a little bit beforehand like 7:30 so that you can calmly order and then enjoy the concert. From the dinner menu, the Gefilite fish and Rosół (chicken soup) were very good. Since the hotel is also the headquarters for a book publishing company, this place is a heaven for books nerds, especially if you are interested in Polish history, Jewish history and culture, or if you are an aspiring intellectual. The hallway is piled with books and there are book cases filled with books in the dining rooms. Heaven. Most books are in Polish but there are also many translated to English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and other languages. If you love books, give yourself time to browse and make your selections.

This review is for the restaurant and 8:00 pm concert held in the restaurant. The food was tasty and the trio playing Klezmer music was good. The staff was friendly and attentive. I came on my last night in Krakow and it was a nice cultural experience on which to end my time in the city. It's advisable to make a reservation at least a day or two prior.

Excellent authentic hotel with live music and good Jewish dishes. We stayed here for a week in december 2022. This is a hotel for people who love a good atmosphere and tasty food. They serve plenty of Jewish dishes like Gefilte Fisch and all kinds of food that I had never tasted before. For an additional fee you can dine with live Klezmer music, which was much fun. This hotel might not be for everyone. Do not expect "Hilton" standards here. The furniture is old (although the bed was new), there might be a million books stacked in the hallways, and you will smell all the food from the kitchen. We loved all these things, but be aware of this when you book. The hotel is in the center of the Jewish neigborhood, close to dozens of restaurants and cafés – but not packed with tourists like in the old town (although there is quite some tourism here - like ourselves!) The hotel is about a 30 minutes drive from the airport (taxi recommended). The staff is friendly. We loved it here.

If you want to stay in the interesting area of Kazimierz, you can’t do better for location than right on the main square. This quirky, homey, interesting, friendly hotel is in a 14th century building with lots of history, antique furnishings, but modern plumbing. Breakfast was a massive spread set at my table, and staff were A+ for making me feel at home. I was on the third floor and WiFi worked well. My “room” was actually more like an apartment, with a living room and bedroom, and private bathroom across the hall. This is not a cookie-cutter place, which is what I look for: convenience in an interesting setting. And Klezmer Hois delivered. It is also home to a publishing company and books are everywhere on the ground floor. There is a nightly klezmer concert during dinner at their restaurant. These frequently sell out - very popular - so be sure you get a reservation in early if you want to attend. And I would definitely recommend attending. Do be aware there is not an elevator.

Our small group stopped by for an evening meal, that included some really great music. The setting reminded one of a dinner at grandma's house. Warm and cozy! Meal included a beet stew, meat platter w/potatoes, and a great dessert. Between the stew and main meal we were entertained by a great trio of violin, accordion, and bass fiddle playing traditional music. A second performance during dessert included more of this great group.