Grande Grill

Ah, barbecue! During the summer months there's nothing quite like throwing a few sausages or some marinated meat on a charcoal grill and reminding your neighbours why you haven't turned vegetarian just yet. Well, that is one way of going about it but you should know that there are other, lazier and more comfortable, options available.

One such is the Grande Grill, a luxury year-round barbecue experience right in the centre of Krakow. In an absolutely charming covered courtyard garden just off the Rynek behind the legendary Wierzynek restaurant, bursting with hanging baskets of flowers and featuring plenty of rough-hewn rustic style wooden beams, you can sit in surprising peace and quiet - surprising given that you're almost right on the Main Square.

On offer is a wide variety of grill fare, including seafood and vegetables. Inevitably, however, it's the meat that draws the crowds, and particular mention should be made of the steaks, considered by many - in particular their speciality T-bone - to be the best in town. Top quality fresh salads accompany, and help to assuage the guilt pangs of those who feel too much grilled meat can't possibly be healthy. Bright and friendly staff will let you wash it all down from a fine selection of wines, beers and cocktails.

At weekends there's live music, usually jazz or maybe some mellow latin-tinged stuff. The layout of the place and its outdoor yet covered status make it an ideal spot for families: kids are welcomed with crayons and colouring books. Grande Grill is also popular with the pre-club crowd, who appreciate the good food, calming atmosphere and close proximity to the best nightspots in Krakow.