Bottiglieria 1881

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Return Home, Turned into Something Extraordinary

Bottiglieria 1881 is where Head Chef Przemysław Klima came back to his hometown of Kraków. Having lived and trained in what he describes as "the most exciting places on Earth," Klima returned with a clear vision: a cuisine that crosses boundaries, recalls childhood memories, and builds new ones. The restaurant on Ul. Bocheńska became the place where that vision took shape.

The kitchen operates on a strict seasonal logic. As Klima puts it, "our only limitation is the natural boundaries imposed by the seasons." Ingredients come from small suppliers who use traditional, time-honoured techniques — no artificial shortcuts, no compromise on freshness. The result is a form of contemporary Polish cuisine that is deeply rooted in local produce while remaining genuinely ambitious.

The Tasting Menu

Every reservation at Bottiglieria 1881 is built around a tasting menu — there is no à la carte, and the whole table dines together from the same selection. Two formats are offered: the Full Experience and the slightly shorter Introduction. Both move through a sequence of courses that read like a map of Polish seasons: Leek and Horseradish, Morel, Duck, Halibut and Gooseberry, Pierogi with Chanterelles, Zander and Crayfish, Beetroot and Smoked Eel, Game and Aged Veal. Desserts carry the same precision — Sweet Cherry and Wild Rose, Cottage Cheese and White Chocolate — followed by a tray of handmade candies. Specialties such as Gillardeau oysters and Antonius Oscietra caviar are available alongside the menus.

Wine at the Centre

The name Bottiglieria — Italian for wine shop — signals how seriously the team takes its cellar. Head Sommelier and General Manager Michał Drozdowski oversees a list that balances European classics with wines from Central Europe, including Polish producers. The philosophy mirrors the kitchen's: natural cultivation methods, passionate winemakers, respect for the environment. Wine Spectator recognised this commitment with its Best of Award of Excellence in 2024, a distinction that places Bottiglieria 1881 among the world's most accomplished wine programmes. Three pairing tiers are offered alongside the tasting menus, from "Discoveries of the Old World" to pairings drawn from the world's outstanding vineyards.

The Experience

The open kitchen format is deliberate — it shortens the distance between the team and their guests. The service is professional but warm, guided by a genuine desire to share the kitchen's passion rather than simply deliver plates. Klima's team discusses ideas continuously, and that collaborative energy is something guests sense in the room. The Polish cuisine here is not nostalgic performance; it is a living, evolving conversation between a chef, his land, and the people at his table.