Restaurant in Zakopane

Gazdowo Kuznia

A rustic wooden karczma near Krupowki with an open grill, roasted lamb and pork knuckle, and regular folk bands. Popular with groups for a full highlander feast.

Reviewed and updated July 2026

Gazdowo Kuznia is a rustic wooden karczma near Krupowki, the town's main pedestrian street. It plays the highlander tradition straight: an open grill, big plates of roasted meat and regular folk bands. It is popular with groups who come for a full highlander feast rather than a quick meal.

Grilled lamb and pork knuckle

Cooking centres on the open grill. Roasted lamb and pork knuckle are the plates to know, both generous and built for sharing. This is the meat-forward end of Podhale cooking, so come hungry. The menu changes with the season, so treat the venue's own channels as the source for the current dishes and prices.

The rustic karczma feel

Timber walls, an open grill and regular folk bands set the tone. When a band plays it becomes an evening out rather than a quiet dinner, which is part of the appeal. Expect it to be loud and busy in the high seasons.

Best for groups and folk nights

Best for groups and for anyone who wants the full highlander feast with music. Because the kitchen is grill and meat led, vegetarians should check the choice first. For a lighter, fish-based alternative, see Pstrag Gorski; for another traditional karczma, try Karczma Zapiecek.

Finding Gazdowo Kuznia near Krupowki

The address is Krupowki 1, at the lower end of the main pedestrian street, so the town's shops, stalls and other restaurants are all close. For orientation, see the Zakopane guide.

The setting has some history to it. The wooden building on Krupowki once held Zakopane's first hotel, 'Pod Giewontem', and Gazdowo Kuznia works the same rooms the hotel used in the 19th century. The venue also carries the regional Marka Tatrzanska (Tatra Brand) mark from 2017.

Among the documented plates, golonka (pork hock) served in a beer sauce sits alongside the roast meats. A highland kapela plays live each evening from around 6pm, which is part of the draw for groups. As the kitchen works to the season, treat the venue's own channels as the source for the current menu and set times.

Good to know

Groups and evenings with live music fill up in winter and summer, so book ahead. Confirm opening hours, prices and music nights through the venue's official channels.

Frequently asked questions

Groups and evenings with live folk music fill up in both the winter and summer seasons, so booking ahead is worth it. Confirm reservations and which nights have music through the venue's official channels.

The cooking centres on an open grill, with roasted lamb and pork knuckle the plates to know. Both are generous and built for sharing, so come hungry.

The kitchen is grill and meat led, so vegetarians should check the choices first. For a lighter, fish-based alternative the guide points to Pstrag Gorski.

The address is Krupowki 1, at the lower end of Zakopane's main pedestrian street, so the town's shops, stalls and other restaurants are all close by.

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Bakowo Zohylina

A proper highlander karczma with open-fire grilling, live folk music and oscypek cheese.

Karczma Zapiecek

A cosy timber inn on Krupowki serving mountain classics after a day on the trails.

Bakowo Zohylina Wyznio

A large timber karczma decked with folk carvings, serving kwasnica, roast meats and highlander platters with live goral music most evenings. One of the town's best known traditional venues.