Where I eat in Krakow: Dania kontra Ania

For breakfast: Ranny Ptaszek and Zaczyn

There is an abundance of good breakfast spots in Krakow but Ranny Ptaszek and Zaczyn are definitely worth a special mention. I drop in to Ranny Ptaszek for a hearty breakfast: excellent, aromatic chickpeas with tomatoes and fried egg, roast Hungarian sausage and indecent amounts of fresh coriander. Zaczyn, an artisan bakery in the Dębniki district of Krakow, is my favourite for thick cut open sandwiches with scrumptious vegan spreads. I still pine for the summer version: a slice of bread with lemon flavoured cashew ricotta and fresh berries. What a masterpiece!

For coffee: Wesoła Cafe

Wesoła Cafe at Rakowicka Street is a small coffee shop with a big heart and great atmosphere.  Always bustling with locals and run by true coffee lovers. Their seasonal menu boasts one of the best breakfasts in town - sweet, savoury, cold, warm, meaty, vegan, full of gluten or gluten-free. Whatever takes your fancy. Charismatic baristas brew freshly ground 100% arabica beans made to order and according to your preferences. It's a fact and their neon sign sums it up best: “it's better to drink coffee than not".

For Sunday lunch: Filipa 18

Restaurant Filipa 18 with its stylish interior and faultless service serves honest Polish dishes prepared by chef Marcin Sołtys. They have also recently introduced daily lunch specials, interestingly available at weekends too. You can sample dishes such as chicken broth with groats, tremendous potato pancakes and juicy rump steaks. A good choice for a family meal.

For a quick snack: hot dog

Food trucks are always a safe bet when you need to eat something on the go. One of the best choices in town is The Dog parked in Kazimierz at Isaac's Square (Plac Izaaka). They serve gourmet hot dogs and even though the classic Mac & Cheese wins everyone over, keep an eye on creative seasonal varieties - with asparagus, goose, cherry or foie gras.

For an evening get-together with friends: Euskadi

Can you think of anything better than a table full of delicious Basque tapas, chilled Albariño and your friends' company? Euskadi really is the perfect choice. Besides a regular menu that is worth sampling in its entirety, ask about the daily specials. They often include delicacies such as hake tongues, barnacles, monkfish cheeks, Ibarra chilli peppers or scallops wrapped in Iberico bacon. Don't forget to book a table - the place is rather cosy!

For a date: Bottiglieria 1881

Dates are a good opportunity to try the best cuisine in Krakow and treat yourselves to a top-notch fine dining experience served up by brilliant chef Paweł Kras in Bottiglieria 1881 restaurant. For a less formal setup head for the popular Zazie Bistro – a casual French bistro joint with a convivial atmosphere. It is both affordable and tasty.

For something sweet: La Baguette and Galeria Tortów Artystycznych

I can never make up my mind whether I prefer La Baguette or Galeria Tortów Artystycznych. That is why I list them both. I love La Baguette for natural treats that are not sickly sweet, including a perfect incarnation of Pavlova as well as their addictive caramel. Galeria Tortów Artystycznych is top of my list for sophisticated, absolutely superb and astonishing flavour combinations in their cakes, pralines and mouth-watering macarons (try the violet and blackcurrant flavour!), naturally all made with top quality ingredients.

A place in Krakow where I relax: the Vistula river bend

The Vistula river bend on the south bank of the river, opposite the centre, used to be my place of choice to enjoy take-away pizza from Pizza Garden at sunset with the best view of Wawel you can get. A truly great spot because not many tourists get over there. I still like to linger around here but no longer with pizza because to the chagrin of locals, after many years in Dębniki, Pizza Garden has sadly moved to Lubicz Street (and is still just as delicious!).

The dish that I strongly associate with Krakow: maczanka, a pulled pork sandwich

Maczanka krakowska. Andrus Food Truck has been consistent with their phenomenal maczanka. A must-try for anyone visiting Krakow. You might also go for the creative seasonal variations available at Andrus - currently they serve maczanka with fermented pumpkin, a three cheeses patty, mustard and pickle sauce and sautéed onions. Beware - they are highly addictive!

Dania Kontra Ania - author of the first and most popular blog on Krakow restaurants and eating out. Since 2011 she has been writing anonymous reviews of Krakow’s dining establishments. A passionate culinary world traveller; accounts of her most interesting food adventures, including visits to the best Michelin-starred restaurants are published on her blog and Instagram account. She has visited 30 countries and if she were to choose a single one she would eat in for the rest of her life, it would be Portugal.