BAR Krakow: red minimalism, oriental soul
In Krakow’s historic Kazimierz district, a new restaurant is revolutionising the city’s culinary and interior design scene. Its name is BAR, and it is far more than a place to eat: it is a visual, sensory and cultural experience.
Where asian avant-garde meets european history
Krakow is a city where history beats in every corner. Yet, among the cobbled streets of Kazimierz —once the Jewish heart of the city and today a creative hub— a venue has emerged that defies both time and labels. Its name is BAR, and since its opening it has become one of the most talked-about places in town.
Conceived by the architectural practice NOWW Studio, BAR is not a traditional restaurant. It is a contemporary manifesto that fuses cultures, materials, light and colour to deliver something truly original.
At its core is the talent of chef Szymon Sierant, known for his restaurant Kropka, who now embarks on reinterpreting Asian cuisine with a European–American twist.
A borderless cuisine
BAR’s menu is a declaration of intent. Dishes such as ramen (served as soup or dry noodles), baos, sando and a wide variety of yakitori grill options speak of a passion for Asia —but not through cliché, rather through reinterpretation.
Each dish feels familiar and, at the same time, completely new. The palate travels from Tokyo to Brooklyn via Warsaw in a single bite.
This creative approach to cuisine goes hand in hand with the design of the space, which also dares to explore new combinations without losing coherence. Just as Asian flavours are reimagined with a Western twist, the restaurant’s interior combines tradition and innovation, noble materials and technology, bold colour and restrained forms.
Every aesthetic decision reflects the same audacity found in the menu: a will to innovate while respecting balance, to surprise without breaking harmony.
Design with an oriental soul and a polish heart
BAR’s interior design is as much a protagonist as its menu. The open space revolves around a visible central kitchen, turning the preparation of each dish into part of the spectacle. But what truly defines the character of the venue is its use of colour.
Wojtek Nowak, founder of NOWW Studio, made a bold choice: to apply a vibrant red shade to every element below 120 cm. Floors, walls, upholstered benches and furniture are all dressed in this tomato-red hue which, far from overwhelming, evokes an oriental atmosphere that is warm, enveloping and almost ritualistic.
The natural linoleum flooring in the same shade adds a vintage spirit, while oak details —such as custom-designed table legs— soften the whole and add texture.
The centrepiece: a sculpture of light and japanese craftsmanship
At the heart of BAR, just above the counter, rises a modern structure inspired by traditional Japanese joinery. This piece, which is usually combined with paper or fabric, has been reinterpreted in steel with translucent 3D-printed surfaces, thanks to a collaboration with de Rive Studio.
The main pendant lamps are made from the same material, and the whole is assembled with red anodised blocks —a jewel of engineering and design that does not go unnoticed.
Radical minimalism with details full of meaning
The design follows a minimalist aesthetic, with white walls contrasting against the lower red zones. Rojo Alicante marble countertops, red lacquered chairs and stools from ARTU Works reinforce this powerful and coherent visual identity.
Two elements stand out within this already iconic space: a large interactive lightbox that encourages dialogue with customers, and a hand-painted red circle on the wall, created using the dry brush technique. This latter piece evokes Zen philosophy and the perfection of a simple gesture —one that needs no adornment to be profound.
A Samurai as a symbol and a nod to Mahjong
BAR’s visual narrative is completed by a symbolic character: the samurai Kazu Murai, who embodies the spirit of the place. This identity was created by the studio KOPP&HAGEN, who used a white grid as a reference to Mahjong tiles, the Asian game that blends strategy, chance and tradition.
Every detail in BAR tells a story. Nothing is accidental. Everything is designed to provoke, to move, to deliver an experience that goes far beyond dining.
BAR as a cultural statement
As the images show, BAR is a bold rarity. A space that dares to reinterpret, to take risks and to build a strong identity. It is a place where Asian culture is not copied but reimagined; where design does not decorate but communicates; and where food not only nourishes but also narrates.
“BAR is a contemporary manifesto that fuses cultures, materials, light and colour.”
Kazimierz needed such a space: one that respects the past yet looks fearlessly to the future. And with BAR, Krakow gains another jewel in its already rich creative and cultural scene.
Highly recommended.
About NOWW Studio
NOWW Studio is a creative practice based in Poland, founded by architect Wojtek Nowak and specialising in interiors and small-scale architecture. Its approach is defined by the pursuit of unconventional solutions, the use of natural materials, and an aesthetic that blends restraint, unexpected textures and a deeply contemporary sensibility.
(*) Photographs courtesy of NOWW Studio, shot by MoodAuthors.
