Warsaw, Poland — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Warsaw, Poland
Restaurants
Expensive
Boathouse
This highly rated Warsaw restaurant is pleasantly placed on the banks of the Vistula River north of the Old Town. Its nautical theme extends not only to the décor but also the menu, where the range of Mediterranean dishes is largely dominated by Italian cuisine. In summer there's no better place to be than on Boathouse's large terrace, with a seafood platter, glass of wine and live jazz in the background.
Wal Miedzeszynski 389A
Tel: (022) 616 3223.
Website: www.boathouse.pl
Dom Polski
Located on the other side of the Vistula in Saska Kepa, Dom Polski, set in a large house, serves refined Polish food in a more formal setting, perfect for a group of visitors. The management pride themselves on offering a menu and atmosphere apt to satisfy the most picky of tastes. Lovely outdoor garden in the summer and live music often played on Sundays. Reservations suggested.
Ulica Francuska 11
Tel: (022) 616 2432.
Website: www.restauracjadompolski.pl
Dom Restauracyjny Gessler
Gessler is one of the top restaurants within the confines of Warsaw's Old Town. Not only are its traditional Polish dishes top rate, but there's the added bonus of a choice of two very distinct dining areas. The cellar has been laid out as a rustic country inn, while the ground floor caters to more formal and smart dining. Of course you could forgo both and take a seat on the Old Town Square itself. Reservations recommended.
Old Town Sq 21/21A
Tel: (022) 831 4427.
Sense
Although billed as a restaurant, with an interesting fusion menu, there's no doubt that Sense really shines at night, even if you just come for cocktails. The food reflects influences from Malaysia, Poland and Thailand. You can watch the chefs work in an open kitchen and a visit to the somewhat disorientating toilets are a must.
Ulica Nowy Świat 19
Tel: (022) 826 6570.
Website: www.sensecafe.com
Moderate
Living Room
A hip space, with muted colors and candlelight, on a stylish street, the Living Room caters, predominantly, to a lunch and late dinner and cocktail set. The menu is varied from meats to light salads, and they also have a juice bar serving fresh fruit and vegetable drinks. Dining alfresco is available in warm weather.
Ulica Foksal 18
Tel: (022) 826 3928.
Website: www.livingroom.pl
Restauracja Polska
It may look unappealing from the outside, and may be hidden down a side alley off Ulica Nowy Świat, but Polska is the type of place Polish families choose to celebrate special occasions. Its authentic Polish cuisine is like Mama used to make, and the folksy décor matches the menu perfectly. Don't pass over an opportunity to try pierogi (dumplings) or placki (potato pancakes) as it doesn't come better than this. Reservations for evening dining recommended.
Ulica Nowy Świat 21
Tel: (022) 826 3877.
Roma
An intimate space with only nine tables, Roma delights customers with fresh pasta and meat dishes. In spite of the bijou cosy space and green plants in the big window, the atmosphere is more conducive to laughter and fun than a romantic evening out. There are two other Romas in Warsaw, but this was the first and it's the best. Reservations strongly suggested.
Ulica Grottgera 2
Tel: (022) 841 0133.
Website: www.restauracjaroma.pl
Warsaw Tortilla Factory
What started as a mission to fill a gaping culinary hole in the mid-1990s resulted in a Tex-Mex institution, loved by expats and locals alike. The tortillas are indeed made in Poland and the burritos are both filling and scrumptious. Informal and friendly setting. It's likely to be the only place in Warsaw where you can choose how spicy you want your hot sauce to be.
Ulica Wilcza 46
Tel: (022) 621 8622.
Website: www.warsawtortillafactory.pl
Cheap
Coffee Karma
This popular café overlooks Warsaw's circular Plac Zbawiciela, one of the few remnants of Socialist architecture. Its coffee is strong, its smoothies creamy and thick, and its light snacks run the gamut from healthy sandwiches to home-made cakes and cookies. Take a pew inside on winter days or grab a table outdoors in the warm summer months.
Plac Zbawiciela 3/5
Tel: (022) 875 8709.
Co Tu
It's been hard going for Asian eateries in Warsaw's dining scene, but Co Tu has been making leaps and bounds in the popularity stakes with the city's young, artistic crowd. The fresh dishes that arrive steaming from the kitchen are the key to this tiny diner's success (of course the price and speedy service help); there's an abundance of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes to choose from, and vegetarians are well catered for. Co Tu is hidden amongst a row of bars just off Ulica Nowy Świat.
Hadlowo-Usługowe 21
No telephone.
Krokiecik
The tradition of 'milk bars' (bar mleczny) in Poland is fading slowly, as it's no longer easy for the government to subsidise cheap food in prime locations that could make a lot more money. That said, places like Krokiecik fill in the gap, as it's best considered a tasty, clean, bright and modern 'milk bar', in spite of being privately owned. Self-service allows you to choose from an array of home-cooked Polish food.
Ulica Zgoda 1
Tel: (022) 827 3037.
Qllinarnia
Another of Warsaw's surviving ‘milk bars', this time located in a line of sex shops and liquor stores. Don't let the neighborhood put you off though; many suits dine here on a regular basis. Why? Because there's no beating the price, quick service and exceptional home-cooked Polish and European dishes. Smiles and warm welcomes however are not Qllinarnia's strong points.
Ulica Zielna 5
No telephone.
Nightlife
Warsaw's nightlife is one of the best in Eastern Europe, with a multitude of bars and clubs scattered across the city. The 'hipper' places are either truly worth visiting or too full of bravado, velvet ropes and bouncers. Posing comes in high doses in many places, so be prepared to see lots of well- (or barely) dressed women, and men in shirts and shoes. Big name DJs do make their way to Warsaw, and in the summer, many nightspots offer outdoor drinking areas.
A good source of information on cafés, pubs and clubs in Warsaw is the monthly Warsaw Insider (www.warsawinsider.pl).
Bars
John Bull Pub
John Bull Pub, in the heart of Warsaw's Old Town, has been in operation for years and serves one of Warsaw's finest pints along with views of the Vistula.
Ulica Jezuicka 4
Tel: (022) 831 3762.
Website: www.johnbullpub.co.uk
Paparazzi
Warsaw offers everything from spit and sawdust drinking dens, right through to ultra hip lounge-style bars with a myriad of cocktails and live DJs. Enjoy cocktails in a cool but forgiving atmosphere at Paparazzi, where the trendy meet the tourists.
Ulica Mazowiecka 12
Tel: (022) 828 4219.
Website: www.paparazzi.com.pl
Plan B
In the southern reaches of Warsaw, Plan B attracts a young, studenty crowd with regular DJs and a bohemian air.
Aleje Wyzwolenia 18
Tel: 5031 16154.
Website: www.planbe.pl
Clubs
Fabryka Trzciny
Praga, Warsaw's rough district east of the Vistula, is filling with galleries, restaurants, and progressive clubs - Fabryka Trzciny is a stalwart of the area's art scene and hosts immensely popular clubbing nights every few weeks.
Ulica Otwocka 14
Tel: (022) 619 0513.
Website: www.fabrykatrzciny.pl
Klubokawiarnia
Klubokawiarnia is a basement club with a mix of music flavors and regular fancy dress parties.
Ulica Czackiego 3/5
Website: www.klubo.pl
Luzztro
As varied as the bar scene, the late night Warsaw clubs cater to the commercial music lovers, kitsch 70s and 80s evenings, as well as hardcore electronica and trance. Popular with the crowds and gay-friendly, Luzztro hosts top DJs and is best on weekends.
Aleje Jerozolimskie 6
Website: www.luztro.pl
M25
M25 is the king of electronica in Warsaw and commands the best sound system in the city.
Ulica Mińska 25
Tel: 5050 30130.
Website: www.m25.waw.pl
Piekarnia
The place to find DJs and an edge in Warsaw is at the well-established Piekarnia, which always attracts hordes of revelers.
Ulica Młocińska 11
Tel: 5001 14486.
Website: www.pieksa.pl
Live Music
Akwarium Jazzarium
The big jazz names tend to be billed at the newly reopened Akwarium Jazzarium, Poland's original jazz club.
Ulica Zlota 59
Tel: (022) 620 5072.
Website: www.adamiakjazz.pl
Dekada
For a taste of live music around town on any given night, you might get lucky at Dekada. It hosts live rock/pop bands in a setting of 1950s and 60s Americana.
Ulica Grojecka 19/25
Tel: (022) 668 9777.
Website: www.dekada.pl
Klub Tygmont
A quality club for jazz in Warsaw is Klub Tygmont. Jazz Café Helicon, Ulica Freta 45/47 is also a great jazz venue.
Ulica Mazowiecka 6/8
Tel: (022) 828 3409.
Website: www.tygmont.com.pl
Proxima
The vast Proxima nightclub is one of the most fashionable venues in Warsaw for live domestic rock performances and lesser-known foreign bands.
Ulica Zwirki I Wigury 99A
Tel: (022) 822 3003.
Website: www.klubproxima.com.pl
