Warsaw has undergone a gastronomic revolution in recent years. From Polish milk bars with a school cafeteria feel to modern bistros and trendy cocktail bars โ Warsaw is a place where chefsโ ambitions are given free rein. Here, people dare to explore new flavors while combining old traditions with international concepts. Exciting, creative and still relatively affordable!
The young Warsaw's gastronomic scene ranges from niche craft breweries like Browar Warszawski and Jabeerwocky, to fine dining experiences like Kieliszki na Prรณลผnej and Elixir, where food and drink are combined with great precision. Or maybe you just want to order a really delicious Japanese fluffy pancake at the pink and trendy Fluffy?
Join us for eight of our favorites among all the restaurants and bars we visited in Warsaw!
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Browar Warszawski โ Beer brewery and food mecca
In a modern neighborhood in one of Warsaw's most exciting areas for food and drink is Browary Warszawski. Here in the Wola district, in the 18th century, there were about a dozen of Warsaw's beer breweries, but basically everything was destroyed during World War II. The communist era didn't make things any better. Today, the area has been revived with plenty of places to eat and drink. Even one of the breweries โ Warsaw Brewery (Warsaw Brewery) โ has been resurrected and it is both stylish, trendy and very nice. Popular with locals, but also some tourists have found their way here. Think brick walls, neon lights and a lot of industrial feel combined with good food and friendly staff.
We tried some of their lovely beers on tap, along with recommended snacks: Jalapenos with goat cheese and coriander and Baltic herring on rye bread. Maybe not the usual salty nuts you're used to, but it was ridiculously delicious.
When we visited, there were 19 beers on tap and if you ask, knowledgeable staff can find just the beer that suits you perfectly.
We walked here, but you can also take bus 106.
Browary Warszawskie
Haberbuscha in Schielego 2
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Raffles Long Bar โ A classic loop of Warsaw vintage
One of Warsaw's best hotels is Raffles Europejski Warsaw, a sister hotel to the Singaporean hotel with its famous long bar and Singapore sling. Here, no peanut shells are thrown on the ground, but the atmosphere is just as nice.
Long Bar in Warsaw is a tribute to its more famous big brother in Singapore, but in Warsaw they have done a loop in their own way โ Warsaw Sling. Of course I couldn't resist ordering one. It's not much like the Singaporean original with cherry liqueur and pineapple juice, this is a well-shaken drink with gin, apple, apricot and ginger.
Raffles is opposite Hotel Bristol, south of the old town.
Raffles Europejski Warsaw
Krakowskie Przedmieลcie 13
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Elixir by Dom Wรณdki โ Unique vodka restaurant
Have you ever had dinner with alcohol as a drink? Not as a random shot with the food, but a thoughtful and carefully selected alcohol, perfectly matched to each dish? At the delicious bistro restaurant Elixir by Dom Wรณdki There are a whopping 750 types of spirits to choose from โ and here it is not wine and beer that dominate the drinks list, but vodka, cocktails and other distillates.
At Elixir, spirits are not just a complement โ โโthey are part of the dish itself. The menu has two recommendations for each dish: a spirit to enjoy with the food and a โcleanserโ that prepares the taste buds for the next part of the meal.
We chose their seasonal menu, where each course was served with a drink as thoughtful as the food on the plate. The dinner began with a starter of velvety foie gras pรขtรฉ, balanced with a sweet red onion marmalade and tart berries. The main course consisted of cod, whose mild flavors were enhanced by black caviar, first courses and a delicate rum sauce โ a stylish combination that was made even better with the matching drink. To finish, an apple cake with apple caviar, crunch and apple ice cream was served, a dish where sweetness and sourness played against each other in a perfect end to the evening.
Add to this a knowledgeable and meticulous service that guides you through the taste journey with passion and expertise, and you have an evening you will never forget. Dining at Elixir is more than just a dinner โ it is a celebration of the art of combining food and drink in a way you have never experienced before.
Elixir has been recommended by Guide Michelin since it opened in 2016 and claims to be the first (and only) vodka restaurant in the world.
Restauracja ELIXIR by Dom Wรณdki
Wierzbowa 9/11
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Kieliszki na Prรณลผnej โ Polish cuisine in perfection
If you want to experience Polish cuisine at its best โ creative, flavorful and modern โ then you should book a dinner at Glasses on Prรณลผna. This award-winning restaurant has made a name for itself for its love of wine and its ability to elevate Polish flavors to new heights. There are no tired standard dishes here โ here you get a menu where every ingredient is carefully described and selected and composed with finesse.
I booked a table several weeks in advance, which turned out to be a smart move. We had booked the first seating, but by 19pm the restaurant was already full, and a waiting list had started to build up. It is hardly surprising that Kieliszki na Prรณลผnej has been awarded a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, an award for restaurants that deliver high quality at a reasonable price.
The name โKieliszkiโ means glass, and in addition to the large number of wine glasses hanging in the bar, the wine list is impressive. The focus is on European wines, with a particular preference for small Italian wineries. There is also a large selection of wines by the glass, making it easy to find the perfect combination for every dish.
The menu describes flavors and ingredients rather than dishes, so it's a bit of a surprise what ends up on your plate. For starters we chose two dishes:
Beef tartare, lard, carrot, buckwheat, horseradish, sherry mayo โ a perfectly balanced tartare where the crunchy buckwheat provided an unexpected contrast.
Foie Gras, rillettes, quince, hazelnut, brioche โ creamy duck liver with a hint of sweetness from quince (or was it apricot?), served with fluffy brioche bread.
The main courses continued at the same high level:
Risotto, artichokes, Jerusalem artichoke, truffle โ creamy, truffle-scented and with a silky Jerusalem artichoke flavor. I've had a lot of risottos in my time, but this one? The best I've ever had!
Duck, stuffed cabbage, celery, plum, Banyul's sauce โ tender duck in a deep and rich sauce with a touch of sweetness from plums.
And of course there were desserts! We ordered:
Chocolate, coffee, blood orange, almond, Baileys โ chocolatey, coffee-scented and with a fresh hint of blood orange.
Pancake with apple, toffee, geranium โ was it more like a Belgian waffle (bad translation probably)? It may be the first time I ate geranium, but definitely not the last.
Add to that a knowledgeable and passionate staff who nailed every single wine recommendation perfectly, and Kieliszki na Prรณลผnej is a restaurant I would more than happy to return to. Warmly recommended!
Glasses on Prรณลผna
Next 12
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Jabeerwocky โ Craft beer from our own brewery
Jabeerwocky is a popular beer pub with a brewery. It brews an impressive range of craft beers and the bar offers 17 taps. In many cases, the beer is piped directly to the bar, ensuring that every beer is served fresh.
We visited the beer bar just after opening during the day, which was a quiet affair. However, the pressure on the taps during the evenings is supposed to be even greater. A good place for nice music and good beer at a reasonable price!
Jabeerwocky is located near the Palace of Culture and Warsaw Central Station.
Jabeerwocky Craft Beer Pub
Nowogrodzka 12
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Lane's โ Decadent gin bar
If you are looking for a comfortable lounge with decadent velvet and art deco style, Lane's bar a good choice. Here the music is soft, the drinks are stylish and the service is top notch โ whether you order a glass of wine or one of their signature cocktails. Much revolves around their large selection of gin, but the selection is varied. If you feel hungry, Nikkei is served โ small Japanese/Peruvian dishes.
Right now (spring 2025) there is a collaboration with Guerlain, and if you order one of these extravagant drinks you will receive a gift from the perfume house. Pretty creative, if I do say so myself!
Lane's bar is located at Hotel Bristol, just south of the old town.
Lane's
Krakowskie Przedmieลcie 42/44
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Same Krafty โ Narrow beer nook with microbrewery
When your feet ache after hours of walking through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town and you need a break and somewhere to warm your toes โ then it's time to slip into Same Krafty. The small beer trail in the Old Town that is neither fancy nor stylish, but delivers where it counts: on craft beer. Here you sit crowded with other beer lovers in a relaxed environment where the taste speaks for itself.
Same Krafty is a multi-tap bar with an impressive selection of Polish craft beers from microbreweries around the country. Lots of beers on tap, always something new to try, and a knowledgeable staff that is happy to help you find the right one.
Getting hungry? Order a pizza. Just thirsty? Have a beer or two. Stay for a while or make it a full night โ the choice is yours. Same Krafty proved to be the perfect stop for an unpolished and welcoming beer experience in Warsaw.
Same Krafty
Nowomiejska 10
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Fluffy โ Japanese fluffy pancakes with extra everything
Fluffy is no ordinary place โ itโs a little piece of Japan in the middle of Warsaw, where Japanese fluffy pancakes take center stage. And itโs not just any pancake โ these fluffy creations are an art form in themselves to fry. Have you tried making them at home? Then you know that it takes both patience and precision to get the right consistency. Here at Fluffy, you get pancakes that are lighter than air, flutter to the touch, melt in your mouth and are combined with exciting sweet toppings.
To make the experience even more Japanese, the pancakes are served under a transparent lid on automatic magnetic belts, wrapped in carbon dioxide smoke โ fun for all ages! This isn't really a lunch, more like a square coffee.
I chose pancakes with Rafaello sauce and strawberries, while Anders tried a variant with pistachios and peanuts โ a crazy but fantastic combination. Fluffy is simply a place for those who want to enjoy something different, sweet and very fun! Very popular among the city's teenagers, so you need to book quite far in advance.
Fluffy โ Naleลniki Japoลskie
Chmielna 27/31
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What are your favorites among all the bars and restaurants in Warsaw? Feel free to suggest more places in the comments!
