11 of the best restaurants in Warsaw

Annabelle Schweineberg

As Assist. Marketing & Communications Manager Annabelle knows the concept of Le Petit Chef like no other. If you have any questions, she is the right person to contact.

Let’s eat à la polonaise! Almost no better place to do this, than in the capital of Poland, in Warsaw. Pierogi dumplings stuffed with meat, Kielbasa varieties and cabbage rolls. The food in Warsaw is hearty, rustic and Polish cuisine is not afraid of using lots of dairy and meat. Warsaw is also full of attractions: The old town, museums and royal palaces. We focus on the food and the 11 best restaurants and places to eat in the city.

Tip #1: Barn Burger

Ditch your diet, go to Barn Burger! Warsaw’s very beloved burger place had to move to a larger spot, shortly after they opened their doors. Their success might root from their daily fresh made burger patties, with seasoned beef and other high quality ingredients, their house made sauces, coleslaw and fries. Or just from the fact that the restaurant looks like a very chilled college community room, with movie posters and a place where you would enjoy American Comfort Food.

The restaurant is well known for the big burgers, which don’t let you walk out hungry. Heart Attack and Dirty Harry are just a few of the burger meal names. The biggest burger on the menu is called ‘Bypass’ and features a double ground beef patty, cheese and bacon, caramelized onion, vegetables, homemade fries, coleslaw, salsa fresca and BBQ sauce. Everything thrown in between the bun. It’s a real American experience in the heart of Warsaw.

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Tip #2: Falla

Falla is a small Veggie Franchise-restaurant chain with nine spots in Poland, two of them in Warsaw. The chain started out with Oriental dishes and was able to successfully expand, store and culinary wise. Since 2016 Falla has been serving the community with healthy, plant-based but experimental cuisine.

The restaurant is still famous for the Israeli food, the Falafel and Hummus plates, with a big variety of hummus flavors, are their bestsellers. Juicy, colorful plant based burgers, eight different styles of wraps, with a new wrap flavor every month and grilled cheese in panko with fries, tartare sauce and coleslaw are other options. A seasonal changing menu is available as well. It’s a favorite spot for veggie food lovers and worth a visit.

Tip #3: El Popo

Wanna eat Mexican? Got to El Popo! At least this is what locals tell each other. El Popo is an authentic Mexican restaurant in the heart of Warsaw. The vibrant spot is extremely busy in the evenings, when the Mexican Mariachi bands are playing and the margaritas get served to the tables, the food is not far behind.

The sizzling dishes of Fajitas El Popo, Enchiladas rojas, Burritos and Chili con carne are the most beloved Mexican meals. Spice levels can be chosen for every meal. An extensive list of cocktails make an evening at El Popo unforgettable.

Don’t miss out on their Frozen Strawberry Margarita, their signature cocktail since 1992. Of course you can find a great Tequila menu as well, but no matter how full you are, don’t leave without trying the Churros con chocolate, the dessert is authentic and a perfect sweet finish.

Tip #4: The Cool Cat

The Cool Cat is a hip Asian-fusion bistro and not only famous for their ramen and kimchi, but also for their epic and affordable breakfast choices. It’s not a secret that it’s better to be an early bird, to avoid the crowds, when it comes to breakfast at The Cool Cat. And it’s always a great choice to order their matcha drinks with your breakfast, because they are known as the best in town.

Everything at The Cool Cat is definitely a little bit cooler than in other restaurants. Like the funky bao donut desserts with matcha ice cream or the Caramel Miso treat.

The Cool Cat stands for fun and is not afraid to put some weirdness in traditional dishes. Like making American fries a little bit Asian and funky, with a good load of Kimchi and bulgogi beef.

Tip #5: Krowarzywa

Founded 2013, this vegan burger place is well known for the healthiest fast food in town. Krowarzywa is proud to serve all wholesome vegetable ingredients in their burgers. Their patties are made with tofu, seitan, chickpeas and vegetables. The restaurant is not using any conservatives, glutamate or flavors.

Everything is made fresh, every day, without the use of a microwave oven. The ingredients are seasonal and the menu changes seasonally. Superfoods like goji berries or spirulina are big game players in salads and shakes. Krowarzywa has three locations in Warsaw and is supporting initiatives and campaigns with donations.

5 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Le Petit Chef

Continue reading to find out how Le Petit Chef will turn your next evening into an extraordinary experience you’ll be talking about for years to come.

Tip #6: Polka

It’s true, there are a lot of International restaurants in Warsaw. Beloved American Fast Food, Indian Cuisine, Mexican restaurants, but the real cuisine of Poland you can find at Polka.

The traditional Polish restaurant is Magda Gesslers baby and Gessler is quite famous in Poland. She managed to save over 150 restaurants across the country, with growing numbers.

Located in Warsaw Old Town, Polka is no frills, but honest cuisine, in a converted house with opulent interior, wooden tables and several dining rooms. Simplicity in a Polish mansion of the past and the history of Polish cuisine on the plate.

The menu is heavy on traditional meat dishes, Baked BBQ ribs, Roasted Pork knuckle, Goose stomachs stewed in tomato sauce, or Roasted duck leg will satisfy all carnivore cravings. The Meringue served with whipped cream, accompanied by cherry emulsion, is definitely a great finish.

Tip #7: Rusiko

Georgian cuisine is something not very common and restaurants with this type of food are hard to find. Rusiko in Warsaw does Georgian food in a beautiful and traditional way, with family recipes and much love.

Chef and owner Davit Turkestanishvili made his long standing dream of opening his own restaurant true. Named after his mum, who ran the kitchen for many years, he continues the tradition of exceptional Georgian cooking.

In Georgia food and wine goes hand in hand, there is no eating, without drinking. Not a surprise that Turkestanishvili produces his own wines, he actually sells in his rug room, where he showcases his rug collection with masterpieces from every corner of the world, including his beloved home country.

Stewed lamb, stewed Black Angus beef, traditional Georgian dumplings stuffed with mushrooms, meat or cheese — everything is made from scratch, fresh, every day. Don’t miss out on Mskhali, the pear in rosé wine with orange syrup and almonds.

Tip #8: Kameralna

When in Poland… Since 1947 Kameralna has served traditional Polish cuisine. The long-standing venue with a unique atmosphere, dating back to the period of post-war Warsaw.

It was in the past a place where famous writers discussed books, drank vodka and danced to live music. Today it’s a historic restaurant, where locals and tourists go, for the real taste of Poland.

Kameralna is a great restaurant for newbies to try Polish cuisine. The Polish sour soup with egg and sausage for example, followed by Pierogies, stuffed with cheese, potato and onions.

The good variety of vodkas is very typical for a Polish restaurant and is only topped by signature drinks. Try the Lemon Apple Pie, a lemon flavored vodka with apple juice and mint. A real Warsaw experience with lots of history on the plate and in the glass.

Tip #9: Tel Aviv Urban Food

It feels like a visit to Israel, entering Tel Aviv Urban Food by Malka. Here gets the deep love for Middle Eastern cuisine, served right on the plate. The restaurant was recognized as one of the best in Warsaw, by Forbes, Gault Millau Poland and many more. Two locations in Warsaw serve Hummus, Falafel, Mezze plates and everything in between.

Tel Aviv Urban Food is not only a restaurant, but also a deli. In fact, the restaurant is proud to be the best-stocked Middle Eastern delicacies in Warsaw. Middle Eastern mezze, dips, a good variety of olives and baklava, but also spices are available, to serve your own spread at home, or maybe for a late night snack in the hotel room. Like many other Israeli restaurants, they have a separate ‘vege’ menu, entirely vegan.

Tip #10: Stary Dom

Łukasz Federowicz is the mastermind in the kitchen of Stary Dom. The traditional Polish restaurant, recommended by Slow Food Poland, for the ‘Farm to Table’ spirit and seasonal and local ingredients.

It dates back to the 1950s. Back then, it was a favorite spot for jockeys and horse racing enthusiasts. Today it’s a beloved haute cuisine temple for locals, as well as tourists.

A team of young and older experienced chefs work together and prepare traditional Polish meals, with a modern twist, in front of the guests. A ‘Cold Buffet Menu’ offers many traditional Polish eats, from Kashubian style hering, Polish beef carpaccio, over Jellied pig trotters to a Polish charcuterie with traditional roasted meats.

Unlike other Polish restaurants, Stary Dom offers a separate Vegetarian menu. It’s also a very Kid friendly restaurant with special treatment for the youngest.

Tip #11: Café Bristol

A visit to Warsaw is not complete without a visit to Café Bristol. The legendary Viennese style café in the heart of Warsaw has never changed their dessert recipes. Since 1901, the tradition of the best pastries in town is still alive. Pastry chef Grzegorz Walicki has been creating magic for over 30 years, in the luxury halls of Hotel Bristol in Warsaw.

Breakfast, light meals and snacks, ice cream and of course the desserts, are being served in a beautiful Viennese style ambience. A speciality of the house is the Starecka Cake, which is only available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The appearance of the dessert refers to the Art Nouveau style of the building and the period in which the hotel was created.

The pink sweet dessert masterpiece is a creation of Walicki and filled with homemade raspberry jam, a combination of dark and white chocolate, a delicate champagne mousse, decorated with buttercream and finished with Cointreau liqueur.

Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!