Fine Dining � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Fine dining

U Fukiera (p.73) a Magda Gessler restaurant.

If you want to splash out on some of Warsaw’s finest cuisine, we definitely have you covered - testing the food for you was a joy! Whether you need a venue to have a business meal to impress that client or if you’re trying to impress your other half with a venue that ticks all the right boxes, the following pages will keep you right� While our rigorously researched opening hours would seem self-explanatory, be aware that venues will close their doors if business is slow, and some ‘restobars’ employ different sets of hours for bar and kitchen - the times we list in such cases are for the kitchen� AleGloria

utensils Polish Magnificent, enjoyably over-the-top restaurant in the finest part of Warsaw where the strawberry-themed decor appears amazingly at home and where the modern Polish cuisine - often featuring strawberries and goose specialities - will leave you determined to come back for more� It is rare that a restaurant can so seamlessly present the pure pleasure and simplicity of Polish cuisine while at the same time elevating it to world-class gourmet standards� Wow!QH-9, Pl. Trzech Krzyży 3, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 584 70 80, www.alegloria.pl. Open 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-22:00; closed Mon. €€€€. TU

Symbol & Price Key

6 Animal friendly T Child-friendly E Live music B Outside Seating C-1 Map Coordinate N Credit cards not accepted U Facilities for the disabled X Smoking room available € most mains under 25zł €€ most mains 25-45zł €€€ most mains 45-75zł €€€€ most mains 75-115zł €€€€€ most mains over 115zł

utensils Polish Nestled inside Łazienki Park, Belvedere is a romantic orangery filled with foliage and a smattering of well-dressed tables both inside and out� Having undergone a head to toe renovation, the Belvedere is a stunningly dramatic venue with peacocks wandering the grounds and multiple waiters offering first class service� The food lives up to the atmosphere� Your options include French or Italian picnic baskets for two people for 249zł and a Sunday brunch option 12:00-16:30 for 249zł (kids menu also available) all set to occasional live chillout music� Few places in Warsaw are this classy or this expensive, and dare we say women are right to assume a booking here means something big is in order�QI-12, ul. Agrykoli 1 (New Orangery in Łazienki Park, entrance from ul. Parkowa), MPolitechnika, tel. (+48) 606 10 20 02, www.belvedere.com.pl. Open 12:00-22:00; Sun 12:0017:00. €€€€. TBE

Der Elefant

utensils International Opened back in 1990, this long-running establishment is spread over various rooms and floors, with a choice of dining experiences� From the street you’ll find their diner-style seafood bar with plenty of fresh fish; alternatively, enter through the courtyard to find a mock shop inside which you’ll see the chefs racing to fill the rapid flow of orders� The concise but diverse single-card menu offers a choice of hot and cold starters (including the recommended Alaskan Crab’s legs), burgers and steaks, the aforementioned fresh fish and some salad and pasta options� They also have a lunch offer, Mon-Fri: a soup, main and dessert for 28zł (26zł without the soup)� An attractive layout and prices lower than you would expect considering the location make Der Elefant insanely popular�QE-5, Pl. Bankowy 1, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 890 00 10, www.derelefant.pl. Open 12:00-24:00. €€€. TUBE

Elixir by Dom Wódki

utensils Polish When we first heard of Elixir we instinctively thought, surely someone has already thought of this? Unbelievably, nobody had - so, top marks to the masterminds behind this classy establishment� At their Vodka Atelier you can try over 600 vodkas from around Poland and the globe; the range goes from PRL era classics to Polish ‘small batch’ distillers, designer vodkas, flavoured vodkas and culminates in the staggeringly priced “Młody Ziemniak 2017 volare” (25ml for 50zł)� The restaurant itself features stunningly presented, contemporary takes on Polish classics with a “food pairing” system which recommends specific vodkas to complement the ingredients and flavours of each dish� An Absolut (pardon the pun!) top-spot and a truly unique venue on Warsaw’s culinary map�QF-5, ul. Wierzbowa 9/11, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 828 22 11, www.domwodki.pl. Open 12:00-24:00. €€€. TB

Klonn

NEW

utensils International This is one of these places we just love for the concept - a place where nature, food and culture meet� Try some daytime lounging, eating and drinking, and well, do almost the same at night, but with music, events, and more alcohol� Found along the Royal Route at the northern corner of Łazienki Park, the location is pretty chilled - heck, there’s a 200-yearold oak tree round back that can attest to that� The menu is mixed with seasonal regional dishes with the chef’s own touches, all of which we enjoyed� The daytime is pretty much for everyone here, families enjoying the garden, but at nighttime, this place turns the volume up on their sound system, and its equally atmospheric setting makes an impact at night, indoors and outdoors� Every Fri & Sat they have live music to take things up a notch� Check it out for yourself� Recommended�QH-11, ul. Jazdów 1B, MPolitechnika, tel. (+48) 22 100 63 63, www.klonn.pl. Open 13:00-22:00; Sat 12:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-20:00; closed Mon, Tue. €€€. TBE6

L’Arc Varsovie

utensils Seafood Upscale dining options are on the rise in Warsaw, and L’Arc Varsovie brings its A game with offerings of fresh seafood and French staples like chicken roulade� Lobster is their claim to fame, and it’s easy to start your meal with the rich cream of lobster soup if you (and your wallet) aren’t prepared to go all in on a full tail� Alternatively, try out their Mon-Fri lunch option (12:00-16:00) consisting of fish soup and main dish for just 29zł (we’d say that’s a bargain, considering its focus on seafood)� The black and white interior suggests a smart French brasserie, bringing a little piece of Paris to Warsaw, and the service is in the running for one of the most attentive we’ve experienced on Polish soil� One of the best places in town for seafood� Recommended�QH-13, ul. Puławska 16, MPole Mokotowskie, tel. (+48) 519 00 00 50, www.larc.pl. Open 12:00-23:00. €€€€€. PTUE6

Nobu (p�69) - Rock Shrimp Creamy Spicy - Steven Freeman

Lobster House

utensils Seafood The choice of seafood venues in Warsaw (and good quality seafood in Poland as a whole, for that matter) has steadily been increasing over the last decade or so, however, it still has a reputation as being exclusive and pricey (sometimes unwarranted)! With the opening of TheLobster House, you could say the zenith is upon us! Set inside a landmark building ([the] ‘house without corners’) along the Royal Route (p�30), the location alone suggests a top quality venue� And it is� Inside you will find a sleek space spanning 451m2 (which comes in handy when you have 7 aquariums housing your food!), and able to host 120 people (plus more outside during summer), along with an impressive 10-metre-long bar� The food is as fresh as it possibly can be, and just delightful� This is definitely The Lobster House� QG-6, ul. Królewska 2, MNowy Świat Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 731 00 08 47, www.lobsterhouse.pl. Open 11:00-23:00. €€€€€. TU6

PAM PAM Restaurant

utensils International Hands down one of the best places we’ve been to recently� Found on the stylish ul. Emilii Plater (modern, vibrant, with a touch of pre-war class), PAM PAM had us intrigued as we walked in - a mix of classic style with postindustrial bare brick, and the back room, more private, cosy even� The entire place has a classiness to it, which is matched by the premium menu� Relax, and let the very professional waiting staff do their business - ever so helpful� Special mention must also go to head chef Paweł Rumowski whose own artistic flare is visible in all the creative dishes, filling but light, that will glide their way to your table� Stylish food, in both looks and taste, a classy setting, for business people having lunch meetings, to the more serious dinner dates for couples� A wonderful place�QF-9, ul. Emilii Plater 9/11, MPolitechnika, tel. (+48) 22 629 29 29, www.pampam.com.pl. Open 17:00-22:00; Sat 15:00-22:00; closed Mon, Sun. €€€€. Restauracja Różana

utensils Polish A two-floor pre-war villa full of chichi touches, flowers and crockery� Very pretty, but you’ll soon learn they attract return customers on account of the cooking, not the interiors� The setting might look high-end but the prices are certainly not, and you’ll find Różana recognised across the city as one of the best dinner deals around� The catfish fillet with white onion sauce, green pepper sauce with blanched spinach, garlic and black lentils is divine� Also try the roasted duck, with apple sauce, cranberries, potatoe purée and fried apple� Plenty claim to be open till the last customer leaves, but only these guys are the real deal – if there’s people dining then the kitchen will stay open, and that doesn’t matter if it’s midnight or daybreak� Don’t be shy to stay and eat, the staff are happy to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your visit� Highly recommended� QH-13, ul. Chocimska 7, MPole Mokotowskie, tel. (+48) 22 848 12 25, www.restauracjarozana.com.pl. Open 12:00-23:00. €€€. TE

Thai Thai

utensils Thai Run by the Godfather of Warsaw’s Thai cuisine, Surachart Urajaroen, this restaurant is 100% the real deal� No messing around with fusion concepts or little Polish additions� The Thai kitchen team stick firmly to tradition and the results are spectacular� Based in the National Theatre building itself, the exterior of hefty, grey stonework gives you no inkling of the opulent interior which awaits you� Black walls decorated with Thai designs and gold

curved ceilings create a very calming and relaxing environment� The well laid out seating areas also offer you the option of dining in a more private space, great for business meetings or an intimate dinner date�QF-5, Pl. Teatralny 3, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 601 81 82 83, www.thaithai.pl. Open 12:0022:00. €€€. XTB

U Fukiera

utensils Polish The most famous and oldest restaurant in town, and not by just a few years, we’re talking about a tradition going all the way back to the 16th century! Taken under the wing of Magda Gessler, of Poland’s MasterChef fame, this classy place has a guestbook that speaks for itself; Naomi Campbell, Henry Kissinger and Sarah Ferguson are a few of the names who’ve taken a seat here� And no wonder� The magical interior is a work of art, crowded with paintings and antiques, all blending with the tastes and scents of your food to create a fantastic ambience - it’s hard not to feel like you’re a part of history when dining here� Right in the hert of Warsaw’s Old Town, enjoy the delicious, perfectlypresented food and soak up the atmosphere� Check out their website for a 360 degree multimedia tour of the venue before you go - quite fun!QF-4, Rynek Starego Miasta 27, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 600 99 99 33, www.ufukiera.pl. Open 12:00-23:00. €€€€. TB6

Wabu Sushi & Japanese Tapas

utensils Japanese Sometimes stiff formality and pretence go hand in hand with fine dining venues, and although the food may be great, overall it all feels, uch���tiring� It’s therefore nice to experience exclusive dining in the Japanese Izakaya style (informal eating) restaurant� Wabu is very much a place for all types of people, from businessmen, families to tourists, so relax and enjoy� The interior is a minimal and elegantly unfussy gem, going for that old Japanese look, blending in nicely with its modern surroundings on Plac Europejski� The menu is varied, inclusive of what you’d expect in sushi restaurants, however, Wabu also provide a kids menu, and a mighty lunch menu (12:00-15:00, 12 sushi pieces for 39zł)� The alcohol menu is extensive and bound to please everybody� Wabu is simple and elegant� Recommended�QC-7, Plac Europejski 2, MRondo Daszyńskiego, tel. (+48) 668 92 59 59, www.wabu.pl. Open 12:00-23:00. Kitchen open until 22:30. €€€€. TUB6