Casual Dining � � � � � � � � � � � �

Casual dining

Guru (p.69) sets the bar high for Indian food in Warsaw

There’s no lack of casual dining in Warsaw, because sometimes fine dining just isn’t the right option - whether it’s because of a budget or because you have hyperactive and fussy kids - or you’re in a large group of hyperactive and fussy adults! The venues listed here don’t make our list for the sake of it - they’re here because they make damn good food� 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�

Beef n’ Pepper

utensils Steak Hidden away in a small alleyway alongside the famous Roma Theatre, the exterior may well look like you’re about to enter a 1970’s shopping mall, but inside it’s a smart, urban steakhouse and bar� Expect top grade Polish cattle (28 days wet-aged) - the quality is excellent and the fact that they use the finest local meat means prices are surprisingly reasonable� Seafood options and Louisiana Chicken Wings struggle for a look-in as beef rules� In addition to a fine wine list, the slick bar also has a brilliant selection of whiskies and bourbons� Live music is available every Tuesday from 19:00�QF-9, ul. Nowogrodzka 47A, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 785 02 50 25, www.beefandpepper.pl. Open 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:0022:00. €€€€. TUBE6

Bez Tytułu

utensils International Ul� Poznańska continues its hefty onslaught to become one of the hippest streets in the city centre with the opening of this elegant restaurant and cocktail bar� The restaurant is owned by partnership - Julien Barbotin-Larrieu and Kasia Michalski, who also run the contemporary art space in the foyer of this gloriously renovated townhouse� The space combines a number of intimate areas all linked by ‘untitled’ (Bez Tytułu) artworks from their collection� Head chef, Erwan Debono may bring his French culinary expertise to the kitchen, but this is a man who brilliantly combines the best international and local produce for his unique signature dishes� Ms� Michalski is certainly raising the art meets fine dining experience to a truly international level in the city� Their ‘Bez Tytułu’ bar, found in the basement, is open Tue-Sat from 17:00 (to the last client), where you can try a cocktail to accompany a snack�QF-9, ul. Poznańska 16, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 251 52 88, www.beztytulu.com. Open 17:00-23:45; closed Mon, Sun. €€€. XT6

utensils Italian Located a short distance away from the Old Town Square (p�27), Ciao Napoli’s aim is to bring a little piece of Naples to the centre of Warsaw� Having originally opened on Wąski Dunaj 4/6/8 (F-4) to great success, boasting some of the city’s best pizza, imagine our delight when they opened this 2nd location with more seating, a bigger kitchen, and an expanded menu, with all the friendly atmosphere and cosiness of the first restaurant� Offering a selection of antipasti, salads, seafood, and desserts, it is the choice of Neapolitan pizzas with their fantastic thin and crispy dough which really stick out� Breakfast is served 09:00-11:00, and lunch specials of soup, entree and a water are available Mon-Fri 12:00-16:00 for 27zł� As if things couldn’t get any better, they have fresh mussels every Thursday, daily happy hours with 2-for-1 cocktails (16:00-19:00), and on weekends your 2nd bottle of Prosecco is free!� You leave satisfied, especially when you realise just how reasonably priced the whole experience was, despite being in a tourist hotspot�QF-4, ul. Długa 6, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 666 32 27 33, www. ciaonapoli.pl. Open 9:00-22:00; Fri, Sat 9:00-23:00. 1 hour break between 11:00-12:00. €€. TB6

Gościniec Polskie Pierogi

utensils Polish Walking in the Old Town (p�24), you’re going to feel an air of nostalgia� The location is stunning, and the atmosphere sums up the traditional romantic image of Poland� To top it off, you’re going to want to try some traditional Polish grub, right? Gościniec has just that, with hearty food from soups, pierogi, potato pancakes and various meat offerings, all at very reasonable prices� You can’t go wrong with pierogi, but we’d personally recommend cabbage rolls stuffed with meat (known locally as gołąbki - go-womp-ki)! The drinks on offer are quite funky (cold/hot options), all served up by friendly staff wearing folk attire! It may feel very kitsch inside, but the food is immense� They have other locations on ul. Nowy Świat 41, and deep in the Old Town on Podwale 19 and ul. Piwna 14, should you choose to venture some more before eating�QG-5, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 29, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 273 69 36, www.gosciniec.waw.pl. Open 11:00-22:00; Fri, Sat 11:00-23:00. €. TB6

Namaste India

utensils Indian What began as a modest Indian-owned grocery store soon expanded into a full-on ethnic restaurant and proved so popular that a second location was needed to meet the demand for delicious Indian cuisine - that was 15 years ago! Impressive� For office workers around town, this - the expanded original location - remains one of the best, and we’ll agree that it simply doesn’t get much better for Indian food in the capital� Better still, the prices are set so low you can’t help but ask what’s the catch� There isn’t one; we’ve tried pretty much everything on the menu, and have yet to find a weak link� Consider ringing ahead for takeaway because waiting times can be torture and ask about booking their new private room for parties and meetings�QG-8, ul. Nowogrodzka 15, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 357 09 39, www.namasteindia.pl. Open 11:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-22:00. €€. B

Indian Lounge

NEW

utensils Indian Quite literally no expense has been spared in creating this fresh-looking Indian restaurant in the heart of the Wola district� The effects are clearly visible� Enter through the sizeable patio (great in summer!) into the leafy interior where plants aplenty throughout (standing, hanging, painted on the walls), which combine to make this a modern take on a tried and tested formula� But now to the food� Choose from a substantive menu, which includes all the classics; Tandoori Chicken, Garlic Malai Prawns, Salmon Fish Tikka but for those with an inquisitive pallet, we recommend Special Garlic Curry and Special Mango Curry - healthy, and super-tasty� Choose your meal, choose veg or meat options, and of course, choose your spice level� We have high hopes for this restaurant, and you’d be wise to keep an eye out for their events calendar through Facebook� Qul. Wolska 38, MPłocka, tel. (+48) 579 33 33 37, www.indianlounge.pl. Open 12:00-22:00; Fri, Sat 12:00-23:00. €. TUB6

Get the In Your Pocket City Essentials App

utensils Japanese One of our favourite sushi spots in Warsaw which in 2019 celebrated it’s 10th anniversary� Sure, the location helps – who can argue with eating on swanky Nowy Świat (p�34)? – but the helpful staff and great menu options put it squarely on top� They offer traditional sushi, but they’re not afraid to experiment with flavours too (mixing strawberries with salmon maki rolls is surprisingly delightful)! Ducking in for a lunch special will get you heaps of fresh sushi along with a free miso soup, and green tea for a reasonable price� The sushi masters engage with customers (something the regulars love!) as they ply their trade, but the interaction doesn’t end there, for they also arrange sushi training sessions and live cooking shows (check their Facebook page for upcoming events)� Catering service and takeaway option with delivery also available� You can’t go wrong with this place�QG-7, ul. Nowy Świat 46, MNowy Świat-Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 22 828 00 88, www.oto-sushi.pl. Open 12:00-23:00; Fri, Sat 12:00-24:00. €€. UB

The Alchemist Grill & Cocktail

utensils International We already love The Alchemist for bringing the future of drinking not only to Warsaw but to the world, with their patented ‘beer wall’ (8 taps)� As impressive as their cocktails and beer selection is, however, the real reason to visit is their awardwinning food (Gault & Millau 2020)� Enjoy gourmet interpretations of Polish standards and classics like burgers and fish & chips, but their specialty is juicy steaks grilled and served on hot lava plates� The presentation is as sleek and pleasing as the interior design, which is hard not to admire� Fun fact: the Warsaw Metropolitan where The Alchemist is housed was designed by British architect Norman Foster� A touch of modernity added to the Old Town area� We can stay here for hours just chilling with our beer cards and sharing platters� Top venue�QF-5, Plac Piłsudskiego 3, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 628 00 23, www.thealchemist.pl. Open 17:00-23:00; Fri 17:0001:00; Sat 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:00-22:00. €€. B6

The Legendary Jack’s Cinema Restaurant & Bar

utensils American So Mr� Jack Daniels is in town and he’s brought a projector screen with him! Opened in 2015, Jack’s is a bar, restaurant and event-only cinema, all

of which come together nicely� Found inside a renovated pre-war tenement building, the interior takes a 180 degree turn and has that American post-industrial feel, with a ceiling blotted out with hundreds of JD bottles - quite the touch! For food, the steaks, burgers, ribs in BBQ sauce and chicken wings are outstanding� For drinks at the bar, aside from the obvious choice, there are dozens of options from beers to the harder stuff! Keep an eye on their site for all the latest info on karaoke, concerts and other events in the dedicated mini cinema hall! Turn up, kick back in their deep sofas and seats, enjoy the food, the drinks, the show, and of course, the atmosphere� Cheers, Jack!QG-8, ul. Bracka 18, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 400 28 23, www.jackscinema.pl. Open 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:0000:00. €€. TUE6

U Barssa

utensils Polish The Old Town is packed with decent places to eat, but once lacked a strong line-up of truly great places� Times, they have a-changed� As you walk across the main market square and into the elegant dining room, you will discover a world of luxury, craft and privilege� The signature duck baked with beetroot, fried apples and cranberry sauce, and the Angus steak with green pepper are just two of the winning dishes on the menu, and we have to mention the outstanding wine list! They also have a huge summer garden and offer live music on Saturdays, so call ahead to reserve your space in this charming place�QF-4, Rynek Starego Miasta 12/14, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 635 24 76, www.ubarssa.pl. Open 10:00-23:00. €€€. TBE

Zwierzyniec Beer & Rest NEW

utensils Polish Right in the centre of Warsaw, this casual restaurant channels the wild, natural spirit of East-Central Poland, offering the down-home delicacies of the Roztocze region at very reasonable prices� Choose from marinated sturgeon, sorrel soup, or braised beef cheeks with rosemary dumplings, washing it all down with their own Zwierzyniec brand Pilsner (a steal at only 10zł per half-litre)� This being the capital, you can rest assured that you won’t be savouring the delicious dishes in a folk kitsch setting, but rather artfully-presented on beautiful flatware in a sleek, modern interior of large windows opening out onto the seasonal sidewalk patio� Fresh beer, fresh ingredients and refreshingly affordable, this one’s an easy winner�QG-8, Bracka 18, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 663 925 938. Open 12:00-23:00; Fri, Sat 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:00-22:00. €€. B6