Casual Dining

Czerwony Wieprz’s small red army of gastro experts, ready to serve! (p.77)

Sometimes you just need a casual and convenient place to relax, enjoy good food, vibes and hospitality. The following venues deliver in that regard. While our listed opening hours seem self-explanatory, be aware that some venues close their doors if business is slow, while others stay open after the kitchen has closed. In such cases, the hours we list are for the kitchen.

Browar Warszawski

utensils International The revamped Warsaw Brewery is one of the largest, most modern brewpubs in the region, producing 19 craft beers on site, from contemporary IPAs to legacy ales from the days of the Haberbusch & Schiele Brewery. Choosing is hard, so try a tasting set. The menu includes a truffle burger, fresh seafood, platters from the Josper grill, plus veggie options, signature cocktails and single malt whiskeys. The post-industrial interior has plenty of intimate spaces, and also gives you a peak at the brewing process. All around a top venue for drinks, dining and making the rounds.QC-7, ul. Haberbuscha i Schielego 2, MRondo Daszyńskiego, tel. (+48) 799 00 00 21, www.browarwarszawski.com/. Open 16:00-24:00; Sat 14:00-24:00; Sun 14:00-22:00. €€€. oE Ciao Napoli

utensils Italian Located a short distance away from the Old Town Square, Ciao Napoli brings a little slice of Naples to the centre of Warsaw. With their maiden location nearby at Wąski Dunaj 4/6/8 (F-4), this bigger locale boasts more seating, a larger kitchen and expanded menu, with all the friendly cosiness of the first restaurant. Open from Friday to Sunday, their main draw is, of course, their Neapolitan pizzas with fantastic thin and crispy dough that sets this place apart from others. Lunch is only available on Fridays, as is their happy hour, where you can grab 2 selected cocktails for the price of one! These are just a few of many enticing reasons to choose Ciao. QF-3, ul. Długa 6, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 666 32 27 33, www.ciaonapoli.pl. Open Fri, Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-22:00 only. €€. To6

Symbol & Price Key

utensils Category of Cuisine E Live music

C-1 Map Coordinate N Credit cards not accepted

M Metro

o Year-round Garden T Child-friendly X Smoking room available U Facilities for the disabled 6 Animal friendly € most mains under 25zł €€ most mains 25-45zł €€€ most mains 45-75zł €€€€ most mains 75-115zł €€€€€ most mains over 115zł

Clash Restaurant & Bar at NYX Hotel Warsaw

utensils International Making a hotel more than just a place for its sleepover guests, NYX has created an inviting firstfloor space where urban art and culture collide, and anyone can drop in. With an open floor plan that features traditional dining areas flowing into more casual zones with sofas and armchairs, The Clash’s unique visual aesthetic includes retro and modern furnishings, elegant place settings and gold cutlery, plus edgy photography and street art installations. Dine on a unique fusion of Polish-Israeli cuisine, order a signature cocktail, or challenge their bar staff to make you a custom drink. Take advantage of Happy Hour specials from 17:00-19:00, and don’t be surprised to hear live bands or a DJ dialling up the vibes (check their FB to see what’s on).QD/E-8, ul. Chmielna 71, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 346 29 00, www.leonardo-hotels.com/nyx-hotel-warsaw. Open 14:30-23:00. €€€. TUE6

Czerwony Wieprz

utensils Polish Workers of the world unite around a large choice of well-presented Socialist Bloc cuisine. Deriving its name from a former meeting place for members of the early communist movement, legend has it that even Lenin paid this place a visit in 1909. The interior is based on the style favoured by the 1950’s -1960’s party elite, and the walls are bedecked with memorabilia of the era. Somehow the owners have managed to carefully side swerve tackiness and the whole experience has a lovely, faded and nostalgic glam to it. Immensely popular with locals and tourists alike (including Bruce Willis, Lennox Lewis and the Real Madrid football squad), 2012 saw ‘The Hog’ voted one of the 25 best and most interesting restaurants in the world by the Spanish Trade Leaders’ Club.QC-7, ul. Żelazna 68, MRondo ONZ, tel. (+48) 22 850 31 44, www.czerwonywieprz.pl. Open 12:00-24:00. €€€. TUB

Gościniec Polskie Pierogi

utensils Polish You can’t visit the capital of Poland without trying some traditional Polish food, right? Gościniec has just that - hearty soups, plump dumplings, potato pancakes and various cutlets - all prepared ‘as they should be’ and at very reasonable prices. You can’t go wrong with pierogi, but we’d personally recommend the pork chops or cabbage rolls stuffed with meat (known locally as gołąbki). The drinks on offer are quite funky (cold/hot options), and it’s all served up by friendly staff wearing folk attire.

It may feel very kitsch inside, but the food hits the mark and the portions are immense. Additional locations at ul. Nowy Świat 41 (G-7), and deep in the Old Town at ul. Podwale 19 and ul. Piwna 14 (F-4). QG-5, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 29, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 273 69 36, www.gosciniec.waw.pl. Open 11:00-22:00; Fri 11:00-23:00. €€. To6

Gospoda pod Zygmuntem

utensils Polish Located directly between the Royal Castle and the Old Town Square, this veteran Polish restaurant is as simple and traditional as it gets. A great option for anyone looking for their first foray into Polish cuisine, the modestly-priced, bilingual menu includes photos of almost every dish. There is a lot to choice, from 15 types of pierogi, potato pancakes with goulash and mushroom soup served in a bread bowl, to old school staples that have dropped off most modern menus. An easy, accessible and satisfying experience.QF-4, ul. Świętojańska 15, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 428 39 43, www.gospoda.waw.pl. Open 11:00-22:00; Fri 11:00-23:00. €€. To6

Namaste India

utensils Indian Over sixteen years ago, what began as a modest Indian-owned grocery store quickly developed by demand into multiple full-service restaurants. This - the expanded original location - remains the consensus best Indian food in the capital, just ask anyone who lives here. The prices are set so low you can’t help but wonder what’s the catch - there isn’t one; we’ve tried the entire menu and it’s all delicious. Consider ringing ahead for takeaway because waiting times can be torture!QG-8, ul. Nowogrodzka 15, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 357 09 39, www.namasteindia.pl. Open 11:00-23:00; Sun 12:0022:00. €€. o

Tehran Restaurant

utensils Middle Eastern Warsaw’s only authentic Persian restaurant, this popular diner has won the adoration of locals with their beautiful, large portions of exotic Iranian specialities. The menu features lots of grilled mutton and lamb, eggplant paste, all flavoured with mint, rose, pomegranate and saffron (don’t miss the Persian ice cream!) Vegan, halal and kosher restrictions can be easily accommodated. For the full effect, do your digesting with a traditional shisha pipe and a cocktail.QG-7, ul. Gałczyńskiego 9, MNowy Świat - Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 537 10 02 51, www.tehrankuchniaperska.pl. Open 12:30-21:00. €€€. oSV6 The Alchemist Grzybowska

utensils International We’ve always loved The Alchemist for their craft beer and cocktail chemistry, but these days the real reason to visit is their award-winning food (Gault & Millau 2020). Amongst their gourmet forays into Polish cuisine, seafood and bar classics, their specialty is juicy steaks served on hot lava plates. The presentation is as sleek and pleasing as the interior design. Absolutely perfect for any occasion. Highly recommended! Also at Pl. Piłsudskiego 3 (F-5).QE-7, ul. Grzybowska 5A, MŚwiętokrzyska, tel. (+48) 22 375 92 22, www.thealchemist.pl. Open 12:00-23:00; Fri, Sat 12:00-24:00. €€. o6

Tokyo Sushi

utensils Japanese Located right on Nowy Świat (plus additional locales in the Blue City and Galeria Mokotów shopping malls), Tokyo Sushi is a great place to take a break from shopping or sightseeing for a healthy and filling lunch. The menu is absolutely exhaustive, encompassing almost any kind and combination of sushi you could desire, plus soups, salads, sashimi, hot dishes with rice and 650ml bowls of ramen. Simply grab what looks good from the ready-made sushi rolls and salads going by on the conveyor - each is colour-coded by price from 8-15zł. There are many value deals to be had in the afternoon - including weekends - and the sheer volume of food being served ensures that all the ingredients are exceptionally fresh.QG-7, ul. Nowy Świat 50, MNowy Świat-Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 22 657 15 89, www.tokyosushi.com.pl. Open 11:00-23:00. €€€. ToV6

U Barssa

utensils Polish The Old Town is packed with places to eat, but this is one of the few truly great. As you walk from the market square 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. 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 11:00-22:00; Fri 11:0023:00; Sat, Sun 10:00-23:00. €€€. T

Vegan & Vegetarian

As the capital of a country that traditionally feasts on meat, and smears lard on bread as a snack, you might be surprised to learn that in 2021 National Geographic named Warsaw the top city for vegans in the world. Lokal Vegan Bistro

This humble restaurant run by the ‘Margins’ Social Cooperative has achieved what not long ago was considered by many to be inconceivable: their hearty vegan variations of traditional Polish dishes are as, if not more, delicious than their meat-and-egg-based counterparts. That’s quite an accomplishment in a country that fed itself in ‘milk bars’ not so long ago. Alongside seitan, soy and cabbage ‘cutlets’ on their frequently changing menu, you’ll also find vegan versions of popular dishes from international cuisines, plus a few surprises. Large portions, fresh ingredients and low prices make this a great option for a healthy meal, but it’s also a great place to connect with Warsaw’s activist communities.QG-9, ul. Krucza 23/31, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 517 61 51 22, www. lokalveganbistro.pl. Open 12:00-21:00; Sun 12:0020:00. €€. TU6 Tel Aviv Urban Food

Opened in 2010, Tel Aviv was one of the first strictly vegan restaurants in PL, earning a cult following and launching a franchise that now has several locations around the capital. This - their original foray into Middle Eastern-inspired vegan street food - remains a popular bastion of foodie culture and social consciousness. Drop in early for sweet baghrir (Maghreb pancakes), take advantage of their generous weekday lunch offer from 12:00-16:00, munch on mezze, inhale their hummus and uncork with some wine. There’s also a decent kids’ menu. Doing well to show that vegan cuisine can be rich, exotic and visually stunning, this place has earned its accolades. Note that though they are open later, the kitchen closes at 22:00 (23:00 on Fri, Sat). However, if they have a lot of customers, they will typically be open later.QF-9, ul. Poznańska 11, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 621 11 28, www.telaviv.pl. Open 10:00-00:30; Fri, Sat 10:00-02:00; Sun 10:00-23:00. €€. T6