INSIDER GUIDE COMMUNITY HUBS
THE RESURRECTION
Enshrined in Warsaw legend, the Blue Cactus has returned once more…
THE PAST First opened in 1997, the Blue Cactus was one of those early clutch of venues that set Warsaw’s gastronomy on a bold, new course. Having endured years of unadventurous cuisine, for Poles and expats alike, its bright, Tex-Mex flavors hoisted a culinary lifeline into the sea of bigos we’d previously flailed around in. But it was more than merely a restaurant: a bastion of life and good living, it became symbolic of Warsaw’s wild, early years in the capitalist world.
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Warsaw Insider | JUNE 2022
THE NOW Shut in 2017, for many the closure of the Cactus felt like the end of an era. But they say legends never die, and so it’s proved with the return of this institution. Taking shape inside a corner unit of Elektrownia, the new look venture touts glass walls, a tiled bar and lively option kitchen. Though looking contemporary in its styling, nods to the past are plentiful and include such elements as the original chairs. Make no mistake, veterans will enjoy this place, but so too will newer generations unfamiliar with the brand. There’s a vitality here, and though the interior does much to express that, it’s a point best reflected by the overall mood.
