three great places - Warsaw
Written by Anna Kutor Illustration by Philip Bannister
Hot on the heels of hosting Europe’s premier football event, Warsaw’s dining scene is thriving and expanding with a diverse selection of eateries.
Dom Polski
While much of the local cuisine tends to be of the hearty and affordable meat-and-cabbage variety, the elegant and upscale Dom Polski aspires to greater things. Set on a quiet corner of Warsaw's leafy Saska Kepa district, inside a grand two-floor building, this gourmet spot pleases discerning palates with a sophisticated atmosphere, white-glove service, and traditional flavours made with contemporary culinary flair.
The classics, such as sour beetroot soup and dumplings with savoury fillings, are executed flawlessly, but it’s the progressive seasonal offerings – including veal liver served with apples and onions, and courgette pancakes topped with smoked trout – that make the strongest impression. Eating here feels like eating with your Polish grandma with an added gourmet touch.
Le Cedre
After earning a great reputation for their decadent décor and authentic Lebanese cuisine in Warsaw’s arty Praga precinct, Le Cedre turned up their Middle Eastern charm by opening a ‘big sister’ outlet closer to the heart of town. The new locale is even more lush and exotic, with plum and gold hues accented with dark woods and native artwork, and the attentive service makes life all the more pleasant for patrons. But it's not just about appearance – the food too is excellent and offers a lavish assortment of Lebanese inspirations that include the familiar (hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush), and also feature creative dishes – fried trout served with sesame sauce, and whole young oven-baked lamb with rice.
With admirable attention to detail and impeccable service, this is a good spot to impress a visiting business associate.
Qchnia Artystyczna
With a finger on the pulse of style and gastro trends, high-spirited owner Marta Gessler has kept this creative culinary institution at the forefront of the Warsaw fine dining scene throughout its two decades of operation.
An air of artful finesse permeates the premises, from the stylish set-up inside the Ujazdowski Castle – a former king’s residence also housing the Centre of Contemporary Art – to a menu that melds homespun with interest-piquing nouveau twists.
Among the changing array of seasonal treats, fusion-style soups and locally sourced fish dishes steal the show. The chill of autumn is forgotten in the face of cream of pumpkin soup with ginger and coconut milk, red lentil soup with tomatoes and chilli, and whole sea bass with avocado mousse.
Contact
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Warsaw, Poland |
Dom Polski |
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Le Cedre |
Qchnia Artystyczna |
