Polish cuisine is not just about pierogi and borscht, but a whole universe of flavors where traditional recipes meet modern cooking techniques. We have put together an honest ranking of Polish restaurants that serve genuinely delicious traditional Polish food.
And if you want to try more than just traditional Polish cuisine, check out our ranking of the best restaurants in Warsaw serving food from around the world.
1. Epoka
Epoka, located in the historic Hotel Europejski building in Warsaw, offers a unique reinterpretation of Polish cuisine through the lens of modern gastronomy. Chef Marcin Przybysz draws inspiration from old Polish cookbooks, creating innovative dishes with local ingredients.
The tasting menu consists of 17 to 22 courses, each prepared by a single chef from start to finish – an unusual approach for fine dining restaurants. The non-alcoholic pairing and signature cocktails deserve special attention, surprising guests with unexpected flavor combinations.
The restaurant offers two versions of the menu with different durations. During dinner, guests can also learn about the history of the building during a short tour. It is worth keeping in mind that this is one of the most expensive dining experiences in Warsaw.
2. Bez Gwiazdek
Bez Gwiazdek in Warsaw is a gastronomic journey through the regions of Poland under the direction of chef Robert Trzópek. After working at the legendary Noma and El Bulli, he returned to the roots of Polish cuisine to rediscover it.
Each month, the restaurant presents a six-course tasting menu dedicated to a specific region of the country. Here you can try lesser-known delicacies such as “blind fish” from Greater Poland or Bełk-style holubtsi from Western Pomerania – far beyond the usual cutlets and bigos.
The chef personally selects every ingredient from the best local producers: vegetables from the Majlert family farm, fish from the well-known Mr. Bernard. The wine list focuses on Central and Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on wines from small producers.
“Every dish is a revelation. The way they reinterpret traditional cuisine here surpasses many Michelin restaurants,” guests note. Bez Gwiazdek’s wine list was recognized by Star Wine List as one of the best in Warsaw.
The restaurant is open only in the evenings from Tuesday to Saturday, and also offers a vegetarian version of the tasting menu.
3. Restauracja Baczewskich
A neo-Renaissance villa from 1895 on Aleja Szucha, which survived World War II, became home to Restauracja Baczewskich. Here, classic Polish cuisine meets modern cooking in an atmosphere of pre-war elegance.
The signature borscht deserves special attention – regular guests point to its distinctive taste and come back specifically for this dish. The menu includes both classic Polish recipes and modern interpretations of traditional dishes.
In the warmer months, the restaurant opens a cozy summer terrace that is especially pleasant for lunch or dinner. It is worth finishing the meal with a tasting assortment of miniature desserts – the portion is designed for two and lets you try several different sweets.
4. ELIXIR by Dom Wódki
ELIXIR by Dom Wódki rethinks traditional Polish cuisine by combining six centuries of vodka and nalewka-making traditions with modern culinary techniques.
The chefs create dishes inspired by regional Polish traditions, but presented in a contemporary way. The restaurant’s standout feature is its unique food and vodka pairing concept, where each dish is accompanied by a tasting portion of specially selected vodka that brings out different flavor nuances.
Guests especially note the very high level of service – the waitstaff create a personalized experience for each visitor. The interior combines elegance and comfort, creating an ideal setting both for a business lunch and a romantic dinner.
The restaurant is recommended by the Michelin Guide and is located in the city center with convenient parking.
5. Opasły Tom
Opasły Tom is located just steps from Warsaw’s National Theatre. Here, chef Andrzej Hylewicz creates a menu based on local products from his own Forteca farmers’ market. His dishes reflect the influence of Lviv cuisine with its multiethnic character.
The restaurant interior, named by Wallpaper magazine in 2020 as one of the five most beautiful in the world, combines the coziness of a reading room with the atmosphere of a bar. In 2022, Opasły Tom was included in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Discovery list.
The tasting menu includes both traditional Polish dishes in the chef’s own interpretation and a separate vegan offering – a rarity for restaurants of this level. The presentation is elegant, and the flavor combinations are thoughtfully composed, although some dishes lack that special spark that turns dinner into a true gastronomic adventure.
6. OMA
OMA is a small place where you often have to wait in line. But this is exactly the kind of place where the wait is justified by the quality of the food, not by hype. There are few tables and seats inside, the menu is in Polish, there is no air conditioning, and the ventilation is less than perfect – after dinner, your clothes may very well smell like the kitchen. It is worth knowing that in advance.
Despite those drawbacks, everything at OMA is incredibly tasty. The restaurant serves familiar dishes with a twist, fresh flavors, and home-style presentation, without trying to turn the whole experience into a museum of cuisine.
A good example is the signature OMA sandwich with a cutlet in the middle: it is a big portion, and the taste is just wow. People also praise the compote, the soups from the daily menu, and more seasonal dishes that are not always available. The cherry vareniki can feel almost like dessert. The prices are also reasonable, which only adds to the appeal given the quality and portion sizes.
7. Stary Dom
Since the 1950s, Stary Dom has remained a favorite spot for Warsaw jockeys, who originally chose it for its proximity to the Służewiec racetrack.
Its signature dishes – beef tartare, juicy pork knuckle, and homemade dumplings – have earned praise even from demanding gourmets. The restaurant received a recommendation from Slow Food Poland in 2016, and its wine list is complemented by an impressive collection of Polish vodkas and liqueurs.
The atmosphere of old Warsaw, wooden paneling, and high beamed ceilings create a cozy setting for getting acquainted with authentic Polish cuisine.
8. Willa Biała
The chef at Willa Biała has turned traditional Polish herring tartare into a refined work of art. In a quiet part of Mokotów, away from the noisy center, the restaurant serves impeccably cooked beef tenderloin and honey-glazed ribs that practically melt in your mouth.
The interior has a calm atmosphere, the windows look out onto greenery, and the waitstaff explain each dish in detail. It is worth ending dinner with the airy pear cheesecake or a refreshing lemon dessert with mint sauce on a crisp crumb base.
9. Soul Kitchen
The chef at Soul Kitchen works real magic with traditional Polish cuisine. On the menu, you will find perfectly cooked duck and beef Wellington, which have become the restaurant’s signature dishes. Before the main course, make sure to try their house bread with butter infused with green onion.
The cozy dining room with live music creates a special atmosphere for the evening, and the attentive staff help guests discover the best of Polish cuisine. Because of its popularity, it is best to book ahead – Soul Kitchen rarely has free tables.
10. Restauracja Delicja Polska
Delicja Polska is no longer the kind of place you just drop into for a quick meal – it is a more upscale format. The restaurant focuses on classic Polish cuisine in an old-fashioned, refined interior, where meat, game, fish, and vareniki are served without rush and clearly meant for a full dinner. For the city center, this is a logical choice if you want Polish food at a high level rather than something casual and everyday.
The food is strong across the board: excellent soups, especially the mushroom soup; well-made goose vareniki; duck, guinea fowl, herring with onion and apple-leek salad, apple pie, and white chocolate cheesecake all go over well. The service is often singled out, as is the wine list.
If you are looking for local fine dining with a Polish menu, this is an excellent address.
11. GOŚCINIEC
The aroma of mulled wine and steaming pierogi greets guests at each of the many Gościniec restaurants spread across Warsaw. The venues attract visitors with authentic Polish cuisine at affordable prices.
The signature dish is pierogi with different fillings, served either with bacon or sour cream. The pork with sauerkraut in a bread bowl deserves special attention – the combination of prunes and meat creates a distinctive flavor. On cold evenings, they serve warming mulled wine with vodka, cinnamon, and cloves – not a drink for the faint of heart, but definitely one worth trying.
12. Przegryź
Over twenty years in business, Przegryź on Mokotowska Street has not lost its popularity with Warsaw locals. The menu features classic Polish dishes with modern touches, including seasonal additions such as asparagus with potatoes and egg under a special sauce. The food is served with homemade compote that, unlike store-bought versions, is not overly sweet.
On weekends, the place gets packed, but in summer you can sit on the veranda overlooking one of the most beautiful streets in the city.
13. Zielnik
Zielnik serves one of the best chłodniks in the city – a cold beet soup that has become the restaurant’s signature dish. The chef skillfully prepares traditional dishes: a juicy Polish-style schnitzel (schabowy) and hoki fish with mashed potatoes and beets. The menu is small, but every dish is polished, and the dessert “Pasha Litewska” ends the meal on a high note.
14. Źródło
The chef at Źródło reinterprets traditional recipes, turning familiar dishes into gastronomic discoveries – from “Polish oysters” to spicy lamb sausages in tomato sauce.
The restaurant serves a seasonal menu where classic kopytka and dumplings sit alongside tartare and pumpkin with nut crumble. One of the restaurant’s special points of pride is its wine list, featuring Polish sparkling wines, orange wines, and apple cider, which guests can taste before ordering.
15. KUK
At KUK, chef Maciej Majewski cooks pike-perch until the skin is crisp and serves it with a delicate cream sauce. In contrast to the fish, there is juicy duck with seasonal sides. The menu also includes traditional Polish kopytka, which are especially enjoyable in the shaded courtyard of Verte Garden on a hot summer day.
Located inside the Verte Marriott hotel, the restaurant focuses on local ingredients, and its smaller portions make it possible to try more dishes in one visit.
16. Cafe Mozaika
In its 60 years of existence, Cafe Mozaika has become part of Warsaw’s gastronomic history. The walls still remember the communist era, although a recent renovation refreshed the interior while preserving its original charm.
Locals especially appreciate the summer terrace, where you can enjoy traditional Polish dishes in the open air. The menu balances classic recipes and modern interpretations, from rich żurek to more refined takes on bigos.
17. Restauracja Akademia
The Polish restaurant Akademia makes a strong impression right away: chef Michał works wonders with traditional dishes, while the walls are decorated with works by the well-known graphic artists Pongowski and Tomaszewski.
The menu is intentionally compact, but every dish – whether handmade dumplings or a juicy meat dish – is prepared with carefully selected ingredients. For families with children, there is a play area on the second floor.
18. alewino
The best dinners in Warsaw often begin over a glass of wine at Alewino. Chef Daniel Ulężny combines Polish traditions with modern techniques – his broth with Asian notes and his take on halibut keep guests coming back again and again.
The wine list, curated by sommelier Damian Zakrzewski, includes more than 250 labels from around the world. Over 12 years, the restaurant has evolved from a wine shop into one of the most interesting places in the capital, where fine dining does not require unnecessary ceremony.
19. Restauracja U Wieniawy
U Wieniawy works especially well for a special-occasion dinner. What stands out most here is not one specific menu item, but the entire format: the interior, live music, attentive service, and tableside presentation. The tartare may be prepared right next to you, and some desserts are also turned into a small performance rather than simply brought out from the kitchen.
In terms of food, the place covers a broad Polish repertoire, including less common dishes such as rooster soup. The portions are substantial – it is easy to get full even on appetizers alone. Guests praise the duck with cranberries and apple, the vareniki, including some of the best in the city, and in general the restaurant’s strong handling not only of meat dishes but also vegetarian ones. Prices are not low, but for this format and level of service, they feel justified.
