🇵🇱 Polish Michelin Restaurants - Description Changes Report

Gdańsk’s famous brewer and astronomer Johannes Hevelius lends a variant of his surname to this trendy spot situated in, appropriately enough, a former brewery. The stylish interior includes a vaulted brick ceiling, exposed steel support columns and the odd flash of neon. The dishes adopt influences from around the globe and, seeing as this operates as both a bakery and a restaurant, it's no surprise that the fresh bread and the desserts are highlights. In a nod to Hevelius, the cocktails are named after the planets.

Go for the ‘Full Experience’ set menu to really discover the range and depth of Chef Przemysław Klima’s intriguing and sophisticated cuisine. The terse menu descriptions give little indication of or the creativity to follow, as he takes traditional Polish well-balanced dishes. and recipes and, through refinement and skilled technique, makes them his own. Highlights include pierogi finished with saffron, a sublime guinea fowl broth with calamari, and succulent loin of venison with aged veal. The room is smartly dressed and see the service team are attentive and knowledgeable, although the atmosphere remains refreshingly relaxed.

On Krakow’s oldest street lies this intimate restaurant that sits within the Hotel Copernicus, a former palace with 15th-century Century origins and an impressive Gothic façade; wood panelling and a stone fireplace lend the dining room a historic feel. Dishes are modern, adventurous and well-crafted takes on traditional recipes – like the excellent pierogi filled with Polish cheese. The Italian wines are the pick of the bunch and the lunch menu offers great value.

A 19th-century Century power plant on the edge of Jana Pawla II Park is home to this faux-industrial style restaurant. Sit on the terrace overlooking the row of chardonnay vines as you sample something from the exceptional wine list – which champions all things natural and biodynamic, including over 75 native wines. The menu makes a feature of house-smoked ingredients, such as fjord trout and terrific, meaty duck in the beetroot salad. The cooking comes with the added bonus of attractive pricing and generous portions.

The Koneser Grill's location is one of its many appealing qualities, set inside the Centrum Praskie Koneser, an old vodka distillery that has been transformed into a mini walled village where apartments, shops, art venues and a museum now sit beside one another. The restaurant comes from the same owners as Butchery & Wine, and its grill-centric menu offers a range of quality steaks that have been aged in-house served with textbook sauces, but everything on the list – from the salad to the ikejime fish – is equally enjoyable. Sharing provides the way to go for the best value experience and the chefs team aim to use every part of the ingredients, for minimal waste.

A cool and casual spot, there's a welcoming vibe to this neighbourhood operation that’s very much in the bistro mould. If you like a ringside seat for watching the chefs, ask for a spot at the kitchen counter. The cooking mixes a Polish base with influences from over the world, – while the generous portions are indicative of the restaurant’s spirit. The interesting and ever-evolving wine list spotlights natural options, with plenty of orange and skin-contact varieties.

The clue’s in the name: wine takes centre stage at this simply styled and bang on-trend bar-cum-restaurant. On-sale bottles can be glimpsed around the room, while the 400-strong list contains over 60 great options by the glass. The menu is filled with good value dishes like skrei cod croquettes, which both deliver bags of flavour and show a wise restraint from the kitchen team. They focus on a clean, balanced style of cooking, with a signature dish of aubergine, Greek yoghurt and seasonal accompaniments.

Close to the city’s famous cathedral, you’ll find this charming neighbourhood restaurant with a distinctly Mediterranean vibe. From the bright, airy décor to cooking that is fresh, pared-back and abundant in olive oil, the pleasant warmth of the Greek and Italian coasts will feel within touching distance. The well-priced sharing dishes range from delicious, just-baked pitta with salt and herbs to a generous helping of cannoli. Chatty, welcoming service adds to the cheery atmosphere.

The beautiful vaulted, red-brick ceiling is a key attraction at this well-run and deservedly busy restaurant. An experienced chef takes traditional dishes and gives them a modern update, while using the best of the local larder and delivering plenty of flavour. Their house specialities include Siberian sturgeon caviar, Dover sole cooked over a wood-fired grill and, as the name would suggest, Fiorentina steak, which is dry-aged for 30 days before being chargrilled and served with a choice of sauces.

A glass-fronted kitchen is the focal point of this smart monochrome restaurant that takes on a multitude of influences. The vibrantly coloured dishes exhibit multiple Asian flavours in particular, be that Wagyu dim sum with tom yum or Balfegó bluefin tuna toro with yuzu-marinated kohlrabi. Check the daily specials too, for luxurious produce like whole Alaskan king crab to share. Dishes have assured flavours, often accompanied by vibrant colours, and the excellent bread is a real highlight. Friendly service and spot-on wine recommendations complete the picture.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows ensure that a visit here will be accompanied by spectacular views of the eponymous mountain, which towers 1,895m above sea level. The spacious building is in total harmony with the region – an affluent area popular with skiers. An à la carte is available alongside three tasting menus (comprising classic, seasonal or vegan fare), which are the best way to sample the kitchen’s expressive, consummately seasoned dishes. Influences and produce come from both Poland and France, in dishes such as smoked eel with potato and a top-tier sabayon.

Experienced Chef-Owner Andrea Camastra hails from Puglia, lives in Poland and has a passion for Asian cuisine: all three of these have an influence over the tasting menus at his clever and original restaurant. The combinations of flavours and styles are intriguing and satisfying in equal measure, styles with several stunning multi-part dishes such as the delightful bread course and 'Sweet Things'Funky' dessert. For the full experience, go for match the longer 'Maestro' menu and accompany it with one of the wine pairings. In a unique touch, inspired by his degree in Chemistry from Oxford, Camastra even has an on-site lab for testing out his creations.

Offering tasting menus named after nearby streets, this restaurant on the ground floor of the Hilton takes its inspiration from the markets of Gdańsk. Its history as a port city means this could include global influences alongside local produce such as fine Pomeranian lamb. The chefs' skill of the kitchen comes through in their sourcing of high-quality ingredients and deft balancing of flavours. An à la carte is available too, and the charming staff explain the dishes with pride.

Housed inside a hotel but with a separate entrance and a feel all its own, this elegant restaurant is worth the short walk out from the city centre. Start with a cocktail while you study the concise à la carte, where the Polish cooking comes with a Mediterranean influence that's noticeable in the occasional pasta or risotto. Top produce is clearly a priority, with the quality of the ingredients evident across the dishes. Attractive presentation and a touch of formality in the service enhance the experience.

Set in the lovingly restored Raffles Europejski Hotel, this sophisticated restaurant boasts a terrace overlooking the historic Piłsudski Square and is the place to be in the summer. A charcoal grill is used to good effect on prime produce ranging from Dover sole to fillet of beef, with classic Polish dishes, as well as pasta and soup selections, also on offer. To drink, try their own specially distilled vodka or pay a visit to the Long Bar, a version of the Raffles Singapore original that birthed the Singapore Sling.

The 33rd floor of the Olivia Centre skyscraper provides spectacular panoramic views for this buzzing restaurant where Spanish guitar music soundtracks your visit. The cooking has a similar tone, with a selection of classic tapas to begin – the Ibérico ham croquetas are terrific – before a choice of main dishes. If you’re dining with company, the eye-catching lobster rice dishes for two might include calamari or pork ribs as options. A genuine warmth from the service team and a comprehensive, largely Spanish wine list complete the picture.

There’s an appealing feel to this neighbourhood restaurant nestling in a corner basement; head straight for the hidden terrace to the rear when the sun is shining. Meats and seafood from the grill form the core of the menu, sometimes with global touches from kimchi to marinara sauce. Cooked in a semi-open kitchen, the dishes are hearty and packed with flavour. Friendly, enthusiastic service completes the picture.

The name of this busy modern bistro says it all; the emphasis is on steaks, which are dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days in their glass-fronted ageing fridges. The cuts are then skilfully cooked in the Bertha oven, where temperatures can reach up to 500°C. Try a Polish cut or one imported from further afield, accompanied by a glass of red wine. Non-steak dishes might include fried duck egg, tuna tartare or grilled octopus.

This smart monochrome restaurant sits within a refurbished city centre mansion, which also houses its sister restaurants and an office space; it's somewhat hidden away within the complex, but well worth seeking out. Formerly a grill-centric eatery, the Mibrasa charcoal oven remains in use for produce like tomahawk steak, but these days the menu is more expansive and could include their stand-out marinated herring, which delivers all the expected zing and vibrancy. There are some seriously good wines on offer too.

In four 16th-century Century tenement houses in the city’s Old Town lies the luxury H15 Palace Hotel; on its ground floor sits this smart, contemporary restaurant with a glass roof, marble-topped tables and bright modern artwork. Choose from two tersely worded tasting menus that fuse Polish and Spanish flavours in colourful dishes that are presented with plenty of explanation from the team, such as 'Liquid Salad' with spring vegetables. Go for and a wine pairing to add to the experience.

Spread across two stylish, colourful rooms conceived by a Polish theatre designer – one bright blue, one in warmer hues – this restaurant inside the Raffles Europejski hotel takes its inspiration from historic Polish cookbooks of yesteryear. Classics recipes like crayfish soup are listed on the menu next to their dates of origin, but given a modern spin in their execution. The largely local ingredients are role too, with the ingredients presented to diners at the start of the meal and attentive, charming service completes the picture.

Just to the side of the Poznan Congress Centre, is find this spacious Spanish restaurant serving up the usual tapas suspects. You’ll find Padrón peppers and patatas bravas all present and correct, alongside more filling main dishes and a selection of pintxos. Strong, satisfying flavours run throughout, while the flan is a terrific incarnation of a classic dessert. A small fridge is filled with Spanish goodies to buy and take home, including olive oil and almonds.

Located way up on the 33rd floor of northern Poland’s tallest building, this restaurant affords views over Gdańsk and out to the Baltic Sea. The cooking is equally spectacular, underpinned by Polish produce, driven by Spanish flavours and incorporating a few Italian influences. The superb pumpkin risotto is a prime example, with a perfectly judged amount of melted liquorice drizzled over the top in a nod to the chef's childhood. The service is smooth and charming, while the wine list is a treasure trove for oenophiles.

An unpretentious, friendly vibe is key to the charms of this Old Town brasserie, which is found down a cobbled street in the shadow of the impressive St. Mary's Basilica. The a bright conservatory extension makes a great spot for lunch, while the more rustic feel upstairs, room allows you to create a contrasting experience at dinner. Hearty, generous cooking is inspired by the culinary heritage of the Pomeranian region, with locally sourced seasonal produce given centre stage. Time-honoured dishes come with an appealing modern touch, as well as of the occasional Mediterranean influence.

Located on one of the city’s busiest waterside boulevards, Tygle is made all the more appealing by its enthusiastic service team and enclosed terrace that’s ideal for alfresco dining. Inside, you'll find a minimalist-meets-industrial style, with exposed pipes and Edison bulbs. The satisfying and well-executed dishes come in hearty portions and might include options like beef tenderloin with asparagus. For dessert, the cheesecake will prove a fitting end to the meal for sweet-toothed diners.

Managing to retain its neighbourhood feel while serving as a destination restaurant within the city, Rozbrat 20 has continued to evolve onwards and upwards over the years. Today, it’s a smart spot where the front room affords a view of the skilled chefs as they work on intricate dishes that have a creative edge – such as with a deep, delicious consommé made from unused bread, or expertly cooked langoustine with kohlrabi and kombu. Look out for the well-judged butter flavoured with Marmite too, which the chef took a liking to while working in London.

Setting a high standard in the Poznan dining scene for many years, Muga is an elegant place with plush, understated décor and classically formal service that mirrors the surroundings. The French-based cooking shows both utmost skill and a welcome restraint; grassy white asparagus, for example, might excel in the simple company of rich pistachio and tangy bilberry. Wine plays a large role too: the list is excellent; Sommelier Łukasz is charming and generous; and their wine shop Casa de Vinos is just next door if you want to pick something up on the way home.

Dine in the shade of one of the oldest trees in the Wielkopolska region in the small enclosed garden of this romantic restaurant. The elegant dining room is filled with antiques and polished silver, bringing a fittingly old-fashioned feel to proceedings in a long-standing restaurant that has been run by the same family for decades. The formal and personable service is a good match for the surroundings, as is the roster of classic yet ambitious dishes.

Just outside of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, you'll find this trendy spot with a wine bar on its lower level and a rustic bistro upstairs. The well-priced cooking has a Mediterranean heart, and is perfect for sharing, featuring interesting plant-based dishes such as a winning combination of lentils, raspberries and red peppers. The wine list plays a starring role, providing an extensive choice that largely focuses on natural and bio-dynamic wines from lesser-known producers – and the team have an excellent knowledge of their selection.

A century-old building on the eastern side of the Vistula River is home to this contemporary yet intimate, restaurant. Chef Witek Iwański offers a choice of two tasting menus, both of which demonstrate his respect for high-quality ingredients as well as his impressive technical skills – and he often delivers the dishes personally to your table. After the delicate, colourful snacks that signal the start of dinner, you can expect expertly rendered dishes like Skrei cod with radish, a luxurious seafood cocktail, and a modern reworking of ‘surf & turf’ that uses ribeye and crayfish. The service team are eager and attentive.

Bringing South American flavours to Warsaw, you’ll quickly find that this bright, airy restaurant is much more than a bar and serves far more than just ceviche. The famous Peruvian dish does feature – with sea bass, tuna and oyster among the varieties – but so do empanadas, grilled steaks and tostones. Argentinian chef-owner Martin Gimenez Castro imbues them all with freshness and vitality. In the evening, the music grows louder and the pisco sours start emerging from the bar at increasing speed. The service team are particularly warm and friendly.

Wearing its fishy heart on its sleeve, this restaurant sports hundreds of tiny metal scales on its walls and a counter near the entrance displaying a bounty of seafood produce. These ingredients, ranging from skrei cod to the titular 'king of the sea', are often paired with Argentinian flavours and techniques thanks to Chef Martin Gimenez Castro's heritage, along with some East Asian touches. Charming service and spot-on wine recommendations add to the appeal.

It’s easy to see why this restaurant styled on Japanese izakaya is one of the city’s hotspots. Simple, fresh and fun, it boasts bright décor and a buzzing atmosphere that reverberates around the split-level dining room. The menu offers all manner of delights, from dim sum and bao buns to daily made udon noodles and stand-out ramen crafted using flour delivered direct from Japan. The two-course lunch menu is a steal and the sake list is worth checking out.