Ethnic
The ongoing development of Warsaw’s taste buds has been reflected by an increasingly diverse ethnic scene. With no further ado, let us present the pick of the bunch…
ASIAN
Shoku
ul. Karolkowa 30
A Jack-of-all-trades it might be, but Shoku have mastered every angle of their varied menu. The lightly seared gyoza dumplings get a gold star, as does jasmine cheesecake with little blobs of matcha. Enjoying it is easy, leaving isn’t.
CHINESE
Pańska 85
ul. Pańska 85
With most Chinese restaurants looking like relics from the Bruce Lee age, Pańska 85 impresses with its class. Though the dim sum are peerless, the fanfare is saved for the Beijing duck; skin lacquered and shining, find it carved tableside before being wrapped in razor thin pancakes.
DANISH
Nabo
ul. Zakręt 8
Open-faced Smørrebrød sandwiches are a specialty with toppings including ribbons of herring with curry egg paste and a flurry of greens, but Nabo also extends to cover other aspects of the new Nordic style: the fish goulash is recommended.
GEORGIAN
Rusiko
al. Ujazdowskie 22
Good things happen in Rusiko; the gastronomic equivalent of a big, friendly cuddle on a dark, dour day, enjoy soupy chinkali dumplings and cheesy chaczapuri in a venue that feels informal yet sufficiently upmarket for important occasions.
INDIAN
Guru
ul. Widok 8
It’s a happy place, Guru: find a beautiful, warm interior, outgoing staff and busy tables of gregarious groups. With most Indian restaurants defined by their slapdash, carefree approach, Guru’s kitchen offers a more sophisticated approach.
JAPANESE
Mizu
ul. Duchnicka 3
Irresistible, immaculate and imaginative, Mizu’s sushi sets a benchmark that Warsaw’s other Japanese joints can only aspire to. The off-center location adds to the impression of dining somewhere that only those in the loop know about.
KOREAN
Sora
ul. Wronia 45
Korean food is big news in Warsaw, though increasingly it’s the Americanized K-food style you’ll find. Sora returns to the roots with tabletop BBQs, lively spices and lashings of Makkoli wine. The number of Korean guests is an endorsement in itself.
MEDITERRANEAN
Lente
ul. Hoża 43/49
Bright, sunny and informal, Lente’s style lifts spirits immediately on entry. Variety is big here, with the menu including shakshuka bowls, burrata, hummus and even a ‘Gibraltar breakfast’ (yep, a British fry-up!).
MEXICAN
La Sirena
ul. Piękna 54
A compact, hardcore interior of machetes and corrugated iron sets the scene for Poland’s best Mexican meal: pair the Enchilada Roja with ‘near death salsa’ and a spicy Michelada and you may never want to leave.
THAI
San Thai
ul. Próżna 10
Smart but with just the right amount of Asian decorative decoys to remind you that, yes, you will be eating Thai, San’s star is rising with the steamed pork dumplings and beef tenederloin doing just enough to nudge it above the competition.
TURKISH
Maho
al. Krakowska 240/242
The generic diner decor bother no-one, and for pretty good reason – the food is thunderbolt good. Get the Iskender: layers of juicy doner meat served with scoops of tomato sauce and fresh pide bread straight from the wood-fired oven.
UKRAINIAN
Kanapa
ul. Narbutta 10
Ukrainian food gets a fine dining makeover inside a plush villa that’s all sweeping staircases and theatrical chandeliers. Rich and raucous in some parts, refined and delicate in others, the food is a credit to the cunning of the chef.
VIETNAMESE
La Vietnamita
al. Jana Pawła II 52/54
A long, lantern-lit interior houses La Vietnamita, hands down the best Vietnamese stop to ever launch in Warsaw. Impossibly, the fried duck in passion fruit sauce is even better than it sounds.
