Deloitte report shows Poland leads Europe in housing price growth
Warsaw’s housing market has overtaken Rome’s, with new apartments now averaging €3,849 per square metre compared to €3,839 in the Italian capital, Deloitte reports. Poland as a whole saw the steepest price rise in Europe last year, up 19.3%, while Kraków posted the continent’s fastest growth among cities at 28.1%. Despite the surge, Polish property remains more affordable than in much of Western Europe.
In the News
Farewell to Grzybowska 46
Demolition has begun on the tenement at Grzybowska 46, a relic of prewar Wola and a rare survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto. Built in 1939 but never fully completed, the building stood for decades as an incongruous reminder of old Warsaw, even appearing in Stanisław Bareja’s 1972 comedy Wanted, Wanted. Its removal—paving the way for a widened street and new greenery—marks another fragment of the capital’s past lost to modern development.
Ryanair Backs Modlin
Ryanair will invest $400 million in Warsaw Modlin Airport under a new long-term deal, aiming to more than triple annual passenger traffic to five million by 2030. The plan doubles the number of Boeing 737s based at Modlin, adds up to 25 new routes, and creates 600 jobs. After years of disputes, the agreement signals a fresh chapter for Poland’s second capital airport and its low-cost carrier hub.
ART
Mitoraj in Warsaw
Igor Mitoraj’s monumental bronze Tindaro has set a new auction record, selling for a record PLN 6.89 million at Polswiss Art. Originally commissioned in 1997 for Paris’s La Défense district, the four-metre sculpture now finds a permanent home in Warsaw. Installed beside the Sheraton at Plac Trzech Krzyży, the buyer has pledged to keep the dramatic work accessible to the public—securing both a cultural treasure and a striking addition to the cityscape.
ECONOMY
Warsaw–China Link
A first cargo train from Warsaw has departed for China, carrying goods from across the region. Operated by PKP Cargo, the route promises delivery in under two weeks—faster than disrupted sea transport—and could cement Poland’s role on the New Silk Road.
What's in for October
Warsaw Beer Festival
Think beer, then think bigger: the Warsaw Beer Festival is three glorious days of hops, laughs and discovery. With 1,300+ beers (yes, seriously) on over 600 taps, street food that dances between gourmet and grub, quirky masterclasses, a craft-market filled with oddities, and friends old and new to toast with. It’s loud, proud and unapologetically fun.
Where: Legia Warsaw Stadium, Łazienkowska 3
When: 16-18 October 2025
More info: warsawbeerfestival.com
Warsaw Film Festival
Warsaw Film Festival returns for its 41st edition, unspooling more than a hundred features and shorts across the city’s cinemas. Highlights include Mike van Diem’s Our Girls, the audacious entries in the Free Spirit competition, and documentaries fresh from Cannes and Toronto. Alongside daring world premieres and experimental visions, the program champions emerging European auteurs. For ten days, the city becomes a stage for cinema at its boldest.
Where: Various cinemas across Warsaw
When: 10–19 October 2025
For more info: wff.pl/en
The Best City in the World: An Opera About Warsaw
Marking 80 years since Warsaw’s postwar reconstruction, The Best City in the World: An Opera About Warsaw blends history, politics, and personal stories with music by Cezary Duchnowski and direction by Barbara Wiśniewska. Inspired by Grzegorz Piątek’s book, it reflects on loss, renewal, and collective effort.
Where: Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera
When: 18 October 2025, 19:00 • 19 October 2025, 18:00
Hotel Dracula
Opening with Hotel Dracula, Art Box Metaverse at Norblin Factory introduces Warsaw to a new era of immersive VR entertainment. Across 330 square meters, groups of up to 25 wander haunted corridors, stumble across classic monsters, and share a jolt or two—each moment sharpened by 4D effects and the unmistakable voice of Daniel Olbrychski. Half haunted house, half cinematic spectacle, it’s an atmospheric, Halloween-ready adventure that feels as fresh as it does frightening.
Address: Art Box Metaverse, (Norblin Factory), ul. Żelazna 51/53
Tickets: Standard from PLN 65 weekdays / PLN 75 weekends
More info: artboxmetaverse.com
Warsaw’s Restaurant Week
Warsaw’s RestaurantWeek® is back, uniting food lovers with the city’s most exciting kitchens. Diners enjoy exceptional 3-course menus at great value, while restaurants gain new audiences and showcase their creativity. It’s the perfect chance to explore, taste, and celebrate Warsaw’s dining scene.
When: October 7th –November 19th
More info: week.pl/en/ restaurantweek
CAPITAL HEIGHTS
Warsaw finally takes its place in the clouds.
If Warsaw ever needed a reminder that it has well and truly stepped into the 21st century, it came this September with the long-awaited opening of the Varso Tower’s viewing terrace. Rising 310 meters into the sky, this glass-andsteel colossus is officially the tallest building in the European Union — a fact that even Berliners can’t argue with.
Step onto the terrace and the city unfolds beneath you like a
toy set, one you could almost pluck from the ground and rearrange at whim. Most startling of all is the sudden smallness of the Palace of Culture and Science. That lumbering relic of communism, once the city’s immovable centerpiece, now resembles little more than a decorative chess piece on Warsaw’s ever-expanding board. It’s a moment heavy with symbolism: a Cold War colossus suddenly reduced to a dollhouse by a
PHOTOS BY KEVIN DEMARIA
new juggernaut of capitalism. And yet, gazing out from this perch among the clouds, it’s hard not to feel a little giddy. The Vistula snakes lazily to the horizon, Wilanów gleams distantly in the south, while the forests of Bielany stretch green and boundless in the north. From up here, Warsaw is vast, varied, and — dare we say — beautiful.
The terrace itself feels designed for that Instagram-perfect mix of awe and vertigo. Transparent barriers allow uninterrupted panoramas, while the crisp autumn air adds a brisk edge to the experience. You half-expect to see jetliners swoop by at eye level, and in-
“From up here, Warsaw is vast, varied, and — dare we say — beautiful...
deed, you’re only a short flap of wings away from the flight paths crisscrossing the city’s sky. Opening to the public just as Warsaw slipped from summer into golden fall, the terrace arrives at a perfect time. Clear September skies mean jaw-dropping visibility, but there’s also a deeper metaphor at play: Warsaw, a city once crushed by history, now dares to stand taller than anyone else in Europe.
Insider Tips
• Buy tickets online since they are cheaper (almost half the price) and you avoid queues and are guaranteed entry at the selected time.
• Enter on 69 Chmielna
• Open all year round
• The view tastes better with a cocktail in hand
LITERARY UNDERGROUND
Bringing books to commuters beneath the city
Agood old book — instead of a mobile phone with earphones dangling out — sparks a question: What are you reading? In Warsaw’s new Metroteka, recently opened in the Kondratowicza station on the M2 line, the cover of a book becomes a kind of flag, proudly held aloft in the subterranean flow of commuters.
The express-library is a 150-square-metre sanctuary under the earth, part of the Targówek public library system. It’s designed not to be quiet in the “hush-us-all” traditional library sense, but alive. Two reading areas (one for adults,
one for kids), public readings, events, even a hydroponic vertical garden wall with basil, oregano, nasturtiums — a bit of green defiance against the altogether urban tunnel outside.
Borrow a book via express checkout (contactless chip powered), or return it on-site or via a 24/7 street-level locker. Want to read, study or work? There’s communal space, even lending of laptops if your tablet or phone feels lonely. And yes, there is coffee (or hot chocolate) to soothe nerves frayed by rushhour stampedes.
Around 16,000 books are held here. On its first day, more than 400 were taken out, especially school-reading staples,
travel guides and “how-to” books.
Poland’s reading stats have been slipping. According to the National Library, only about 41% of people read at least one book in 2024, down from much higher in earlier decades.
Metroteka is trying to reclaim space — physical, cultural — for books, for conversations, for community. As one director puts it, libraries should be “beautiful and open; inviting, not intimidating.”
So next time you descend into the metro, maybe instead of scrolling, you lift up a cover. The book might be heavier than your phone, but the view? Far more illuminating.
Metroteka by the Numbers
16,000+ books available to borrow
150 m² space inside Kondratowicza metro station
400 books borrowed on opening day
2 zones one for adults, one for kids
24/7 street-level book return machine
41% of Poles read at least one book in 2024
Fashion culture
Leaf & Lens
From misty park paths to historic brick walls, discover Warsaw’s most atmospheric autumn walks and photo moments
At its most poetic in autumn, Łazienki Park feels like a stage set for memory. The Palace on the Isle sits at the heart of it all, its reflection caught in still waters that double the blaze of color around it. Cross to the far end of the pond and you’ll find a graceful bridge that frames the view back toward the palace — an image made for the lens. Beyond, long walkways stretch beneath towering trees, their golden canopies dissolving into early-morning mist. A single figure walking through this scene turns it into something almost Proustian, where nostalgia and atmosphere intermingle in the drifting light. And if you’re lucky, you might spot a flash of russet fur: the park’s famously bold red squirrels. Tradition says to call out “Basia, Basia!” and they’ll come scampering closer, ready to steal the scene from your photographs.
In Park Ujazdowski, autumn shows off a full palette — chestnuts, oaks, maples, and beeches layering the park in shifting shades of gold and crimson. In the heart of the park lies a small pond with an island, best admired from the picturesque stone bridge that arches across the water. It’s a favorite perch for portraits, but with a zoom lens you can also train your focus downward, where a family of ducks usually circles the island, offering the chance to channel your inner wildlife photographer. When the wander leaves you hungry, head just outside the park to the newly revived Restauracja Rozdroże 1974. Once a PRL-era classic, it’s been brought back to life with a menu of Polish staples — the perfect way to warm up and round off your autumn stroll.
The Żoliborz Citadel is autumn at its most atmospheric: brick walls rising behind canopies of amber leaves, with the aqueduct bridge and stately columns setting the stage for timeless photos. But there’s also a darker note — the Executioner’s Gate, where prisoners once walked to their fate, gives the place a spectral edge that feels almost made for Halloween. Just outside the Katyń Museum entrance, a renovated old mechanic’s garage reopened this summer as Baken Bar, a cool spot to settle in with a good drink and let the autumn chill sink in.
A revolution in steak seasoning "BEEFINITY" or Innovation
Quality Beef by Yes Butcher! Yes Butcher! Shop & Bistro's steak offerings recently launched a new addition to Poland's menu: BEEFINITY, a proprietary method of inoculating beef with mushroom cultures. For our Beefinity steaks, we select the highest quality, highly marbled Hereford heifers. And you can add your own touches too!
Project counterclockwise from below: Grażyny, Ragazzi, Popolare
Grażyny, Publicly Speaking M
With their latest project, design studio Public proves that Warsaw’s milk bar revival can be witty, recycled, and very now
ilk bars don’t usually make headlines for their looks. But
Grażyny, a breezy new spot that’s part nostalgia trip, part design prank, has managed just that. Behind it all: Public, the Warsaw-based interiors outfit headed by Mikołaj Wojciechowski, together with close collaborators Maciej Granecki and Maciej Kuratczyk. When the Insider meets him in his storefront office — a converted space in a residential block — Wojciechowski is buzzing.
“We all live nearby,” he says, gesturing out the window. “This is our little version of the 15-minute city. Work, home, coffee — it’s all within a short walk.” The neighborhood keeps the team grounded, but it’s Grażyny that’s got them fizzing.
Unlike Public’s better-known projects — Soho Waszyngton, Ragazzi Bar in Hala Koszyki, or Popolare — Grażyny leans hard on repurposed materials. Benches are pieced together from recycled plastic plates by Boomplastic, tabletops are cut from offbeat leftovers, and the decorative inspiration comes from vintage mid-century cookbooks scavenged from flea markets. The effect is cheeky and warm: a milk bar that riffs on the past without embalming it.
“It was fun to treat waste as treasure,” Wojciechowski grins. And though Public’s wider portfolio isn’t built on recycling, he admits that Grażyny has opened new doors. “There’s an energy that comes from working with limitations — it forces you to see design differently.”
That sense of energy has already made Public one of Warsaw’s most visible players. Even if you’ve never clocked their name, you’ve probably eaten or drunk in one of their rooms. The aesthetic is unmistakable: clean modern lines softened by playful details, bold surfaces, and just enough roughness to keep it human.
With Grażyny, they’ve gone a step further. A milk bar that once might have been drab is suddenly on-trend, photographed, and packed. For Wojciechowski, it’s proof that Warsaw design can keep reinventing itself — without losing its sense of humor.
Sources of the Style
Want to borrow a little of Public’s playbook? Here are the shops, makers, and scavenger sources that fuel their style – and that you can tap into yourself
Krześlarz – A chair specialist with range - krzeslarz.pl
Boomplastic – Recycled plates reborn as surfaces - boomplastic.com
Paradyż Tiles – Ceramic textures with punch - paradyz.com
“There’s an energy that comes from working with limitations—it forces you to see design differently”
BETWEEN LIGHT AND SHADOW
Dorota Pankonin captures fleeting moments that define Warsaw’s character
INSIDER: How has your approach to photographing Warsaw changed since our last conversation? Have you noticed shifts in your perspective or priorities?
Dorota Pankonin: Photographing Warsaw is still, above all, a pleasure and a hobby for me. What has changed is the perspective – for over a year now I’ve also been shooting with a drone. Thanks to that, places I thought I knew well have taken on a new character. I can now capture a sense of space that I couldn’t see before.
You often capture fleeting, everyday moments in the city. How do you decide when to lift your camera and take a shot?
Sometimes it’s a breathtaking sunset, sometimes a shadow, a passing tram, or the emptiness of a street. These little details are what build the bigger picture.
Do you ever set yourself challenges or themes when walking with your camera, or is it always completely spontaneous?
Most of the time I shoot spontaneously. But there are occasions when I have a specific frame in mind that I want to capture. Then I plan the time of day and conditions so the light works the way I imagine. Sometimes I do the opposite—I deliberately choose less obvious moments to see familiar places in a different atmosphere.
Many of your photos highlight contrasts—old versus new, quiet versus bustling. Do you think these contrasts define Warsaw’s identity, or are you also exploring something more personal?
Warsaw is very much a city of contrasts, and that’s what gives it character. Modern glass towers rise over old tenement houses; crowds rush between offices, trams, and the metro, yet just around the corner you find a square where you can sit with a coffee and catch your breath. It’s not personal— it’s simply what life in this city looks like, and that’s what I try to show.
If someone unfamiliar with Warsaw only saw it through your photographs, what kind of city would they imagine?
That’s really a question for the viewer rather than me. But I hope that through my photos, people can see Warsaw’s contrasts, its diversity, its fast pace, and at the same time the quieter moments hidden in everyday life.
“Every part of the city has potential, if you arrive at the right time”
You’ve mentioned that atmosphere is key in your editing process. How do you “read” light while shooting, especially in a city where it can be so unpredictable?
It’s all about the moment. Sometimes the light scatters behind the clouds, sometimes it illuminates the skyscrapers, and sometimes it shines straight into the lens. Each of these situations can create a unique frame.
Do you have favorite times of day or weather conditions that best reflect your vision of Warsaw?
I’m definitely the biggest fan of Warsaw’s sunsets. But honestly, you can find beautiful frames in all conditions. Sometimes dramatic, heavy clouds create an incredible atmosphere, while at other times bright sunshine reveals details that usually get lost in the shadows.
Looking back at your first photos of Warsaw, what has changed the most in your work?
I still enjoy the “obvious” shots. But over time I’ve started to look more for contrasts and less predictable juxtapositions. Shooting with a drone has also made a huge difference, letting me present the city in a completely new way.
Has photography taught you something about Warsaw—or about yourself—that you didn’t expect?
Warsaw has shown me that contrasts don’t have to cancel each other out. On the contrary, they can coexist and create something unique. I think that says something about me too: I like to search for “something” in things that seem contradictory, and to find what lies in between.
Scan to give a follow to Dorota on Instagram
MOKOTOWSKA’S SLICE OF ITALY
A new Italian restaurant blends jade-hued elegance with soulful cooking, where pizzas perfume the street and pastas arrive as if straight from Emilia-Romagna.
You don’t so much step into Giada as drift toward it, led by the scent of truffle rising from the oven at the front of the house. Even before the host smiles you through the door, the perfume of blistering dough and earthy mushrooms hangs in the air like a promise.
Inside, elegance asserts itself immediately. The restaurant’s name is inlaid in marble at the threshold, a quiet but telling flourish. Beyond it, the room unfolds in layers of stone: a bar dressed in deep green marble, softened by swirls of lilac and rose, with walnut lending warmth. Hand-laid mosaics shimmer like something salvaged from a Roman villa, while lightweight rattan chairs keep the mood from tipping into formality. The space is both theatrical and calm, its design as carefully balanced as the menu.
Yet as dazzling as the room is, we prefer eating al fresco, taking in the warmth of a September afternoon. Aperol spritzes sparkle in the sunlight, conversations ripple down Mokotowska, and my partner, between bites, keeps glancing over a shoulder—this is, after all, a street where a celebrity sighting feels almost as natural as ordering a second bottle of wine.
The prosciutto pizza is the house’s quiet miracle. Delicate folds of ham rest on a crust that is equal parts chew and crunch, the canvas punctuated by tiny sparks of fig jam. Sweetness, salt, and heat find harmony here—an angel’s recipe if ever there was one. Another evening it might be the truffle
“
The prosciutto pizza, with its whisper of fig jam, tastes as if angels had a hand in its making
pizza, its aroma so spellbinding that strangers pause mid-step as they pass the restaurant’s façade.
Then comes the pasta. Handmade daily, it arrives with the kind of confidence only hours of slow cooking allow. The bolog-
nese is an orchestra of pork and beef simmered into submission, draped over fresh noodles and crowned with stracciatella so lush it borders on decadent. It is the sort of dish that silences a table mid-conversation, and quite possibly the best bolognese you’ll taste outside Emilia-Romagna.
Giada takes its name from both jade stone and an Italian woman’s name, and that duality feels fitting. It is at once polished and personal, refined yet approachable. On Mokotowska, it has swiftly become a stage where Warsaw’s appetite and Italy’s spirit meet in perfect rhythm.
We ate: Prosciutto pizza with fig jam, fresh pasta bolognese with stracciatella
Best for: Al fresco lunches, date nights, or a stylish dinner with friends
Design: Green and lilac marble bar, walnut accents, hand-laid mosaics, rattan chairs
Detail: The truffle pizza’s aroma can stop passersby in their tracks
harmony of taste carries the soul...
Warszawa, ul. Nowogrodzka 18A
Giada
A MASTER-CLASS IN PAIRING
An evening of six inspired matches—where Japanese precision met European vintages— proved that simplicity, when done well, can taste like pure magic
There are wine tastings, and then there are evenings that feel like master classes. The fourth edition of Wine Rituals, a collaboration between Nobu Warsaw’s sake bar and wine importer Mielżyński, proved to be very much the latter. Led by Nobu’s bar manager Diana Błażewicz and executive chef Josh Treacy, with Michał Poddany guiding guests through each bottle with his encyclopedic knowledge of producers, grapes, and histories, the night unfolded as a thoughtful dialogue between wine and food.
The format was simple yet inspired: six pairings, each built around variations of Nobu’s signature menu alongside fresh creations designed to highlight the wines. With the restaurant’s Japanese sensibilities and a leaning toward seafood, the white wine matches shone especially brightly. A standout was the Yellowtail Jalapeño Skewer, its clean heat and citrusy spark meeting the Marco Felluga Mongris Pinot Grigio 2022 in perfect step. The wine’s bright nose of apples, quinces, honeysuckle, lime, and jasmine
AT A GLANCE
What: Wine Rituals
Where: Sakebar by Nobu
Who: Hosted by bar manager Diana Błażewicz and executive chef Josh Treacy, with wine insights from Michał Poddany
Format: Six wine & food pairings, mixing Nobu classics with new creations
Highlights: Yellowtail Jalapeño Skewer with Marco Felluga Pinot Grigio 2022; Castello di Buttrio Pignolo 2014 with Grilled Lamb Miso Tostada
Sakebar by Nobu ul. Wilcza 73 (City Center), nobuhotels.eu
Next event: Wine Rituals with Elisabetta Foradori
Date: October 29th, 19:00
Reservations: dblazewicz@ nobuhotels.com
seemed to amplify the dish, resulting in a pairing that was both delicate and exhilarating.
But the evening’s heavyweight came in the form of the Castello di Buttrio Pignolo 2014. On its own, the wine offered a brooding nose of ripe wild berries laced with smoky, almost peaty wood tones from its long barrel aging. Complex, restrained, and a touch austere— until it met its match. Paired with a Grilled Lamb Miso Tostada, the Pignolo opened like an orchestra tuning into harmony, the lamb’s richness unlocking layers of depth and resonance in the glass. It was, in every sense, a revelation.
Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was charged with the enthusiasm of its hosts. Both Treacy and Błażewicz glowed as they spoke about the joy of weaving together their passions—food, wine, and hospitality. “Overcomplication is a trap many chefs fall into,” Treacy reflected. “The hardest approach, and often the most rewarding, is simplicity. When you have good sources and producers who care deeply about quality, the role of the chef is to let that speak clearly on the plate.”
Simplicity, it turns out, can be profound. By evening’s end, guests left not just with the memory of exquisite pairings, but also with a deeper appreciation of the artistry that comes from restraint, respect for ingredients, and the alchemy of food and wine at their peak.
Review
HOOKED ON NOOK
Where sushi, sandos, and smiles collide
It used to be that Warsaw’s post-communist restaurant holdovers seemed immovable—dimly lit places with menus untouched since the ’90s. But lately, new blood is rushing in, and Nook is one of the brightest examples of how good things can get when the old guard is finally nudged aside.
The space itself feels alive, even before you’ve ordered a bite. Hip flying-fish motifs dart across the décor, and the open kitchen buzzes like a stage performance— you’re not just waiting for dinner, you’re part of the show. When the
food does arrive, it feels like the payoff of a well-rehearsed act.
Take the Cali Gold roll: salmon layered so generously you almost expect the fish to flop back onto your plate. The truffle-laced tartare, silky mayo, and pop of caviar push it firmly into indulgence territory. This is not sushi for calorie counters; this is sushi for people who love to be overwhelmed.
But sushi is only half the story. The Katsu Sando—built on pillowy Hokkaido bread from Mon Nom Bakery—comes stacked with chicken marinated in sake, cloaked in golden panko, then offset with crisp cabbage and a sly miso mayo. It’s a sandwich that makes you grin as you eat it, all softness and crunch, warmth and tang.
On my visit, a neighboring table’s ramen inspired a moment of envy. Judging by the wideeyed, anime-worthy expression of its recipient, it’s what I’ll be back for next time. Drinks hold their own as well: a matcha riff with peach, passionfruit espuma, and milk could stand tall in any café.
Service is part of the charm, too. The waitstaff flit through the room with an easy warmth, and plates land with impressive efficiency despite the steady buzz. If there’s a catch, it’s that Nook is already drawing a loyal crowd, and as word spreads, scoring a table might become the hardest part of the meal. Still, with food this good, it’s easy to say: Nook is off the hook.
AT A GLANCE
What we ate:
Cali Gold Roll – truffle, salmon, caviar indulgence.
Katsu Sando – sake-marinated on Hokkaido bread.
Matcha Peach Cooler – a café-quality sip with passionfruit foam.
Insider Tip:
Arrive early. The food’s fast, but tables are filling even faster.
Verdict: Nook is off the hook.
BOTTEGA’S STEADY HAND
Award-winning pizza may have brought Bottega fame, but it’s the kitchen’s unshakable consistency that keeps families and regulars returning
When I stopped into Bottega recently, I found owner Matteo leaning on the counter, as genial as ever. Last year, his wood-fired pies earned Best of Warsaw honors, and he hasn’t slowed since. What strikes me most isn’t the awards but the con-
sistency—visit after visit, the food remains spot on. My daughter insists on the carbonara every time, its glossy sauce coating perfectly al dente pasta. I usually veer toward pizza, this time a Pesto e Amore (homemade Genoe se basil pesto, burrata stracciata, confit tomatoes, roasted almonds) often accompanied by a pint of Baladin, the Italian craft beer whose easy bitterness seems designed for dough and cheese. This time Matteo nudged us toward his pizza a portafoglio—a folded, handheld creation made for the street but just as satisfying at the table. My daughter declared she’d happily eat one daily after school.
And just when I thought I knew the menu, Matteo revealed a buffalo ricotta cheesecake crowned with pistachio cream. Lighter than air yet indulgent, it immediately reset my dessert hierarchy. That’s Bottega in essence: steady, thoughtful cooking, still capable of surprise.
Bottegas
ul. Oboźna 9/10, (City Center), bottegas.pl
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When guests leave, I want them already thinking about their next visit...
NOLITA ENDURES
Why consistency keeps guests returning
For years, our paths with Jacek Grochowina have crossed in the most Warsaw way possible: reaching for vegetables at Pan Ziołko’s stall at the Forteca market. Quick hellos, a few shared words, and always the promise to catch up properly “next time.” At last, we made it happen — not at the market, but at Nolita, his flag-
ship restaurant that has quietly but confidently defined fine dining in Warsaw for over a decade.
The highlight of sitting down wasn’t just the conversation, but the dishes themselves — veterans of the Nolita menu, polished with the kind of consistency that only time and talent can achieve. There was the wagyu tartare with truffle, served on a tempura rice cracker [seven years stong on the menu], the bluefin tuna wrapped in micro-thin kohlrabi slices, resembling delicate dumplings [eleven years a favorite on the menu], and the staple, coated in tempura and paired with potato purée [nine years a favorite ]— once a main, now an appetizer, rescued from being dropped entirely thanks to unwavering demand from regular guests.
As we spoke, it became clear why Nolita has endured while trends have come and gone: Grochowina’s mix of discipline, respect for product, and an unwavering belief in the essentials of taste.
Bluefin tuna tartare, kohlrabi, yuzu granita
INSIDER: Nolita has been a flagship fine dining restaurant in Warsaw for so many years. How long has it been now and how do you keep the fine dining experience fresh for guests who return year after year?
Jacek Grochowina: It’s been 13 years, which in this market is a real achievement. From the very beginning, we’ve been strict about sticking to our core ideas. Of course, we upgrade things along the way, but the fundamentals — the way we cook, the way we serve, the philosophy of the restaurant — remain consistent. Keeping it fresh is daily work. We constantly improve: the food, the service, the quality of the ingredients, even the porcelain. Every day, month, and year, we try to be better than before. That’s been the goal for 13 years — to keep raising the standard.
When you’re crafting a dish, is it about showcasing technique, highlighting the product, or simply making something delicious?
For me, deliciousness comes first. Taste is always the priority. But to achieve that, you need to start with the best products — and not break them, not spoil them, but keep them as pure as possible.
Over the years, it’s become easier to work with great ingredients. There are more specialized suppliers now who understand what chefs like us need, and the logistics have improved compared to ten or twelve years ago. Of course, some suppliers come and go, but when you have top-quality products and solid technique, there’s no excuse.
Great product, great taste, and great technique — that’s the formula.
Many chefs talk about having a signature. If Nolita could be summed up in one flavor, texture, or emotion, what would it be?
For me, it’s the flavors of Asia. I love the freshness and diversity of Asian products, and I don’t limit myself to just one country. I use a lot from Japan, Thailand, and a little from China.
We have two signature dishes that really embody this: the bluefin tuna tartare with yuzu, and the octopus with wasabi. Many of our regular guests have ordered them over a hundred times, which is unusual for signature dishes. It’s easy to eat steak, grilled fish, or a salad countless times in your life. But to keep coming back week
after week for a dish with such a distinct flavor — that’s special. The challenge is consistency. Whether it’s Tuesday or Saturday, January or December, the dish has to taste exactly the same. When guests leave, I want them already thinking about their next visit. That’s the mark of a great restaurant — when you read the menu and you want to eat more than just what you’ve chosen.
What was the last flavor combination that truly surprised you?
To be honest, it’s difficult to surprise me — I’ve eaten thousands of meals all over the world, at least a hundred a year in different locations. But one recent experience really stood out: in Vietnam, I had some of the best bread I’ve ever eaten in my life. The quality was just incredible — something I hadn’t expected there at all. Those are the moments that stay with me.
If you weren’t cooking at Nolita tonight, where in Warsaw would we likely find you eating instead?
That’s always a tricky question, because I don’t want to upset anyone by not mentioning their place. But honestly, I enjoy going to Maką i Woda in Zoliborz, everything from their grill is great. If I feel like a steak, I usually go to Mięsny in Saska Kępa. When I want something casual, I go to Smash Burger up the street. For sushi, I go to Sakana, and recently, I’ve also been exploring some Thai places — I like the Thai basil with minced pork or chicken with cashew nuts from Pumpui, which is quite good.
Review
NÃBE
Bento boxes carry the day, while evenings brim with hot pot, cocktails, and sharing plates
“Cook. Share. Celebrate.”
At nãbe, this isn’t just a slogan but the beating heart of the concept. Dining here is about more than food: it’s about togetherness, ritual, and the joy of discovering flavours side by side. The team — already seasoned after eight years running UKIM — have created a place where Warsaw’s appetite for both precision and playfulness can coexist.
Bento at Noon
During the day, nãbe becomes a sanctuary for smart, balanced lunches. Available from 12:00 to
17:00, the bento box is inspired by Japanese tradition but polished with a contemporary Asian accent. Each tray is composed with care: a main course, sides, vegetables, and the soup of the day. On our visit, the beef bulgogi stole the show — tender, flavorful, and beautifully offset by its supporting cast. It’s the kind of meal that feels at once substantial and restorative, a perfect pause before stepping back into the city.
Evenings That Celebrate Sharing
When night falls, nãbe comes alive in a different register. Hot pot takes center stage, transforming the dining room into a place of bubbling broths, sizzling ingredients, and animated conversation. This is communal dining at its most interactive: a ritual that rewards curiosity, patience, and laughter.
Supporting the hot pot is a lineup of sharing plates that encourage a graze-and-linger approach, as well as a drinks list featuring signature cocktails that strike the right balance between adventurous and approachable. Whether you’re there for the food, the company, or both, the experience is engineered to keep you seated long after the first round.
The Sweet Finish
And then comes the final flourish: every meal ends with a complimentary soft-serve matcha ice cream. It’s light, refreshing, and just rare enough in Warsaw to feel special — a playful reminder that dining at nãbe is about delight as much as nourishment.
Evening Hot Pot: Interactive dining that celebrates sharing, conversation, and discovery.
Sweet Finish: Every meal ends with a complimentary matcha soft-serve.
Review
NEON DREAMS & NOODLES
Ramenownia arrives in Warsaw with a bowlful of attitude and warmth.
Walking into Ramenownia feels like stepping onto the set of Blade Runner: glowing neon tubes hum overhead, painting the room in cinematic light. But there’s nothing dystopian about the mood—within minutes, the staff feel like long-lost friends, ushering you into a world where ramen is religion.
The bowls here are big-hearted, deeply aromatic, and built with a sense of play. Miso ramen comes on strong, bold and savory, while the spicy miso has just enough fire to remind you winter is still out there. Tantanmen packs a nutty punch, and the mayu tonkotsu, with its whisper of black garlic, borders on addictive.
It’s not all perfect—sometimes the seasoning can lean salty—but that hardly matters when you’re slurping through broth this comforting. And don’t skip the melon soda float: a fluorescent, fizzy miracle you didn’t know you needed.
Ramenownia ul. Giełdowa 5, (Wola), ramenownia.pl
BRICK & MORTAR
Origins: Ramenownia was born in Łódź
Warsaw Presence: Already serving noodles at LIXA City Gardens in Wola.
Coming Soon: A 123 sqm location at SOHO 12 by Yareal in Praga, opening late 2025.
PASTELOWE BRINGS LISBON TO SOLEC
Golden pastéis de nata meet playful surf-inspired design
TThe space itself leans into play. Wonky mirrors ripple across the walls like warped reflections in tidal pools, while a large counter—undulating and bright— splits the room like a reef break. Outside, when the weather cooperates, the terrace hums with an energy that feels borrowed from the Iberian Peninsula.
here are cafés that serve pastries, and then there are cafés that stage a holiday. Pastelowe, on Solec Street, does the latter. Its calling card is the pastel de nata — the flaky, burnished custard tart you find cooling on bakery counters in Lisbon. Here, they come in the classic version but also dressed with raspberry, pistachio, and chocolate. Even a vegan option finds its place, light yet indulgent. The brioche, a Portuguese staple, adds a welcome companion piece.
Pair a flat white or a clean, bright filter coffee with your tart and you’ll understand: Pastelowe isn’t just another pastry shop. Stay longer, and the menu stretches into golden-hour territory with natural wines and a sunny spritz.
Solec 52 7, (Powiśle)
Pastelowe
SPICE EXPANDS
Authentic Thai, bigger Wola space
Having built a loyal following at their snug Jana Pawła outpost, MADAMe Thai have now expanded with a second address in the office and residential sprawl of Wola. The move feels smart: the new space breathes easier, offering more light, elbow room, and a calmer setting that suits long, leisurely meals.
At the heart of it all remains Chef Chattreeya, a familiar face for MADAMe Thai regulars. She knows how to make things spicy – just ask – but be warned, this is not for the faint of heart. Her menu balances comfort and surprise, with dishes that feel both authentic and personal.
We began with chicken satay skewers – flavorful, though a touch salty and dry. Any doubts, though, vanished with the mains. The panang curry came rich and velvety, its spice mellowed by creamy coconut, while the gai pad med mamuang, upgraded with crispy pork, impressed with its sweet–savory punch and layered textures. What stands out is the sense of discovery: MADAMe Thai’s menu feels like an invitation to return and explore – now in a bigger, better setting.
MADAMe THAI Giełdowa 7, (Wola),
GEORGIAN SPLENDOR
IN A PRE-WAR PALACE
Lomi dazzles with an opulent setting and classic Georgian flavors...
ul. Marszałkowska 72/17 (City Center)
Walking into Lomi, you can’t help but feel a little awestruck. Set inside the Taubenhaus building, a grand survivor from 1898, the restaurant unfolds like a stage set — cavernous wings stretch toward an open kitchen, chandeliers twinkle over plush armchairs, and a glass-fronted wine room hums quietly at the center. Few restaurants in Warsaw can claim such a sense of place, and Lomi makes the most of it.
The menu, sprawling in scope, seeks to capture the heart of Georgian hospitality. A starter titled Aromat of Tbilisi arrives as a tableau: earthy spreads, a stuffed pepper, and a single eggplant roll wrapped around walnuts. It’s a promising beginning, though the price tag gives pause. Similarly, a lamb lula kebab served with lavash and pickled onions leaned toward the austere until a side of satsebeli sauce — sweet, tomato-forward, though reminiscent of something jarred — came to the rescue. Parsley stands in for cilantro throughout the menu, a curious substitution that flattens flavors that might otherwise sing. Then comes redemption. The Adjarian khachapuri — a bubbling canoe of flaky bread, molten sulguni, and the golden richness of a just-cracked yolk — is pure comfort. Mixed together, it’s indulgence at its best, a dish that could make you forget the Warsaw drizzle outside. It’s the sort of thing that anchors a meal, and here, it shines.
Wine is a strength, with a climate-controlled cellar showcasing bottles worth lingering over. Service is polished and
welcoming, the kind that makes you want to linger. And linger you will, because Lomi is not the kind of restaurant you breeze in and out of — it’s a place designed for long evenings in grand company.
Yes, you’ll pay a premium, and no, the food doesn’t yet outpace stalwarts like Rusiko. But what Lomi offers is an atmosphere of occasion: an architectural jewel box where even a simple dinner feels like an event. For many, that will be worth the ticket.
“ Lomi turns khachapuri into a heartwarming centerpiece
AT A GLANCE
Vibe: Opulent, cavernous, special-occasion worthy
Price: Mains from 70–120 PLN
Wine: Strong Georgian list, climate-controlled cellar
Best Dish: Adjarian khachapuri with sulguni cheese & egg yolk
Insider Tip: Call ahead for a reservation — especially if you’re bringing a larger group.
Lomi
The Buzz
Presenting the city’s most talked about venues, join us on a whistle stop tour of the cafes, pubs and cocktail dens and wine bars that you can’t afford to miss…
El Cafetero
Emilii Plater 8 (City Center), elcafetero.pl
ROASTED ON SITE
WINE & DINE
Kontakt
Sandomierska 13
Weaknesses do not exist in Kontakt, and if they do, they have yet to be formally identified by any who visit. Looking glorious in its deep shades of blue, its look is complemented by a 400-strong wine list slanted towards natural, bio-dynamic and organic wines. The five-star experience is aided by wonderful food.
LOCAL WINES
Brać
Józefa Sierakowskiego 4a/ lok u3
Resistant as traditionalists may be to the very notion of Polish wine, Brać have made it their mission to showcase its unknown quality. Presenting on-edge sips from niche domestic producers (including collabs with the Funky Fluid craft brewery!), all this is done in a stylish space that feels good to be in. From 2023, this was our favourite wine-related find!
NATURAL WINE
Rascal
Moliera 6
Formerly a canteen for ballet dancers, this address now holds the largest bar in Europe specialising in natural wines – you weren’t expecting that! Entered past a lavish drape, this cool space has a suitably adventurous choice of rebel wines.
BEER GEEKS
On Emilii Plater, amid Warsaw’s constant rhythm, El Cafetero Kawiarnia quietly stands out—not with noise, but with the lure of freshly roasted beans drifting down the street. Inside, it’s intimate yet connected, a place where laptops glow discreetly and coffee feels like ritual. Owner Konrad treats it less as business than obsession, sourcing ethically from Kenya, Madagascar, Honduras, and more. Brewing is science and art—reverse-osmosis water rebuilt with minerals, precision learned from Scandinavian mentors. With cakes baked by his father and teas chosen with equal care, El Cafetero roots itself in sincerity, serving coffee that truly makes you pause.
Jabeerwocky
Nowogrodzka 12
Good old Jabbers will never let you down. A Warsaw institution, the adventurous choice of beers gives nods to international pioneers, domestic talents as well as
The Buzz
their own house beers. Prewar floors and the welcome smell of spillage give it a great atmosphere that becomes a boisterous babble of international voices the later it gets. For something quieter, take your pint next door to their sister bar, Jabeerwocky Junior.
CUTTING EDGE CRAFT
Hopito Chmielna
Chmielna 24
Opened last year as the younger sister of Hopito’s Żurawia venture, this branch feels a little more mature in its target audience, though every bit as fun in its beer selection - radicalized drinkers will love Hopito’s own crazy brews.
OLD TOWN PINTS
Same Krafty vis-à-vis Nowomiejska 11/13
Jammed between the Barbican gateway and the Rynek, Same Krafty’s pair of Old Town drinkeries face opposite each other to offer their own mini-pub crawl. Appearing as raucous and rugged tavern-like bars, the experimental craft beers are a league ahead of the mainstream fizz peddled by the other nearby bars. and a crowd that errs from late 20s upwards.
STUDENT CARNAGE
Nowy Świat ‘Pavilions’
Nowy Świat 26
For the highest condensation of bars in the capital head to ‘the pavilions’, a collection of ramshackle drinking cabins, shot bars and sheesha lairs inside a tight grid of shadowy back alleys. Adding to the gentle sense of confusion comes the realization that so many bars look the same –accessed through clattery,
barred doors, visitors walk into murk and chaos.
ALT. ENTERTAINMENT
Worek Kości
Bagatela 10
There is nothing ordinary about Worek Kości and that’s underlined by its collection of 400 replica skulls. Known for its burlesque nights, this passionate celebration of the beautiful and bizarre also has a busy roster of lectures dedicated to criminal profiling, forensics and serial killers. Oh, and the cocktails are good.
VINYL NIGHTS
Monkey Love
Bulwar Flotylli Pińskiej 1a Monkey Love is more than a restaurant—it’s a full-sensory escape. Set in the lush enclave of Przystań Warszawa, its tropical interiors and wooden DJ console evoke the spirit of Bali or Havana. Curated by DJ Nowosad, the Monkey Love Selection blends various kinds of music, with sounds that ignite the dance floor and shift with the mood. A rotating roster of international DJs, a wall of records by VVOSK, and expertly crafted playlists elevate the vibe, making Monkey Love one of Warsaw’s most vibrant, music-driven destinations.
THE PRAGA VIBE
W Oparach Absurdu
Ząbkowska 6
Craft beers lurk within the fridge, but for the seminal Absurdu experience order a tray of vodka before bulldozing through the crowds that gather to listen to Balkan rock and Afro-Latin bands. Somewhere, hidden deep beneath the creaking antiques and
moth-eaten Persian rugs, you might be lucky to find a wood-carved bar.
NORTHERN NIGHTS
Havana
Słowackiego 16/18
Set on the first floor of a PRL era tower, the super cool interior offers up a coherent display of retro posters, luscious plants and light wood trimmings that are respectful of this space’s former life as a 1960s cafe. Perched among hip freelancers and theatre types learning their lines, sip away on trendy bio wines, adventurous lemonades, craft swigs or specialty coffee sourced from local roasters.
UPMARKET CLUBBING
Sen Wioślarska 6
Some would say that Sen enjoys its heyday in the summer when the rooftop terrace opens to afford views of the illuminated bridges that span the river. But even outside these months it’s long enjoyed a reputation as Warsaw’s premier super-lux club. High class cocktails and a stringent door policy have helped maintain their name as the principal destination for glam, catwalk excess.
DESTINATION COFFEE
Café Pląs
Puławska 113A (Królikarnia)
Set inside the Króliarnia palace, it’s laidback and artsy-cool, something aided by the strategically placed plants, chillout beats and rare-find art books placed reverentially on the shelves. Specialty coffee, bio wines, alternative soft drinks and craft beer make it a highly versatile place to finish in after a brisk autumn walk
around the palace grounds.
COFFEE OF LEGEND
Stor Tamka 33 / Bracka 18
For many there is no better café anywhere in Poland than Stor’s original on Tamka. When the sunlight slopes in through the window, there are few finer feelings than idling away in this plant festooned refuge. Famed for their glorious coffee and detail-driven approach, recognition should also be handed to their devotion to local causes and zero waste philosophy.
FOR VINYL CHILLOUT
Hałas
Elsterska 10
Divide Hałas into two sections: first, a small chamber selling collectors classic vinyl and coffee sourced from some of Europe’s top roasters. Then, smuggled in the back, discover a Nordic-style living room arrangement that encourages afternoons spent sipping coffee whilst catching up on email.
FOR QUICK ESPRESSO
Błysk
Słowackiego 22
Served over a PRL era counter, Błysk’s super-tight confines generate a natural air of familiarity. Often standing room only, the buzz and hubbub owes itself not just to the delicious espresso shots, but also the homemade cookies and dog-loving owners that will spoil your pet.
HIDDEN STAR
El Cafatero
Marszałkowska 27/35
Tucked behind the patinated domes and intricate steeples of Zbawiciela, chilling in this
little café has you thinking you’re somewhere cute and quaint like Vilnius or Lublin. Specialising in roasting their own African coffees, the super-hip vibe is highlighted by the wall of Polaroid snaps.
CHAMPION BREWS
Forum
Elektoralna 11
Forum has it all: a fashionably
frayed interior, a friendly dog nuzzling around, and a client base that expects nothing but the best – and at Forum, that’s exactly what they get. Marketing themselves as “the home of the Polish Aeropress and Polish Brewers’ Cup Champions”, these accolades say everything there is to know.
A MODERN HOTEL IN THE HEART OF WARSAW
Welcome to Warsaw’s newly emerging business district. Crowne Plaza@ Warsaw - The HUB hotel offers modern
COFFEE AUTHORITY
Coffeelab
ul. Wspólna 70, (City Center)
A Warsaw-based specialty coffee roastery established in 2012, is renowned for its meticulous approach to coffee roasting. Under the guidance of head roaster Wojciech Rzytki, Coffeelab selects high-quality green beans and profiles each coffee to highlight its unique flavors. Their offerings include a diverse range of beans from regions like Brazil, Ethiopia, and Guatemala, catering to various brewing methods such as espresso and pour-over. Beyond coffee, their café delights with freshly prepared dishes made on-site, adding a culinary bonus to the experience. For those eager to deepen their coffee knowledge, Coffeelab offers barista training courses focusing on espresso machine skills and grinder techniques .
COFFEE IN THE MORNING, PARTY IN THE EVENING
Hood Cafe
ul. Poznańska 37 HOOD Café brings Left Bank flair to Poznańska with aperol-orange chairs, leafy patio vibes, and a day-tonight crowd that lingers from espresso to negronis. Breakfasts—like avocado toast with dukkah or a proper egg sandwich with sriracha mayo—set the tone, while smooth coffee and standout matcha fuel the day. Come evening, DJs, cocktails, and a stylish crowd make this café-bar Warsaw’s new all-day favorite.
GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES
Aura Hoża 27
Aura Bar, Warsaw’s bour-
bon-forward hideaway, charms with Moroccan accents, a leafy patio, and cocktails as smooth as its vibe. Famous for Old Fashioneds (eight riffs and an annual contest), Aura also shines with playful seasonal creations—this summer inspired by music genres. Expect DJs, live sets, and a friendly, living-room atmosphere where bartenders chat as easily as they shake. Tiny space, big character
SOMETHING COLORFUL
Violet Café
Marszałkowska 87
Violet Café is a charming new spot in Warsaw, blending modern design with a nod to its history as a flower shop. Created by Trias Design Studio, the interior features soft hues of purple, beige, and white, along with floral motifs and high ceilings that create a light-filled, airy atmosphere. The café’s layout includes cozy seating zones, an open kitchen, and unique design elements like a restored historical wall and custom-made furniture. Offering a delicious breakfast menu and tempting desserts, Violet Café is an artistic space that invites both locals and tourists to enjoy a relaxing, inspired experience.
COFFEE SCENE
Na Bank plac Bankowy 4
For those seeking more than just a caffeine fix, Na Bank is a standout in Warsaw’s coffee scene in 2024. Located at Plac Bankowy 4, this specialty café blends precision, artistry, and top-quality beans, giving you the most satisfying bang for your buck. Finding a seat in this bustling café is no small feat, but the energy
inside—echoing the vibrancy of Plac Bankowy outside—keeps you focused, whether you're tackling deadlines or deep in conversation. While you’re there, don’t miss their openfaced sandwiches topped with fresh salads or the popular Turkish eggs with spicy butter and avocado—rich, creamy, and comforting. Pair it all with a sweet treat, like the soft, vegan cinnamon bun with salted caramel, and you’ve got a café experience that’s both energizing and indulgent.
COMMUNITY MATTERS
Fat White
Andersa 6
Fat White brought specialty coffee to Muranów nearly eight years ago, creating a cozy and creative space where community thrives. More than just a café, it’s a vibrant meeting point for imaginative minds, fostering connections over expertly brewed flatties and alternative drinks. With its welcoming atmosphere, filled with comic book figurines and art from local talent, Fat White is a true reflection of Warsaw’s creative spirit.
HIGH QUALITY BITES
Espresso Bar
Emilii Plater 12
Espresso Bar has secured its spot as one of the best café of 2024, thanks to its ideal location on Emili Plater and an elevated food offering that goes beyond the usual coffee shop fare. Born from the beloved Hala Gwardii coffee counter, it pairs expertly brewed Coffeelab and Trigger Roastery blends with thoughtful, high-quality bites— like the standout Norwegian brunost toast. With its warm, minimalist interior and prime setting, Espresso Bar is the perfect all-day spot to work, meet friends easily becoming your new favorite cafe in the City Center.
Dine & Delight
When only the best will do, we’ve cut through the chaff to present a curated choice of Warsaw’s top eateries –from ethnic comfort foods and under-the-radar gems all the way up to the city’s most exclusive dining rooms…
Slip through a courtyard off Chmielna and you’ll find Luz Maria, a riotous Peruvian-inspired spot named after the cult telenovela. Like its namesake, a night here brims with drama: bold décor, playful food, and cocktails with attitude. Totopos come loaded with sauces from smoky chipotle to vivid ají de aguacate, while tacos range from sticky-sweet guava carnitas to beef with pineapple and pickled jalapeños. The mazorcada—fries with cheese, Tajín, and corn—is glorious, messy fun. Drinks keep the theatrics flowing, from the peppery Pardon Padron to the cheeky Cornstar. Verdict: not just a taco bar, but a binge-worthy experience.
THE MICHELIN STAR
Nuta
Pl. Trzech Krzyży 10/14
Andrea Camastra’s restaurant is a magical enclave in which time stands still. Mixing his famed scientific techniques with artisanal processes, his tasting menu is expressive in its aesthetics and flavour, as if it were an extension of his own firecracker character. Even the cheeseboard is a mind-bender – on our April visit, jaws hit the floor as this arrived in the liquified form of a pear consommé topped with warm gorgonzola foam. A bold, world-class adventure, no other restaurant offers such a ride – a second Michelin star seems guaranteed.
FORMAL & EXTRAORDINARY
Epoka
Ossolińskich 3
Nineteenth century cornices and baroque drapes lend an enveloping sense of luxury to this A-Class space. Epoka’s menu is based on Polish cookbooks from different epochs, with the dishes reconstructed in a way that’s innovative, unexpected and a roller coaster of thrills. La Liste officially rank it among the world’s Top 100 Restaurants.
EXQUISITE
Nolita
Wilcza 46
Winning our 2022 award last year for ‘Outstanding Achievement’, chef Jacek Grochowina’s enclave of class looks dashing with its monochrome colours and muted gunmetal shades, but it’s the food that has made it the place Warsaw heads to live the life of the 1%. Treasuring detail and finesse, Nolita demonstrates fine dining hasn’t died.
Dine & Delight
ECLECTIC & UPMARKET
Dyletanci Koszykowa 47
Subtle and stylish with its muted, neutral colours and pops of art, amid the light woods and sky-coloured walls, the assembled fine wines have been selected to dance in tandem with the cooking of Rafał Hreczaniuk. His cooking is elegant, eclectic and never short on sensational taste.
FOR THE TASTING MENU
Rozbrat 20
Rozbrat 20
Fusing upmarket, casual styling with an exciting wine list, interactive service and the kind of atmosphere you can’t get enough of, Rozbrat 20 is a Warsaw gastro landmark. Under chef Bartosz Szymczak, the frequently changing menu has a real playful inventiveness to it.
Grażyny
ul. Grażyny 1 (Mokotów)
Warsaw’s milk bars are more than cafeterias—they’re survival strategies, community tables, and time machines. Grażyny, newly opened in Mokotów, joins their renaissance with ambition. Public Studio stripped a former shoe shop to bare brick, revealed a prewar mosaic, and furnished it with recycled sofas and a six-meter wall of secondhand cookbooks by street artist Easy. Ordering happens at touchscreens, though a cashier waits for the old-school faithful. Gołąbki with roast potatoes are standouts, pierogi less so, while tomato soup earns cautious respect. Grażyny doesn’t mimic the past—it reimagines the milk bar as a stylish, democratic institution for 2025.
DATE NIGHT
alewino
Mokotowska 48
Regularly adjusted to utilize the best items the season has to offer, the menu is a triumph of expertly balanced tastes and is admired for some of the most interesting cooking in the city – think elegant with a localized twist. Rounding out the experience is an intimate, labyrinthine design that’s ideal for when it’s cold and grim, and a decked courtyard terrace for when it’s not.
NEW WAVE
hub.praga
Jagiellońska 22
Heading the kitchen is Witek Iwański, a chef whose past accolades include our very own ‘Top Talent’ title at our Best of Warsaw awards. The tan, beige and white interior is embellished with moon-shaped mirrors and statement art, and is twinned with tiny a’la carte courses that appear like miniaturised works of art.
CASUAL SCENE
Bibenda
Nowogrodzka 10
With no reservations accepted, Bibenda’s enduring popularity ensures that queues often build at the entrance – even at the height of the Polish winter. Augmenting the warm interiors of raw red brick and dim yellow lighting, guests flock for a menu that celebrates the fields, forests and farmsteads of Poland. honey and peanut chili crisps.
THE NEED TO KNOW
The Eatery Koszykowa 49A
This attractive off-street space comes swathed in
white-on-white colours –blissfully cocooned from the outside world, and decorated orb-like installations, this chic but casual space gives Polish food a modernised translation. Visiting for our May issue, we were bowled over by the pork cheeks served with a punchy demi-glace and whirls of liquified peas and red cabbage.
NEW POLISH
Źródło
Targowa 81
Hardwood floors, exposed pipes and a flurry of plants equip an open area decorated with blasts of contemporary art, recycled furnishings and extravagant light installations. Menu-wise, the food lights the soul. But more than just celebrating the power of local produce, there’s a refinement at play that speaks of a kitchen team that aims for magnificence.
POLAND REIMAGINED
Bez Gwiazdek
Wiślana 8
Regarded as one of Warsaw’s gastronomic treasures, each month sees Robert Trzópek design a tasting menu inspired by a specific region of Poland. His creative interpretations of the nation’s culinary traditions are delicate, nuanced and beautifully balanced. The chic but casual setting reflects the philosophy.
TRENDING POLISH
Pod Gigantami
Ujazdowskie 24
Once seen as a classic restaurant for ‘old people’, Pod Gigantami’s reinvention stretches to 3 a.m. finishes come the weekend. Marrying heritage with hip, during more normal hours enjoy thoughtfully cooked Polish classics
including an old school schabowy the size of a small planet.
POLAND FOR INSIDERS
Oma Radna 13
Stepping into Oma is like entering Babcia’s house for a holiday—a warm embrace of Polish tradition with a modern flair. Oma, named after the chef’s grandmother, exudes
Oma-goodness. Nestled in Powiśle, it charms with its vintage Polish decor and fresh flowers. The menu offers classic dishes with a twist: schabowy topped with Parmesan and zupa pomidorowa with garlic. Desserts like knedelki—a cottage cheese dumpling with apples and orange peel—are irresistible. The thoughtful vintage design and caricatures of Oma on the
servers’ shirts add a personal touch. Make a reservation to avoid heartbreak, as Oma’s popularity often leads to a full house. Dive into this cozy haven and savor the best of Polish summer cuisine, where every bite feels like a warm hug from Babcia herself.
NEIGHBOURHOOD GREEK
Mr. Greek Souvlaki
Londyńska 16
Festooned with potted shrubs, the outdoor wooden deck is one of Saska’s finest
SOUTH AMERICAN FLAIR
Ceviche Bar
Twarda 4
With Argentine chef Martin Gimenez Castro injecting his passion and personality into the venue, this is an address that punches through the greyness of everyday Warsaw. Ceviche is naturally the default order, and here it’s served in around five different forms.
Tuna Elektryczna 2
tail and the best-selling chili con tuna. It’s an ecstasy of tastes.
CITY CENTRE VEGAN
Peaches Gastro Girls
Stalowa 36
Peaches, Warsaw's vibrant vegan hotspot, serves up seasonal dishes with finesse. From their umami-packed grilled mushrooms to inventive cocktails, every bite and sip delights. The minimalist interiors and open kitchen make it an experience for both eyes and palate.
COMMUNITY HUBS & FOOD HALLS
CENTRUM PRASKIE KONESER
Pl. Konesera, koneser.eu
Reopened in 2018 as a mixed-use project containing cultural sites, F&B outlets, A Class offices and loft-style apartments, no other investment has had a bigger impact on Praga’s overdue regeneration than Koneser. Culturally, it’s also done much thanks to the Polish Vodka Museum, the Museum of Fantastic Art and temporary exhibitions such as Banksy in 2021. For most though, the F&B lineup is the strongest attraction of all and this includes upmarket Indian from Bombaj Malasa, the casual eatery Spółdzielnia and the real feather in the cap, the Koneser Grill – a meat-centric venue of high sophistication.
BROWARY WARSZAWSKIE
Grzybowska 58, browarywarszawskie.com.pl
Utilising elements of a historic brewery and setting them against an upmarket backdrop of freshly mapped streets and immaculate new build that feels contextually suited to the district, Features include a premium food hall, Robert Lewandowski’s Nine’s sports bar, the ever-popular Balkan eatery Munja, and Baila – a stunning live entertainment emporium.
FABRYKA NORBLINA
Żelazna 51/53, fabrykanorblina.pl
Representing 200-years of history, the two hectare site is riddled with over 50 leftovers from the Industrial Revolution and these are set against attractions such as the luxury Kinogram cinema (champagne vending machines!), the immersive Art Box Experience, a factory museum and the Smart Kids Planet –a 1,600 sq/m project with nine zones that aim to promote logical thinking, healthy eating, motor functions, perception and creative thinking.
HALA KOSZYKI
Koszykowa 63, koszyki.com
Considered the grande dame of food halls, the brick and wrought iron interiors of this spot look beautiful with the F&B offer split between standalone restaurants such as the fancy Warszawski Sen to vendors like the fist-bumping, burrito boys at Gringo. For craft beer and grilled sausages then Kiełba w Gębie doesn't put a foot wrong, whilst the open-all-hours ĆMA is a legend in its own lifetime.
ELEKTROWNIA POWIŚLE
Dobra 42, elektrowniapowisle.com
Elektrownia’s blended approach includes an exclusive top floor beauty hall filled with cutting edge beauty solutions and a retail offer than tends to shirk the mainstream to instead slant in on contemporary Polish design, upscale vintage, niche brands and established local talent. The food and drink has also been a major plus, with most attention going to a food hall that appears in an energetic sea of neon.
The City Through Senior Eyes
WARSAW UNDER CONSTRUCTION turns its focus on aging, caregiving, and intergenerational futures.
Is Warsaw ready for an aging society? With life expectancy climbing and demographics shifting, the question of how cities adapt has never been more urgent. The 17th edition of the WARSAW UNDER CONSTRUCTION festival responds with The Older Town, an ambitious exhibition at the Wola Museum of Warsaw that treats old age not as a problem, but as a universal stage of life.
Curated by Wanda Kaczor and Magdalena Staroszczyk, the show weaves together art, testimony, and social design. Visitors will encounter works by major figures such as Władysław Hasior, Roman Opałka, and Zbigniew Libera, alongside new commissions from contemporary artists including Mariusz Libel (Twożywo), Magda Mosiewicz, and Liliana Zeic. The result is a deeply layered exploration of how we age, how we care, and how our cities shape those processes.
A standout element is the participatory approach: seniors themselves—through groups like the Modern Seniors’ Club and Intergenerational Activity Centres—co-created parts of the exhibition. Their contributions range from personal testimonies to the Seniors’ Manifesto, a film developed with Franciszek Orłowski, demanding greater inclusion of older voices in cultural programming.
But the exhibition also addresses the realities of care work, often carried out by migrant workers. The installation A Room with No Door—a continuation of the project Caregivers. We Want a Full Life—foregrounds the voices of Ukrainian domestic
workers, broadening the conversation about labor, dignity, and empathy.
The curators frame their approach around an “ethics of care,” countering the individualism that too often defines urban life. This ethos comes to life in the exhibition’s centerpiece: a communal table draped with an embroidered cloth by Ewa Cieniak, designed to spark conversation across generations.
Alongside the artworks, the program includes lectures, intergenerational workshops, and presentations of both past and present urban solutions—from the enduring Builders’ Social Welfare Home of the 1970s to Warsaw’s new Intergenerational Activity Centres. These juxtapositions show that designing for all ages is not only possible but has been part of the city’s DNA for decades.
By encouraging visitors to “imagine a (good) old age,” The Older Town suggests that aging is not a private challenge but a collective urban task—one that Warsaw must face with creativity, solidarity, and inclusivity.
WARSAW UNDER CONSTRUCTION:
The Older Town
Wola Museum of Warsaw, ul.12 Srebrna, muzeumwarszawy.pl
HEALTH/CULTURE
An Endless Summer Awaits at Suntago
Just 30 minutes from Warsaw, Europe’s largest indoor water park offers year-round warmth, wellness, and thrills under the palm
If escaping to the tropics feels out of reach, there’s a place just outside Warsaw where summer never ends. Suntago, the largest indoor water park in Europe, has transformed the idea of leisure in Poland by blending high-energy entertainment with health-focused relaxation — all beneath a canopy of real palm trees imported from Costa Rica, Malaysia, and Florida.
The park is divided into three themed zones: Jamango, a family-friendly playground home to Europe’s largest collection of indoor water slides; Relax with Wellness & SPA , a sanctuary of vitality pools, jacuzzis, hydromassages, and swim-up bars; and Saunaria, an adults-only haven with 15 different saunas and steam rooms designed to transport visitors everywhere from a Viking hall to a Maldivian cottage or Egyptian village.
Guests can immerse themselves in therapeutic waters too, including a Dead Sea pool, potassium baths, and a sulfur pool — natural remedies especially beneficial for those with joint conditions or arthritis. Meanwhile, expert Sauna Masters lead themed rituals and demonstrations, enhancing both the physical and mental benefits of heat therapy.
For those looking to elevate the experience, Suntago also offers customizable VIP packages for groups of five or more. These full-day escapes include a private lounge with snacks and drinks, individual massages, a private sauna session, and two meals — ensuring a tailor-made day of indulgence.
So whether it’s adrenaline-pumping slides, restorative spa rituals, or simply soaking up 32°C tropical air under palm fronds, Suntago delivers a slice of paradise just beyond the city limits.
Suntago Nowy Świat 1, (Wręcza), suntago.com
Saunaria Zone 16+
Relax Zone 16+
Chopin Reimagined
Classical music meets cuttingedge technology
If you thought Chopin was just for stiff-collared piano buffs, think again. Now open at Fabryka Norblina, Romantic Chopin rips the dust sheets off Poland’s most famous composer and reintroduces him in full technicolour.
This isn’t your typical exhibition of dusty portraits and faded manuscripts. Instead, visitors step into eight theatrical zones that chart his journey from Żelazowa Wola to Paris, complete with animated watercolours, shifting borders, and even a chance to “shake hands” with the maestro via a cast that plays snatches of his music at your touch.
The real showstopper? A 30-minute immersive chamber where Chopin’s notes explode into swirling painterly visuals, plunging audiences into a heady blend of sound and image. Just when you think it can’t get trippier, the VR room catapults you from the Vistula’s banks into deep space, Chopin as your interstellar soundtrack.
Timed neatly with the centenary Chopin Competition, the project goes beyond spectacle with a run of live Sunday recitals — a rare chance to hear young talents perform surrounded by a digital dreamscape. The concerts start on October 5th and take place every two weeks on Sundays. It’s ambitious, emotional, and more than a little magical.
Forget solemn museums — this is Chopin unbuttoned, reimagined for the Spotify generation.
Romantic Chopin at Art Box Experience Żelazna 51/53 (Norblin Factory), artboxexperience.com
NEIGHBORHOOD
WILANÓW
Wilanów school design raises the bar
What to do
MORYSIN PARK
Located just north of the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów Beyond Wilanów Lake lies Morysin Park, a hidden wetland forest once a royal hunting ground. In the 19th century, it became a romantic park, and in the 1960s, it was established as a nature reserve to protect its wildlife.
Wilanów’s Zawady district is set to get a school like no other. The winning entry in the city’s two-stage architectural competition was scooped by a team-up of Studio Widoki, Mak studio, and 2PM — and their design is nothing short of radical. Picture four distinct blocks, tied together on a common pedestal, then crowned with a running track that loops across the roof. Add in landscaped greenery, outdoor play decks, and a library designed as a signature feature, and you’ve got a blueprint that feels more cultural hub than classroom. The jury lauded the clarity of the layout, the balance of functions, and the way the scheme plugs into its surroundings, offering equal access from both Syta and Łokciowa. If Warsaw’s new schools are to look like this, the future of education here isn’t just bright — it’s beautifully designed.
With over 55,000 items in its collection, it’s the largest poster museum in the world. Until March 6th it’ll be exhibiting the vivacious works of Japanese graphic designer Tadanori Yokoo. For more information see: postermuseum.pl
WILANÓW PALACE
Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16, wilanow-palac.pl
Known by the Poles as the Polish Versailles, this baroque masterpiece was built in the 17th century for King Jan III Sobieski. It’s emphatic in its splendor, with surfaces dripping with gold leaf and indulgent extras.
Dining Guide
CAFE PLAKATÓWKA
ul. Hlonda 2, plakatowka.pl
A charming café known for its relaxed ambiance and striking posters on the walls, Cafe Plakatówka serves quality coffee, pastries, and light bites. It’s an ideal spot to unwind or catch up with friends in a welcoming, art-inspired setting.
CHARLOTTE WILANÓW
Krzysztofa Kieślowskiego 7, bistrocharlotte.com
A beloved bakery and café, Charlotte is known for its French-inspired pastries, freshly baked breads, and casual ambiance. This spot is perfect for breakfast or brunch, with a menu featuring croissants, tartines, and charcuterie boards.
KUŹNIA KULTURALNA
Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 24, kuzniakulturalna.pl
More than a restaurant, Kuźnia Kulturalna doubles as a cultural hub, hosting events, concerts, and art exhibitions. The menu combines Polish classics with modern twists, served in a stylish space that’s perfect for enjoying local art and flavors in an engaging environment.
PAUL
Klimczaka 1 (Royal Wilanów), paul-bakeries.pl
A stylish outpost of the famed French bakery, PAUL serves up buttery croissants, artisan breads, and light café fare in an elegant setting. Ideal for breakfast meetings, casual lunches, or coffee and cake with friends, it brings a slice of Paris to Wilanów.
RESTAURACJA AZIA
Klimczaka 1 (Royal Wilanów)
Restauracja AZIA brings a taste of Asia to Wilanów with a diverse menu featuring sushi, stir-fries, and fragrant curries. Its modern decor and well-curated menu make it a top choice for fans of Asian cuisine looking for quality and authenticity.
RESTAURACJA WILANÓW
Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 27
A staple in the neighborhood, Restauracja Wilanów showcases refined Polish and European cuisine. With elegant dishes, attentive service, and a relaxed ambiance, it’s a favorite for both casual outings and special occasions, promising a tasteful experience in the heart of Wilanów.
SŁODKI SŁONY
ul. Klimczaka 1 (Royal Wilanów), slodkislony.pl
The younger sibling of the renowned
Słodki Słony, this bistro serves Polish culinary classics with a seasonal, creative twist, alongside famous pastries and cakes from its Mokotowska location. Open from breakfast through dinner, it offers both traditional and vegetarian/ vegan options.
SMITHS
ul. Hlonda 10
Nestled in Wilanów, Smith's is an enchanting English tearoom offering a delightful escape. Indulge in afternoon tea, complemented by exquisite cakes, pastries, and savory snacks like salads and pastas. Enjoy a selection of wines and Prosecco while relaxing amid charming swings and a beautiful flower wall.
RESTAURACJA J: WILANÓW
ul. Klimczaka 17
With a focus on contemporary Polish and European cuisine, Restauracja J offers a refined yet cozy atmosphere. Seasonal ingredients shine in each thoughtfully prepared dish, making it a prime choice for an elegant dinner or special occasion in Wilanów.
TRATTORIA RUCOLA
ul. Klimczaka 1 (Royal Wilanów)
This family-friendly Italian trattoria offers a rustic charm with a hearty selection of pastas, pizzas, and Italian classics.
NEIGHBORHOOD WILANÓW
Ten Years of Growth: British Primary School of Wilanow
A
Decade of Excellence in International Education in Warsaw
Established in 2015, British Primary School of Wilanow (BSW) has emerged as a beacon of international education in Warsaw, Poland. Over the past decade, BSW has steadily grown in size, reputation, and educational offering, becoming a preferred choice for both expatriate and local families seeking a high-quality British-style education for their children.
FOUNDING VISION
The school was founded with the vision of bringing the best of British educational values
and curriculum to the heart of Poland. From the outset, BSW aimed to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where children could thrive academically, socially, and personally. The founding team comprised passionate educators and forward-thinking leaders, eager to foster a community that celebrated diversity and encouraged lifelong learning.
EARLY YEARS: LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS (2015–2017)
In its initial years, BSW started with a modest cohort of students and a small but dedicated
BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL OF WILANOW ul. Hlonda 12, bsw.com.pl
teaching staff. The school adopted the National Curriculum of England, enriched with international perspectives and local context. The founding classes were held in a purpose-built facility in Wilanów, a leafy suburb popular with international families. These formative years were crucial for building the school's ethos, introducing British traditions, and integrating families from around the world into a cohesive community.
EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT (2018–2021)
As the reputation of BSW grew, so did its student body. The school expanded its physical infrastructure to accommodate more pupils, adding new classrooms, specialist teaching spaces, and outdoor play areas. During this period, BSW introduced a broader range of extracurricular activities, including music, sports, art, and modern languages.
The school also began to offer support for pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL), ensuring that children from non-English-speaking backgrounds could integrate seamlessly and succeed academically. Partnerships with local and international organisations further enriched the curriculum, providing pupils with opportunities for real-world learning and community service.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION (2022–2025)
By its seventh year, BSW had firmly established itself as a centre of academic excellence. The school’s pupils consistently achieved high results in standardised assessments, and many graduates gained entry to prestigious secondary schools in Poland, the UK, and beyond.
BSW achieved accreditation from respected international bodies, affirming its commitment to quality education and safeguarding. The school’s diverse staff brought together expertise from across the globe, ensuring that teaching methods remained innovative and inclusive.
COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION
One of BSW’s distinguishing features has been
its vibrant school community. Annual events such as International Day, British-themed celebrations, and charity fundraisers became highlights of the school calendar, fostering a strong sense of belonging and cultural exchange. The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) played an active role in supporting school initiatives and organising community-building activities.
The school also prioritised well-being and pastoral care, implementing a holistic approach to education that addressed the social and emotional needs of every child. This focus on well-being proved particularly vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, when BSW swiftly transitioned to online learning while maintaining high standards of education and support.
INNOVATIONS AND LOOKING FORWARD
As BSW marks its tenth anniversary, it continues to innovate. The integration of technology in the classroom, investment in sustainable practices, and ongoing professional development for staff ensure that the school remains at the forefront of educational trends. Plans for future growth include expanding facilities, enhancing the curriculum with new subjects such as coding and robotics, and strengthening ties with other international schools.
CONCLUSION
British Primary School of Wilanow’s first decade has been one of remarkable growth, adaptability, and community spirit. Its commitment to delivering a world-class British education in Warsaw has enriched the lives of hundreds of children and families. As BSW looks to the future, it stands well-positioned to continue shaping the next generation of global citizens for years to come.
Our admissions team can be contacted at admissions@bswilanow.org
Education and the brain
An investment too often overlooked by businesses and parents
By Edyta Frejek, Founder/Principal of Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Number One
In today’s labor market, there is increasing talk of “human capital,” with companies investing in employee development, well-being programs, and modern learning tools. Yet the key to understanding why some people learn quickly and with enthusiasm—while others lose motivation and give up—lies much earlier, in the way our brains function. Neurodidactics, a field that connects neuroscience with education, shows that a child’s brain learns in ways very different from what traditional schooling has long assumed.
Stress during exams doesn’t build knowledge—it raises cortisol levels. Boredom in the classroom isn’t trivial—it acts as an amplifier that weakens neural development. Placing
Benjamin Franklin Primary School Number One
Aleja Rzeczypospolitej 33/U3, Wilanów szkolanumerjeden.pl/en
excessive demands on an immature brain doesn’t toughen it—it destroys talents before they have the chance to flourish. Even seemingly neutral words can disrupt the entire learning process— because the brain doesn’t respond well, it can cause real harm. In this light, the discussion about “human capital” takes on a completely new meaning. Education is not an abstraction—it is a concrete investment in neural networks that can either be developed for the future or left to deteriorate.
Education should not be reduced to curriculum reforms or ticking boxes on a syllabus. It requires creating the conditions in which the brain naturally wants to learn: through simplicity, collaboration, emotional engagement, healthy risk-taking, and space for individual growth. This kind of environment is the true foundation of the labor market. It is what will determine whether we raise leaders who can drive business without losing sight of what matters most—knowledge that is both useful and functional.
Unfortunately, too many schools in Poland ignore these findings—and we are all paying the price. At Benjamin Franklin Primary School Number One in Warsaw, we have made neurodidactics standard practice. All our teachers are trained in this approach and apply methods that strengthen students’ individual abilities. Every child learns differently and requires different conditions—including the freedom to take risks. This is not a cost—it is an investment in the future, in the people who will help shape business a decade from now.
Knowledge about the developing brain is now within reach. And while it may sound paradoxical, the principle is simple: the way we teach children today will determine the added value the labor market enjoys tomorrow.
AMERICAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW
Students aged 3-5 are encouraged to try new things, ask questions, and take risks in a nurturing environment in which they learn life skills alongside academics. Following the Primary Years Programme (PYP), our young students become caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. Contact admissions@ aswarsaw.org
BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL OF WILANOW
A values-driven school offering a world-class education based on the best of British Education. BSW is the first school in Poland to be accredited as Compliant by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). Based in a purpose built premises in Wilanow BSW is accepting applications from Nursery to Year 9. Please email admissions@bswilanow.org to organise a visit.
THE BRITISH SCHOOL WARSAW – EARLY YEARS CENTRE
Our Early Years Foundation Stage provides a play-based learning curriculum full of curiosity, wonder and discovery – the perfect springboard into Primary education. ul. Dąbrowskiego 84, tel. 22 646 77 77, thebritishschool.pl
EDUCATION
THE CANADIAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW PRESCHOOL
Welcoming students from the ages of 2.5 to 6 years old, currently 45% of their admissions are international students. The dedicated, IB-trained teachers deliver an innovative program (PYP) in English designed for modern world needs. The program offers a combination of Literacy, Maths, Science, Physical Education, Arts & Culture, French and Polish classes. ul. Ignacego Krasickiego 53, tel. 697 979 100, canadian-school.pl
schools
AMERICAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW
AKADEMEIA HIGH SCHOOL
An academically selective international school in Warsaw, offering iGCSEs and A Levels whilst preparing students for the best universities in the world. The staff body consists of alumni of the world’s best universities, whilst facilities at what has become Poland’s most prestigious school include an art studio, auditorium, sports hall and roof garden. ul. Ledóchowskiej 2, akademeia.edu.pl
With over 50 nationalities, ASW has been welcoming students from around the world since 1953. As an IB Continuum school, our students follow the PYP, MYP and DP throughout their learner journey. Students graduate with either the IB diploma or an American high school diploma. All programs are conducted in English, with integrated EAL support for non-native speakers. Contact: admissions@aswarsaw.org or 22 702 85 00, ul. Warszawska 202 (Konstancin-Jeziorna), aswarsaw. org
BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL OF WILANOW
A values-driven school offering a world-class education based on the best of British Education. BSW is the first school in Poland to be accredited as Compliant by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). Based in a purpose built premises in Wilanow BSW is accepting applications from Nursery to Year 9. Please email admissions@bswilanow.org to organise a visit
warsaw montessori family
Warsaw
Montessori Schools accepting applications for our programs and locations:
The mission of TBS is to balance academic success with character building and well-being. Students at The British School Warsaw learn an internationally respected curriculum, based on the best of British academics. They take pride in their excellent results at both International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IGCSE level, which are well above the global average. ul. Limanowskiego 15, tel. 22 842 3281, thebritishschool.pl
THE ENGLISH PRIMARY
The English Primary is designed specifically for children in the primary education ages, just as children experience in England but in an international community. Pupils are taken through the key learning stages so that they can achieve to the best of their ability through a fun learning experience. The Core Curriculum subjects include English, Phonics, Science, Mathematics, French, PE and Swimming, Music, Personal, Social and Health Education. ul. Rzodkiewki 18, tel. 784 037 808, tep.edu.pl
THE CANADIAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW INTERNATIONAL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Located on two campuses in the Mokotów this is the only authorized IB School with PYP programs taught in English and Polish. French is taught as a third language. International staff, cultural events and challenging student initiatives create the perfect learning environment. ul. Bełska 7, tel. 692 411 573 / 885 420 044, secretary@canadian-school.pl or secretary. olimpijska@canadian-school.pl
THE INTERNATIONAL TRILINGUAL SCHOOL OF WARSAW
Established in 1994, offering nursery, primary, and pre-school education with an international curriculum for children aged from one to 15. The full immersion trilingual setting allows for the choice between English, Polish, Spanish or Chinese, French or Japanese. Teachers are highly-qualified native speakers from the US, France, Spain, China and Japan. ul. Nobla 16 (tel. 501 036 637), ul. Karowa 14/16 (tel. 503 072 119), ul. Krolowej Aldony (tel. 533 321 084), office@3languages.pl, itsw.edu.pl
schools
JOY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Treating pupils with mutual respect but not at the expense of being demanding, the methods used are hard on the problem but soft on the person. Taking into account what students think, feel, learn and want for themselves and their world, Joy Primary teaches important life skills as well as respect, care for others, problem solving and co-operation. Here, children are challenged to discover their abilities and competences, while encouraged to explore personal strength and autonomy. ul. Syta 131A, tel. 722 305 333, sekretariat@joyprimaryschool.pl
MONNET INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Located in Mokotów, the Monnett is the only school in Poland that implements the International Baccalaureate Program from kindergarten level all the way through to secondary school. The fully-qualified staff are committed to delivering only the highest standards of education. ul. Stępińska 13, tel. 22 852 06 08, maturamiedzynarodowa.pl
WARSAW MONTESSORI SCHOOL
leader in the field of Montessori education, well-trained teachers guide students to independent and successful learning with both English and bilingual classroom provided. Located just steps from Łazienki Park the school resides in vibrant surroundings near to museums, embassies and natural settings which provide students with learning outside the classroom. ul. Szwoleżerów 4 (grades 0-4), tel. 608 488 420, wmf.edu.pl A
WARSAW MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL
Guided by trained specialists, students are responsible for managing their household, operating small businesses, caring for local flora and fauna as well as domesticated animals, taking charge of the younger children and much more. “Adolescence Program” activities, integrated with academic studies, help students discover their inner strength to meet real life challenges. ul. Tatrzańska 5A (grades 5-8), tel. 604 137 826, wmf.edu.pl
WARSAW MONTESSORI HIGH SCHOOL
Warsaw Montessori High School aims to teach students the values which Maria Montessori outlined in her educational philosophy such as: responsibility for one’s own development, care for others, honesty, empathy, and service. The school continues to meet the principles of Maria Montessori through implementing the IB Diploma Program principles and practices. Warsaw Montessori High School is an authorized IB World School for the Diploma Programme – code 061201. ul. Pytlasińskiego 13A, tel. 787 095 835, wmf.edu.pl
LOOKING BACK
GRAVE MATTERS
Powązki readies for Warsaw’s true haunting
Warsaw does not do Halloween the way the West imagines it. Sure, bars will flirt with cobwebs and pumpkin cocktails, and a few costumed parties will lurch through the night, but the real drama comes not from plastic skeletons but from something older, deeper, and far more haunting.
Taking a break from cleaning a Bródno Cemetery, 1959
On the eve of November 1st, Powązki Cemetery becomes Warsaw’s stage. By day, families scrub gravestones and lay chrysanthemums in neat rows, readying for All Saints’ Day. As dusk settles, the atmosphere shifts. The sprawling necropolis—home to poets, insurgents, generals, and ordinary Varsovians—echoes with the rustle of leaves and the flicker of a thousand lanterns.
Wander then, if you dare. There is nothing more spine-tingling than drifting through Powązki on October’s last night, the silence broken only by the scrape of a brush against stone or the whisper of someone saying a prayer. Forget Halloween gimmicks; Warsaw’s true ghostly pageant is found here, where memory, tradition, and mortality converge beneath the autumn sky.
