Issuu

The Capital’s Original City Magazine Since 1996

SEPTEMBER 2026

EAT, DRINK, POWIŚLE

We're hooked on Marea’s grilled swordfish

No.

361

Celebrating 30 Years

Contents

Reviews Opening: Naan – p. 37 Review: Marumi – p. 38 Cafe:

Wazaap – Matcha Bar & Specialty Coffee – p. 40 Review:

Siga Siga – p. 42

Powiśle: The neighborhood everyone wants a taste of...

Review:

KATANÉ | Gelateria Caffetteria – p. 44 Cocktail Culture: Warszawski Tygrys – p. 46 Spotlight:

Polish Vodka Museum – p. 49

INSIDER TEAM

Creative Director Kevin Demaria kdemaria@valkea.com Client Solutions Director Ewa Szczesik eszczesik@valkea.com

Distribution Manager Krzysztof Wiliński kwilinski@valkea.com Subscription

12 editions of the Insider zł. 150 (inc. VAT) in Poland. Orders can be placed through: insider@warsawinsider.pl

Sales Anna Czarnowska aczarnowska@valkea.com Katarzyna Pomierna kpomierna@valkea.com

VALKEA MEDIA S.A., ul. Ficowskiego 15/17,

Małgorzata Tyborowska Warszawa, Poland; mtyborowska@valkea.com tel. (48 22) 639 8567; e-mail: Marta Wilk mwilk@valkea.com

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Publisher Morten Lindholm mlindholm@valkea.com

15 1

GREY WOLF WARSAW NOWY ŚWIAT 55 ALEJE JEROZOLIMSKIE 49

PRESS MATERIAL

Intel

Sinfonia Varsovia gets its long-awaited concert hall Warsaw is moving ahead with one of its most ambitious cultural investments. A new concert hall for Sinfonia Varsovia will rise on Grochowska in Praga, with the city committing more than PLN 650 million to the project. Designed as the centerpiece of the orchestra’s revitalized campus, the hall will accommodate more than 1,800 spectators and provide Sinfonia Varsovia with a permanent, world-class home. The development forms part of a wider transformation of the historic site into a major cultural destination. Before construction begins, the revitalized complex will come alive this September with concerts, performances, workshops and events introducing Warsaw to its newest cultural address.

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In the news

HOBBY

CITY

Warsaw’s stolen railway models come home

Roma Tower finally takes shape

Eleven historic railway miniatures looted from Warsaw during the German occupation have returned to Poland. Originally belonging to the prewar Warsaw Transport Museum, the models were removed in 1940 and transferred to Berlin. Their provenance was reconstructed through historical museum records, bringing an extraordinary piece of Warsaw’s transport history home.

Warsaw’s skyline is preparing for another major addition. Roma Tower, planned for the corner of Nowogrodzka and Emilii Plater, will rise 170 meters across 48 floors. The ultra-luxury residential tower already has an executable building permit, and new material is providing a clearer picture of how the skyscraper will reshape this corner of Śródmieście.

SHOPS

After 35 years beside the University of Warsaw, scientific bookstore Liber is disappearing from Krakowskie Przedmieście. Known for academic titles, textbooks and literature, the shop became part of the intellectual landscape surrounding the university. UW plans to take over the premises, closing another chapter in the changing character of the Royal Route

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

PRESS MATERIAL (4)

Farewell to a university institution

What's in for September

Warsaw Autumn

The grand old rebel of Warsaw's music calendar returns for its 69th edition. Warsaw Autumn remains one of Europe's most important contemporary-music festivals, filling concert halls and less conventional spaces with premieres, electronics, audiovisual experiments and compositions that gleefully ignore the traditional boundaries between music, performance and technology. When: September 18–26 Where: Various venues

One of Poland’s biggest pop stars brings her stadium tour home for a grand finale at PGE Narodowy. Sanah’s rise from quirky singer-songwriter to stadium-filling phenomenon has been remarkable, and this promises to be one of Warsaw’s biggest concerts of the year — complete with the scale and spectacle the setting demands. When: September 4 Where: PGE Narodowy

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

Festival of Polish Food Come hungry. PGE Narodowy turns its attention from stadium spectacle to what's on Poland's plate with the Festival of Polish Food. Running September 19–20, the free event celebrates Polish producers and ingredients under the #KupujŚwiadomie banner — an easy weekend destination for anyone interested in where their food actually comes from. When: September 19-20 Where: PGE Narodowy

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS PRESS MATERIAL

Sanah

Cross-Culture Festival Warsaw goes global for three days as the Cross-Culture Festival returns with artists from Portugal, Finland, Kazakhstan, Mali, Cuba, Korea and Canada. Highlights include Portuguese fado star Carminho and Buena Vista Social Club legend Eliades Ochoa, alongside concerts, workshops, films and discussions. When: September 11–13 Where:Teatr Dramatyczny & Kinoteka

(Warszawa w Budowie) Warsaw Under Construction: Sovereign and well fed This year's Warszawa w Budowie asks a surprisingly urgent question: could Warsaw feed itself? The exhibition examines food sovereignty, urban agriculture and the historic belt of farms and orchards that once surrounded the capital, imagining how locally produced food could become part of a more resilient Warsaw. When: Through September 27 Where: Museum of Modern Art

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seasonal

September back to school

September brings a change of season to BioBazar in Norblin Factory, with late-summer tomatoes, plums and apples meeting pumpkins, root vegetables and the first autumn harvests, perfect for healthy school lunches, quick family dinners and stocking the kitchen for the busy weeks ahead.

September brings back the alarm clocks, packed school bags and that familiar morning question: what are we going to eat? Getting back into the school routine is easier when the fridge is stocked with food that can move at the same speed as family life. That makes BioBazar particularly useful at this time of year. Rather than thinking only about the weekly grocery shop, look around the market for shortcuts: something substantial for a second breakfast, homemade dishes waiting to become dinner, soups that need little more than reheating and pierogi, cutlets and prepared dishes capable of rescuing a busy afternoon. There are plenty of healthier choices, from organic soups and fermented vegetables to vegetable dishes and lighter fillings. The trick is to shop ahead. A few carefully chosen things in the fridge can turn the September scramble into a five-minute meal — and make reaching for another highly processed snack considerably less tempting.

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

PHOTOGRAPH THIS PAGE ADOBE STOCK, OPPOSITE PAGE BY KEVIN DEMARIA

A HEALTHIER START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR

BioBazar The Norblin Factory, Żelazna 51/53, biobazar.com.pl

FIVE-MINUTE LUNCH Soups & jars Few things solve an after-school lunch faster than soup. BioBazar's refrigerated shelves are packed with readymade choices ranging from tomato and broccoli cream soups to krupnik, botwinka, kapuśniak and barszcz. Keep a couple in the fridge and lunch can be on the table almost as quickly as it takes to unpack a school bag. Add good bread and you have a proper meal with almost no preparation — particularly useful on days filled with homework, activities and the inevitable September scheduling chaos.

PIEROGI TO THE RESCUE Dinner without the drama Pierogi might be the ultimate Polish answer to the five-minute dinner. The counters at BioBazar offer classics alongside combinations that make dinner considerably more interesting: duck, lentil and mushroom, spinach and sun-dried tomato, and even beetroot-colored varieties filled with blueberries or cherries. Buy them ready to cook, keep them chilled at home and drop them into boil-

ing water when everyone gets hungry. They are also an easy way to accommodate different tastes without preparing three completely separate dinners.

SOMETHING MORE SUBSTANTIAL Cutlets, chicken & readymade mains For evenings when soup simply isn't going to cut it, the prepared-food counters provide the next step up: fish cutlets, chicken, meatballs, cabbage rolls and other ready-to-heat dishes. Pair one with potatoes, buckwheat or a quick salad and the bones of dinner are already there. The advantage isn't only speed. Buying prepared food from specialist producers means parents can actually see what's available, ask questions and assemble several different meals during one visit rather than relying on another emergency takeaway.

SECOND BREAKFAST SORTED Wraps, patties & schoolbag possibilities The second breakfast is where good intentions often disappear. BioBazar offers plenty

of alternatives to the standard sweet snack: wraps packed with vegetables and protein, savory patties, croquettes and other prepared bites that can be portioned for the school bag. Look for foods that travel well and are easy to eat without much ceremony. Add fruit, vegetables or a handful of nuts and suddenly the lunchbox feels less repetitive. Better still, let children choose a couple of things themselves while you're shopping.

STOCK THE FRIDGE Healthy backup plans One of the smartest back-toschool strategies has nothing to do with cooking. Stock the refrigerator before the week begins. Organic soups, vegetable curries, fermented beets, sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers and other jarred foods give you building blocks rather than complete meal plans. A bowl of soup becomes lunch; pickles wake up a sandwich; fermented vegetables sit alongside a cutlet. BioBazar is particularly good for this kind of mix-and-match shopping — useful food that waits patiently until the evening when your carefully planned schedule inevitably collapses. warsawinsider.pl

City life

Asia Śledź discusses Warsaw's growing noise pollution problem, the health risks of chronic exposure and why creating a quieter city is about far more than comfort, it's about public health and quality of life

Insider: Most Warsaw resi-

dents have accepted noise as part of city life. At what point does everyday city noise become a public health issue rather than simply an inconvenience? Asia Śledź: I think we crossed that threshold a long time ago—nobody officially told us. Warsaw has, for years, been recording noise levels that exceed WHO standards, and we treat that as normal because we live with the noise and have simply stopped hearing it. That is precisely the most dangerous mechanism: adaptation. The body, however, does not adapt in the same way the mind does. The heart, the nervous system, and hormonal balance all respond to noise constantly, even when we no longer "hear" it. This is not an inconvenience. It is a silent public health catastrophe. When people think about noise pollution, they usually blame traffic. In your experience, what are the biggest and most surprising sources of noise in Warsaw today? Of course, road traffic is the number one source, but I want to draw attention to something that affects me most personally: modified exhaust systems on cars and motorcycles. This phenomenon is surprising for two reasons. First, it is illegal. Polish law theoretically prohibits vehicles from emitting sounds exceeding 96 dB, and I have repeatedly experienced situations where that limit was blatantly exceeded without any consequences. Second, and this is what angers me most, this noise is neither a side effect nor a necessity. It exists solely because the driver enjoys it or because it feeds their ego. Everyone around them suffers so that one

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

THE COST OF NOISE

Follow Asia Śledź, aka Eko Karen

person can enjoy an illegal thrill. This is something I cannot accept, and it demonstrates how desperately we lack effective enforcement of the law in public spaces.

images. There is, however, suffering spread across millions of people, little by little, throughout their entire lives.

Are some parts of Warsaw disproportionately affected by noise? Does the city have a 'noise inequality' problem, where certain residents have far less access to peace and quiet than others? Residents of the city centre have it worst, but the problem is not limited to the centre. My mother lives in Praga-Południe and cannot sleep with her window open because of the noise from modified exhausts. Yes, people whose windows face busy streets experience significantly more noise than those overlooking a park. But when a motorcyclist with a modified exhaust rides past at night, both groups are likely to be woken up. Silence in Warsaw is becoming a luxury. That should concern all of us deeply.

Warsaw is growing rapidly, with new developments, roads and infrastructure projects appearing across the city. How can the city continue to develop while also protecting residents from excessive noise? This is a question Warsaw should ask itself before issuing the next planning permission, not afterwards. Yet the standard procedure often looks like this: first we build, then we perhaps install a noise barrier if residents protest loudly enough. This is an approach from a previous era. A modern city plans acoustically from the outset. It zones traffic, designs green spaces as sound buffers, and requires developers to meet acoustic standards. Warsaw tends to do all of this too late and too little.

What impact does chronic noise have on people's wellbeing, sleep, concentration and mental health—and are we underestimating these effects because they're less visible than air pollution? We are absolutely underestimating it, and that is a scandal. The research is unequivocal: chronic noise increases the risk of heart attacks, hypertension, depression, sleep disorders, and concentration problems in children. Children studying near noisy streets achieve worse results at school. These are not theories; they are hard data. Yet noise is treated as a second-tier issue because you cannot photograph it the way you can smog. There are no dramatic

Many European cities are now talking about 'soundscapes' rather than simply reducing noise. What would a healthier acoustic environment for Warsaw actually sound like? A healthy city sounds like a place where you hear birds in the morning, not just engines. Where you can have a conversation on the street without raising your voice. Where you can sleep with the window open in summer. It is a city where, during an ordinary walk, you do not flinch in fear because of a sudden blast of noise. That is exactly what impulsive noise from modified exhausts does: it startles you without warning, even in broad daylight. This is not a utopia. It is what

some districts of Vienna, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen already look, and sound, like. Warsaw could be the same if we made the right decisions. For now, we continue to prioritise traffic flow over people's quality of life. If you could persuade Warsaw's city authorities to implement one measure tomorrow that would make the biggest difference to residents' quality of life, what would it be? A low-noise zone in the city centre, with real restrictions on car traffic that are actively enforced, not merely written into a resolution. Not another report. Not another noise map. Not another expert conference. A concrete, courageous political decision: fewer cars in the centre and more space for people. At the current scale of traffic, every other measure is simply patching a hole in a sinking ship. As long as we continue to design the city around the car, noise will remain part of everyday life.

47.2%

of Warsaw residents are exposed to road traffic noise above 55 dB during the dayevening-night period—a level the EU uses to assess long-term noise exposure.

58.5%

are exposed to road traffic noise above 45 dB at night, when noise has the greatest impact on sleep and recovery. SOURCE: CITY OF WARSAW, QUALITY OF THE ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

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Warsaw legend

STILL RUNNING STRONG

Warsaw Insider publisher Morten Lindholm reflects on discipline, discovery and preparing for his 14th marathon

Marathon training can almost become a second job. How do you balance it with running a business? This will be my 14th marathon, but I no longer train intensely to break a personal record or achieve a particular time. I run regularly to stay fit, focused and young. The marathon is my personal check-in: can I still reach the same level as before? My routine doesn’t change dramatically ahead of a marathon. I generally run four to six times a week, covering 37 to 45 kilometers in total.

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

Six years ago, I also set myself the challenge of running a half-marathon every month—21.1 kilometers alone, with friends or as part of a race. I’ve kept that going almost continuously, missing only April 2025 because of a sore knee. At the time, I wondered whether it might signal the end of my running. Fortunately, a month of rest and careful recovery allowed me to return to my usual routine. Everyone has a different approach to marathon training. What works for you? I’ve tried official coaches, structured programs and training under pressure. Eventually, I realized that approach wasn’t for me. I know my body, understand my limits and have no intention of pushing myself too hard, so I now follow my own program. My wife is a dedicated triathlete, and just looking at her training schedule, diet, supplements, equipment and planning makes me tired! She is incredible, and by the time this magazine goes to print, I will have cheered her through a full Ironman in Italy. For me, that is one step too far. Running for enjoyment, learning and health is enough. It remains a discipline in which you challenge yourself and develop the determination to get outside, regardless of the weather or how you feel. Warsaw is a different city when experienced on foot. Where do you most enjoy running? I have lived in Wilanów for more than 15 years. Since I began running regularly, I have probably covered between 25,000 and 30,000 kilometers, with around 80 percent of that in Wilanów, Sadyba, Powsin and Zawady. I feel as though I have explored almost every street in that part of Warsaw. Whenever the weather and my schedule allow, I take my running gear with me and seek out somewhere new. I love discovering cities this way, especially when traveling. Covering 10 or 15 kilometers over a long weekend gives you a wonderful sense of a place—its geography, atmosphere and everyday rhythm. How closely do you follow pace, heart rate and distance? The most important number for me is the distance completed at a reasonable pace. I track my time and tempo, but I pay less attention to my heart rate. Instead, I set annual, monthly and weekly distance goals. Five years ago, I ran nearly 3,000 kilometers in a

single year. I could feel the effect on both my body and my schedule, and realized it was too much. I have since scaled back to just over 2,000 kilometers annually—an average of around 5.5 kilometers a day. What do those long runs give you mentally? My training mantra is good energy, staying young and strong, and exercising the mind. I always listen to podcasts or audiobooks while running, so I am learning while also getting fresh air and sunshine. For me, it is three benefits in one. I probably run more slowly than I could, but listening to podcasts about business, leadership, AI and investment makes the time doubly valuable. I play them at 1.5 speed, and with the endorphins flowing, I often return with new ideas for the business, my team and my own development. Finally, where will you celebrate after crossing the Warsaw Marathon finish line? I’m sure my friend John Gabrovic will invite me to Blue Cactus at Norblin Factory for a beer and a great burger. He is a longtime runner who has completed many marathons himself, so he understands the achievement— and he is always a great host. Otherwise, I’ll head home for beer and pizza with family and friends. After 42.2 kilometers, that sounds like the perfect celebration.

Warsaw Marathon 2026 Date: Sunday, September 27 Start: 9:00 Start and finish: Świętokrzyska Street, beside the Palace of Culture and Science Distance: 42.195 km Time limit: 6 hours 30 minutes Now in its 48th edition, the Warsaw Marathon has been held continuously since 1979. Its fast, predominantly flat course passes landmarks including Nowy Świat, Krakowskie Przedmieście, Poniatowski Bridge and the National Stadium. The Nice To Fit You Warsaw 10K accompanies the main race. Details: maratonwarszawski.com

Eat, Drink Powiśle

From neighborhood favorites to destination dining, discover the cafés, restaurants and bars defining Powiśle today

VA BENE Calling Va Bene a pizza place misses half the point. Roman-style slices and Aperol may provide the excuse, but its real role is as Powiśle’s unofficial front porch. On warm evenings the crowd spills onto Tamka, turning this little corner into a spontaneous neighborhood party of regulars, friends and passersby. ul. Tamka 9

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Eat, Drink, Powiśle Be s t Warsaof w 2025

MISAKI Kawasaki Up on the third floor of the Elektrownia Powiśle complex, this restaurant has the curious energy of a dinner party whose host happens to possess exceptional knives. Chef Paula Mycka moves between kitchen and tables, scattering stories and warmth while her cooking travels farther still: Thai heat, Middle Eastern spice and Japanese precision meet in dishes built around pristine seafood and serious indulgence. Scallops arrive with purpose, toro melts almost on contact, and the cult Wagyu katsu sando makes restraint feel rather foolish. Then there is the bar, giving the place a second life after dinner. Personal, playful and gloriously social, it

SANTA CATRINA Hidden on leafy Radna, Santa Catrina offers a colorful escape into contemporary Mexican cooking without reducing the cuisine to sombreros and Tex-Mex clichés. Vibrant flavors, tacos, cocktails and a convivial dining room make it particularly suited to groups. In summer, the quiet Powiśle setting adds another reason to linger. ul. Radna 14

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

turns casual dining into something approaching theater, without ever feeling remotely staged. ul. Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 43, 3rd floor

DAEBAK

BAIRES

Casual, colorful and satisfyingly direct, Daebak brings Korean canteen cooking to the university end of Powiśle. This is food built for appetite rather than ceremony: warming bowls, Korean comfort classics and plenty of punchy flavors. The easygoing format and accessible prices make it particularly useful for lunch or an uncomplicated dinner. ul. Dobra 53

Argentina provides the inspiration at this compact Powiśle address, where the attraction lies in big South American flavors and an informal neighborhood spirit. Expect a meat-forward approach, Latin accents and the kind of uncomplicated cooking that works particularly well over a leisurely dinner. Come hungry rather than merely curious. ul. Leszczyńska 6

Eat, Drink, Powiśle GRANO DURO

L’EMOTION BISTRO

Daniele’s tiny Italian restaurant is driven by ingredients, seasonality and the infectious enthusiasm of a man who can turn dinner into a lesson in Italian food. But look behind the counter: written across the tiles is a running tally of every carbonara served. Warsaw Insider counted more than 12,500 on our last visit—and the number keeps climbing. ul. Topiel 12

A relaxed neighborhood bistro that shifts comfortably from breakfast and coffee into lunch, dinner and evening drinks. The broad appeal is intentional: L’emotion works as easily for an informal meeting as it does for a longer catch-up with friends. Its location puts it squarely in Powiśle’s everyday social orbit. Grabbing a fresh croissant to go is always a great idea. ul. Elektryczna 2

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

Proof that removing butter, cream and eggs needn’t remove pleasure. A proper pâtisserie rather than an apologetic substitute shop. Beautifully finished cakes and sweets provide the visual seduction, while the plant-based approach makes it one of Powiśle’s more distinctive destinations for dessert. ul. Solec 85

Be s t Warsaof w 2025

ROZDZIAŁ Rozdział offers an intimate alternative to Warsaw’s increasingly high-profile dining scene. Opened in October 2025 by Konrad Kowalski and Karolina Góraj, the minimalist 20-seat restaurant was recognized by the MICHELIN Guide Poland 2026 within months, praised for its “minimalist elegance.” Kowalski and Góraj work side by side in the kitchen, bringing a rare two-author approach to fine dining. The seasonal menu evolves dish by dish rather than changing wholesale, combining flavors and textures without tying itself to one culinary identity. Guest responses help shape what returns, including the much-loved

BAJA VEGAN PATISSERIE

pierogi filled with potato and curd cheese, served with mint and sour cream. Here, each season opens another chapter, written together with its guests. ul. Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 43

Smart Eating

Functional food finds its delicious side

rainfarm has evolved. When it first appeared on Solec, Warsaw’s self-described first biohacking café and bistro felt more like a very stylish experiment: functional mushrooms slipped into coffee and matcha, powders and extracts lurking in pralines and desserts. Lion’s mane, cordyceps, tremella, reishi and chaga were the vocabulary. Now, the experiment has grown into a proper restaurant—one where you can comfortably begin with breakfast and find yourself contemplating dinner. We’ve made a habit of the mornings. Fluffy eggs and bacon arrive on toast, chopped chives seemingly rained down from above, alongside the Strawberry Vanilla Foam Matcha: green, creamy and capped with a

strawberry-vanilla cloud that makes wellness look suspiciously like dessert. Lunch can be virtuous without feeling punitive. A Power Bowl of cauliflower pakora and tabbouleh has crunch, herbs and enough substance to keep you away from the biscuit drawer, especially washed down with a probiotic lemonade sharpened with yuzu and umeboshi. But dinner is where Brainfarm’s evolution becomes most convincing. The roast beef with lovage sauce, MCT mayo and lion’s mane powder is terrific: the beef almost silky in texture, with the fresh green lovage delivering a slick, herbaceous kick. A glass of Papa Roc from France melds beautifully into the whole thing. Keto food rarely gets to have this much fun.

And then there are those outside tables on Solec. They transform Brainfarm from somewhere you visit for functional coffee, matcha, hōjicha, ube and mushroom-powered desserts into somewhere you simply want to stay. The biohacking might get you through the door. Increasingly, it’s the cooking that brings you back. Brainfarm ul. Solec 46, @brainfarm.cafe

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Eat, Drink, Powiśle

re Al F

Urban Escape

Food, drinks and greenery at LAS

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

s co

ome restaurants are built around the meal; others are about everything that happens around it. LAS – Lokalna Atrakcja Stolicy, on Solec, belongs firmly to the latter camp. Its formula is refreshingly straightforward: good food, good drinks and a setting designed for spending time together. The biggest draw, particularly during Warsaw’s warmer months, is the garden. Hidden among greenery, it creates the unlikely sensation of escaping the city without actually leaving Powiśle. It works equally well for a leisurely lunch, drinks after work or one of those summer dinners that stretches effortlessly into the evening. It is this relaxed quality that gives LAS much of its character: there is little pressure to arrive with a plan. Food keeps one foot firmly in Poland. Familiar favorites such as beef tartare, Silesian dumplings and pyzy appear alongside seasonal dishes, presented with a more contemporary outlook. Many are particularly suited to

sharing, encouraging groups to order across the menu, fill the table and turn dinner into something more communal. Drinks are just as central to the experience. LAS offers a broad selection of wines and cocktails, including non-alcoholic options, making the transition from afternoon to evening remarkably easy. It can be a restaurant, a cocktail stop or simply somewhere to settle in with friends over a bottle of wine. Perhaps that versatility explains its appeal. LAS doesn’t demand a special occasion or dictate how your visit should unfold. Come for lunch and stay for wine; meet friends for dinner and move on to cocktails; or claim a table in the garden and let Warsaw carry on somewhere beyond the greenery. It feels unmistakably part of the city while offering a welcome escape from its usual pace. Restauracja LAS – Lokalna Atrakcja Stolicy ul. Solec 44, tel. 514 760 767, email: kontakt@las.warszawa.pl

Eat, Drink, Powiśle

SOLE Pizza remains one of Powiśle’s unofficial food groups, and SOLE! adds another strong reason to abandon restraint. The formula is straightforward: Italian inspiration, blistered dough, quality toppings and a neighborhood atmosphere that avoids unnecessary ceremony. Ideal for an impromptu dinner when the only serious decision should be which pizza to order. ul. Dobra 31

E d ito r's P ic k THE GARRISON A sophisticated newcomer in the heart of historic Mariensztat, The Garrison takes its cues from interwar Warsaw and the timeless elegance of British gentlemen’s clubs. Chef Łukasz Waluś leads a kitchen built around the concept of modern Polish fine dining, combining seasonal and regional ingredients with contemporary finesse while keeping familiar Polish flavors at its core. Dark woods, leather and considered details lend the interior a clubby sense of occasion, while an ambitious cocktail program means The Garrison works just as naturally for a full dinner as it does for late-evening drinks. ul. Mariensztat 8 ul. Mariensztat 8

DAL DALLA GELATO Powiśle residents have learned that warm weather means queues at Dal Dalla. The reward is proper Italian-style gelato built around excellent ingredients, intense flavors and a texture that makes supermarket ice cream seem like a different species. Grab a cone and continue toward the river; this is one queue worth joining. ul. Leszczyńska 4

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

ANTRESOLEC A relative newcomer that already feels embedded in neighborhood life, Antresolec combines an intimate bistro with a genuinely useful bar. The menu moves confidently between comfort and invention—think duck confit flatbread, smash burgers and fries worth finishing. ul Solec 97

Family Style

Pizza, play and prizes for kids

amily dining can sometimes feel like a negotiation: finding somewhere grown-ups actually want to eat while keeping younger members of the table entertained. At L’Osteria Elektrownia Powiśle, the summer holidays come with a little extra incentive for both. Running through September 20, the restaurant’s Little Pizzaiolo’s Passport turns repeat family lunches and dinners into something of a game. Kids receive their own passport and collect a stamp each time the family visits and orders pizza. Reach three, five or nine stamps and there are rewards along the way, including ice cream and lemonade.

LITTLE PIZZAIOLO’S PASSPORT Through September 20 (children up to age 15)

There’s also something to keep small hands busy while the adults linger over the table. Children up to 15 can create their own summer postcard, with each participating L’Osteria selecting a winner to receive a bike. It’s a simple idea, but one that fits Powiśle particularly well. With the river, parks and Elektrownia all within easy reach, this is

already one of the city’s easiest districts for an unhurried family afternoon. Pizza followed by a walk along the Wisła—or vice versa—makes for the kind of summer plan that requires very little planning at all. L’Osteria Elektrownia Powiśle Zajęcza 2B (Elektrownia Powiśle), losteria.net

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Eat, Drink, Powiśle Food Hall Elektrownia Powiśle

Top C ho ic e

The answer to that familiar group dilemma: what does everyone actually want to eat? Food Hall Elektrownia Powiśle keeps the peace with a globe-trotting collection of kitchens gathered beneath one spectacular post-industrial roof. Burgers, Asian flavors, Middle Eastern favorites, pizza and plenty more mean nobody needs to compromise. Grab your individual cravings, regroup around a communal table and add drinks from the bar. It’s casual, lively and particularly good when friends arrive hungry but without anything resembling a plan. And it has the credentials to match: the most awarded food hall in Poland, in 2025 it was named the country’s best food hall at the prestigious Food Business Awards.

TSUMA SUSHI

THE COOL CAT

PASTELOWE

TSUMA takes sushi seriously without turning dinner into a ceremony. Carefully handled fish, attractive presentation makes it one of Powiśle’s stronger choices when the craving is specifically for sushi rather than generic pan-Asian cooking. The intimate scale suits both date nights and quieter dinners with friends. ul. Czerwonego Krzyża 8

The Cool Cat thrives on combinations that shouldn’t always work but somehow do. Asian flavors collide with local ingredients across inventive brunches, bao, ramen and comfort food. Its casual energy and loyal following have turned it from fashionable newcomer into something more valuable: a neighborhood institution. ul. Solec 38

Pastelowe brings a splash of Lisbon to Solec with golden pastéis de nata in classic, raspberry, pistachio, chocolate and vegan versions. Playful, surf-inspired interiors set a holiday mood, while specialty coffee covers daytime visits before natural wines and sunny spritzes take over toward each evening. ul. Solec 52

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

THE EATERY TRAD Polish tradition gets a confident contemporary voice at the EATERY trad., where comfort dishes are sharpened by excellent ingredients and assured technique. This is food with recognizable roots rather than culinary nostalgia: generous, thoughtful and highly polished. ul. Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 31/33

ZBOŻNA

Zbożna draws regulars with fragrant sourdough loaves, crisp-crusted baguettes and beautifully laminated pastries baked fresh each day. Seasonal desserts follow the changing calendar, giving every visit something new to consider. Add genuinely warm, attentive staff, and this little neighborhood bakery becomes especially difficult to pass without stopping. ul. Solec 50

E d ito r's P ic k Marea Think of Marea as the more polished, grown-up sibling of Da Gero on Żelazna, Best Italian at Best of Warsaw 2024. Chef Gero Casio brings the same obsession with exceptional ingredients—particularly the fresh fish and seafood that made Da Gero such a favorite—but gives the experience a more refined edge. Mediterranean flavors, Sicilian roots, carefully selected meats and Italian wines set the tone, while the elegant surroundings invite you to linger rather than rush. It’s Da Gero dressed for dinner: a little more sophisticated, a little more indulgent, and somewhere to embrace the finer, distinctly Italian things in life. ul. Solec 18

IT’S A MATCH(A) The name removes any mystery: matcha is the obsession here. Bright green drinks arrive in classic and contemporary forms, offering an alternative to Powiśle’s espresso-heavy café circuit. It’s youthful, focused and unapologetically current, but the best reason to visit is simple— properly prepared matcha has depth that sugary chain versions rarely reveal. ul. Solec 111 warsawinsider.pl

Eat, Drink, Powiśle DOLORES

SEAGULL

MURENA

Dolores brings a blast of California-meets-Mexico sunshine to Elektrownia, with tacos, ceviche, colorful sharing plates and margaritas setting an upbeat tone. The appeal is as much social as culinary: bright interiors, bold flavors and an easygoing atmosphere make it a natural first stop before drinks or a longer night in Powiśle. ul. Dobra 40

There’s a sunny, easygoingness to this Powiśle brunch spot, where breakfast classics arrive with a subtle Asian accent. Think eggs Benedict with yuzu hollandaise, shrimp with guacamole and mango salsa, fluffy pancakes and excellent matcha. Later, poke bowls and well-priced wine carry the mood effortlessly from coffee into the afternoon and toward early evening. ul. Dobra 1

Seafood takes center stage at Murena, one of Powiśle’s most distinctive recent restaurants. The low-lit, wood-lined room carries a Japanese sense of restraint, while the menu moves through pristine fish, sushi and inventive sharing plates. Serious ingredients meet an easygoing mood: polished cooking without the usual fine-dining choreography. ul. Solec 46

BUTTER BURGER Butter Burger may serve the best burger you have had in your life—and if that sounds reckless, wait for the first bite. Backed by Crazy Butcher, it starts with exceptional meat, perfectly seasoned and prepared, then piles it into a buttery bun with sauces and toppings that make restraint impossible. This is gloriously messy eating: juices running, napkins multiplying and dignity abandoned. The loaded fries deserve equal attention, particularly those buried beneath truffle aioli and Parmesan. Come on a quiet afternoon and the place offers real solace: a burger, a table and nowhere urgent to be. By evening, and especially on

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

weekends, that calm disappears as the room fills with people chasing the pleasure. You will leave full, sticky-fingered and already plotting your return. ul. Browarna 6

Eat, Drink, Powiśle OMA

TUNA

KARMA CREW

Small, intimate and resolutely Polish, OMA taps into the emotional pull of home cooking without becoming trapped by tradition. Familiar flavors arrive with contemporary confidence, creating food that feels personal rather than performative. It’s exactly the sort of diminutive neighborhood restaurant that Powiśle does so well. ul. Radna 14

Chef Martin Gimenez Castro turns seafood into something playful, polished and occasionally unexpected. Tuna ’nduja, smoked fish and other inventive combinations arrive in a dramatic metallic dining room lined with thousands of repurposed tuna cans. It remains one of Powiśle’s most distinctive seafood destinations today. ul. Elektryczna 2

Tucked beneath Poniatowski Bridge, Karma Crew pairs low lighting, cocktails and an intimate after-dark mood with a free-spirited, alternative crowd. Great music often carries the night, making it a counterpoint to Powiśle’s louder riverfront venues—and the kind of place where one drink becomes several. Al. 3 Maja 15

SAM

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MACIEJ NIEMOJEWSKI

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

A Powiśle fixture since 2012, SAM is the kind of place that has grown with the neighborhood without losing its easygoing appeal. The original and oldest of Warsaw’s three SAM locations remains a favorite for all-day breakfasts, whether you’re after something light or settling in for a lazy start. Its artisan bread is a signature, while the well-stocked deli makes it equally tempting for something to take home. Come evening, the mood shifts effortlessly toward relaxed drinks and casual dining. Long-running, dependable and distinctly local, SAM remains a Powiśle classic. ul. Lipowa 7a

Work in Warsaw From laptop-friendly cafés to coworking spaces, these are the places that let you work like a local and navigate Warsaw like a real insider

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

Cosmos Espress Bar

Coffeedesk on Tamka

Buno Specialty Coffee ul. Obozowa 22 (Wola), bunocoffee.pl A strong neighborhood option for anyone working on the Wola side of town, Buno combines specialty coffee with a bright, contemporary setting. Opening from 8:00 on weekdays, it offers a generous window for settling in with a laptop away from the busier cafés of central Warsaw. Cafe Kafka ul. Oboźna 3 (City Center), cafekafka.pl Close to the University of Warsaw, Cafe Kafka has long attracted a bookish mix of students, readers and laptop users. Coffee is joined by a broader food offering, while generous opening hours make it especially useful for anyone looking for somewhere relaxed to read, write or work in the city center. Cała w Mące Cafe ul. Karmelicka 19 (Muranów), calawmace.pl Part of baker Monika Walecka’s much-loved Cała w Mące family, this Muranów café adds

excellent baked goods to the working equation. The relaxed neighborhood setting lends itself to a laptop session, while sourdough, pastries and other treats provide plenty of incentive to stay beyond the first coffee. Cosmos Espresso Bar ul. Topiel (Powiśle), IG@cosmo. espresso.bar Good coffee served with a smile is reason enough to make Cosmos a favorite, but its central location adds to its appeal for getting some work done between meetings. Friendly, informal and refreshingly unpretentious, it’s the kind of neighborhood espresso bar that makes opening the laptop feel less like going to the office. DOT ul. Leszczyńska, 1A (Powiśle), IG@dot.warsaw A neighborhood specialty coffee spot on Leszczyńska, DOT gives Powiśle another welcome alternative to working in the center. The contemporary, relaxed setting works well for opening a laptop over coffee,

while its location among the district’s hip and trendy streets makes it particularly handy for freelancers and remote workers based nearby. Forum ul. Elektoralna 11 (City Center), forum.coffee One of Warsaw’s established specialty-coffee addresses, Forum is particularly well equipped for laptop users, with Wi-Fi and electrical sockets available. Opening early on weekdays, it serves carefully selected coffees alongside baked goods and breakfast options, making it equally useful for a quick morning session or several productive hours. Inclusive Barista ul. Stefana Okrzei 8/U3 (Praga-Północ) Specialty coffee comes with a social mission at Inclusive Barista, whose team includes baristas with disabilities. The accessible Okrzei space offers a comfortable setting for spending some time over a laptop, while its location between Port Praski

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Coworking

Work in Warsaw

TU LUBIĘ

Boutique coworking with a garden in Saska Kępa

THERE IS SOMETHING refreshingly un-corporate about Tu Lubię. Set inside a villa on a quiet, leafy street in Saska Kępa, this coworking space feels closer to working from a particularly nice home than entering another glass-and-steel office complex. Now in its seventh year, Tu Lubię has deliberately kept things small. The focus is on freelancers, digital nomads and boutique teams of up to five people, creating an atmosphere where faces quickly become familiar. The owner is on-site daily, adding to the personal character of the place. The biggest draw, particularly during Warsaw's warmer months, is the private garden. Mature trees provide shade for outdoor working, while meeting spaces open directly onto a terrace. With Wi-Fi extending outside, taking the laptop into the garden is a genuine option rather than just a nice idea. Practicality hasn't been forgotten. Members have 24/7 access, including weekends, and the offer ranges from hot desks and dedicated desks to small private offices and meeting rooms. The garden and terrace can also be used by members for workshops, informal gatherings and private events. For anyone tired of anonymous coworking floors, Tu Lubię offers a more intimate alternative: part workspace, part neighborhood community, and very much in keeping with the relaxed rhythm of Saska Kępa. AT A GLANCE Best for: Freelancers, digital nomads and small teams Standout feature: Private garden and terrace Access: 24/7 Workspace: Hot desks, dedicated desks, microoffices and meeting rooms Extras: Virtual office and garden event space ul. Genewska 6 (Saska Kępa) tulubie.pl, biuro@tulubie.pl, tel. 603 922 300

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

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Work in Warsaw and Stara Praga makes it a useful east-bank working address. Kawowiec ul. Elbląska 39A (Żoliborz) A neighborhood alternative to Warsaw’s usual central laptop circuit, Kawowiec is a highly rated café on the Żoliborz-Bielany side of town. Its shorter opening hours make it better suited to a focused afternoon session than an all-day office, but the quieter location has its advantages. Kawiarnia Fawory ul. Mickiewicza 21 (Żoliborz) A longstanding Żoliborz neighborhood café with an advantage many specialty coffee bars

lack: exceptionally long hours. Fawory opens at 8:00 on weekdays and stays open until 22:00, stretching to 23:00 on Fridays. Its café-bar format makes it better suited to settling in than grabbing a quick espresso. Kultura Kawy ul. Kazimierzowska 51 (Stary Mokotów), kulturakawy.pl Set in residential Stary Mokotów, Kultura Kawy offers a quieter alternative to Warsaw’s busier central coffee shops. The neighborhood specialty café works particularly well for a few focused hours with a laptop, while its Kazimierzowska location makes it convenient for both Mokotów residents and

THE SHIRE Beyond Coworking

HIGHLIGHTS • Seven prestigious Warsaw locations • Access to all locations with membership • Ergonomic furniture and premium finishes • Fully serviced offices and meeting spaces • Flexible workspace for individuals and teams

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

Seven locations across Warsaw theshire.pl, tel. 570 550 002

those around nearby SGH. MUAS COFFEE ul. Dolna 30A (Dolny Mokotów), muas.pl MUAS COFFEE combines specialty coffee with the brand’s distinctive ceramics, giving this Dolny Mokotów address more design character than your average workspace. Opening from 8:00 on weekdays, it is particularly appealing for quieter morning laptop sessions, with coffee naturally served in MUAS’s own handmade pieces. No.34 Coffee & BreakFAST ul. Nowolipki 13 (Muranów), IG@no34coffee A useful Muranów address

Coworking ONE OFFICE ISN’T ALWAYS ENOUGH. The Shire Beyond

Coworking takes a more flexible approach to the working day, giving its members access to seven prestigious locations across Warsaw. That means a morning meeting in one part of the city doesn’t necessarily require an afternoon spent crossing town to get back to your desk. Each location combines ergonomic furniture and high-quality finishes with the convenience of a fully serviced office, creating spaces designed for both focused work and professional meetings. The emphasis is on comfort, flexibility and service, whether you need a regular base, somewhere to meet clients or the freedom to work from different parts of Warsaw. For companies whose working lives extend across the city, that network may be The Shire’s Beyond Coworking biggest advantage.

Trzy Kruki

Na Bank

combining specialty coffee with a substantial breakfast and brunch menu. No.34 has the feel of a neighborhood café rather than a grab-and-go coffee stop, making it well suited to a leisurely morning meeting followed by a couple of hours catching up on work. Relax Cafe Bar ul. Złota 8A (City Center) Relax combines specialty coffee with generous opening hours and a laid-back atmosphere that encourages lingering. Its position close to the commercial heart of the city makes it particularly useful for squeezing some laptop time between meetings or appointments. Roślina Cafe ul. Schroegera 80 (Bielany), IG @roslinacafe A longstanding Bielany neighborhood favorite, Roślina combines coffee with a plantbased kitchen and a relaxed atmosphere that encourages lingering. Its location near Stare Bielany metro makes it easy to

reach, while the broader food menu is useful when a couple of hours behind the laptop turns into most of the afternoon. STILL Speciality Coffee Al. Jerozolimskie 123A (Ochota), IG@still.specialitycoffee Conveniently positioned near Plac Zawiszy, STILL Speciality Coffee is an excellent option for anyone working around Ochota or the western edge of the center. Opening at 7:30 on weekdays, it suits early starts particularly well and currently boasts an impressive 5.0 rating from more than 300 reviews. Trzy Kruki plac Hallera 8 (Praga-Północ), trzykruki.pl Overlooking the distinctive surroundings of Plac Hallera, Trzy Kruki gives laptop workers a useful option in this part of Praga. Opening from 8:30 on weekdays and staying open until 20:00, it works particularly well for a solo daytime session accompanied by specialty coffee and something sweet.

Wrzenie Świata ul. Gałczyńskiego 7 (City Center), wrzenie.pl Hidden just off Nowy Świat, Wrzenie Świata combines a café with an independent bookshop, making laptops feel entirely at home. Reliable Wi-Fi, multiple seating areas and shelves of reportage create a naturally work-friendly atmosphere, while coffee, bagels and cakes provide fuel. Best of all, it stays open until 22:00 daily. Żona Krawca ul. Kamionkowska 29 (Kamionek), IG@zonakrawca A café-bistro with more substantial food than the average specialty coffee stop, Żona Krawca is a useful laptop option in Kamionek. Its relaxed neighborhood vibe makes settling in for a few hours easy, while breakfast, soups, desserts and smaller dishes accompany the coffee. That broader menu makes it particularly practical when what was supposed to be a quick morning work session unexpectedly stretches through lunch. warsawinsider.pl

Jazz Without Borders

Two nights of adventurous sounds at Jassmine Polish jazz has never been particularly interested in standing still. That restless spirit takes center stage this October when JAZZ PO POLSKU Festival returns to Jassmine for its third edition, bringing six concerts across two Sunday evenings, alongside photography and film. The first night, October 18, offers a particularly wide-ranging snapshot of the scene. Fryderyk-winning Michał Aftyka Quintet opens with the intricate rhythms and collective improvisation of Frukstrakt, followed by Marek Piowczyk Trio, whose Baltic Experience draws inspiration from the shifting moods and landscapes of the Baltic Sea.

Tickets Day #1

Tickets Day #2

The evening then looks considerably further east. Trumpeter Piotr Damasiewicz joins Indian tabla player Pranshu Chatur Lal for a meeting of Indian raga, Carnatic traditions, Western improvisation and elements of Polish folk music. Running alongside the concerts will be an exhibition of Izabella Kędzierska’s photography documenting JAZZ PO POLSKU performances from 2022 to 2026. Return on October 25 for perhaps the festival’s most intriguing proposition: Norwid. Pianist Kasia Pietrzko and saxophonist Maciej Kądziela lead a jazz interpretation of works by Cyprian Kamil Norwid, with acclaimed actor Andrzej Chyra giving voice to the poet’s words. Later, London-based guitarist Jakub Klimiuk brings his international quintet, before Lemańczyk / Golicki / Sarnecki Trio close the festival alongside Canadian-Polish trumpeter Jacques Kuba Séguin. Short films documenting JAZZ PO POLSKU’s international travels complete the program.

JAZZ PO POLSKU Festival | October 18 & 25 | Jassmine, Wilcza 73 | Doors: 17:30 | Concerts from 19:30 jazzpopolsku.pl

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Lunch on Nowy Świat has a dangerous tendency to become an afterthought. Naan makes a convincing argument against that. The tikka masala arrives smoky, tangy and unapologetically rich, while the butter chicken delivers exactly the kind of velvety comfort its name promises. Better still is the dal, earthy and fragrant with caraway, demanding another swipe of naan. Start with the Hara Bhara Tikki, crisp, green, spiced vegetable patties—and suddenly that quick lunch break starts looking suspiciously like an afternoon off. Naan ul. Nowy Świat 43 (City Center)

Recently opened

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Review

A fashionable table with serious flavor

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

here are restaurants where you go to eat, and restaurants where, somewhere between the second cocktail and the arrival of the DJ, you realize you have become part of the scenery. Marumi belongs emphatically to the latter camp. While the address is Krucza 50, Marumi is on the newly polished Bracka and feels very much like Warsaw right now: handsome, confident and faintly VIP. It is the sort of room where you instinctively straighten your shirt before walking in, where dinner might be the opening act rather than the entire evening. Come Friday and Saturday, the restaurant leans fully into its second life, with DJ sets carrying dinner toward nightlife. Fortunately, the kitchen gives you reason to pay attention

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

KRUCZA COOL

marumi ul. Krucza 50 (City Center), @marumi.restaurant

before you begin surveying the room for familiar faces. Start with the beef tartare. It arrives with porcini, truffle, capers and an obscenely creamy egg yolk, accompanied by sourdough bread. It is essentially everything you want from tartare turned up half a notch: the clean mineral taste of raw beef disappearing beneath the forest-floor funk of mushrooms and truffle, the capers cutting through all that richness like someone opening a window in a crowded nightclub. Break the yolk and suddenly the whole thing becomes silkier, richer, almost indecent. The sourdough exists partly as a delivery system and partly to prevent you from licking the plate. The tempura uramaki takes another route: salmon tartare tucked into a roll with crunch and a spicy sauce, the textures bouncing between soft, crisp, cool and hot. It is sushi designed less for hushed contemplation than for a table where everybody is talking at once. Then comes the Sichuan-style duck, paired with plum sauce and pickled vegetables. The pleasure is in the push and pull: fatty duck against sharp pickle, savory meat against the dark sweetness of plum. It is rich without becoming exhausting, the acidity dragging you happily back for another forkful. Dessert provides the evening's little visual joke. What appears to be half a mango sitting improbably on the plate reveals itself as coconut mousse with mango and passion fruit. Cool, tropical and gently tart, it is exactly the sweet finish required after the duck.

Marumi calls itself restaurant and nightlife, and that distinction matters. This isn't somewhere you necessarily rush home from after paying the bill. The lights seem to suggest another drink; the music suggests staying put. It is a restaurant built for socializing, flirting, lingering and watching Warsaw circulate around you. And if you were compiling a list of Warsaw restaurants where you're most likely to look across the room and wonder, Wait, isn't that…? Marumi would be somewhere near the top.

AT A GLANCE Cuisine: Asian–Mediterranean Vibe: Hip, polished, social, slightly VIP Go for: Beef tartare, duck, late-night energy Best for: Date nights, groups, dinner-to-drinks Insider tip: Come later on DJ nights Celebrity factor: Keep one eye on the room

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Insider favorite

GOOD VIBES

A playful café worth lingering in

Wazaap – Matcha Bar & Specialty Coffee ul. Miodowa 23 (City Center)

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT (MICHAŁ NOWOSAD, KEVIN DEMARIA (2)

ust beyond the bustle of the Old Town, Wazzup on Miodowa feels like a breath of fresh air. It's the kind of café you stumble into for a quick coffee and somehow end up staying all afternoon. Bright, colorful and refreshingly unpretentious, it's a welcome escape from the tourist crowds just a few streets away. While specialty coffee is taken seriously here, matcha is undoubtedly the star of the show. From beautifully balanced ceremonial-style lattes to playful seasonal creations, every drink arrives looking as though it deserves its own Instagram post, thankfully, it tastes every bit as good as it looks. The coffee is equally impressive, brewed with the same care that has earned Wazzup a loyal local following. What really gives the café its personality, however, is its sense of humor. Quirky paintings splash the walls with color, playful details reward a second glance, and the relaxed atmosphere makes opening your laptop feel far less like work. Whether you're answering emails, meeting friends or simply taking a break between sightseeing, Wazzup has a way of brightening the day. In a city full of cafés, this cheerful hideaway reminds you that sometimes the best pick-me-up isn't just what's in the cup—it's the smile the place puts on your face.

Partner spotlight daytime brings office lunches. Evenings shift toward dinner, groceries and household needs, while weekends are more social: friends coming over, watching a match or spending time outside. Delivery data is really data about people’s routines.

THE CITY, DELIVERED

Sasha Vislaus, Communication Lead at Wolt Poland, on what Warsaw’s orders reveal about city life Insider: What does Wolt’s data

tell you about how Warsaw is changing? Sasha Vislaus: Delivery is becoming part of everyday city infrastructure. A few years ago, it was mainly about dinner. Today it can mean lunch at work, groceries, flowers, cosmetics or something missing for a recipe. Warsaw residents increasingly expect services to fit around their day, rather than the other way around. What food trends are growing fastest? We see growing interest in specialised concepts: ramen, matcha, specialty coffee, poke bowls, bakeries and places built around one particular product or cuisine. Consumers are more knowledgeable, but trends also move into the mainstream very quickly. Matcha is a good example. Do Warsaw neighborhoods behave differently? Yes, although I’d avoid simple ste-

reotypes. What matters is how each district functions. Śródmieście and Wola have strong daytime office economies, while residential areas naturally have more evening and weekend demand. Praga and Żoliborz also have strong independent food scenes. Warsaw is increasingly polycentric, and delivery makes local businesses accessible beyond their immediate neighborhoods.

How much does the weather affect those routines? A lot. Warm weather shifts demand toward cold drinks, ice cream, fruit and lighter food. The first properly warm weekends are particularly interesting because Warsaw suddenly moves outdoors: parks, balconies, picnics and spontaneous meetings start shaping what people need. Rain or cold works in the opposite direction, making convenience more valuable. What’s the next trend? Delivery moving beyond food. We’re seeing local commerce on demand, with people discovering not only restaurants, but shops and other neighborhood businesses through the same platform. The line between e-commerce, local retail and delivery is becoming increasingly blurred.

What are people ordering beyond restaurant food? Groceries, health and beauty products, pet supplies and flowers are becoming increasingly important. Often these aren’t large planned purchases but solutions to small moments of friction: a missing ingredient, dog food or flowers before visiting someone. How does Warsaw change throughout the day? You can almost see the city changing function through orders. Mornings are about coffee and breakfast;

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SLOWLY, SLOWLY

A Greek philosophy takes root in Mokotów PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

Review

Siga Siga ul. Willowa 9 (Mokotów)

ichael Pollan’s famous advice, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” sounds perfectly sensible until you sit down at Siga Siga. The restaurant has the “mostly plants” part beautifully covered. It’s the restraint that proves difficult. Hidden away on a side street in Mokotów, Siga Siga feels less like a restaurant than somebody’s extended family gathering that you have accidentally wandered into, and, fortunately, nobody has asked you to leave. There is a loose, familial warmth to its terrace. Owner Aleks greets us and, rather than announcing that a waiter will be coming, says, “My friend will be with you shortly.” It is a tiny choice of words, but one that tells you almost everything about the place. Even the name sets the tempo. Siga siga is a Greek expression meaning, roughly, “slowly, slowly”, take your time, don’t rush, life will still be here. Aleks’s affection for Greece runs deeper than olive oil and holiday nostalgia. As we talk, she describes years of Greek food, culture, travel and the happiness these experiences brought to her and her family. Siga Siga feels like an attempt to keep that feeling alive and, more importantly, allow it to grow by sharing it. Inside, a vinyl record player reinforces the impression that you have entered someone’s living room rather than a commercial dining room. Aleks talks enthusiastically about music, records and the role they play here. You begin to understand that Siga Siga is constructed around pleasures that resist efficiency: records, conversation, shared plates, travel, dinner that takes as long as dinner takes.

There were two of us, so Aleks suggested what she calls the “Blind Date”: essentially Siga Siga’s loose, vegetable-driven answer to omakase. Don’t choose. Trust the kitchen. See what happens. What happened was a procession of vegetables treated with the seriousness usually reserved for expensive cuts of meat. The cauliflower arrived whole-headed and beautifully cooked, its form echoing the restaurant’s own cauliflower logo — part dish, part mascot. A leek was stripped back to its essentials: Parmesan, Cretan olive oil and Maldon salt, allowing the sweetness of the vegetable to do most of the talking. Roasted carrots were more extroverted, dressed with rose harissa, pomegranate, honey, coriander and lemon: sweet, floral, hot and acidic in successive little waves. Then came roasted eggplant with Greek yogurt, pomegranate, thyme, collapsing softly beneath the fork. And then came my favorite: the soutzoukakia, Greek beef-andpork meatballs baked in tomato

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Restraint feels like a rather joyless way to spend dinner sauce with mint, cinnamon and Cretan olive oil. There was a deep, savory umami richness to them, the tomato sauce soaking into the meat while cinnamon brought warmth and mint a flicker of freshness. Comforting without being heavy, it was the dish that had us quietly chasing the last streaks of sauce around the plate with pita which was perfectly airy and good vessel to scoop up all the sauce left over. None of this feels particularly concerned with proving that vegetables can replace meat. That would almost miss the point. They are simply good things to eat. And somewhere between another forkful, another record and another conversation with Aleks, Pollan’s maxim returns to mind. Eat food. Mostly plants. As for “not too much”? At Siga Siga, you’re on your own.

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SWEET SICILY

Gelato, pastries, and pistachio perfection

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Review

KATANÉ | Gelateria Caffetteria ul. Bracka 18 (City Center), katane.pl

ust steps from Plac Pięciu Rogów, Katanè feels perfectly at home. As Warsaw's newly redesigned city center encourages people to slow down and rediscover downtown on foot, this little slice of Sicily rewards exactly that. You might stop in for a coffee or a scoop of gelato. More likely, you'll leave carrying a box of pastries. The first thing that catches your eye is the sea of gelato stretching across the counter. Presented the traditional Italian way—kept in covered metal tubs rather than piled into colorful mountains—it lets the quality speak for itself. The texture is dense, silky, and intensely flavorful, with everything from classic pistachio and hazelnut to refreshing fruit sorbets made for hot summer afternoons. It's the kind of gelato that reminds

you why Italians don't need gimmicks. If you're passing through around lunchtime, don't overlook the sandwiches. Thick slices of focaccia and crisp schiacciata come generously layered with imported Italian meats, creamy cheeses, pesto, vegetables, and the occasional indulgent smear of pistachio cream. They're perfect for eating on the go before continuing your stroll through one of Warsaw's most inviting neighborhoods. But while the gelato may bring people through the door, it's the pastry counter that steals the show. Rows of bomboloni, tiramisu, cornetti, cakes, and Sicilian specialties make choosing just one feel nearly impossible. Every dessert looks like it was made for the display case, yet nothing feels overly precious. These are pastries meant to be

eaten, shared, and occasionally fought over. Our Insider favorite is the pistachio cannoli. The shell delivers the satisfying crack every great cannoli should before giving way to a generous filling that's rich with roasted pistachio flavor rather than overwhelming sweetness. It's beautifully balanced, wonderfully messy, and one of the finest Italian desserts we've found in Warsaw. Our advice? Don't leave with just one. Order a gelato. Grab a sandwich if you're hungry. Then ask for a takeaway box and fill it with cannoli, bomboloni, and whatever else catches your eye. Because while Katanè has become one of the sweetest stops in Warsaw's new city center, it's the desserts you'll still be thinking about long after you've made it home. warsawinsider.pl

Cocktail culture

CATCHING THE TIGER BY THE TAIL

How Warsaw’s wine royalty tamed a cocktail beast BY DIANA BŁAŻEWICZ

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

e gave Warszawski Tygrys a few months to settle its paws a little before dropping in. Opening a venue of this scale is a formidable undertaking; you have to let the initial dust settle before you can properly take the measure of a place. In a city where restaurant cocktail programs are usually treated as a begrudging afterthought - a bleak roster of sugary pacifiers meant to keep you quiet until the wine arrives the liquid architecture here is a masterclass in flavor, shoved unapologetically front and center. You’ve got light, zesty serves

Warszawski Tygrys Plac Konstytucji 5 (City Center)

from their summer spritz list, alongside slushies that are dangerously drinkable but masquerade as innocent, 'can’ttaste-the-alcohol' flavor bombs. The stiffer, more serious drinks have their rightful place here too. Not interested in exploring the creativity of a seasonal signature menu? Not to worry. The team has curated a meticulously tight selection of classics, and I assure you, it is lightyears away from the tired, watered-down repertoire haunting most restaurant menus across Warsaw. I, naturally, order a dirty vodka martini to start. Well, I say order. The glass materializes before I can even settle properly into my seat. Now that is hospitality. Kevin, burdened with an evening of errands, wades into the alcohol-free section, kicking off with the TIGER 2.0. It features a genuinely clever hit of St. John’s wort, a botanical you’d sooner expect in a medieval apothecary than a shaker. It does a magnificent job of delivering an earthy, natural bitterness to balance the sweet, spiced alcohol-free rum, cooling aloe vera, and the floral snap of yuzu. Then, the food lands. We begin our feast, of course, with dessert. At Kevin’s playful insistence, a plate of pure nostalgia hits the table before

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The liquid architecture here is a masterclass in flavour, shoved unapologetically front and center anything savory even has a chance: an ice cream sandwich bleeding a rough coulis of rightin-the-middle-of-their-season bilberries. In this industry, you learn to just roll with the punches, so why on earth not? With that sugar hit out of the way, we move to the starters. Let’s be clear: the duck croquettes are hands down the best thing I’ve eaten all year. Unctuous, impossibly rich, and melting on the tongue. It is also an absolute revelation of a pairing for a dirty martini. Quite frankly, if I ever open a dedicated martini bar, I will be shamelessly stealing some version of this for the menu. You get a similarly moreish

hit from the deep-fried blood sausage dumplings, swiped through a house-made sweet chili sauce. It’s the sort of bite that makes you instantly wonder why Polish-Asian fusion hasn't caught on sooner. The broad bean ‘hummus’, spiked with tom yum notes, peanuts, and mint, is creamy, nutty, and scooped up with a buttery, crêpe-like pancake. It hits that holy trinity of price, quality, and generous volume. Because we are dead in the middle of tomato season, we order the tomato salad. A medley of three heirloom heavyweights (beefsteak, pineapple, and cuore del Vesuvio), served with an inhouse cheese, a tangle of herbs, warsawinsider.pl

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a plate of pure nostalgia hits the table before anything savory even has a chance... and dressed appropriately with soy. You smell this dish before you see it. That is the heady, glorious scent of seasonal produce when a kitchen has the good sense to just let it shine. Returning to the drinks, we navigate a dizzying spectrum of colors and flavour profiles. There is the Prism, an adaptation of Olga’s World Class competition drink. Johnnie Walker Black, sour cherry, ponzu, coffee, and tonic water. It is a long, vibrating hum of perfectly balanced acidity and depth. Since it’s summer, we wade into the frozen serves. The matcha, Haku Vodka, and coconut milk combo is a grassy, velvety delight that drinks like a virtu-

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

ous milkshake. The raspberry whisky sour brings a bright, fruity bite, but finishes with the confident, boozy weight of Suntory Toki. You can even order them swirled together as a Tygrys take on the Miami Vice (dubbed the Suntory Vice). Normally, I'd roll my eyes at something this unabashedly Instagrammable, but I have to admit, it is ridiculously delicious. As for the room, what can I tell you? Like all Ferment Group venues, it is as visually arresting as it is functional. I might be no architectural expert, but the design feels deeply embedded in history while flexing a sharp, cutting-edge modernity.

It’s a perfect collision of past and present. The main bar is a brightly lit stage commanding the room, but we both agree that if you’re plotting, seducing, or just seeking a quieter dinner, the mezzanine (complete with a 10-seater private dining room) is exactly where you want to retreat. The DJ booth is prominent too. Word is there were a few bumps in the road with middle management trying to force their own brief on the music. It’s a tale as old as time in this industry: managers mistaking a concept for their own personal project and entirely missing the owners' vision. Thankfully, on the evening we are in, the DJ threads the needle perfectly, making the vibe familiar, positive, and vibrant without turning dinner into a full-blown party. The truth is, there aren’t many restaurants in Warsaw right now putting this much sincere intention behind the bar, elevating it to an equal footing with the kitchen. Wine? Sure, Warsaw has mastered wine by now. But cocktails? Outside of slick, international hotel concepts like Nobu or Raffles, I’d be happy to stand corrected if there is another dining room in this city where the shaker is celebrated quite as fiercely as the stove.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Cocktail culture

Spotlight

The Spirit of Praga Inside Warsaw’s most spirited museum

orget everything you think you know about museums. The Polish Vodka Museum at Centrum Praskie Koneser is less about quietly walking from one display to another and more about having a genuinely good time — with a story, a few surprises and a taste of something very Polish along the way. Set inside the beautifully revitalized former Warsaw Rectification Plant, the museum brings together history, culture, taste and entertainment in a way that feels decidedly modern. The industrial character of the old factory remains, but the experience is anything but old-fashioned. It is interactive, engaging and, above all, welcoming. The idea is simple: come

curious, leave with a few new stories to tell. Guided tours take you behind the scenes of Polish vodka, from its history and production to the role it has played in Polish culture. Small groups, authentic exhibits and interactive elements make the experience feel closer to discovering the city with a knowledgeable local than following a traditional museum route. And yes, there is a tasting at the end. But you don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy it. The museum’s workshops are a great excuse to gather your favorite people together. Learn how to make your own homemade liqueur using traditional recipes, explore food pairing or try your hand at the art of toasting. It is

the kind of group activity that gives you something to do, something to talk about and usually a few laughs along the way. And the experience doesn’t necessarily end when you leave the exhibition. The museum is part of a wider hospitality ecosystem that has transformed the former factory complex into one of Praga’s most interesting places to spend an afternoon or evening. Head to Setki Powodów for food, music and a lively city vibe, or finish your visit with a cocktail at 3/4 Koneser Bar, where Polish vodka meets contemporary mixology. It all follows the same philosophy: hospitality first. You are here to have a good time, feel comfortable and experience something memorable. If you happen to learn a little along the way, even better. Then there is Praga itself — a district made for discovering rather than simply sightseeing. The Polish Vodka Museum sits right in the middle of that experience: creative, atmospheric, slightly unexpected and still refreshingly removed from the postcard-heavy center. So, if you are looking for something different to do in Warsaw — whether you live here, are visiting for the weekend or simply feel like seeing the city from another angle — cross the river. There are hundreds of reasons to visit Praga. This might just be one of the most special.

Polish Vodka Museum Plac Konesera 1 (Centrum Praskie Koneser), muzeumpolskiejwodki.pl

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Taste the Exotic Experience the Magic of the Middle East Belly Dance Show – Live Performance! Saturdays at 19:00 – Le Cedre 61

lecedre.pl | FB.com/lecedrepl | IG.com/lecedreinwarsaw Le Cedre 61 Al. Solidarności 61 tel. 22 670 1166 Warsaw Insider | September 2026

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…

SERIOUS SIPS

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 Nowowiejska 1 & Sierakowskiego 4A Resistant as tradi-

tionalists 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

The Garrison

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.

ul. Mariensztat 8 (City Center), thegarrisonmariensztat.pl

BEER GEEKS

The moody, Peaky Blinders-inspired bar is where The Garrison really comes into its own. Owner Paweł Wiktoruk’s background as a head bartender shows in a drinks program built on serious technique rather than gimmicks. Classics are the strength, so pull up a stool and put the bartenders to work—especially with a martini made exactly to your liking. Add atmospheric interiors and polished service, and it’s an excellent destination for sophisticated cocktails near Mariensztat.

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

Jabeerwocky Nowogrodzka 12

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The Buzz as their own house beers. Pre-war 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. CREATIVE COCKTAILS Ave Pegaz Piłsudskiego 9

Inside a lively interior that doesn’t take itself too seriously (check the ‘ceiling garden’), swivel about to gawk at a mighty collection of corkscrews and drinking implements. In this alchemist’s workshop find yourself enjoying some of the most creative cocktails in Warsaw. COCKTAIL PORN VHS

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

Poznańska 7

The shoebox sized VHS pays tribute to the 80s and 90s and is a model for good times – boasting a flamingo and pictures of Mr T., the toilet says it all. The drinks are among the wackiest in Warsaw, and they’re as fun to drink as they are to photograph. THE ATMOSPHERE Beirut & Kraken Poznańska 12

Somewhere, amid all the junk relating to the Lebanese conflict (sandbags, ammo boxes…), you’ll find the spirit of Poznańska contained within this long, skinny bar. As fashionable now as it was when it opened, finish the evening in their connecting venture, the Pirates of the Caribbean-style Kraken. Evenings dissolve into a wild, happy whirl of international voices. INSIDER CLASSIC Pardon, To Tu Al. Armii Ludowej 14

Despite the upgrade in surrounds, they’ve retained the leftfield spirit of their old haunt thanks to flexi hours, a commitment to obscure sounds, and a well-spaced interior that references their former venue through its decadent colour scheme and wall of favoured musicians. The air of friendly, unforced cool is unmatched! FOR THE MUSIC Młodsza Siostra Dobra 14/16

Known for his ear for upcoming talent, the owner Michał isn’t averse to taking risks in order to broaden Warsaw’s musical palate. The scrappy backdrop of

bike repair garages give a vibe redolent of the shadowy courtyards of Berlin and Budapest, while inside it’s all creaking floorboards, mismatched furnishings and a clientele sourced from the local Academy of Fine Arts. REBEL SOUNDS

Chmury / Hydrozagadka 11 Listopada 22

Set in a fleapit courtyard, it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other ends, but both are spiritually cojoined by a devotion to eclectic live music. Tight and crowded, it’s a place where audience and band become one, feeding off each other to generate an electrifying atmosphere. A BIT OF EVERYTHING Foton Wilcza 9A

You know it’s been an epic weekend when you wake up on Monday knowing that Foton was involved. Conversation with strangers is natural after a few of Foton’s cocktails, and these are enjoyed to a cool backdrop made up of fleet of tumbling plants perched on steel-framed irrigational contraptions. PRE-CLUB DRINKS Bar Pacyfik Hoża 61

Based upon the kind of Tijuana dive bar you’d have happened upon during the Miami Vice era, Pacyfik is all candy floss pink and shades of teal: a raw-looking den that looks purposefully imperfect. Keeping the hip international crowd on the wrong side of drunk are kick-ass cocktails! LATE NIGHTER

Republica de San Escobar Poznańska 7

Lacking airs and graces, it’s a place where fun rules the roost. Tiny in size, find an interior filled with corrugated iron sheets, zappy neons, chunky woods and bike pedals on the footrests. The fun-loving spirits is irresistible, and the tight dimensions mean the party often spills onto the terrace outside. STUDENT CARNAGE

Shamrock Irish Pub on Zgoda. Though a lot smarter than its sister, the raucous sense of fun has carried over – as has the quality Guinness. ESSENTIAL CHECK-IN

Fabryka Norblina Żelazna 51/53

Without fail, the big winner of 2023 was Norblin – hell, we even saw Kieran Culkin walk-

ing through over summer! In terms of nightlife, winners include the elite MOXO and the craft-minded Uwaga. Packed in the evening, the atmosphere is squared out perfectly by the live music that frequently escapes from the Piano Bar. The Insider fave though remains Piano Bar, a place with fancy cocktails, a 12-foot chande-

Nowy Świat ‘Pavilions’ ul. 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. LIVE SPORTS

Shamrock Sports Bar Krucza 51

At long last, Warsaw has the sports bar it deserves. Zapping in football, rugby and suchlike from around the world (but mainly Britain), this Irish-run spot is an offshoot of the atmospheric

A modern hotel in the heart of Warsaw Welcome to Warsaw’s newly emerging business district. Crowne Plaza@ Warsaw - The HUB hotel offers modern accommodation, award - winning conference space and superb food and beverage services. Join IHG@ One Rewards and get instant access to benefits and exclusive Loyalty Member deals at 6000 destinations globally. cpwarsawthehub.com | +48 22 377 37 37 | ihg.com/one

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lier and a crowd that errs from late 20s upwards. 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 theater 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.

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

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 while 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 & (ul. Emilii Plater 8)

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 (hi Apollo!), 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. NEIGHBORHOOD FAV Ciacho al. Niepodległości 80

In Mokotów, Ciacho stands apart as a true neighborhood institution — a bakery and breakfast spot that quietly draws locals back year-round. Hidden near Jordanowski Park, it shifts with the seasons: a lively family terrace in summer, a warm, oven-scented refuge in winter. Breakfast is the anchor, from creamy scrambled eggs on house sourdough to a cult-favourite kimchi brioche. Add excellent pastries and breads to take home, and Ciacho reveals itself as something rarer than a café: a steady, glowing hearth.

Dine &

THE MICHELIN STAR

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…

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.

INSIDER FAVORITE

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN DEMARIA

Delhi by Niranjan

ul. Wynalazek 2/U10 (Mokotów "Mordor")

Indian food becomes a history lesson in the best possible way at this Mordor favorite. Owner Niranjan looks beyond the usual classics, introducing diners to fiery Chilli Momos, melt-in-the-mouth Galoti Kebab, Old Delhi-inspired Aslam Chicken and his own Paneer Rarha Masala. Even the flaming Chicken Sharabi arrives with a story. It’s regional, generous and deeply personal—a restaurant driven as much by curiosity and conversation as by spice.

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 colors 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. warsawinsider.pl

Dine & Delight ECLECTIC & UPMARKET Dyletanci Koszykowa 47

Subtle and stylish with its muted, neutral colors 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

DATE NIGHT

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.

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.

Rozbrat 20 Rozbrat 20

alewino Mokotowska 48

NEW WAVE

hub.praga Jagiellońska 22/LU1

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

RECENTLY OPENED

Takesan Miso

ul. Marszałkowska 140 (City Center)

Takesan Miso brings a focused taste of Japan to Marszałkowska, built around the celebrated Shinshu miso of Nagano Prefecture. From rich spicy tonkotsu miso ramen to creamy vegan tantan-men, each bowl puts fermented miso firmly at center stage. There’s impressive restraint here: no gimmicks, just purposeful ingredients, springy noodles and deeply layered broths. Even the lifelike shokuhin sampuru outside signals a restaurant serious about Japanese tradition and authenticity.

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

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 colors – 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.

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

Nova Wola

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 al. 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

AUTHENTIC POLISH CUISINE Rondo Daszyńskiego 2 , Warsaw +48 22 377 38 01 novawola@ihg.com novawola.com

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Dine & Delight 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 outdoor check-ins. If that’s packed – and it often is – head inside where an atmosphere of gentle chaos reigns in the noisy open kitchen. Eschewing warmth and authenticity, the atmosphere fits well with the meaty skewers. 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. INSIDER FAVORITE Tuna Elektryczna 2

Resembling the scales of a fish, Tuna’s core decorative element are 18,000 tuna cans that sheathe the walls. Smartly appointed in dark metallic colors, visit for an exhilarating menu that includes salmon jerky, tuna sausages, an elaborately reconstructed dorada tail and the best-selling chili con tuna.

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

CITY CENTER 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. VEGAN NOODLES

Vegan Ramen Shop Finlandzka 12 / Jana Pawła II 52/54 / Narabutta 43

Dubbed by some as “the best noodles in the world!” They’re definitely memorable, and the spicy miso ramen will for sure make new true believers. BRUNCH ANYONE? Seagull ul. Dobra 1, (Powiśle)

The menu carries a subtle Asian accent — eggs Benedict with yuzu hollandaise and shrimp, harissa-spiked chickpea toast, bright matcha and thoughtful non-alcoholic drinks alongside mimosas. It’s a neighbourhood spot for plans, conversation and clarity, where morning isn’t rushed through, but properly lived. SUSHI LOVERS MUST

Misaki Kawasaki Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 43B/3rd floor (Powiśle)

Paula Mycka cooks with global confidence, fusing Japanese precision, Thai vibrancy, Middle Eastern depth, and Peruvian playfulness. Highlights include bold vegetarian dishes, scallops in brown butter, a Wagyu Katsu Sando, and toro tartare on a sesame waffle with yuzu crème fraîche.

WELCOME TO GREECE! For authentic Greek food & hospitality, look no further than Mr. Greek Souvlaki! Walecznych 68a/3 (Saska Kępa)

COMMUNIT Y HUBS & FOOD HALLS 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.

CENTRUM PRASKIE KONESER Plac Konesera 8, 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.

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, while 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.

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You came to Warsaw for its galleries, restaurants and energy. Discover Projekt Skóra, where dermatologists led by Dr Małgorzata Marcinkiewicz consider how your skin will change, regenerate and age—not simply what can be done today. This is skinspan: a medical strategy designed to keep your skin recognisably yours for years to come. Plans may combine lasers, energy-based technologies and regenerative treatments in a carefully considered sequence. Begin in Warsaw with a plan and treatment chosen to support remodelling, strengthen skin and reduce visible laxity.

THE WARSAW ADDRESS YOUR SKIN WILL REMEMBER ul. Poznańska 37 / A42 tel.: + 48 508 777 988 projektskora.pl Find us on instagram: @projektskora & @okiem_dermatologa

PHOTOGRAPHS BY EWELINA MIERZEJEWSKA

Last Chance Through September 7

Beauty Empire

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF POLIN/

POLIN traces Helena Rubinstein’s extraordinary journey from Kraków to global icon

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CULTURE Last Chance Through September 15

Memory Reconsidered

A younger generation confronts the Holocaust and the legacy of violence. What happens when young people become curators of difficult history? People, Be Afraid (Ludu, bój się) approaches the Holocaust and the memory of violence through the eyes of a new generation. Created as part of the international CoREM project, the exhibition grew from young participants working directly with POLIN’s historical sources, reinterpreting archival material rather than simply receiving established narratives. Performance, drama and body-based methods became tools for asking difficult questions about memory, responsibility and how history continues to resonate today. The result is deliberately personal: a contemporary response to the past that asks visitors to consider how remembrance is inherited, interpreted and reshaped.

Both exhibitions are at POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews ul. Mordechaja Anielewicza 6, polin.pl

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF POLIN/ MACIEK JAŹWIECKI

orn Chaja Rubinstein in Kraków’s Kazimierz district, Helena Rubinstein transformed herself into one of the 20th century’s most remarkable entrepreneurs. Beauty Is Your Destination at POLIN explores the woman behind the cosmetics empire, following a life that crossed continents and challenged expectations of what women could achieve. Beyond creams and lipstick, the exhibition examines Rubinstein’s carefully constructed image, her role in changing ideas of beauty and independence, and her passion for modern art and patronage. Personal objects and archival material add intimacy to a story of ambition, reinvention and extraordinary self-belief— revealing Rubinstein as far more than a beauty pioneer.

Scan for the WGW website for more information

Art Weekend

Three days inside Warsaw’s creative world

or one September weekend, Warsaw’s contemporary art scene throws open its doors and invites the whole city inside. Returning for its 16th edition, Warsaw Gallery Weekend runs September 18–20, bringing exhibitions, openings and encounters with artists to galleries and independent spaces across the capital. The pleasure of WGW has always been in the wandering. Rather than concentrating everything beneath one roof, the event turns Warsaw itself into the venue, sending visitors between established galleries, smaller spaces and addresses they might otherwise never discover. Among this year’s presentations are Aneta Grzeszykowska (Raster), Paulina Ołowska (Fundacja Galerii Foksal), Koji Kamoji (Szydłowski), Zofia Pałucha (HOS) and Karolina Bielawska (Wschód). For an Insider route through the weekend, three longtime favorites stand out: Fundacja Galerii Foksal, presenting Ołowska’s Three Colors; Jednostka, always worth watching for its sharp eye on contemporary photography and visual culture; and Instytut Fotografii Fort (IFF), where Michał Siarek brings the remote Norwegian landscape into focus. More than an art event, WGW is one of those weekends when Warsaw feels particularly alive: grab the free guidebook, choose a neighborhood and start walking.

HELPFUL INFO What: Warsaw Gallery Weekend

2026

When: September 18–20 Where: Galleries and art spaces

across Warsaw Edition: 16th Admission: Free Insider Picks: Jednostka, Fundacja Galerii Foksal & IFF Don't Miss: Paulina Ołowska at Foksal; Aneta Grzeszykowska at Raster Insider Tip: Don’t try to see everything. Pick a cluster of galleries, explore it on foot and let the openings dictate where you end up.

Personal Visions

Bringing new artistic languages to Warsaw

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

aiting for the lights to change on Książęca, it was the color that caught my attention. Through the windows of Phenomenaa Gallery were bold, graphic works that didn’t look much like anything I was used to seeing on Warsaw’s gallery circuit. There was something immediate about them—textiles, saturated color, unfamiliar faces and forms. Enough, at least, to make me wonder what was going on inside. Phenomenaa opened less than a year ago, in November 2025, but its story began much earlier with its founder, Omenaa Mensah. The Polish-Ghanaian philanthropist and collector has spent years traveling, visiting studios and building relationships with artists, particularly across Africa. Phenomenaa has become a way of bringing some of those discoveries back to Warsaw. “It’s a very personal gallery, a very personal selection,” says Natalia Bradbury, Executive Director of OmenaArt Foundation and Phenomenaa Gallery. That personal element is important. Before an artist appears on the gallery walls, there has often been a journey, a studio visit and a conversation. Mensah and her team research artists before traveling, but Bradbury describes the final connection as something decidedly human: meeting the person, understanding their story and responding to the work. Mensah also collects the artists represented by Phenomenaa herself. Africa provides the gallery’s strongest pulse. Bradbury estimates that around 70 percent

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEVIN DEMARIA

CULTURE

Phenomenaa Gallery ul. Książęca 4 (City Center), phenomenaa.com

of the work comes from the continent, with Ghana particularly prominent—a reflection of Mensah’s own Ghanaian heritage and the foundation’s work there. The stories behind the objects make you linger. Ghanaian artist Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne, for example, incorporates discarded textiles into his compositions, sewing fabric directly into the work. His figures are often left without faces, allowing the viewer to imagine themselves, or someone they know inside them. The materials carry their own histories as well: Bradbury points to Ghana’s enormous textile culture and a tradition of finding new purposes for discarded objects. Then there is Moses Adjei, whose story brings the gallery’s worlds together. Once a street child himself, Adjei remembers being helped by kayayei, Ghana’s female head porters, women who carry goods in large metal bowls for little money. He now paints portraits onto discarded bowls as tributes to women like those who helped him survive. The connection feels especially poignant given the foundation’s work supporting vulnerable children in Ghana. Phenomenaa is a commercial gallery, but 10 percent of sales supports the foundation’s philanthropic projects. Art, collecting and giving back are deliberately intertwined. And perhaps that explains why the gallery initially looks so unexpected from Książęca. Phenomenaa offers Warsaw a visual language we still don’t encounter often enough here. Sometimes all it takes is a red light to notice it.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

Bhuvanesh Gowda Homolog III 2022 Abdur Rahman Muhammad The Patrons 2025 Moses Adjei Rukaya 2019 Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne Mirror (Adidas series) 2023 Wallen Mapondera Kura Uone (Cracked In Faith 1B) 2024

AT A GLANCE What: Contemporary art

gallery with a strong focus on artists from Africa and beyond Europe Founded: November 2025 Founder: Omenaa Mensah Where: Książęca, Warsaw Look for: Contemporary painting, textiles, sculpture and mixed-media works, with Ghana particularly well represented The idea: A highly personal selection shaped by travel, studio visits and direct relationships with artists Worth knowing: 10% of gallery sales supports the philanthropic work of the OmenaArt Foundation Insider tip: Don’t just browse the walls. Ask about the artists—the stories behind the materials and the people who made them are a large part of the Phenomenaa experience.

warsawinsider.pl

SHOPPING/

Y2K Reloaded

Cult streetwear makes a bold comeback.

efitted serves up the louder side of Y2K style, with hand-picked vintage pieces destined to make everything else in your wardrobe seriously jealous. Hoodies, jeans and accessories lead the selection, alongside cult labels including A Bathing Ape (BAPE), True Religion and Ed Hardy. Think bold graphics, decorative denim, oversized logos and unapologetically nostalgic details. The thrill lies in the hunt: each drop offers the chance to uncover something distinctive, collectible and difficult to find elsewhere. For streetwear fans, Refitted turns secondhand shopping into a statement piece rather than a compromise.

Refitted – Swag Supplier ul. Wspólna 27, refitted.pl

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SZKOLA PODSTAWOWA NUMER JEDEN

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EDUCATION 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

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

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

preschools 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

CASA DEI BAMBINI & TODDLER SCHOOL

With three green and harmonious locations in Mokotów and Izabelin. The school in Izabelin is set in the quiet of the Kampinos Forest just outside the city. Teachers are fully trained in early-childhood education in English according to the Montessori philosophy. Registration open to children 12 months to 6 years of age. ul. Badowska 19, ul. Tatrzańska 5a (Mokotów), ul. Szkolna 16, (Izabelin), tel. 692 099 134, wmf.edu.pl

warsaw montessori family

Warsaw Montessori Schools accepting applications for our programs and locations: Infant & Toddler Tatrzańska 5a Badowska 19

schools

Casa dei Bambini Badowska 19 Szkolna 16, Hornówek

Elementary AMERICAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW AKADEMEIA HIGH SCHOOL

An academically selective international school in Warsaw, offering iGCSEs and A Levels while preparing students for the best universities in the world. The staff body consists of alumni of the world’s best universities, while 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

Szwoleżerów 4

"Erdkinder" Middle School Tatrzańska 5a

Montessori High School Pytlasińskiego 13a

Montessori Farm School Białka 155, koło Radzynia Podlaskiego

Contact Office: 692 099 134

office@warsawmontessori.edu.pl

www.wmf.edu.pl warsawinsider.pl

EDUCATION BRITISH PRIMARY SCHOOL OF WILANOW

admissions@bswilanow.org to organise a visit

THE ENGLISH PRIMARY THE BRITISH SCHOOL WARSAW

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

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Warsaw Insider | September 2026

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

schools THE CANADIAN SCHOOL OF WARSAW INTERNATIONAL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

JOY PRIMARY 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

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

WARSAW MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL

WARSAW MONTESSORI HIGH 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 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

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

EDUCATE. INSPIRE. GROW.

Promote your school or course in Warsaw Insider – where the city's top learners look first! Email insider@warsawinsider.pl

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September stand

Where Warsaw stopped the German forces advance

Warsaw Insider | September 2026

oday, traffic streams almost continuously along Grójecka, but at its intersection with Opaczewska stands a reminder of the moment when this road became Warsaw’s front line. On September 8, 1939, German forces reached the capital after advancing rapidly across Poland. The 4th Panzer Division attempted to enter Warsaw from the southwest, expecting to take the city quickly. Instead, its tanks encountered a barricade thrown across Grójecka by Polish soldiers with help from local residents. Built from whatever could be found, including tramcars, school benches and vehicles, the improvised fortification became part of a determined defense of Ochota.

The first German assault was repelled, with tanks knocked out by Polish gunfire. Although the original barricade burned during the fighting, it was rebuilt overnight with tramcars weighted with stones. Fighting continued here as Warsaw resisted until its capitulation on September 27. The Barykada Września monument now marks the spot. Designed by Julian Pałka and unveiled in 1979, its monumental concrete forms spell out the story in numbers: 8 IX – 1939 – 27 IX. Straddling the lanes of modern Grójecka, it is easy to pass without a second glance. Yet this stark monument marks one of the places where Warsaw first demonstrated the resistance that would come to define its wartime history.

PHOTOGRAPH WIKICOMMONS

LOOKING BACK

GREY WOLF WARSAW ALEJE JEROZOLIMSKIE 49 NOWY ŚWIAT 55