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36 GDAŃSK RESTAURANTS
Eating at a Glance
Dining in Gdańsk continues to improve and there are
now a few restaurants which we receive regular positive
emails about to the office. The figures in brackets denote
the approximate price of the cheapest and dearest
main course on the menu. The opening hours we list
are flexible and are rough guidelines as to when you
can expect the chef to be working. If business is slow
people will have no qualms about shutting early. Service
in general has improved considerably, although it can
still be annoying slow. Also beware of using ‘thank you’
when paying for your bill. This is often taken to mean
‘Keep the change’.
Here are some recommendations depending on what
you are looking for.
Local: Check out the local Gdansk cuisine in Gdanska
or try Metamorfoza for a modern take on traditional
local dishes. If it’s pierogi you want then Pierogarnia U
Dzika is for you while Swojski Smak is great for meaty
moments. Goldwasser is one of our favourites with
great food and a view over the river from their terrace.
Check out their collectable sets of Goldwasser liquer. For
local fish, then try Targ Rybny or Tawerna or dine where
Lech Walesa takes his official guests, at the historic Pod
Lososiem (Under the Salmon).
Cheap: The legendary Bar Pod Rybą does an excellent
line in baked potatoes served with a wide choice of
toppings while we love Nalesnikowo for pancakes and
crepes. Alternatively take a step back in time and eat in
one of the ‘Milk Bars’ where basic and very cheap food
is served up in a pre-1989 atmosphere.
Lads: Head to Brovarnia, a posh microbrewery
complimented with a strong menu, go to Masala for an
Indian or test the chef’s use of spice at Buddha Lounge.
Couples: Not just for couples but Filharmonia is
probably the city’s standout restaurant both for food
and wonderful views from their terrace.
Splurge: Prices are still competitive compared to
Scandinavia and Western Europe so nowhere is going
to have you seeing stars. For a special occasion take a
trip out to Dwor Oliwski in Oliwa (although avoid it in
June when the place is closed to non-residents as the
German football team are staying there).
American
NEW
Casino Diner B-3, ul. Latarniana 2, tel. (+48) 505 50 72
53. Adopting the look of a classic American roadside diner complete
with high stools at the bar and booth seating, Cassino is
named in honour of the tiny gambling den that stood on this spot
for many years. The menu goes well beyond steaks, burgers and
fries although it is for those that you should visit. The burgers are
made to order and the juices are a sign of their freshness while
the fries are chunky and cooked to perfection. With sides like
onion rings, stuffed peppers and wings, you can really pig out
at very attractive prices washed down with a beer while those
less carnivorous can opt for a salad option or one of the few
fish and pasta choices. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 -
24:00, Sun 10:00 - 23:00. (20-40zł). PTAUGBSW
Original Burger C-4, ul. Długa 47/49, tel. (+48) 58 306
77 63, www.originalburger.pl. Simple food is done very well
here and breathes life into a premises next to the town hall that
were in serious need of resuscitation. No prizes for guessing that
the stars of the menu are the burgers and the freshly prepared
patties are cooked to order and come served on fresh buns
with a choice of toppings. Closer to an American style burger
than anything you’ll likely receive when ordering from a fast food
window in Polska, the calorie hit is rounded off by crispy fries
and onion rings. There are non-burger options too and while the
salad and fish on the adjacent table looked appetising there was
no way we’d have swapped it for our Classic with cheese which
was very good indeed. Un-town hall prices also mean you leave
with a smile. One tip. This being Poland expect gherkins to be
included in your toppings unless you specify otherwise. QOpen
11:00 - 23:30. (16-19zł). A6VGBSW
Chinese
Yang Guang D-5, ul. Stągiewna 1, tel. (+48) 58 301
58 45, www.chinska-gdansk.pl. A good choice for big,
greasy helpings of Chinese comfort food. The interiors are an
improbable mix of lanterns and fans juxtaposed against dark
shadows and Ye Olde Danzig furnishings, and while it doesn’t
look particularly enthralling it’s unlikely you’ll come away feeling
anything less than deeply satisfied - no small praise in
a city still struggling to embrace the concept of ethnic food.
QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. (28-100zł). TJAVGBS
Fish
Fish Markt (Targ Rybny) D-3, ul. Targ Rybny 6c, tel.
(+48) 58 320 90 11, www.targrybny.pl. Without doubt one
of the better restaurants in the town. This place is a visual delight
from the moment you enter, with warm light wood furnishings
All new menu
Gdańsk In Your Pocket gdansk.inyourpocket.com
topped with check blue tablecloths and model fishing boats. The
seafood is reputed as some of the best in town, and we’ve found
no reason to dispute this. But fishy offerings be damned, we’ve
discovered one more reason to visit and that’s the Argentinean
steak, nicely concluded with a nip of Danzig liquor made to ancient
recipes. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. (26-59zł). TAGBS
Tawerna C-5, ul. Powroźnicza 19/20, tel. (+48) 58
301 41 14, www.tawerna.pl. Entering Tawerna isn’t
unlike walking the gangplank and boarding an 18th century
galleon. Fitted with heavy woods, nautical trinkets and paintings
of naval engagements Tawerna is the spitting image of
Nelson’s cabin. The chefs, trained in France, have cooked
for dignitaries like the President of Poland, and while the
menu is primarily famed for its seafood there’s also some
highly rated Gallic dishes on show. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00.
(34-99zł). PTA6UGBSW
French
Verres en Vers C-5, ul. Długi Targ 19 (Radisson Blu
Hotel), tel. (+48) 58 325 44 49, www.radissonblu.
com/hotel-gdansk. Featuring hardwood floors, bespoke
chandeliers and an open kitchen this French inspired brasserie
promises the freshest seasonal produce cooked by a
star chef with a school report that includes stints in Poland’s
best restaurants. Pricey (80zł for steak), but the quality is
unquestionable, and furthermore the terrace is one of the
nicest places in town to eat Al Fresco once the weather
allows. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Thu, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 23:30.
(45-90zł). PTYAUGBSW
Milk Bars
Don’t expect a gastronomic experience. Do expect a rare
insight into Eastern-Bloc Poland. Subsidised by the state,
this was food for the masses back in the day. With the
fall of communism many bar mleczny found themselves
forced out of business although a few of these canteens
have survived and, aside from offering an interesting
diversion for amateur anthropologists, they make it possible
to eat lots in return for a handful of coins.
Bar Mleczny Neptun (Milk Bar Neptune)
C-4/5, ul. Długa 33/34, tel. (+48) 58 301 49 88,
www.barneptun.pl. The most famous milk bar in town,
and as such expect it to be rammed with pensioners,
builders and weird backpackers queueing for pork
chops and mashed cabbage. Get there early as variety
diminishes quickly. QOpen 07:30 - 18:00, Sat, Sun
10:00 - 17:00. (6-17zł). PTGBSW
Bar Mleczny Syrena (Milk Bar Mermaid) F-3,
Al. Grunwaldzka 71/73, tel. (+48) 58 341 01 53.
Cleaner than average, fast and busy, with decent Polish
standards. Grab a tray and choose from a menu of
cutlets, bigos, pierogi and vegetable dishes. If you can’t
speak Polish, just take your chances with a pre-prepared
plate from the counter. QOpen 07:30 - 19:00, Sun 09:00
- 17:00. Closed Sat. (4-10zł). TGS
Bar Mleczny Turystyczny (Milk Bar Tourist) B-3/4,
ul. Szeroka 8/10, tel. (+48) 58 301 60 13. A small
cafteria serving standard eats like fried cutlets, mashed
potatoes, pierogi and stuffed cabbage leaves. Seedy and
ugly, with hard little stools, it’s strictly a bite-on-the-run place.
But the food isn’t too bad and the British Guardian newspaper
tipped it as a decent cheap eat. QOpen 07:30 - 18:00, Sat,
Sun 09:00 - 17:00. (3-10zł). UGBS
gdansk.inyourpocket.com
GDAŃSK RESTAURANTS
May - July 2012
37