In my most recent post I shared with you local tips for what and where to eat in Krakow. On my trip to Poland I also had the chance to discover local Polish food in the country’s capital, Warsaw. Walking the city, it’s evident Warsaw still retains much of its history and culture including traditional dishes. Here are 6 recommendations of what and where to eat when you visit Warsaw.

Pyzy Flaki Gorące

Most tourists don’t venture too far from Warsaw’s developed left bank but cross the Vistula river into lesser known Praga district and there is a tiny family-run bistro-bar only locals seem to know about. They serve the city’s most delicious and traditional Polish dumplings with a unique modern twist – stuffed in a glass jar just the way they were once sold and eaten during communism, then smothered with gourmet toppings.

Pyzy Flaki Gorące was named bar of the year in 2016 and even today, it still lives up to its name. It’s the kind of place where you can pick up a snack on the go in a handy Chinese take-out box, or order different variations to share with friends. Highly recommended: wild mushrooms, vegetable, turkey and cheese.

Where to try it:

Pyzy Flaki Gorące, Brzeska 29/31 in Praga.

Pączki

In a pre-war building riddled with bullet holes is a little pastry shop rolling out sweet and soft Polish doughnuts called pączki. Pronounced like ponch-key, they are usually filled with sweet jam like raspberry or strawberry then sprinkled with icing sugar. If I had to compare them, I would say they are almost like American jelly doughnuts or Canadian Timbits (but wayy tastier). The corner bakery in Warsaw’s Mirów neighbourhood has been around for 60 years so you can be sure they know what they’re doing when it comes to Polish desserts. The bakery is still run by the same family, and they are still using the same original recipes from the first day they opened their doors six decades ago.

Where to try it:

Cukiernia Zosicz, corner of Żelazna and Krochmalna

Roasted Duck

A meal with roasted duck used to be reserved for Polish royalty and aristocrats up until the 1700s. By contrast during communism, duck (or any kind of meat for that matter) was hard to come by.  Today, duck is a common Polish dish and you can find it on most restaurant menus. It’s usually roasted, and served with a tasty glaze.

This one is from Restauracja Polka, just a short walk from where I was staying at  (which happens to have one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had!)

Where to try it:

Polka, Świętojańska 2. The entire menu is traditional local cuisine and the owner a famous Polish chef and journalist.

Dawne Smaki, Nowy Świat 49.

Potato Pancakes

Potato was once the poor man’s meal in Poland when bread was difficult to find. They discovered a way to mash them up and fry it into delicious flat pancakes with onions, egg, and flour. Unlike American pancakes, this kind is more commonly eaten as a snack or appetizer, and served with different toppings like creamy mushroom sauce. It was just as delicious as the Czech pancake from Mia’s stand.

Where to try it:

Manekin, Marszałkowska 140.

Zapiecek, Jerozolimskie 28.

The Market

There’s no better way to get introduced to new food and culture than strolling the local market.  The oldest and most historical is Hala Mirowska, located in a market hall over 100 years old. In fact, this building is one of the few which withstood wars and conflict over the years. Here, farmers and local food vendors are selling Polish ham, sausages, seasonal fruit and vegetables. Not to mention fresh cheese and artisan bread.

Poland is the 6th largest cheese producer in the world so make sure to pick some up!

During WWII the area around the market was also the heart of the Jewish ghetto. Much of it was destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising but after the war it was rebuilt in its original form. Bullet holes can still be seen on its exterior wall.

Where to try it:

Hala Mirowska, Plac Mirowski 1.

Hala Koszyki

Koszyki is the modern approach to traditional food markets. Rather than pick up fresh food to cook at home, Hala Koszyki is a casual sit-down market hall surrounded by more than 15 different open-kitchen food stalls cooking up a fusion of global dishes ready to eat – from Indian to Mexican, to Japanese sushi, Jamaican jerk, Thai curry, and Italian gelato. If you can’t commit to just one thing, it’s very easy to go food-stall hopping and sample a bit of everything. Koszyki is Warsaw’s hipster hangout spot where young Poles meet up for drinks or dinner with friends. It’s definitely a must-eat on any foodie tour of Warsaw.

Where to try it:

Hala Koszyki, Koszykowa 63

**

During my , I was a guest of JayWay Travel, which provides customized and personalized trip itineraries in Europe, including your very own personal local rep on the ground to help you get the most out of a city. The food spots I mentioned were recommended to me by a local. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never recommend something that I didn’t experience or enjoy myself.