Restaurant Warszawska - Plac Powstancow Warszawy 9

Tucked away in the atmospheric depths of a historic Warsaw landmark, Restauracja Warszawska offers a culinary experience that is as layered and surprising as the building that houses it. Set in the former Hotel Warszawa—once the tallest skyscraper in Warsaw and a modernist marvel of its time—the ambience alone warrants a visit. Guests enter through grand copper doors into a strikingly elegant lobby, before descending into a spacious, industrial-style dining room that marries raw concrete with warm wood and copper accents. The result is a setting that feels simultaneously grand, intimate, and unmistakably unique.

On an early weekend evening, the restaurant was sparsely occupied, lending the space an air of calm exclusivity. Tables are generously spaced, allowing for a high level of privacy and comfort—an increasingly rare luxury in city dining.

The menu is minimalistic, both in length and philosophy. Each dish champions the quality of its core ingredients, often limiting itself to no more than three carefully chosen components. Starters like mushroom pâté and house-made charcuterie reflect a deep respect for Polish culinary roots, reinterpreted with a refined modern sensibility. The mushroom pâté in particular stands out: a velvety spread layered with fresh, crunchy mushrooms—simple yet deeply satisfying.

Main courses continue this theme. A Steak Tatar, stripped of frills, showcased immaculate beef crowned with a lone egg yolk. Halibut was delicately cooked and allowed to shine without distraction. Even more adventurous dishes, such as kidneys—a notoriously tricky item—were expertly prepared, winning praise from seasoned diners. Vegetarian options are extremely limited, but those that are available—like a cauliflower dish—are executed with such creativity and precision that they linger in memory long after the meal.

Desserts, too, follow the minimalist ethos. Cream ice cream with orange jam and candied peel was a perfect finale—sweetness and bitterness in elegant balance.

Wine options skew toward white, with a disappointingly narrow selection of reds (notably only one Spanish red), and this points to one of the restaurant’s few real weaknesses: service. While generally pleasant, the staff sometimes fall short of expectations for a restaurant of this calibre. Dishes were occasionally cleared without asking, and key moments—like wine pairings or dessert and coffee suggestions—were missed entirely. That said, there were also moments of warm and attentive hospitality, with special recognition owed to servers like the lovely Mrs. Karolina, who embodied quiet professionalism and care.

In terms of value, the set lunch menu is particularly noteworthy—modern, imaginative cuisine at a fraction of the price one might expect for such quality. It’s an extraordinary bargain and a gateway into Chef Dariusz Barański’s culinary vision: ingredient-forward, Polish at heart, and boldly minimalist.

In short, Restauracja Warszawska offers more than just a meal—it offers a thoughtful, sensory journey through contemporary Polish cuisine, set against the rich historical backdrop of one of Warsaw’s most iconic buildings. If you are willing to embrace its quiet confidence and pared-down approach, you will likely leave impressed, satisfied, and eager to return.