Borsch

There are many varieties of borsch: horseradish, sorrel, and Ukrainian (with vegetables), though the most popular type is made with beetroot. You can order it in any restaurant, and it is frequently served with croquettes. A perfect dish to warm you up in the winter.

Breakfast Fairs

If some Saturday or Sunday morning you feel like having a bite to eat of something delicious and out of the ordinary (or perhaps even surprising), then visit one of Warsaw’s breakfast fairs, where you can find just about any sort of food you might desire, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and organic options. The best-known breakfast fair takes place in the Żoliborz district, but open-air food fairs can be found in every district in the city.

• Web:

  www.targsniadaniowy.pl/en

Chłodnik (Cold Soup)

This is a typical summer soup, as it is served cold. Chłodnik is made from whey or kefir with fresh chopped vegetables: radish, cucumber, chard, and dill. When the weather is hot, every Polish restaurant has chłodnik on its menu. It is perfect for enhancing your appetite for a more filling main course. There are also new types of this soup, with avocado, for example.

Chocolate by Wedel

One of the most famous Polish chocolate factories has been functioning continuously for many years in the Praga district. When passing by, you are bound to be tempted by the beautiful aroma. Wedel, however, is particularly well known for its hot chocolate cafés and atmospheric chocolate stores. Have a cup of hot chocolate, either classic or in one of many interesting flavours. Try “bird’s milk” pralines or the classic Wedel chocolate cake to go.

• Web:

  wedelpijalnie.pl/en

Doughnuts

Warsaw's doughnuts are round, puffy, and have no hole in the middle. They come in different varieties with a pudding or jam filling. The best are believed to be those filled with wild rose jam. Doughnuts can be bought on virtually every street corner, but the true doughnut craze comes on Fat Thursday.

Hala Koszyki

The Art Nouveau architecture of this indoor food market dating, back to the beginning of the 20th century, has been restored and the edifice modernised, and it has become one of the most important locations in the city’s culinary and social scene. Hop over for dinner or an exhibition — try out the latest trends in urban cuisine and find out what’s hot in town.

• Web:

  www.koszyki.com

• Address:

  Ulica Koszykowa 63, Warsaw

Bars at Hala Koszyki

The refurbished old market hall has now turned into a hangout location of the highest calibre. Hala Koszyki houses a plethora of trendy international restaurants and bars, and teems with visitors on any given night, making it hard — but very possible — to secure a spot. For lunch, there is something for anyone's culinary preference.

• Web:

  www.koszyki.com

• Address:

  Ulica Koszykowa 63, Warsaw

Clubs by the Vistula

When visiting Warsaw in the summer, you simply have to go to the river. The relaxed atmosphere, outdoor parties, live music, and lounging on deckchairs make the riverside a great place to spend the night in Warsaw. The greatest number of clubs are between the Poniatowski Bridge and Czerniakowski Point by the Flotylla Wiślana Boulevard. There are also the Karski Boulevards and the La Playa Club on the Praga side of the Vistula.

Kredytowa Street

This is one of the more interesting party offers in Warsaw. Live music and an offbeat atmosphere is what you will find on Kredytowa.

Kufle i Kapsle

A beer-lover's paradise, Kufle i Kapsle is far from modest in its offerings, serving at all times about a dozen beers on tap and a roughly 150 further bottled varieties, along with a selection of great snacks. The place is exceptionally popular with locals, and staff are always ready to advise to those that feel overwhelmed.

• Web:

  kufleikapsle.pl

• E-mail:

  pub@kufleikapsle.pl

• Address:

  Ulica Nowogrodzka 25, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 127 72 18

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 3pm–2am, Sat & Sun 2pm–2am

• More info:

  Kufle i Kapsle has three locations in Warsaw: downtown, in Nowy Świat and in Żoliborz

Mazowiecka Street

One street, yet so many possibilities. For years, this place has attracted crowds for its party atmosphere. There are clubs with a long history and places that are completely new. The neighbourhood of Nowy Świat and Kredytowa Streets offers very interesting clubbing possibilities.

Parkingowa, Żurawia & Nowogrodzka Streets

If you are looking for a place to go clubbing in Warsaw, then this is the place for you. Diverse music, different styles — there is something for everyone. Most clubs are on Żurawia and Nowogrodzka Streets close to Parkingowa Street.

Bułkę przez Bibułkę

This downtown cafe has a line of dedicated patrons waiting outside before doors open, and for good reason: Bułkę przez Bibułkę serves some of the best breakfasts in town, with eggs and bacon that come still sizzling in an individual pan, and bagel sandwiches coming undone from generous stuffing.

• Web:

  www.bulkeprzezbibulke.pl

• Address:

  Ulica Zgoda 3, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 730 285 522

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 7:30am–11pm, Sat 9am–11pm, Sun 9am–10pm

Cafe Bristol

One of the city's iconic cafés has been around for over a century now, its story going back all the way to 1901. Even if you aren't a guest at the luxury hotel itself, do not let that deter you from trying Cafe Bristol's fine signature cake, or settling in for a scrumptious 2-course lunch on a weekday.

• Web:

  www.cafebristol.pl

• Address:

  Ulica Krakowskie Przedmiescie 42/44, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 551 10 00

• More info:

  Located at Hotel Bristol

Cafe Kulturalna

One would never think to poke around the grim Culture Palace in search of hip city hangout spots, and yet that's exactly where you'd find Kulturalna, an incredibly atmospheric cafe and cultural hub with a regularly updated event schedule and dapper-looking staff.

• Web:

  www.kulturalna.pl

• Address:

  Plac Defilad 1, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 656 62 81

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–midnight

Manekin

Manekin offers a scrumptious, creative take on some of Poland's finest culinary delights. Here, Polish pancakes steal the show with the mere abundance of savoury and sweet varieties, but other menu items like the cream of porcini mushroom soup served inside a hollowed-out bread loaf are also worth trying.

• Web:

  www.manekin.pl

• Address:

  Ulica Marszalkowska 140, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 826 07 53

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 9am–10pm, Fri & Sat 9am–11pm

Staroswiecki Sklep (Wedel Chocolate Lounge)

Poland's iconic chocolatier runs this exceptional cafe in a historic building that's housed the Wedel factory and enterprise since the late 19th century. Today's cafe still delights visitors with scrumptious Wedel specialities, from drinking chocolate to hand-crafted pralines.

• Web:

  www.wedelpijalnie.pl/en/o-nas/chocolaterias-by-e-wedel

• E-mail:

  kontakt@wedelpijalnie.pl

• Address:

  Ulica Szpitalna 8, Warsaw

• Phone:

  +48 22 827 29 16

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 8am–10pm, Sat 9am–10pm, Sun 9am–9pm