Hotel Vela

Chef Janek Wojtalik and sommelier Maciek Łyko, who worked together at Kontakt in Warsaw, have brought their knack for full-flavoured cooking and passionately curated wine lists to Gdańsk. Their simply styled bistro has a proper neighbourhood feel, which is reflected in the generous pricing and friendly service. The menu blends a Polish heart with international influences, such as pork chop cooked over wood then served with ponzu and an Asian-style slaw. Smaller, natural producers are favoured in the interesting wine selection.

Gdańsk’s famous brewer and astronomer Johannes Hevelius lends a variant of his surname to this trendy spot situated in, appropriately enough, a former brewery. The stylish interior includes a vaulted brick ceiling, exposed steel support columns and the odd flash of neon. The dishes adopt influences from around the globe and, seeing as this operates as both a bakery and a restaurant, it's no surprise that the fresh bread and the desserts are highlights. In a nod to Hevelius, the cocktails are named after planets.

The 33rd floor of the Olivia Centre skyscraper provides spectacular panoramic views for this buzzing restaurant where Spanish guitar music soundtracks your visit. The cooking has a similar tone, with a selection of classic tapas to begin – the Ibérico ham croquetas are terrific – before a choice of main dishes. If you’re dining with company, the eye-catching rice dishes for two might include baby octopus or pork ribs as options. A genuine warmth from the service team and a comprehensive, largely Spanish wine list complete the picture.

The clue’s in the name: wine takes centre stage at this simply styled and bang on-trend bar-cum-restaurant. On-sale bottles can be glimpsed around the room, while the 400-strong list contains over 60 great options by the glass. The menu is filled with good value dishes which both deliver bags of flavour and show a wise restraint from the kitchen team. They focus on a clean, balanced style of cooking, with a signature dish of aubergine, Greek yoghurt and seasonal accompaniments.

Located within the Grano Hotel Solmarina, this restaurant benefits from a striking location in a private marina with plenty of space for luxury boats and yachts. Inside, it's as stylish as you’d expect, with light flooding through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The cooking is rooted in Polish classics given a modern spin, like the delicious sour cucumber soup, served here with confit potato and a golden croquette of pulled pork rib.

Located on one of the city’s busiest waterside boulevards, Tygle is made all the more appealing by its enthusiastic service team and enclosed terrace that’s ideal for al fresco dining. Inside, you'll find a minimalist-meets-industrial style, with exposed pipes and Edison bulbs. The satisfying and well-executed dishes come in hearty portions and might include options like beef tenderloin with asparagus. For dessert, the cheesecake will prove a fitting end to the meal for sweet-toothed diners.

Quality primary ingredients and skilled treatment of them form the basis of the cooking at this stylishly understated restaurant. Although multiple cuts of beef form a chunk of the menu, this is far more than a steakhouse. Seafood plays a big role too, with surf and turf platters catching the eye, while the quality of the kitchen shines through even in the smaller details – like a terrific side dish of girolles. The wine list contains some hidden gems and the service team will be happy to recommend a glass or two.