Vanilla Rentyear Apartments

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.

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.

This beautifully elegant villa dates back to the turn of the 20th century and sports interior décor that mixes the traditional with the contemporary, chandeliers with modern art – while its bright orangery is the most in-demand dining area come the summer. The neatly laid tables hint at the formality of the place, with dishes arriving under cloches and the smartly aproned team occasionally donning white gloves to serve. The French-inflected cooking demonstrates sound classical skill from the kitchen.

As its name suggests, this classic brasserie feels like it’s been flown in from France, with its framed French posters and brass railings. The menu’s Francophone base is blended with some home-grown influences, like the traditional rabbit with mustard sauce coming in a pierogi format, or zander in champagne sauce enlivened by a Żubrówka vodka vinaigrette. For dessert, look no further than crêpes Suzette flambéed in front of the guests.

An ideal spot for cocktail lovers, Eliksir reputedly has the longest bar in the region and holds over 400 bottles ready and waiting to be used in a mixture of classic and bespoke drinks. A cocktail pairing is also offered with the tasting menu, as an alternative to the usual wine flight. Both the tasting option and the à la carte showcase quality local produce like Masurian beef, which is given the platform to shine in an excellent tartare. Smooth, friendly service adds to the appeal.

Housed inside a hotel but with a separate entrance and a feel all its own, this elegant restaurant is worth the short walk out from the city centre. Start with a cocktail while you study the concise à la carte, where the Polish cooking comes with a Mediterranean influence that's noticeable in the occasional pasta or risotto. Top produce is clearly a priority, with the quality of the ingredients evident across the dishes. Attractive presentation and a touch of formality in the service enhance the experience.