Golden House

Operated by the well-known Chef Beata Śniechowska, this modern bistro is one of those spots where you just know you’re going to have a good time. Closely set tables add to the intimacy and buzz of the atmosphere, while bright and friendly service quickly puts you at ease. The cooking offers reinterpreted versions of classic Polish dishes with brilliant results: the signature 'Our Pierogi' and the well-balanced 'Duck Breast with 5 Polish Flavours' are prime examples. Make sure you enhance the experience by asking the engaging, thoughtful sommelier to match a range of Polish wines to your dishes

Situated on the edge of the Old Town, inside the Hotel Jazz, there’s a stylish, faux-industrial quality to this friendly restaurant. Exposed brickwork and concrete flooring combine with pared-back décor and varnished wooden tables for a classic bistro feel. The cooking has a similar ethos of unfussiness, with a welcome lack of over-elaboration in dishes that combine quality ingredients with precise technique – such as the array of dumplings or scorched herring with baked potato. The wine list’s hidden highlights include local Polish riesling.

The lucky locals have got the perfect neighbourhood spot in this wine bar and bistro, located a little out from the city centre. Its rustic-chic design feels perfectly of the moment, with exposed brickwork and lo-fi furnishings, while the wholesome cooking and interesting wine list are similarly on-trend. Dishes of low-fuss, big-flavour food could include the likes of minced pork cutlet with tarragon or the playful date madeleines with toffee sauce for dessert. The thoughtfully curated, lesser-known wines are the perfect accompaniment.

In the summer, head straight for the terrace at this large modern brasserie. Situated on Kępa Mieszczańska – an island in the middle of the River Oder, yet still part of the city centre – it offers waterside views to accompany the kitchen’s colourful cooking. Local produce is often to the fore in dishes that look to the Mediterranean for inspiration, be it bouillabaisse with zander or tiramisu for dessert. The friendly service adds to the appeal.

Don't be fooled by the name – whilst they undoubtedly have one of the best wine lists in the city, this very much feels like a restaurant. There’s a subtle nautical look to the interiors, chiming with the location overlooking a small marina on the River Oder. The seafood-focused menu has a Mediterranean feel, in dishes like salt-crusted sea bream with a citrus sauce. The in-house wine shop allows you to take home a bottle or two from the globetrotting selection.

Situated in a prime spot on the banks of the River Oder, there are few restaurants with a more enticing terrace than this. Ask for a seat here and, on a warm summer’s night, watch as darkness falls and the streetlights gleam on the river’s surface. The setting is matched by cooking that puts an emphasis on top-quality local meats – for dessert, look out for the chocolate fondant with a fruity punch. Let the knowledgeable staff guide you in picking complementary wines.

Taking full advantage of its location on the banks of the River Oder, Martim’s terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows help make it a lovely setting in which to enjoy the kitchen’s Portuguese-inspired dishes. Seafood plays a big role on the menu, in dishes like the rich, rustic and punchily flavoured cataplana stew. The wine list is exclusively Portuguese, with some fine Vinho Verde and, of course, a selection of top-notch and well-priced ports.