Varsovia Comfort

In ancient Slavic mythology, Wyraj is a place where souls journey after death, a kind of paradise. That promised land lends its name to this hidden-away restaurant, which provides its own kind of haven. Snug and cosy, it’s a welcoming place where diners can discover the Slavic flavours of old. That means dishes such as potato with smoked herring and cottage cheese or deep-fried Masurian trout with a herby freshness. Everything is made in-house and offers brilliant value for money too. It’s a different, distinctive place that’s all the more memorable for it.

The brainchild of a wine importer, it’s no surprise that WIN is a must-visit for oenophiles. On the ground floor is the bar, lounge, deli and shop, where you can browse over 300 wines including a great Central and Eastern European selection. Upstairs, the intimate bistro is decked out in minimalist chic and serves well-priced and skilfully composed dishes where finely balanced flavours work together in total harmony. Everyone on the enthusiastic team is knowledgeable about wine and will guide your choice if you wish.

Bringing South American flavours to Warsaw, you’ll quickly find that this bright, airy restaurant is much more than a bar and serves far more than just ceviche. The famous Peruvian dish does feature – with sea bass, tuna and oyster among the varieties – but so do empanadas, grilled steaks and tostones. Argentinian chef-owner Martin Gimenez Castro imbues them all with freshness and vitality. In the evening, the music grows louder and the pisco sours start emerging from the bar at increasing speed. The service team are particularly warm and friendly.

Chef Andrea Camastra hails from Puglia, lives in Poland and has a passion for Asian cuisine: all three of these have an influence over the tasting menus at his original restaurant. The combinations of flavours and styles are intriguing and satisfying in equal measure, with several stunning multi-part dishes such as the delightful bread course and 'Sweet Things' dessert. For the full experience, go for the longer 'Maestro' menu and accompany it with one of the wine pairings. In a unique touch, inspired by his degree in Chemistry from Oxford, Camastra even has an on-site lab for testing out his

A huge, gravity-defying rack of wine glasses is the first thing you notice when you arrive at this friendly wine bar and bistro. Next, it’s the striking black-and-white wildlife mural filling one wall. The appealing menus represent good value, especially at lunchtime, and include hearty dishes that are bursting with bold and punchy flavours, such as rack of lamb with mashed potato and roasted shallots. An extensive wine list offers plenty of top-quality choices to fill all those glasses with, but ‘bring your own’ is welcome too.

Offering a classic omakase experience on the outskirts of the city, this restaurant’s minimalist design is all the better for directing your focus towards Chef Alon Than and his team as they work behind the 12-seater counter. The menu encompasses 20 to 30 pieces of superbly crafted sushi, featuring top-shelf produce including Hokkaido scallops, Icelandic sea urchin and Spanish tuna, all gently enhanced with beautifully judged seasonings and condiments in typical Edomae style. Admiring the chefs’ work up-close is part of the appeal, especially their mesmerising knife skills.

Just outside of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, you'll find this trendy spot with a wine bar on its lower level and a rustic bistro upstairs. The well-priced cooking has a Mediterranean heart and is perfect for sharing, featuring interesting plant-based dishes such as a winning combination of lentils, raspberries and red peppers. The wine list plays a starring role, providing an extensive choice that largely focuses on natural and bio-dynamic wines from lesser-known producers.