Brzozowy Gaj

The Pałac Ciekocinko Hotel, a large house dating back to the 1920s, is home to this smart Belle Époque-style restaurant with a few plush details in its décor. Situated in the basement, there’s a pleasantly cosy feel to the dining room, which is accentuated by the cheery, welcoming service; a garden terrace is used to fine effect in the summer. The full-flavoured cooking incorporates French bistro and Italian influences such as confit duck leg and tarte Tatin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tucked away amongst some more utilitarian buildings, sits this pretty red-brick cottage with a cobbled terrace out front. With a long history that includes stints as a shop, a shoemaker’s and a museum, it now feels like a perfect fit for this cosy, welcoming restaurant. Seasonal Polish produce is the bedrock of the cooking, which is allowed to shine with a lightness of touch and a French flourish, showcased in technically adept elements like a piquant butter sauce accompanying the sea trout.

Sister to the long-standing Warsaw operation and following the same tried-and-tested mantra, this well-run restaurant does what it says on the tin. Order a bottle from the wine list and take your pick of the local meats, from terrific homemade black pudding to a range of steaks cooked on the grill; the fish cookery is equally adept, meaning there’s plenty of choice. If you’re on a budget, the lunch menu offers brilliant value for money.