Bon Appetit

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• Skafander read more ›
  (1 Ulica Miodowa. Tel. 022 826 3062)
  Don't limit your midnight cravings to a kebab. Check out the 24-hour Skafander for mussels in white wine.
• Pierrogeria read more ›
  (30 Ulica Krzywe Kolo. Tel. 022 831 6346)
  Taste the classic Polish staple pierogi with a twist at Pierrogeria. These dumplings are baked, creating pockets of flaky goodness.
• Papus read more ›
  (27 Ulica Nowy Swiat. Tel. 022 826 2726)
  The menu is scribbled in chalk and dishes are served by Polish grannies, but the nalesniki (Polish crêpes) are hard to beat.
• Pierogarnia na Bednarskiej read more ›
  (28-30 Ulica Bednarska. Tel. 022 828 0392)
  This little cellar eatery specialises in Polish dumplings (pierogi), including vegetarian varieties, and is about as unpretentious-and tasty-as it gets.
• Zakąski Przekąski read more ›
  (7 Ulica Ossolinskich. Tel. 022 213 3393)
  All-new 1970s-style Polish snack bar. Fantastically cheap and popular. Try the herrings or trotters in jelly washed down with warm vodka shots.
• Dziki Ryz read more ›
  (24B Ulica Pulawska. Tel. 022 848 0060)
  Excellent menu split into four categories: Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Thai. The atmosphere, quality of food and reasonable wine list surpass the low prices.

• Biosfeera read more ›
  (80 Aleje Niepodleglosci. Tel. 022 898 0155)
  Diet-conscious travellers will love this chic spot offering mouth-watering yet healthy food. Bonus: the menu marks vegetarian/vegan options.
• Orchidea read more ›
  (3 Ulica Szpitalna. Tel. 022 827 3436)
  Fusion is the order of the day at the casual Orchid restaurant, where European flavours meet Asian dishes of curries, grilled fish and tofu.
• Zadra read more ›
  (29 Ulica Andersa. Tel. 022 831 9668)
  A gallery masquerading as a restaurant (or perhaps the other way around), Zadra offers Polish-style dishes and artworks on the walls, a perfect conversation starter.
• Living Room read more ›
  (18 Ulica Foksal. Tel. 022 826 3928)
  Just as inviting as its name suggests, Living Room Wellness Bar and Restaurant treats its guests to a menu of healthy and delicious choices, like the salad with wild duck tenderloin.
• Sketch read more ›
  (19 Ulica Foksal. Tel. 022 829 2955)
  Cool, arty and spacious ground-floor bistro serving, among other things, Belgian-style frites and mussels, plus 80 beers from around the planet. Stylish Mediterranean restaurant upstairs.
• U Szwejka read more ›
  (1 Plac Konstytucji. Tel. 022 339 1710)
  Czech dining means huge plates of meat, sausages, dumplings, sauerkraut, gallons of beer and regular live bands. Noisy and packed to bursting, just like your stomach.

• KOM read more ›
  (37 Ulica Zielna. Tel. 022 338 6353)
  Located in Poland's first telecommunications building, KOM serves up fusion cuisine with a sense of humour. Try Silence of the Lambs, a lamb and chickpea salad with chilli and feta.
• Muza read more ›
  (9 Ulica Chmielna. Tel. 022 827 7216)
  Located on one of Warsaw's most picturesque pedestrian streets, Muza is a stylish stop for well-prepared modern cuisine from steaks to sushi.
• Sketch read more ›
  (19 Ulica Foksal. Tel. 022 829 2955)
  Cool, arty and spacious ground-floor bistro serving, among other things, Belgian-style frites and mussels, plus 80 beers from around the planet. Stylish Mediterranean restaurant upstairs.
• Cwaniak Warszawski read more ›
  (9 Ulica Walicow. Tel. 022 654 6767)
  This light-hearted Polish restaurant-the name means 'Warsaw Smart Alec'-takes full advantage of its retro-kitsch surroundings to create a fun atmosphere. Traditional Varsovian dishes just add to the appeal.
• Bacio di Angelo read more ›
  (8 Ulica Wilcza. Tel. 022 622 4454)
  A grand Polish and Italian menu is served in a wacky interior, especially the 'grotto' room. It's nice to see the owners' personal touch rather than the usual employ-a-designer charade. Very popular among local celebrities and politicians.
• Casa to Tu! read more ›
  (54-56 Ulica Nowy Swiat. Tel. 022 828 0066)
  Tasty tapas, attentive staff and a sexy clientèle make this a great place to relax with a cocktail or two. If you like the full Spanish experience, avoid the Wednesday night DJ.

• Gar read more ›
  (10 Ulica Jasna. Tel. 022 828 2605)
  You'll feel like royalty at this luxurious, cream-coloured restaurant run by Warsaw's star restaurateur Magda Gessler, where Mediterranean staples rub shoulders with Polish classics like steak tartare.
• Rubikon read more ›
  (3-5 Ulica Wrobla. Tel. 022 847 6655)
  Class all the way, from the imposing building to the impeccably prepared dishes. The veal ossobucco with saffron risotto is particularly delicious.
• Le Regal read more ›
  (95 Aleja KEN. Tel. 022 644 1718)
  A slice of French country dining in Warsaw, Le Regal offers Gallic specialities such as escargot (snails) and duck.
• You & Me read more ›
  (6-12 Ulica Zurawia . Tel. 022 420 3434)
  You & Me and a bottle makes three used to be enough for a good night out, but this hip fusion of drinks bar and trend-setting restaurant believes great food is also essential, like the sizzling beef and chilli wok.
• Dom Polski read more ›
  (11 Ulica Francuska. Tel. 022 616 2432)
  Located in a lovely villa in Saska Kepa, Dom Polski prides itself on its fabulous traditional Polish fare. Interesting fish dishes such as catfish with herbs, pepper and spinach, or pike cooked in butter with chopped egg and dill. Guests include virtually every living famous Polish person… and Patrick Swayze.
• Dyspensa read more ›
  (39 Ulica Mokotowska. Tel. 022 629 9989)
  Dyspensa has taken the best traditions of the Polish culinary arts and fine tuned them for the 21st century. The interior is classical yet unfussy. One of very few places in Warsaw that serves lamb.

After Dark

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• Wayne's Coffee read more ›
  (56C Aleje Jerozolimskie. Tel. 022 630 2142)
  This café is part of a chain imported from Sweden. Original it ain't, but with coffee and snacks this good, you certainly can't complain.
• Kafka read more ›
  (3 Ulica Obozna. Tel. 022 826 0822)
  Sick of cellars? Stop by this laid-back little café, a favourite with the nearby university's students, where the massive windows stream in light all day.
• Antykwariat read more ›
  (45 Ulica Zurawia. Tel. 022 629 9929)
  Furnished in antique knick-knacks, this quaint café/bookshop is known as much for its home-made cakes as its eclectic beer selection.
• Someplace Else read more ›
  (2 Ulica Boleslawa Prusa. Tel. 022 450 6200)
  Despite being a hotel bar, the Sheraton's SomePlace Else manages to attract a steady and interesting crowd of locals for relaxed evening drinks.
• Café Foksal read more ›
  (21 Ulica Foksal. Tel. 022 828 0605)
  Great pre-night out meeting place. Somewhat reminiscent of those Dutch brown cafés. Warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• Café Amatorska read more ›
  (21 Ulica Nowy Swiat. Tel. 022 826 7500)
  A legendary spot proudly holding out against the onslaught of quaint designer cafés. Attracts customers of all ages.

• Lysy Pingwin read more ›
  (11 Ulica Zabkowska. Tel. 022 618 0256)
  Check out the other side of Warsaw at the laid-back Praha artist favourite, Lysy Pingwin (The Bald Penguin). Local musical talent performs on weekends.
• Jadłodajni Filozoficzna read more ›
  (33-35 Ulica Dobra. Tel. 060 842 2386)
  This 'philosophical cafeteria' puts on some of the most original live shows in the city. Live indie bands can be heard most nights of the week.
• Tygmont read more ›
  (6 Ulica Mazowiecka. Tel. 022 828 3409)
  Famous for hosting legendary jazz and blues acts. Equally, though, you may hear a legend in the making.
• Cafe Kulturalna read more ›
  (1 Plac Defilad. Tel. 022 656 6281)
  A good place to catch jazz and funk acts as well as some more experimental sounds, the 'Cultural Café' tends to be full of artistic types you'd expect.
• Barakuda read more ›
  (2 Ulica Smoluchowskiego. Tel. 022 498 3181)
  Warsaw's pirate and whaling community meet up in this well-hidden cellar bar under a fishing tackle shop to sing sea shanties every Tuesday night.
• FreeDom read more ›
  (12 Ulica Czerska. Tel. 022 371 9899)
  Down-at-heel venue with a wicked, lived-in feel. Live music most Tuesdays and Fridays-mainly country, blues and rock. Jovial, music-obsessed customers and staff.

• Opera Club read more ›
  (1 Plac Teatralny. Tel. 022 828 7076)
  House DJs keep the party pumping all night at this posh Asian-themed club. Feeling peckish? Check out the sushi bar.
• Platinum Club read more ›
  (6 Ulica Fredry. Tel. 022 596 4666)
  Wear your sparkliest get-up to this swanky club where you can sip the signature tipple: a mix of truffle cognac and Champagne.
• Mirage read more ›
  (1 Plac Defilad. Tel. 022 656 7111)
  Featuring all the flash and dazzle one would expect of a top nightclub, colourful Mirage might just be the antithesis of the drab Palace of Culture it's located in.
• Luztro read more ›
  (6 Aleje Jerozolimskie. )
  A club for serious clubbers who like to stay out when everyone else has gone home, Luztro keeps students as well as older hipsters dancing all night to the most original local DJs.
• Mono Bar read more ›
  (11A Ulica Mazowiecka. Tel. 022 827 4557)
  Interesting club with a varied programme. Thursday's jazz funk jam sessions are serious stuff. Great for live music.
• Jazz Klub Tygmont read more ›
  (6-8 Ulica Mazowiecka. Tel. 022 828 3409)
  Famous for its jazz but slip into the cellar for a different musical experience every night. The diversity means Tygmont attracts a multicultural crowd.

This month...

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Tips

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