Gdansk Restaurants

This is just one of a variety of cafes which could suit you if you are looking for a drink, ice cream, or pastry to give you an afternoon boost. This little cafe had evidentally been an old drug store and had lots of interesting shelving and detailing on its interiors. We popped in for a quick treat to carry us over til dinner.

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As soon as I stepped off the train I spotted Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald's. Seems that the Americans have brought their poor eating habits to Poland. Strikes me funny, actually to see the logos in just about every city and country I visit. I suppose some people find it comforting to know they can eat the same thing no matter where they go.

If it's great coffe or tea and delicious pastry you're after, Maraska is your place. They have a big variety of coffees and teas as well as pastry. Inside it's like a little store, you can also buy some nice china! The place is self-service: you need to order & pay at the counter and then the waiter brings your order to the table. We sat in the patio outside and had some delicious pascha which is a type of very light and fluffy cheesecake. My top recommendation there! Coffee and cake was at $4 per person.

This is the place to go to for the Polish specialty, pierogi, which is stuffed dumplings. They have 15 types so you'll find a flavour you like. I've been there several times and I usually take a sampler dish of 5 types (2 pierogi each), they are all delicious! This is the best option if you want to try a variety of pierogi, and you can choose which ones go into your dish. Isn't this a great idea? For a dish of pierogi and something to drink you'll pay less than $10. Be prepared to spend more if you want other types of food (meat, fish) which they also do in great variety.

My tour book describes Meswin as "traditional Kashubian cooking at its finest." Perhaps this is true, but we got up and left shortly after sitting down and looking at the menu only to discover that it offered about six different dishes, none of which sounded very appetizing. It was quite possibly the smallest and most unimaginitive menu I have ever seen in my life. Perhaps we should have given it a chance, but we didn't want to take the risk knowing that we could get excellent meals elsewhere.

Located beneath the Town Hall on lively Dluga Street in Gdansk's old city, Palowa has a great location, but little else going for it. The menu is unimaginitive, the prices are high, and the service was mediocre. We all had a decent meal there, but it wasn't worth what we paid for it and I would not go back if I'm ever in Gdansk again.

There's nothing notable about Gospoda Pod Wielkim Mlynem other than its location. Situated on a little island in the canal that encircles much of the old city, it is surrounded by huge shady willow trees that create a nice peaceful atmosphere. We stopped here for beers one evening, though prices were higher than average and our service left a lot to be desired. Overall I would agree with the synopsis in my travel guide, which put it like this: "Flanked on either side by weeping willows and canals, this venue boasts what is easily the most attractive garden we've found in Poland. It's downhill from there."

For decent food served in a casual and lively atmosphere, Lezzetli is a good choice. There was nothing particularly special about our meal, but everything tasted good enough, the service was better than many other restaurants in Gdansk, and the prices are reasonable.