Top 10 Vegan Restaurants in Warsaw
Travelling while vegan can be quite a challenge. Especially if you make it to a place where traditional dishes are not exactly plant-based staples – or so it seems! But, as luck would have it, there is absolutely no reason to worry in Poland: Warsaw is one of the world’s top ten vegan-friendly cities. See for yourself!
Many vegan or vegetarian tourists arriving in Poland are sure that they won’t have much to eat during their trip. No wonder. When asked about traditional food, probably most Polish people would mention schabowy (pork chops), pierogi (dumplings, often with meat or cheese) or bigos (a cabbage stew, which has kiełbasa in it). It seems though that when we dive into Polish traditions, beginning with the 17th century, we learn that the majority of Poles actually had a plant-based diet. The average Pole ate mainly legumes, grains, vegetables and potatoes. Meat was a rare commodity, something that was eaten just a few times a year. Like in many countries in the world, having meat at home was a sign of status. Oh, how the tables have turned.
Annually, HappyCow announces which cities in the world are the most vegan-friendly, Warsaw has made the 'Top 10' list every year for the past few years. With the city currently at sixth place in the ranking, there is definitely a reputation to uphold. And with the culinary world striving to include current innovations in plant-based food, it’s no surprise that the city now has a vegan-friendly eatery on almost every corner. While every respectable restaurant is replacing their outmoded menus, it’s safe to say that not having at least a few plant-based options in your menu is passé. Yes, even if you’re a beef burger place.
Although we’re focusing on Poland’s capital, there is no doubt that plant-based eateries are on the rise. Cities like Wroclaw, Gdynia, Poznań, or Kraków have vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants that will most probably exceed your expectations about what Poles eat. While we are posting this listicle in 2020, do have in mind that it includes the crème de la crème of Warsaw’s vegan places. In our opinion of course. Places which were, to some extent, affected by the pandemic but hopefully will not go out of business (fingers crossed!). All of them deliver or serve take-out, so get yourself ready for a true vegan feast! Whether you've been a vegan for years, want to have a positive impact on the environment by eating fewer animal products or just watched What the Health and are seriously considering a plant-based diet, we've come up with a subjective list of the best vegan places in Warsaw to make your food-hunt a little easier. Enjoy!
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Tel Aviv Food & Wine, photo: Grażyna Myślińska / Forum
One of the first vegan fine-dining restaurants in Warsaw. The restaurant already has five locations in the capital. Malka Kafka, who is behind the concept, has been known for promoting a healthy lifestyle for years. And although Tel Aviv is included in the Gault & Millau guide, it has yet to lose its cozy atmosphere. Add an unwavering high quality of the food, with decor that brings a bit of a Tel-Avivian vibe, and you have yourself quite a treat.
Alongside breakfasts and Middle Eastern street food classics such as amazing hummus and falafel, you’ll find a fine dining menu, with mouth-watering dishes like harira or moussaka. While you’re there, have a go at the selection of organic and vegan wines!
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Loving Hut, photo: Adam Stepień / AG
It may have been the only, fully, vegan eatery in Warsaw for a really long time. With one on Nowolipie St and the second location on Waryńskiego St (opened in 2013). The Loving Hut chain was created with the vision of promoting a plant-based diet around the world. Their slogan is ‘Be vegan, make peace!’. And there is something endearing about the place – with its portraits of celebrities and quotes from famous vegans on the walls – that makes you feel like you’re in a no-frill bar but at the same time an extremely welcoming place.
If you’re looking for a wide choice of Vietnamese dishes, this is the place to go. Loving Hut offers many staples, such as Pho, Bun Cha Gio or Kung Pao. For those who really miss meat, most of the dishes have plant-based substitutes.
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Mushroom shoyu, Uki Green, Warsaw, photo: promotional materials
By far THE best vegan ramen in Warsaw. The owner, Taira Matsuki, started with Uki Uki in 2015, a place for ramen and udon lovers. Usually it has people queuing outside the door, rain or shine. Now, he’s created a place with a fully vegan menu, which… also has people queuing.
All the recipes were created by Kohei Yagi, a ramen designer based in Poland. The menu includes four types of ramen, gyoza dumplings and donburi with vegan ‘eel’. That’s only a few positions on the menu. Uki Green also serves japanese desserts and, if you’re lucky enough to grab a table during lunch hours, we highly recommend you try one of the lunch sets!
4. Momencik: Vegan Burritos & Tacos
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Momencik Vegan Burritos & Tacos, photo: promotional materials
This tiny gem opened in 2015 on Poznańska St, which inadvertently has become one of the main ‘vegan streets’ in Warsaw. Momencik is perfect for a quick bite, when you’re on the go or when you simply crave a Mexican-inspired burrito.
At Momencik (lit. little moment) you can find all types of burritos, including the 'Pastor' with marinated soy and one with marinated jackfruit. They also serve soups, tacos, nachos with toppings and Jarritos lemonades. We know plenty of meat-eaters who absolutely love this place.
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Aglio e olio, photo: promotional materials
Right on the other side of the street, there’s a cozy and elegant place which combines the love for delicious Italian food with plant-based cuisine. The owners had the first ever vegan pizza place in Poland, which they closed to open the first Italian vegan restaurant in 2017. Some people swear by this place, especially when they crave pizza or spaghetti carbonara. Leonardo Verde has perfected their pizza, leaving any cheese lover satisfied.
When you’re there, start with the superb arancini! A crispy rice ball filled with mushrooms, olives and cashew mozzarella. If you don’t go for pizza, you should most definitely try the vegan carbonara! And pair that with a glass of beautiful Montepulciano. We advise to always check the seasonal menu, because you may just be in for a special treat!
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Youmiko Vegan Sushi, photo: promotional materials
If you’re in the mood for treating yourself, try this divine sushi. Even those who believe that sushi can only be served with raw fish will be awestruck by how delicious the food is at Youmiko. Because that’s actually the main idea of sushi: properly prepared rice with fresh ingredients. Not necessarily fish. Youmiko has two restaurants now (one in the city centre and one in the Mokotów district) and it’s definitely worth making a reservation, as both locations are very popular.
If it’s your first time having vegan sushi, we definitely recommend you go for the Omakase tasting menu, which can look different each day, which only proves how important fresh products are for Youmiko. Every piece of sushi is served separately which makes you cherish every piece and gives you the time to really appreciate the inventiveness of the chef.
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Lokal Vegan Bistro, photo: Franciszek Mazur / AG
A staple among Warsaw-based vegans, this homey restaurant has stolen the hearts of many foodies. Mainly because they serve vegan options of traditional Polish dishes, including pierogi, gołąbki (cabbage rolls) and the ‘schabowy’. The latter is a dish which without many Poles cannot imagine a traditional Sunday dinner. Although it isn't exactly Polish to begin with, and is more of a brother of the Austrian schnitzel, it is definitely a Polish staple.
Lokal was opened by the ‘Margines’ Social Cooperative in 2015. The menu changes often, which is a wonderful approach as it invites guests to eat what is in season. A lot of people protested when the famous ‘schabowy’ was to be removed from the menu. Now it’s a permanent star of Lokal’s menu and we highly recommend trying it!
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Krowarzywa, photo: Marcin Stępień / AG
The first burger place in Warsaw that was fully vegan. A lot has changed since 2013, when they opened their first place. Today, Krowarzywa (a word play on żywa krowa, lit. a live cow) has locations all over Poland. Including smaller cities like Białystok or Rzeszów. Some call it the healthiest vegan fast food in the country.
They serve a wide variety of veggie burgers which are prepared on the spot, but also Beyond Burgers which will satisfy even carnivores. Their hearty portions will leave anyone happy and satisfied. A hot dog or sweet potato fries can satisfy a smaller appetite. If you’re looking for something less conventional, try the vegan pastrami sandwich which is heaven on earth. While you’re at it, have a homemade brownie and coffee for dessert.
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
The Botanist, photo: promotional materials
If your friend group includes strict vegans and you feel like having drinks while munching on some delicious food, this is the place to go! This restaurant and bar is quite a new place on the vegan map of Warsaw but it already has a following. The interior is very in keeping with the restaurant’s name, with its dark green walls, velour sofas and copper decor. An ideal place to enjoy an evening with a special cocktail (or mocktail) in hand.
The menu is divided into ‘small plates’ (soups, tacos, a cheese platter) and ‘large plates’ (burgers, salads, bowls and pasta), with some seasonal changes. You can also have original desserts. But most importantly you can enjoy beautiful cocktails, or vegan wines and prosecco. Although Botanist is located on Ordynacka St, right off the very touristy Nowy Świat, it still hasn’t been ‘discovered’ and is one of many hidden gems in the city.
Picture display
standardowy [760 px]
Eden Bistro, photo: promotional materials
More an experience than a simple lunch, with innovative dishes and nice surroundings, the Eden Bistro is located in the modernist Dom Funkcjonalny in Saska Kępa, one of Warsaw’s more picturesque districts. The owners, Monika Brzywczy and Krzysztof Kozanowski, are also the creators of USTA (lit. lips) Magazine, a popular cultural-culinary quarterly. The place has an extremely fashionable yet friendly vibe and a very original menu.
Go for an early breakfast, which may include french toast, kimchi pancakes (with homemade kimchi!), even congee and a delicious coffee. For lunch or dinner you can have malaysian laksa with pickled beetroot and tamarind, fake duck pancakes or vegan pho. Besides their delectable desserts (vegan creme brulee!), they also have a kids menu. Eden Bistro is also famous for its large selection of natural wines. If you’ve never tried orange wine then this may be the place to finally do that.
There are obviously many other places worth visiting and praising, it would be hard to list them all, but here are a few more that we recommend: Veganda (chic dishes in the heart of the city), Vege Miasto (a wide menu with something for everyone), Falla Warszawa (fantastic wraps and hummus), Vegan Ramen Shop (delicious ramen), Edamame (wonderful vegan sushi), Caffe Bistro (great breakfasts), Mango Vegan (fast food with a Middle Eastern touch).
Smacznego!
Sources: ‘Jadłonomia Po Polsku’, Marta Dymek, happycow.net
[{"nid":"5688","uuid":"6aa9e079-0240-4dcb-9929-0d1cf55e03a5","type":"article","langcode":"en","field_event_date":"","title":"Challenges for Polish Prose in the Nineties","field_introduction":"Content: Depict the world, oneself and the form | The Mimetic Challenge: seeking the truth, destroying and creating myths | Seeking the Truth about the World | Destruction of the Heroic Emigrant Myth | Destruction of the Polish Patriot Myth | Destruction of the Flawless Democracy Myth | Creation of Myths | Biographical challenge | Challenges of genre | Summary\r\n","field_summary":"Content: Depict the world, oneself and the form | The Mimetic Challenge: seeking the truth, destroying and creating myths | Seeking the Truth about the World | Destruction of the Heroic Emigrant Myth | Destruction of the Polish Patriot Myth | Destruction of the Flawless Democracy Myth | Creation of Myths | Biographical challenge | Challenges of genre | Summary","topics_data":"a:2:{i:0;a:3:{s:3:\u0022tid\u0022;s:5:\u002259609\u0022;s:4:\u0022name\u0022;s:26:\u0022#language \u0026amp; literature\u0022;s:4:\u0022path\u0022;a:2:{s:5:\u0022alias\u0022;s:27:\u0022\/topics\/language-literature\u0022;s:8:\u0022langcode\u0022;s:2:\u0022en\u0022;}}i:1;a:3:{s:3:\u0022tid\u0022;s:5:\u002259644\u0022;s:4:\u0022name\u0022;s:8:\u0022#culture\u0022;s:4:\u0022path\u0022;a:2:{s:5:\u0022alias\u0022;s:14:\u0022\/topic\/culture\u0022;s:8:\u0022langcode\u0022;s:2:\u0022en\u0022;}}}","field_cover_display":"default","image_title":"","image_alt":"","image_360_auto":"\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/360_auto\/public\/2018-04\/jozef_mroszczak_forum.jpg?itok=ZsoNNVXJ","image_260_auto":"\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/260_auto_cover\/public\/2018-04\/jozef_mroszczak_forum.jpg?itok=pLlgriOu","image_560_auto":"\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/560_auto\/public\/2018-04\/jozef_mroszczak_forum.jpg?itok=0n3ZgoL3","image_860_auto":"\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/860_auto\/public\/2018-04\/jozef_mroszczak_forum.jpg?itok=ELffe8-z","image_1160_auto":"\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/1160_auto\/public\/2018-04\/jozef_mroszczak_forum.jpg?itok=XazO3DM5","field_video_media":"","field_media_video_file":"","field_media_video_embed":"","field_gallery_pictures":"","field_duration":"","cover_height":"991","cover_width":"1000","cover_ratio_percent":"99.1","path":"en\/node\/5688","path_node":"\/en\/node\/5688"}]