Restauracja Polka

Restauracja Polka is a cosy, retro-decorated restaurant at Bednarska 28/30 in Warsaw, near the Powiśle side of the centre in Poland's Masovian region. The kitchen specialises in homemade-style Polish cooking, with soups, dumplings, roast meats and cakes, and it makes no claim to Michelin recognition or celebrity chef lineage. The appeal is the sense of eating in a Polish family kitchen, backed by consistent execution and fair prices. The signature dishes include żurek with sausage at around PLN 22, meat-filled pierogi (pierogi z mięsem) at about PLN 36, and a breaded chicken cutlet with mashed potatoes at around PLN 44. Żurek with sausage and pierogi are the dishes most associated with the venue, and the cutlet with mash is the classic comfort-food main. The interior is decorated in a retro style, with period furniture and crockery that give the room a nostalgic, homely character. The mood is relaxed and friendly, with moderate noise, and no dress code applies. A drinks list of tea, coffee, compote and Polish beer or wine is typical, though specific producers are not confirmed. Prices are in the middle band ($$), good value for a sit-down restaurant so close to the centre, and the Bednarska location is a short walk from the Vistula boulevards, the Copernicus Science Centre area and the Old Town. Opening hours are 12PM to 10PM daily. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend evenings, as the small dining room is popular with locals and visitors alike. Walk-in lunches during the week are often possible. For travellers who want a homely Polish meal in a charming setting away from the busiest Market Square restaurants, Restauracja Polka is a dependable choice.