Gdańsk’s Dolne Miasto is becoming the centre of a fresh political storm. At the heart of it? An old tram depot, a neighbourhood sports ground and a redevelopment debate that’s proving considerably less peaceful than a Sunday stroll along the Motława.
The historic district is back in the spotlight as questions mount over its future and the role of private investment in reshaping the neighbourhood.
Two places are drawing particular attention: the former tram depot and Boisko Pod Wierzbami, a local sports ground.
The controversy has now reached the political arena, with a Polish MP announcing plans to intervene.
And while redevelopment can bring new life to forgotten corners of a city, it also raises an awkward question: who gets to decide what stays, what goes and what gets replaced?
For residents, the debate is about more than buildings. It’s about the character of a neighbourhood and the future of spaces that belong to its everyday life.
The bottom line? Dolne Miasto may be heading for change. But judging by the growing controversy, not everyone is ready to roll out the red carpet. There’s always one, but in this case a few more than one that wants to block progress!
And somewhere in Gdańsk, an old tram depot has somehow become more politically interesting than the trams themselves.
Ola and Adam reckon they’ve cracked it. We step inside Reforme Studio to talk about burning muscles, beautiful spaces and why people keep coming back for more.
Why Open A Pilates Studio In Gdansk?
We loved Amsterdam’s mix of fitness, design and community. Back in Gdańsk, we wanted to create that same atmosphere, with quality in every detail.
MORE THAN JUST A GYM?
People arrive alone and leave with friends. Some even meet for coffee or breakfast afterwards. That’s what makes us proudest.
REFORME IN THREE WORDS?
Community. Quality. Soul. And maybe free parking!
Why The Boutique-Hotel Look?
Because atmosphere matters. Lighting, music, scent and warmth make people want to stay, not just train.
BIGGEST PILATES MYTH?
That you need to be fit or flexible to start. You don’t. That’s why we offer different levels.
WHAT SURPRISES BEGINNERS?
How challenging it is! Even gym regulars discover muscles they didn’t know existed.
Has Instagram Changed Pilates?
It’s made Pilates fashionable, but the benefits are real. You don’t need perfect hair or matching outfits. Just show up.
Finally, What Would You Say To someone who is thinking of trying Pilates but still needs convincing?
Just try one class. No fitness, flexibility or experience needed. Start where you are — and you might discover why Pilates is so addictive!
You don’t have to arrive flexible, fashionable or fearless. Apparently, arriving is the hard part.
Forget Ocean’s Eleven. Gdańsk has Ocean’s Two — and apparently, gloves were beyond the budget.
Two suspected burglars in Gdańsk have delivered what might be the most ridiculous crime story of the month.
Their master plan? Break into a liquor store wearing masks and white socks over their hands instead of gloves.
On October 18, the pair allegedly entered a shop on Grobla Street using a matching key, stole cash, cigarettes and alcohol worth nearly 6,000 PLN, and politely locked the door behind them.
Very professional.
Except they forgot one tiny detail.
The CCTV cameras were watching everything.
Police identified the suspects using surveillance footage and other evidence. On October 22, officers arrested the first man, aged 37, during an intervention involving another alleged shop theft.
Because apparently one criminal investigation wasn’t enough.
His 30-year-old suspected partner was arrested the following day.
And the plot thickened. Investigators also linked the pair to an alleged theft of more than 1,600 PLN worth of drugstore products in Gdynia.
Both men face burglary charges. As repeat offenders, they could receive prison sentences of up to 15 years if convicted.
The 3City Daily Verdict
White socks. Working CCTV. Getting caught during another alleged theft.
Gentlemen, congratulations.
You’ve officially been nominated for the 2026 Gdańsk Criminal Genius Awards.
First prize? Potentially 15 years of free accommodation.
Unfortunately, the dress code probably doesn’t include white socks over your hands.
One YouTuber. Endless queues. Now two locations. Ayla Gemüse Kebab has gone from a little Sopot kebab joint to one of Tricity’s hottest food obsessions. But is the food really that good?
It started in Sopot, at 14 Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street, where Ayla Gemüse Kebab was quietly doing its thing. Then popular food YouTuber Książulo dropped by, gave the kebabs his seal of approval, and suddenly everyone wanted a bite.
Fast-forward, and Ayla has opened its second location at Plac Dominikański 1 in Gdańsk, bringing its Berlin-style kebabs to the city centre.
And yes, the queues have followed.
Small Window, Big Expectations
The new Gdańsk spot isn’t somewhere you settle in for a romantic dinner. It’s a takeaway window. Order your kebab, grab it and find somewhere nearby to demolish it.
The menu is short, the meat is chicken, and the whole concept revolves around Berlin-style Gemüse kebabs loaded with vegetables.
During his Sopot visit, Książulo praised the juicy, well-seasoned vegetables, lemon-dressed lettuce, grilled toppings and flavourful meat.
Sounds delicious. But let’s be fair, a glowing YouTube review can turn almost anything into an overnight sensation these days.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Is It the Kebab or the Książulo Effect?
Here’s the million-złoty question.
Are people queuing because Ayla genuinely serves one of Tricity’s best kebabs, or because a famous YouTuber told them to?
To be fair, opening a second location suggests there’s serious demand. And despite the queues, the new Gdańsk spot reportedly keeps orders moving quickly.
But popularity and quality aren’t always the same thing. We’ve all queued for something that turned out to be aggressively average.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
3City Daily Is Going In
We’re not handing out crowns based on YouTube views.
The 3City Daily team will be visiting Ayla Gemüse Kebab ourselves, putting the famous kebab to the test and giving you our own independent, honest verdict.
No celebrity influence. No free passes. Just the food, the flavour, the price and whether we’d actually go back.
Is Ayla the real deal or just another victim of its own hype?
We’ll find out. And if we have to stand in line, that kebab had better be bloody good.
Gdańsk’s renovated Hala Targowa has a shiny new celebrity restaurant. Big name, big expectations and, apparently, a burger that didn’t survive the first bite.
When Kuba Wojewódzki puts his name behind a restaurant in Gdańsk, people expect something special. So when Poland’s food-reviewing heavyweight Książulo turned up at The Dreamers (Marzyciele) with an 800 PLN appetite, things were about to get interesting.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
He and his team worked through almost the entire menu. Some dishes impressed. Others raised eyebrows. And one 59 PLN burger ended up being spat straight out.
Welcome to Gdańsk’s latest celebrity food drama.
59 PLN for a Burger He Couldn’t Swallow
The biggest disaster was the 59 PLN smash burger. Burnt bacon, burnt bun and a bitter first bite that made Książulo spit it straight out.
Ouch. Not exactly the reaction you want from one of Poland’s biggest food reviewers.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
The 98 PLN minute steak didn’t escape either. Książulo described the meat as little more than grilled scraps.
And the pizzas? At 36 PLN for a Margherita and 44 PLN for a Pepperoni, neither impressed. Apparently, celebrity ownership doesn’t automatically make pizza taste better.
But It Wasn’t All a Kitchen Nightmare
To be fair, some dishes actually delivered.
The 135 PLN rib-eye steak earned praise, while the 77 PLN beef neck was one of the evening’s winners. The shrimp sauce, pickled cucumbers and crème brûlée also received enthusiastic reviews.
But there was one recurring problem: the prices didn’t always match what landed on the plate.
Even when the food tasted good, Książulo frequently questioned whether it was worth the money.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
The Final Verdict
Książulo wasn’t convinced by the restaurant’s confusing mix of pizzas, steaks, sausages and other dishes. And despite several tasty surprises, the overall experience left him underwhelmed.
Our takeaway? At The Dreamers, some dishes are worth dreaming about. Others might give your wallet nightmares.
And if you’re charging 59 PLN for a burger, making sure the customer can actually swallow it seems like a reasonable starting point.
Europe’s best Christmas market is back. And Gdańsk isn’t messing around.
More stalls, new attractions and enough Christmas lights to make your electricity bill cry. Gdańsk Christmas Market returns November 20 and runs until December 23, with a bigger festive playground taking over the Old Town and beyond.
After winning Europe’s Christmas market crown, Gdańsk has something to prove. And this year, it’s going all in.
More Food, More Stalls, More Christmas Madness
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Together”, and organisers are making things bigger.
Bogusławskiego Street is getting a Magic Train Corner, featuring a food train built from shipping containers. Meanwhile, Tadeusz Polak Square will host a new Theatre Corner, complete with a small food area.
Extra stalls will also appear along Ogarna and Garbary Streets, creating a circular route through the market.
Translation? More food, more exploring and more chances to lose your friends somewhere between the pierogi stalls and the Christmas decorations.
The Great Armoury Gets Festive
The historic Great Armoury is joining the fun again, with stalls selling art, fashion, crafts and handmade gifts.
Perfect for finding something original for Christmas. Or buying yourself something while pretending it’s for your mum.
We won’t judge.
Christmas Beyond the Old Town
For the first time, festive events will also reach Przymorze Wielkie and Pruszcz Gdański, including an Alice in Wonderland illumination park at Faktoria Cultural Park.
There will also be new collectible Christmas mugs and an expanded deposit-return system.
Because apparently collecting mugs is now a competitive Christmas sport.
Drivers, You’ve Been Warned
Preparations begin in early November, bringing some traffic changes.
Bogusławskiego Street will become one-way and close to cars from Friday at 5 pm until Sunday at 11 pm. Parking will also be limited around Bogusławskiego Street and Polaka Square, with alternative spaces for residents on Rzeźnicka Street.
Basically, leave the car at home if you can. Your blood pressure will thank you.
The Verdict: Gdańsk Is Going Full Christmas Mode
More stalls, new attractions, festive lights and enough food to destroy your December diet before Christmas even arrives.
Gdańsk Christmas Market 2026
When: November 20 – December 23
Where: Gdańsk Old Town and selected additional locations
What’s new: Magic Train Corner, Theatre Corner, extra stalls and events beyond the city centre
Our advice? Come hungry, dress warm and wear comfortable shoes. You’ll probably walk twice as far as planned.
Christmas is coming, Gdańsk. And apparently, so is half of Poland.
122 people voted in our latest City Court poll, and Gdańsk has absolutely battered Gdynia.
The Results
Gdańsk. Obviously: 72.7%
Gdynia. No Contest: 27.3%
Sopot Is Laughing: 0%
The Verdict: Gdańsk Wins. Gdynia Wants a Rematch.
Well, that was awkward.
We asked who has the better nightlife, Gdańsk or Gdynia, and nearly three out of four voters picked Gdańsk.
Ouch.
To be fair, Gdańsk has plenty going on after dark. From the bars around Piwna and Długa to the madness of Stocznia, there’s usually somewhere to go, someone to meet and a questionable decision waiting to happen.
Gdynia put up a fight, grabbing just over 27% of the votes. Respect to the loyal locals who still believe Świętojańska and the surrounding streets can deliver a proper night out.
And then there’s Sopot.
Zero votes.
Not because nobody likes Sopot, but because apparently nobody felt like giving the city famous for partying a reason to get involved.
It’s probably too busy recovering from last weekend anyway.
Of course, this was just a fun online poll, not some official nightlife championship. But 122 people had their say, and the result wasn’t exactly close.
The final verdict? Gdańsk takes the nightlife crown, Gdynia gets a participation medal, and Sopot is still wondering why it wasn’t invited to the party.
Welcome to Bistro Miasto, one of those Gdańsk restaurants that deserves a lot more attention than it gets. We sat down with the team to talk Turkish eggs, crispy oyster mushroom wings, proper comfort food and why nobody should have to explain themselves for ordering breakfast in the afternoon. Sometimes the best places are the ones hiding in plain sight.
If Gdańsk itself walked through your door tomorrow, what would you serve it?
First, I’m thinking fish and chips – we are by the sea, after all. However, if Gdańsk were to arrive in a breakfast mood, it would be challah with salmon, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce. A city with such a history deserves decent food.
Every restaurant has something the team likes more than the guests themselves. What is it at your place?
Turkish eggs. Garlic yogurt, poached eggs, and burnt butter with chili – they sound unassuming, but together they do a fantastic job.
Breakfast until 4:00 PM. Is Gdańsk really that bad at getting out of bed?
We simply believe that a good breakfast shouldn’t depend on an alarm clock. Some people wake up early, others work late, and still others have the day off and want to enjoy it. We won’t tell anyone that 2:00 PM is too late for breakfast.
What’s the most unusual dish on your menu?
Oyster mushroom wings. The name might surprise you, and then it turns out that mushrooms in crispy tempura with BBQ sauce really have a lot to say.
I walk in at 2:30 PM with a hangover and I’m completely unable to make a decision. What do you have in front of me?
Our emergency kit is shakshuka. Warm, filling, with tomatoes, peppers, and eggs, slightly spicy thanks to jalapeños. Plus a carafe of water, which we always serve. Coffee, if you’d like. We won’t bombard you with questions; we let you eat it in peace and get back to the world.
What does Bistro Miasto become after 4:00 PM?
Breakfast is over, but the same relaxed atmosphere remains. Main courses and plates appear on the table, which you can order to share. After a long day, you can sit down, eat something delicious, and have a glass. Life is still bustling outside our windows, and here you can take a break from the hustle and bustle.
What is the undisputed heavyweight champion of your lunch menu?
De volaille with parsley butter, potato purée, and cucumber salad. These are familiar flavors that you want to return to. Sometimes you just want a proper dinner – one that leaves you full and satisfied.
What order makes you think, “This person really understands Bistro Miasto”?
Breakfast at 3:30 PM, without rushing or explaining why so late. We like it when guests feel at ease and eat how they want.
What three people would you invite to a long dinner, and what would you serve them?
Instead of a long dinner, we prefer to invite people over for small plates, a good drink, or wine. Ernest Hemingway might have sat down for something stronger and ordered our oyster mushroom wings. Mia Wallace in a black suit would be served a bold drink and two light plates, and after a few well-placed retorts, she would head straight to the dance floor of Gdańsk’s clubs. Jo Nesbø would sit at the third table, sipping black coffee and writing the plot of a new crime novel in his notebook, set in the dark streets around the Motława River.
In twenty years, someone will say, “Do you remember Bistro Miasto?” What would you like to hear right afterward?
“It was so good there. We always met there.” We want people to remember specific flavors, but also conversations, shared breakfasts, and the people they went with. For Bistro Miasto to be part of their fond memories.
After chatting with the Bistro Miasto team, we’re convinced this place deserves to be on more people’s radar. No complicated food philosophy, no judging your breakfast habits, just good cooking and a refreshingly relaxed attitude. And if you turn up at 3:30 pm with a hangover, they’ll bring you shakshuka instead of asking what happened last night. Now that’s hospitality.
Two lawyers, two best friends and one shared obsession with fashion. Meet the Martas behind POP concept store in Gdańsk, bringing independent Polish designers together under one roof
Two lawyers, one boutique. Did you ever see this coming?
MJ: We met studying law in Toruń. Fashion was always my passion, but never my career plan. MM: We actually talked about becoming wedding planners. POP wasn’t even on the radar!
What made you abandon your legal careers?
MM: After our second children, we realised we could return to comfortable jobs take a risk. MJ: We decided to create the kind of store we’d love to shop in ourselves — a place dedicated to Polish brands, so we wouldn’t have to travel to Warsaw or rely on online shopping. That’s how POP was born.
Who’s the bigger control freak?
MJ: Probably a tie! MM: We each have our moments, but we balance each other out.
Three pieces readers should check out?
MJ & MM: Undress Code bodysuits for versatility, Lebrand bandanas for effortless personality and MAAR jewellery for original, statement-making designs.
What earns a Polish brand space at POP?
MM: Quality, distinctive design and responsible production. MJ: We disagree about individual pieces, never our values.
Why visit POP when everything’s online?
MJ: You can touch fabrics, try things on and discover carefully selected Polish designers without endless scrolling. MM: And shopping should be social, welcoming and personal.
How do you stop business arguments ruining your friendship?
MJ: We know disagreements aren’t personal. We’re working towards the same goal. MM: Some of our best ideas come from arguments. Even choosing display-table colours can become ridiculous!
Two Martas, two strong personalities. What drives you absolutely crazy about each other?
MJ: Marta M is such a perfectionist that sometimes she struggles to delegate. And I wish she’d just tell me what’s on her mind instead of expecting me to guess! MM: Marta J likes things done her way. I’ll arrange a display, she’ll change it, and we’ll rearrange everything for days! But her attention to detail has saved us more than once.
And will you still be friends tomorrow?
MM: We might someday stop running a business together. But stop being friends? Absolutely not an option.
Two Martas, two strong personalities and one shared love of fashion. They’ve survived career changes, business headaches and countless arguments over shop displays. And somehow, they’re still best friends. Turns out, the only thing these former lawyers can’t settle is who’s the bigger control freak. Case closed.
Matcha is everywhere these days, but how much do we actually know about the green stuff we’re drinking? We dropped by MOYA Matcha on Piwna Street in Gdańsk to meet Dawid, the café manager, and Dianna, the Gdańsk brand manager. We asked them a few questions about Japanese tea culture, why some people reckon matcha tastes like grass, what we’re all getting wrong and whether this green obsession is here to stay. Turns out, there’s a lot more to matcha than a pretty Instagram drink.
Ten years ago, most people in Poland barely knew what matcha was. Now it’s everywhere. Did you ever imagine the green powder would become this cool?
Honestly, I don’t think anyone could have predicted how quickly matcha would move from something relatively niche to a full-blown part of café culture in Poland. When MOYA started 11 years ago, matcha was still something people needed explained to them. Today you see it everywhere — in cafés, restaurants, bakeries, desserts and even corner stores. What’s exciting is that the conversation is moving beyond “matcha is trendy”. People are more interested in where the tea comes from, different cultivars, harvests and flavour profiles. We work with family farms in Uji and Kagoshima, and want people to discover that there’s a whole culture, craft and history behind it.
Be ruthless: what’s the biggest crime people commit against matcha?
Probably treating matcha purely as a flavour. We love experimenting — our menu is full of it — but the matcha should still be able to speak for itself. The biggest crimes are using boiling water, over-sweetening it, or adding so many other ingredients that you can’t taste the tea anymore. And please — don’t leave your matcha sitting around for half an hour. Drink it while it’s fresh. It deserves better.
Someone tells you: “I tried matcha once. It tasted like grass. I hate it.” What do you tell them?
You probably just haven’t found your matcha yet or you tried a low-grade one. Matcha can taste grassy, but it can also be creamy, sweet, nutty, umami-rich or much more delicate depending on the cultivar, origin, harvest and preparation. We don’t want matcha to feel intimidating — we can start with an iced drink or latte, and later introduce usucha or different cultivars. If you still don’t like it? No problem — we just want you to try a really good one.
Moya sits between Japanese tradition and modern European café culture. What’s one part of Japanese tea culture you absolutely refuse to mess with?
The respect for the tea itself. We can play with formats, flavours and presentation, but there has to be respect for the tea’s origin, cultivar, harvest and the way it’s prepared. Matcha isn’t just a green powder that looks good in a cup. We want MOYA to be contemporary and accessible, but never disconnected from the craft behind Japanese tea. Tradition gives us the foundation, curiosity gives us room to play.
Someone gives you €1 million, but you have to create a matcha product so ridiculous that Japan might ban you from entering the country. What are you making?
A matcha perfume! An actual luxury fragrance that smells like freshly whisked matcha. Limited edition, hand-crafted bottles, Japanese tea ceremony-inspired packaging — the whole thing. Completely unnecessary, but I suspect people would buy it!
Photos by Dianna Wojciechowska
Looking at the menu right now: what’s the order you wish more people would take a chance on instead of automatically going for the obvious matcha latte?
I’d love more people to try usucha — our blend of three first-harvest cultivars. It gives a completely different experience from a flavoured latte and helps you understand why the quality matters. Of course, our seasonal drinks and desserts are also worth exploring!
What’s the most surprising reaction you’ve had from a first-time matcha drinker?
People are often surprised by how smooth and naturally sweet matcha can be. Many expect it to be bitter or intense, but with a good quality matcha, the flavour can be creamy, soft and really pleasant. We also get a lot of people who are surprised by how good they feel after drinking it — more focused and energised, without the crash you can get from coffee.
Do you have a personal favourite on the menu right now?
And why?
It’s hard to choose, but I always come back to usucha. It’s the purest expression of the tea — simple, honest and full of flavour. I also love our seasonal drinks because they let us be creative and show how versatile matcha can be. At the moment, the Lavender Matcha is a big favourite — it’s a fun, modern take that still lets the matcha shine.
Matcha is often linked to health, focus and a calmer mind. How important is that side of the story for you?
It’s definitely part of the appeal, but for us matcha is about much more than health benefits. We want people to enjoy it for the flavour, the experience and the culture behind it. The focus and natural energy are a great bonus, but at the end of the day, matcha should also just taste amazing and bring people together.
What’s next for MOYA in Gdańsk?
Any plans or dreams you can share with us?
We’d love to keep growing the community here — more workshops, special events and collaborations with local creatives. Gdańsk has such an inspiring energy, and we want MOYA to be a place where people not only come for a drink, but also to connect, learn and experience Japanese tea culture in a modern way. There are always new ideas in the pipeline!
Moya Matcha Gdańsk, Piwna 59
Maybe the best way to understand matcha is to stop treating it as a trend and taste the tea itself.
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Some people follow the rules. Others make their own. Gaweł Czajka has never seemed particularly interested in playing it safe. We sat down with the man behind the attitude to talk about life, ambition, the decisions that shaped him and what happens when you stop caring about other people's expectations. No polished PR answers. Just Gaweł, in his own words.
