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Category: Gdansk

  • Klamoty Vintage Gdańsk: She Was Ashamed of Second-Hand Clothes. Now She’s the Queen of Them.

    Klamoty Vintage Gdańsk: She Was Ashamed of Second-Hand Clothes. Now She’s the Queen of Them.

    Imagine being embarrassed to shop second-hand, then spending the next decade making a living out of other people’s clothes. That’s Justyna Jezierska-Sałasińska for you. Ten years into running Klamoty Vintage in Gdańsk, she’s swapped fashion insecurities for designer treasures, developed a serious weakness for silk scarves and declared war on polyester and people who blindly follow trends. We caught up with Justyna to talk Parisian style, hidden gems and why yesterday’s clothes might just make today’s fashion look a little ridiculous.

    Justyna: The Queen Of Other Peoples Clothes

    From makeup artist to vintage shop owner. What happened?

    Makeup was just a stepping stone. I’ve always loved experimenting with fashion and dreamed of creating somewhere like Klamoty since my teens.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    You once felt embarrassed shopping second-hand. What changed?

    I discovered the quality, history and character of vintage clothing. Giving beautiful pieces another life became something to celebrate.

    Ten years of Klamoty. Your toughest and proudest moments?

    COVID, the war in Ukraine and countless challenges tested us. But seeing customers return year after year makes everything worthwhile.

    What did Paris teach you about style?

    Forget trends. Invest in timeless quality, beautiful fabrics and great cuts. Clothes should last years, not weeks.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Your greatest vintage treasures?

    Old handbags and silk scarves are my weakness! I’ve kept Balenciaga and Miu Miu bags and a Louis Vuitton scarf. Some treasures are impossible to surrender.

    Has vintage become too expensive?

    Exceptional pieces cost more now, but affordable treasures still exist. The thrill is finding them!

    What earns a place in Klamoty?

    Quality, individuality and history. Mass-produced, poorly made clothing doesn’t stand a chance.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Gdańsk’s biggest fashion crime?

    Blindly following trends! I’d happily banish excessive logos and polyester fast fashion. Style is about personality, not labels.

    How would you convert a vintage sceptic?

    Great-quality jeans and a cashmere sweater. Sometimes the simplest pieces make the strongest argument.

    What’s your most embarrassing wardrobe secret?

    Nothing! My wardrobe is small and carefully curated. I’ve learned my style and stopped collecting unnecessary things. Sorry, no skeletons in this closet!

  • La Musa Gdańsk: Flamenco, Feelings and the Shipyard Floor

    La Musa Gdańsk: Flamenco, Feelings and the Shipyard Floor

    Forget the red dresses and pretty little dance steps. At La Musa, in Gdańsk’s raw shipyard district, Magdalena Jędrzejewska teaches flamenco the way it was meant to be felt — loud, fearless and unapologetically emotional. Anger, heartbreak, passion? Bring it all. Just don’t expect to leave your comfort zone intact. Thanks to https://www.instagram.com/misiamasorz/ for the amazing photos!

    You trained as a classical musician. What did flamenco give you?

    A connection to my womanhood, my body and its energy. It helped me discover myself and brought incredible women into my life. Like joining a tribe.

    What did Spain teach you?

    Aire. That indescribable flamenco energy. In Andalusia, people sing, dance, laugh and cry together. You can’t learn that from a textbook. You have to live it.

    Can you teach flamenco’s intensity?

    Absolutely. One powerful stomp, one strong gesture, and emotions begin to flow. Then we build tension, release it and shout olé!

    What about someone with two left feet?

    No such thing! Walking is dancing. Talking is music. Everyone has rhythm.

    Is performing in Spain intimidating?

    Definitely. But Spanish musicians give you incredible support. You’re creating something together.

    Biggest flamenco stereotype?

    That it’s mainly women dancing. In Andalusia, there are just as many male dancers, sometimes more.

    Flamenco in Gdańsk’s industrial shipyard?

    Perfect! The raw surroundings become an empty canvas for movement and colour.

    Have you danced through heartbreak?

    Of course. Flamenco carries grief, anger, sadness, love and happiness. Sometimes all at once.

    What can beginners try at La Musa?

    Dance, rhythmic clapping, cajón, guitar and even classical piano.

    Last one. What would five minutes watching you dance reveal?

    That I’m so much more than my words.

    After talking to Magdalena, you realise flamenco isn’t really about getting the steps right. It’s about having the guts to let everything out, even the messy bits. And there’s something brilliant about finding all that Andalusian fire among Gdańsk’s old shipyard buildings. As Magdalena says, everyone has rhythm. So if you’ve got two left feet and a little emotional baggage, congratulations. You’re practically halfway there. Olé!

  • FitYard Gdańsk: No Mirrors, No Egos, No Fitness Bullshit

    FitYard Gdańsk: No Mirrors, No Egos, No Fitness Bullshit

    No mirrors. No egos. No fitness bullshit. We caught up with Paweł Pędrakowski and Michał Andryszczyk, the guys behind Gdańsk’s FitYard, to talk Olympic pressure, gym anxiety, Instagram fakery and why getting healthy beats looking good naked.

    PAWEŁ, YOU WEREN’T EXACTLY BORN IN A GYM. WERE YOU?

    Not even close. I worked in a shipyard and later as a glazier. I weighed 130 kilos, ate badly and avoided exercise. Fitness was the last thing I imagined doing. FitYard completely changed my life. It’s more than a gym or a business — it’s been part of my own transformation, and I want it to be a place where other people can find their own way, whatever their starting point may be.

    WHAT MAKES FITYARD DIFFERENT FROM THE BIG CHAINS?

    We’re not interested in being the biggest. People know each other here. You recognise familiar faces, chat between sets and gradually become part of the community. It’s a smaller, more personal space where people feel comfortable. They come back because they enjoy it, not because they have to.

    HAS THE FITNESS INDUSTRY BECOME BETTER AT SELLING INSECURITY THAN HEALTH?

    To some extent, absolutely. You’re told you’re not lean enough, not muscular enough, then sold the solution. I’d rather see someone at 50 feeling healthy and energetic than someone with a perfect body training out of self-hatred. Fitness should be about adding something to your life, not convincing you that you’re not good enough as you are.

    IMAGINE SOMEONE WALKS IN AT 50 AND IS TERRIFIED. WHAT HAPPENS?

    I’ve seen it many times. From the moment they walk through the door, we make them feel welcome. Nobody is going to judge them here. They don’t have to be the strongest or most experienced. Everyone starts somewhere, and we all support each other. Once they realise how friendly and relaxed the atmosphere is, they usually come back — and many are still training with us today.

    MICHAŁ, YOU’VE WORKED WITH OLYMPIC ATHLETES. BIGGEST LESSON?

    Consistency beats motivation. Champions do the basics exceptionally well, day after day. But knowing when to rest is just as important. Training is like driving — sometimes you accelerate, sometimes you brake. The point is reaching your destination. At the Olympic qualification in Debrecen, four years of preparation came down to one shot.

    HOW MUCH OF INSTAGRAM FITNESS IS BULLSHIT?

    People confuse appearance with fitness. Lighting, posing, editing and sometimes performance-enhancing drugs create unrealistic expectations. Real progress takes months or years. Looking incredible doesn’t automatically mean you’re healthy or athletic.

    WHAT CAN PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO AT FITYARD?

    Train independently, work with personal trainers or see our physiotherapists. We’re also introducing small group classes in November. We’re open 6AM–10PM every day, with app-based entry when reception isn’t staffed.

    LAST ONE. WHO’S WORSE AT PRACTISING WHAT YOU PREACH?

    Michał: Paweł spends his days convincing people to train. The one person he struggles to convince is himself! Paweł: Fair enough. But Michał sometimes forgets things, and I take forever making decisions. We’re not perfect. That’s probably why we work well together.

    After talking to Paweł and Michał, it’s refreshing to find two guys who care more about getting people moving than getting them ripped for Instagram. One transformed his own life, the other helped athletes reach the Olympics, and somehow they’ve ended up sharing the same philosophy. No egos, no judgement, no six-pack required. And apparently, even Paweł needs convincing to get his arse to the gym sometimes.

  • Winość Gdańsk Wrzeszcz: Wine, Big Risks and a Little Chaos

    Winość Gdańsk Wrzeszcz: Wine, Big Risks and a Little Chaos

    SHE SWAPPED CORPORATE LIFE IN LUXEMBOURG FOR WINE AND A LITTLE CHAOS IN WRZESZCZ. WE MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND WINOŚĆ TO TALK BIG RISKS, WORKING WITH HER HUSBAND AND WHY GOOD WINE NEEDS NO SPECIAL OCCASION.

    WHAT’S THE BIGGEST BULLSHIT MYTH ABOUT WINE?

    That good wine needs a special occasion! Why save your favourite bottle for a birthday? Open something lovely on an ordinary Tuesday. Life’s too short.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    YOU LEFT LUXEMBOURG’S CORPORATE WORLD TO OPEN WINOŚĆ. MADNESS OR MASTERPLAN?

    A romantic escape mixed with a fairly irrational decision! My dad thought I’d gone completely mad. Sometimes you just have to stop planning and take the risk.

    WORKING WITH YOUR HUSBAND. WHO’S THE BOSS?

    Me! I run Winość, but the kitchen belongs to Yuri. If a dish takes longer, it takes longer. We’ve learned to trust each other, otherwise we’d never survive dinner together!

    WHAT DO YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT WINE?

    Perfect! You don’t need knowledge to enjoy wine. Taste it, discover what you like and stop pretending it’s a competition. Forget fancy grape names. Would you order another glass?

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    WHAT’S SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WINOŚĆ?

    Our regulars. We know their names, favourite wines and sometimes their weekly routines. New employees are always amazed by how lovely our guests are.

    ONE DISH, ONE WINE. GO! Yuri’s grilled cuttlefish with chorizo and sun-dried tomatoes, paired with white Rioja. The smoky flavours and rounded wine work beautifully together.

    WHAT WOULD YOU FIGHT TO PRESERVE IN WRZESZCZ?

    The little old shops! Across the street is a wonderful traditional pastry shop where I buy egg sandwiches. We recently lost a brilliant hardware shop. These places give neighbourhoods their soul.

    WHAT HAS WINE TAUGHT YOU ABOUT PEOPLE?

    People often become nicer after a glass! They arrive stressed, then relax, smile and start talking. Sometimes all we need is good food, wine and unhurried conversation.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    FINAL ONE. WHEN DID YOU REALISE WINOŚĆ WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL?

    When regulars started bringing their parents, friends and celebrating birthdays here. When I thank them, they simply say, “Of course.” That’s when I know Winość has become their place.

    By the end of our chat, it was easy to see why Alicja’s regulars keep coming back, often bringing friends and family with them. There’s something wonderfully unpretentious about her approach to wine, food and life in Wrzeszcz. And she’s right about one thing: why wait for a special occasion to open a good bottle? Although after a few glasses at Winość, remembering what day it is might become the bigger challenge.

  • to.gather Gdańsk: Japanese-Inspired Dining, Bluefin Tuna & Serious Tokyo Vibes

    to.gather Gdańsk: Japanese-Inspired Dining, Bluefin Tuna & Serious Tokyo Vibes

    Gdańsk has plenty of places to eat. But to.gather isn’t particularly interested in being just another restaurant.

    We dropped by to meet the owner, explore the space and, naturally, see what the kitchen was capable of. Strictly professional research, obviously.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    First impressions?

    Someone here has a serious eye for detail. Sculptural lighting, bold interiors, an open kitchen and an atmosphere that feels somewhere between a futuristic Tokyo hideout and a seriously cool dinner party.

    But beautiful interiors don’t mean much if the food can’t back them up. Fortunately, the kitchen came ready to play.

    We worked our way through plenty of dishes, but two absolutely stole the show.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    First, the Bluefin Spicy Tataki. Lightly seared tuna, togarashi, freshly ground pepper, mango sauce, kizami wasabi and tsuma. Sweetness, heat and that delicate tuna flavour working together without anyone trying to steal the spotlight. Ridiculously good.

    Then came the TarTar Bluefin. Maguro tuna tartare with soy sauce, sriracha and sesame oil, sitting on creamy avocado, finished with spring onion, leek, sesame and crunchy masago arare. Prawn crackers on the side. Delicate, slightly spicy, beautifully balanced.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Meeting the owner and seeing the team at work gave us a glimpse of the ambition behind the place.

    This isn’t simply about putting expensive ingredients on attractive plates. It’s about creating an entire experience around them.

    And that’s what makes to.gather interesting. The food commands your attention, the surroundings make you want to stay, and the whole concept refuses to play it safe.

    Gdańsk, gather your people. This one’s worth sharing.

  • Aesthetic Beauty Concept Gdańsk: Less Botox, More Confidence, Zero Bullshit

    Aesthetic Beauty Concept Gdańsk: Less Botox, More Confidence, Zero Bullshit

    Too old. Too tired. Too many wrinkles. Not enough Botox. Apparently, there’s always something wrong with your face these days. But at Gdańsk’s Aesthetic Beauty Concept, they’re not buying it. We met the woman behind the clinic, Gabriela Szynaka who studied psychology, isn’t afraid to turn clients away and reckons the beauty industry needs to stop making women feel like walking renovation projects. We talked Instagram pressure, ageing and why looking in the mirror shouldn’t feel like a bloody performance review.

    YOU STUDIED PSYCHOLOGY. ARE YOU REALLY TREATING MINDS, NOT FACES?

    Often, yes. Women arrive carrying stress, exhaustion and pressure, not just skin concerns. Before asking what treatment they want, we ask what brought them here.

    WHICH BEAUTY STANDARD HAVE YOU STOPPED BELIEVING IN?

    That women must look younger. I want someone to look in the mirror and say, “That’s still me.”

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    HAS THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY BECOME OBSESSED WITH FIXING PEOPLE?

    Absolutely. Too often, women are convinced they’re problems needing solutions. I refuse to build relationships on fear.

    WHAT IF INSTAGRAM DISAPPEARED TOMORROW?

    Women might finally breathe! Popular treatments aren’t necessarily the right treatments.

    WHAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR CLINIC’S PHILOSOPHY?

    Surprisingly, no treatment at all. It’s the consultation. Understanding comes first, technology second.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    HAVE YOU EVER REFUSED A CLIENT?

    Many times. Sometimes the most responsible thing you can say is, “Not today.” Trust matters more than sales.

    WHAT ARE WOMEN REALLY ASKING FOR WHEN THEY SAY THEY WANT TO LOOK YOUNGER?

    Usually, they want to look less tired, feel energised and recognise themselves again.

    WHAT HAS THIS BUSINESS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT WOMEN?

    They’re more exhausted by being judged than by ageing. Too old, too young, too natural, not natural enough. The expectations never end.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    IF BEAUTY HAD NO MIRROR, HOW WOULD WE RECOGNISE IT?

    Through someone’s smile, their calmness and the confidence to stop hiding.

    FINISH THIS SENTENCE: PEOPLE THINK BEAUTY IS… Looking younger. But real beauty is freedom. Freedom from fear, judgement and the belief that you’re never enough.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    After our chat, one thing was clear: this is a woman who’d rather tell you the truth than sell you a new face. And after all that talk about ageing naturally and ignoring beauty standards, I somehow ended up having a little tweak myself. Purely for journalistic research, obviously. Did I leave looking ten years younger? Probably not. But I did leave wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner.

  • Elegant Barber Gdańsk: Meet Maria, the Woman Behind the Blades

    Elegant Barber Gdańsk: Meet Maria, the Woman Behind the Blades

    Sometimes the best discoveries happen completely by accident. Wandering through Gdańsk’s Old Town, we stumbled upon Elegant and Maria.

    WHO ARE YOU OUTSIDE THE BARBERSHOP?

    A wife, a mum to a little girl, and an ordinary woman with dreams, problems and everyday joys.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    WHY GDAŃSK?

    Opening a barbershop was my dream. We planned to do it in Ukraine, but war changed everything. We visited my brother Misza in Gdańsk and decided to build our new life here.

    CRAZIEST CLIENT CONFESSION?

    What happens in the barber’s chair stays there!

    BIGGEST HAIR CRIME?

    Neglected hair and beards. Sometimes I want to stop strangers and invite them in!

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    BAD HAIRCUT REQUEST?

    I’ll tell the truth and suggest something better.

    CAN A HAIRCUT CHANGE SOMEONE?

    Absolutely. Confidence, mood, even the whole day can change.

    ANYONE YOU’D LOVE TO CUT?

    Someone alive! I’m terrified an elderly client might die in my chair!

    WHAT’S TRENDING?

    The mullet is back!

    WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?

    Hair and beard combo: 130 zł with shaver, 150 zł with straight razor. SPA treatments are available too.

    EVER HAD SOMEONE FALL ASLEEP?

    Yes! It’s the ultimate compliment. They trust me enough to relax.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    WHY MORE FEMALE BARBERS?

    Because women appreciate well- groomed men!

    FINAL WORD?

    Come support our team. We’re not just cutting hair. We’re giving men a little escape from everyday life.

    Barber and met Maria. Within minutes, her infectious smile, cheeky humour and down-to- earth personality had won us over. Some people just have that something. We liked her so much that featuring her in the launch edition of 3City Daily wasn’t even up for debate. Maria, you’ve made the cut!

  • Nurt Café Gdańsk: Serious Coffee, Killer Cheesecake, Zero Attitude

    Nurt Café Gdańsk: Serious Coffee, Killer Cheesecake, Zero Attitude

    In Gdańsk’s historic Stocznia district, where industrial history meets a new generation of creative spaces, Nurt is doing something refreshingly simple: making people feel good. No coffee snobbery, no unnecessary fuss, just excellent coffee, seriously good cheesecake and someone quietly obsessing over every little detail. We caught up with Albert and his team behind Nurt to discover why the smallest things often make the biggest difference.

    What Was The Original Idea Behind NURT?

    The atmosphere. I wanted somewhere I’d enjoy visiting myself. No pretension, just quality and attention to detail. Somewhere people could slow down.

    WHY STOCZNIA?

    It has history, energy and character. It’s still evolving, and I wanted Nurt to become part of that story.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Why Are Simple Sandwiches So Hard to perfect?

    Because there’s nowhere to hide. Every ingredient matters. Sometimes a few grams of sauce make all the difference.

    WHAT SHOULD FIRST-TIMERS ORDER?

    Coffee and cheesecake. Outstanding coffee and incredible cheesecake!

    SO SANDWICHES AREN’T THE STAR?

    Actually, coffee is our flagship product.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Have You Ever Misjudged A Menu item?

    Absolutely. I’ve been convinced certain sandwiches would be hits, only for customers to ignore them. Sometimes an experiment becomes everyone’s favourite.

    WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE BACK?

    Some come for breakfast, others to work or meet friends. But the biggest compliment is when someone starts calling Nurt their place.

    WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST OBSESSION?

    Details. Lighting, music, table placement, even how something lands on the counter. Ideally, nobody notices.

    HARDEST LESSON?

    Putting ego aside. Sometimes an idea you’ve worked hard on simply doesn’t work.

    WHAT DO PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT YOU?

    They assume I’m always calm and in control. There’s plenty of uncertainty behind the scenes.

    WHAT MAKES A GOOD DAY?

    Not selling everything. It’s seeing the team work well together and guests leave happy.

    AND WHAT SHOULD REGULARS SAY ABOUT NURT?

    “That place just makes me feel good.” Before mentioning the coffee or food. That’s exactly what I wanted to create.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Stocznia keeps changing, and Nurt is one small part of that transformation. Behind the calm atmosphere are the usual headaches, second guesses and ideas that don’t always work out. But there’s something very Gdańsk about building a place your own way and letting the neighbourhood decide what it becomes. And judging by the regulars, Nurt is slowly becoming part of the furniture.

  • W Szoku Pan Gdańsk: Japanese Sandwiches With a Wild Side

    W Szoku Pan Gdańsk: Japanese Sandwiches With a Wild Side

    Łukasz said “I love you” first. Monika said “let’s open a business.” Somewhere between those two decisions, W Szoku Pan was born. Armed with Japanese shokupan bread, a healthy disregard for normal sandwiches and the occasional kitchen argument, this Gdańsk couple have created something wonderfully different. They’ve even managed to squeeze the taste of ramen between two slices of bread. We caught up with them to find out how love, chaos and a few questionable ideas turned into one of the city’s most talked-about food adventures.

    WHY SHOKUPAN?

    WHY NOT JUST NORMAL SANDWICHES? Because normal is boring! Shokupan is soft, versatile and different. People thought we were crazy. Now they call us a Tricity gem.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    DID PEOPLE ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT?

    Not really! Some still walk in asking what shokupan is. We show them the food. Usually, that does the talking.

    WHO SAID “I LOVE YOU” FIRST?

    AND WHO SUGGESTED OPENING A BUSINESS? Łukasz said “I love you.” Monika suggested the business. Make of that what you will!

    WORKING TOGETHER 24/7. ROMANTIC OR DANGEROUS?

    Both! We argue, obviously. Running a business is tough. Running one with your partner is tougher. But we’re getting stronger.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    WHO’S WORSE WHEN THEY’RE HUNGRY?

    Both of us! Seriously, don’t approach either of us hungry.

    WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST DISASTER?

    The day before opening, someone cut the electricity cable supplying our building. No power, food being prepared, total panic. Luckily, someone fixed it in time.

    WHAT’S YOUR CRAZIEST CREATION?

    TANTAN PAN! Łukasz woke up thinking, “Let’s put ramen inside shokupan.” We weren’t sure it would work. Now people say closing their eyes feels like eating ramen.

    HAS INSTAGRAM CHANGED STREET FOOD?

    Absolutely. Food needs to look good now, too. Luckily, ours is colourful, photogenic AND delicious!

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    WHAT FOOD RULE IS COMPLETE NONSENSE?

    Trying to please everybody. It’s impossible. We’d rather do something different and do it properly.

    IF W SZOKU PAN WERE A PERSON?

    Colourful, impossible to ignore, dancing down the street to Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun.

    WHAT’S THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU CAN HEAR?

    “JESTEM W SZOKU!” That’s literally why we chose the name.

    ONE VISIT. WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE ORDER?

    Any shokupan! Our regulars often recommend everything before we even get the chance. That’s the best advertising imaginable.

    Monika and Łukasz have survived kitchen arguments, opening-day disasters and the challenge of convincing people that bread can be something extraordinary. But perhaps their biggest achievement is building a place that feels as colourful and unpredictable as they are. And if you ever find yourself staring at a sandwich that somehow tastes like ramen, don’t overthink it. Just take another bite. Being W Szoku is kind of the point.

  • Swojski Smak Gdańsk: Big Pork Chops, Bigger Polish Traditions

    Swojski Smak Gdańsk: Big Pork Chops, Bigger Polish Traditions

    Gdańsk’s food scene has changed beyond recognition over the past twenty years, but Maciej Dąbski has never felt the need to chase every new trend. At Swojski Smak, he’s kept Polish tradition alive with honest cooking, forgotten flavours and pork chops big enough to make you question your ambitions. We sat down with Maciej to talk family inspiration, two decades in the restaurant business and why sometimes, old school still kicks ass.

    MACIEJ, WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE SWOJSKI SMAK?

    I spent several years working for international corporations, but always dreamed of running my own business. Perhaps I inherited that from my grandmother, a real businesswoman who owned a tailoring workshop.

    WHY OPEN A TRADITIONAL POLISH RESTAURANT?

    Over twenty years ago, Gdańsk had far fewer restaurants. I missed places serving simple, honest Polish food made with fresh ingredients. So my business partner and I created one.

    HOW HAS GDAŃSK’S FOOD SCENE CHANGED?

    Enormously! Today there’s something for every taste and budget. Watching new concepts appear is fascinating. We combine old-school hospitality with modern ideas, proving tradition still matters.

    HOW DO YOU KEEP TRADITIONAL FOOD INTERESTING?

    By listening to guests, travelling and discovering flavours across Poland. Our weekend specials let every chef experiment and introduce something new.

    WHAT SHOULD READERS TRY THIS AUTUMN?

    Definitely our venison dishes. Wild game is a wonderful Polish tradition that’s been somewhat forgotten. Our chef has created two autumn dishes rooted in traditional cooking.

    AND THAT LEGENDARY HUGE PORK CHOP?

    Pork chops have always been favourites here. Now we serve several versions, including lumberjack, Kashubian, royal and traditional. They’re absolute must-haves!

    You’ve created a dish called “Polish Cuisine in a Nutshell” — beef roulade, duck and venison all sharing one plate. If a foreign visitor had just one meal to understand Polish food, would this be your choice?

    We created it especially for international visitors curious about Polish food. Beef roulade, duck and venison together offer a little journey through our culinary traditions. One plate, several distinctly Polish flavours.

    OVER 150 POLISH VODKAS. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

    We wanted Swojski Smak to have something genuinely distinctive. Our collection celebrates Polish vodka’s history, craftsmanship and extraordinary variety. Among the highlights are Młody Ziemniak 2016, Śliwowica Podbeskidzka and U’Luvka.

    We even have our own Wódka Domu Swojski Smak, produced exclusively for us by a craft distillery. It comes in fruit, potato and three-grain varieties, plus traditional przepalanka. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate the differences.

    CAN VODKA REALLY COMPETE WITH WINE AT DINNER?

    Absolutely. Wine doesn’t have a monopoly on food pairing! Potato vodka works beautifully with beef tartare, our house vodka complements meat-filled pierogi, and herbal varieties suit mushrooms and spices. For dessert, try cherry liqueur with chocolate or mirabelle plum with fruit. The secret is balance. Drinks should complement the food, never overpower it.

    WHAT’S YOUR PERFECT SWOJSKI SMAK LUNCH?

    Our pork chop, naturally! I’d choose the smaller version. We also offer 20% off the menu on weekdays between 12:00 and 14:00, making traditional restaurant cooking more accessible, particularly for people working nearby.

    FINAL ONE. EVER PUT SOMETHING COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED ON THE MENU?

    That’s exactly what our weekend specials are for! They give our chefs freedom to experiment with seasonal ingredients and surprising combinations. We’ve even served curry. Tradition doesn’t mean refusing to try something different.