Category: Gdynia

  • Spoko Taco Lands in Gdynia! But Is Riviera’s New Mexican Street Food Worth the Hype?

    Spoko Taco Lands in Gdynia! But Is Riviera’s New Mexican Street Food Worth the Hype?

    Tacos, burritos, melted cheese and a little Mexican madness. Gdynia’s biggest shopping centre has a spicy new arrival — and we’re already getting hungry.

    Forget another boring shopping-centre lunch. Spoko Taco has officially opened at Centrum Riviera in Gdynia, bringing Mexican-inspired street food to the mall’s first-floor food court.

    The restaurant opened on October 17, becoming only the second Spoko Taco location in Poland, following its debut in Kraków.

    Behind the concept is Mex Polska, a publicly listed hospitality group operating more than 65 restaurants and bars. Clearly, somebody believes Poland is ready for a serious taco invasion.

    What’s on the Menu?

    Expect tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and customisable bowls, with plenty of sauces to keep things interesting.

    The concept promises bold flavours, affordable prices and quick service, whether you’re eating in, grabbing takeaway or ordering delivery.

    And the opening certainly wasn’t quiet. According to Spoko Taco, customers were already waiting before 10 a.m., with crowds arriving throughout the day. There was even live music to celebrate.

    Apparently, Gdynia doesn’t need much convincing when melted cheese is involved.

    But Is It Actually Any Good?

    Colourful interiors and a packed opening day are one thing. A genuinely good taco? That’s another conversation.

    3City Daily will be visiting Spoko Taco at Riviera very soon to put the food to the test. We’ll check the flavours, portions, prices and whether this new arrival deserves a regular spot on Gdynia’s food map.

    And don’t worry, we’re not interested in simply repeating the marketing slogans.

    We’ll bring our appetites, our opinions and absolutely no diplomatic immunity for disappointing guacamole.

    Stay tuned for our independent review.

  • Gdańsk Wins Nightlife Battle. Gdynia Loses, Sopot Laughs.

    Gdańsk Wins Nightlife Battle. Gdynia Loses, Sopot Laughs.

    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.

    Case closed.

    Now, who’s buying the next round?

  • Gdynia: Boring or Brilliant? Our Court Poll Shows It’s a Tale of Two Evenings

    Gdynia: Boring or Brilliant? Our Court Poll Shows It’s a Tale of Two Evenings

    The Verdict: Gdynia Isn’t Boring. It Just Doesn’t Try as Hard as Sopot.

    Gdynia has had its day in City Court, and the verdict is in.

    Almost half the voters reckon Gdynia is underrated. Another 31% think it’s fine until 10 pm. And roughly one in five admit they find it a little boring.

    Fair enough. Not every city needs to be everyone’s cup of tea.

    Spend an afternoon around Świętojańska, grab a coffee, wander down to Skwer Kościuszki or walk along the Bulwar, and it’s easy to understand why locals love the place.

    But let’s talk about Saturday night.

    While Sopot is filling up with people looking for trouble and Gdańsk is deciding which bar to hit next, Gdynia can feel like someone’s already called last orders.

    Then again, ask a proper Gdynia local whether they’d swap their city for Sopot, and you’ll probably get laughed out of the room.

    Maybe that’s the whole point. Gdynia has never been desperate to impress anyone.

    The final verdict? Gdynia is officially underrated, occasionally sleepy and completely unapologetic about it.

    Case closed. Now somebody find us a bar that’s still open.

  • Marta Takes the Helm: Shaking Up Gdańsk’s Cultural Scene at NCK

    Marta Takes the Helm: Shaking Up Gdańsk’s Cultural Scene at NCK

    Marta has swapped the music world and boardrooms for the business of shaking up Gdańsk’s cultural scene. Now running the Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury, she’s questioning festival fever, challenging the cultural establishment and dreaming of taking Polish art out to sea. We caught up with a woman who respects tradition but isn’t afraid to rock the boat.

    You’ve worked in PR, music and business. Was there ever a career plan?

    Not exactly a map, more a compass. I’ve always been curious about people and willing to take risks. Every experience gave me something I could use elsewhere. The common thread has always been connecting people and ideas.

    You inherited NCK after Lawrence Ugwu’s 20-year leadership. Preserve or reinvent?

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Both. Lawrence left an important legacy, but respecting history doesn’t mean repeating it. Culture must respond to a changing world. I’m interested in meaningful development, not change for its own sake.

    Can publicly funded culture ever be politically independent?

    Public accountability is essential, but political interference in artistic programming is another matter. Independence means protecting creative freedom and remaining faithful to our mission, even when that’s uncomfortable.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    You’ve criticised the obsession with festivals and events. Why?

    We sometimes confuse activity with cultural significance. Counting concerts and visitors is easy. Measuring whether culture changes someone’s thinking or creates lasting relationships is much harder. We don’t always need more events. We need more meaning.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Has the cultural world become an exclusive club?

    That’s a real danger. Culture develops its own language and hierarchies. Accessibility isn’t just about ticket prices. It’s about making people feel welcome, even without specialist knowledge.

    What should newcomers to Gdańsk experience at NCK?

    Start with a concert at St John’s Centre, then discover the Old Town Hall. You don’t need fluent Polish to connect with culture. Sometimes belonging begins with a shared experience.

    Unlimited budget. Complete artistic freedom. What’s your wildest idea?

    A sailing ship carrying Pomeranian artists around the Baltic, stopping at ecological marinas, connecting creators, scientists and communities. A cultural expedition asking one question: What does it mean to be Baltic? We know the Mediterranean’s story. It’s time to tell ours.

    Marta isn’t interested in filling calendars just to keep everyone happy. She wants culture that challenges, connects and actually means something. And if her dream of taking Pomeranian artists around the Baltic on a sailing ship ever becomes reality, we’ll be watching. Because Marta didn’t take the helm to play it safe. She came to make waves.

  • Ogniem i Piecem Gdynia: Pizza, Music and No Half Measures

    Ogniem i Piecem Gdynia: Pizza, Music and No Half Measures

    Forget white tablecloths and polite little bites. At Ogniem i Piecem, pizza comes with attitude, music runs through the DNA, and playing it safe was never part of the plan. We sat down with Ola and Krzysztof

    OLA, WHAT CAME FIRST: PIZZA OR MUSIC?

    Ola: Pizza! My uncle founded OiP when I was around 20. I’d return from modelling abroad and head straight there with my suitcase. It became our hangout. Undadasea grew out of that world. Music, friends and pizza were always connected.

    KRZYSZTOF, HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?

    Krzysiek: I’d worked my way up from barback to manager. I joined OiP as manager, then became a partner in 2019. Now Ola and I run it together.

    WAS THIS EVER A SERIOUS BUSINESS PLAN?

    Ola: More like, “Fuck it, let’s make something happen!” We wanted a welcoming place, not a corporate restaurant. There was plenty of chaos until Krzysiek brought some order. There’s still a little chaos today!

    HOW MUCH OF THE UNDERGROUND SCENE REMAINS?

    Ola: All of it. Independence, collaboration and doing things our way still define OiP.

    DID YOU INTENTIONALLY BUILD A COMMUNITY?

    Ola: Not at all. We just lived our lives there. Friends came, parties happened, pizza travelled everywhere. The community built itself.

    to talk dough, Gdynia’s underground scene and the beautiful chaos

    behind one of the city’s most recognisable pizza spots.

    EVERYONE CLAIMS THEIR PIZZA IS SPECIAL. WHY YOURS?

    Ola & Krzysiek: We won’t reveal the secret! But our pizza has its own unmistakable taste. Try a slice, then a whole pizza. They’re different experiences.

    WHAT’S THE HARDEST PART OF MAKING GREAT PIZZA?

    Krzysiek: The dough. It takes around 24 hours. Temperature matters, technique matters, but patience matters most. You can’t rush good dough.

    WHICH PIZZA DESERVES MORE LOVE?

    Krzysiek: Batata! White sauce, spicy salami, sweet potato, mozzarella and parsley. Sweet and spicy together. An underrated classic.

    WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST PIZZA YOU’VE SERVED?

    Krzysiek: Pizza ruska, inspired by pierogi, with potato, cottage cheese, bacon, red onion, dill and sour cream. The name caused controversy after Russia invaded Ukraine, although it has nothing to do with Russia.

    PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA: CRIME OR GENIUS?

    Krzysiek: Like putting Coke in expensive whisky. If you enjoy it, go ahead! We don’t serve pineapple, though.

    WHAT DO PEOPLE OVERLOOK ON YOUR MENU?

    Krzysiek: Our pasta! Everyone thinks we’re only about pizza, but our pasta, changing soups and salads deserve attention too.

    WHAT’S THE MOST OIP THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED?

    Ola: Our tenth birthday in 2023. Live rap, a packed restaurant, people spilling into the street, dancing everywhere and eating pizza. Pure OiP.

    KRZYSZTOF, WHAT DRIVES YOU CRAZY ABOUT OLA?

    Krzysiek: She constantly checks whether we’re achieving our goals. It’s annoying, but I actually asked her to do it! The more she pushes, the better the business runs.

    ONE LAST DINNER. WHO’S COMING AND WHAT’S PLAYING?

    Krzysiek: Anthony Bourdain and my closest friends. A bottle of rum, definitely. First track? Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life. Hospitality is constant crisis management. You just keep getting back up.

    For Ola and Krzysztof, Ogniem i Piecem has never been just about pizza. It’s the friendships, the music, the late nights and all the beautiful chaos in between. And after everything they’ve built together, one thing is clear: the pizza brings people in, but Ola and Krzysztof give them a reason to stay.

  • Baltic Pilates Gdynia: Small Moves, Big Burns & Muscles You Never Knew Existed

    Baltic Pilates Gdynia: Small Moves, Big Burns & Muscles You Never Knew Existed

    Stiff, stressed or feeling your age?

    Meet Anna from Baltic Pilates in Orłowo, where small classes and personal attention help you move better and feel better.

    ANNA, WHAT MADE YOU LEAVE CORPORATE LIFE FOR PILATES?

    After years in project management, I wanted something completely mine. One Pilates training led to another. I started teaching, worked at three studios, then thought, if not now, when?

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    DOES BEING SO CLOSE TO THE BALTIC INFLUENCE YOUR STUDIO?

    Absolutely. Life moves slower by the sea. I wanted the studio to feel the same. Somewhere you can escape the rush outside.

    WHY LIMIT CLASSES TO FOUR PEOPLE?

    Pilates is about connecting mind and body. With four people, everyone gets attention. You’re not lost in a crowd of thirty.

    HAS INSTAGRAM TURNED PILATES INTO EXPENSIVE LEGGINGS AND STUNTS?

    Sometimes! People do ridiculous things on equipment for likes. That’s not Pilates. The real method is about control, not showing off.

    WHAT SURPRISES BEGINNERS MOST?

    Discovering muscles they never knew existed! Or suddenly noticing better posture in the mirror.

    WHAT ABOUT MEN WHO ONLY LIFT WEIGHTS?

    Try Pilates! It improves control and complements weights, running, and sports.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    WHAT IF I’M TOO OLD, STIFF AND UNFIT?

    Most beginners are in their 40’s! I work with the body in front of me. No crazy exercises, just patience and progress.

    WILL I BE SORE AFTERWARDS?

    Not necessarily. You’ll probably feel taller, lighter and more comfortable in your body.

    WHAT’S YOUR BEST PROOF THAT IT’S NEVER TOO LATE?

    Our oldest client is 83. She started at 81 and wishes she’d discovered Pilates sooner.

    Baltic Pilates proves that strength isn’t always about lifting heavy or pushing harder. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, finding your balance and discovering muscles you never knew existed. And if you can still walk down the stairs afterwards, consider that a bonus.

  • Love Chaos and Banana Soup in Gdynia

    Love Chaos and Banana Soup in Gdynia

    It started with an insult over żurek. Eight years, two kids and one banana soup disaster later, Karolina and Paweł have turned Gary na Ogniu into a Gdynia legend. Now they’re cooking up something even bigger. What could possibly go wrong?

    WHY SOUP, OF ALL THINGS?

    Karolina: We met working in a restaurant. I criticised Paweł’s żurek before we even knew each other!

    Paweł: Days later, I made her a spectacular two-coloured soup. Was I showing off or flirting?

    Probably both!

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    WAS OPENING A RESTAURANT ALWAYS THE DREAM?

    Paweł: Absolutely! We waited until we felt ready, although nothing really prepares you for running one.

    EIGHT YEARS ON STAROWIEJSKA. BEST MEMORY?

    Paweł: Opening day. We sold out in four hours! I also cooked for hospitals during COVID. The solidarity was unforgettable.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    A BIGGER GARY NA OGNIU IN GDYNIA?

    Karolina: After nearly a year, we secured our dream premises! Renovations are chaotic, but we’re creating something bigger and more welcoming.

    EXCITED OR TERRIFIED?

    Paweł: Both! One minute we’re imagining our beautiful new restaurant. The next we’re wondering what the hell we’ve got ourselves into!

    CRAZIEST SOUP YOU’VE SERVED?

    Paweł: Banana soup. Complete disaster! Karolina: My idea inspired our lemon chicken soup. Our chefs call it culinary sacrilege. Customers love it!

    FIRST VISIT. WHAT MUST I ORDER?

    Karolina: Thai chicken soup! Our bestseller, and always the first to disappear.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    MARRIAGE AND BUSINESS. WHO’S THE BOSS?

    Paweł: With two children and a restaurant, peace is practically extinct! Karolina: We agree on the goals, just not how to reach them. Eventually, Paweł realises I’m right!

    EVER WANTED TO WALK AWAY?

    Paweł: Every six months we dream of escaping to a cabin in the Bieszczady Mountains! Karolina: We’ve never seriously wanted to quit. Sometimes you need rest, not a different life.

    BIGGEST RISK?

    WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? Karolina: Marrying Paweł! Absolutely, although next time I’d include unlimited therapy sessions! Paweł: Leaving Bytom for Gdynia. I planned three months. Instead, I found a wife, children and a restaurant. Next time I’d pack a bigger suitcase!

    From a pot of żurek to a Gdynia favourite, Karolina and Paweł have built Gary na Ogniu on equal parts courage, stubbornness and a marriage that’s survived both restaurant life and banana soup. Now they’re preparing for an even bigger adventure, proving that sometimes the best things happen when you refuse to play it safe. And if it all gets too much, there’s always that escape plan to the Bieszczady mountains. But knowing these two, they’d probably end up opening a soup kitchen there too.

  • Kosmos Coffee Gdańsk: Coffee With Neighbourhood Character

    Kosmos Coffee Gdańsk: Coffee With Neighbourhood Character

    SOME CAFÉS SERVE COFFEE. OTHERS BECOME PART OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD’S DNA. AT KOSMOS, ARLETTA HAS CREATED A LITTLE UNIVERSE OF OLD RECORDS, UNEXPECTED FRIENDSHIPS AND WONDERFULLY ECCENTRIC REGULARS. WE STEPPED INSIDE TO DISCOVER HOW IT ALL BEGAN.

    How did Kosmos begin?

    I spotted an old leather workshop. Its mosaic reminded me of Szczecin’s Kosmos cinema. I knew immediately: this was my café.

    What makes the space special?

    Its history. I kept the colourful 60s and 70s atmosphere while giving it new life.

    Any surprises during renovation?

    Plenty of neighbourly stories. Even getting a belt repaired became an excuse for a chat!

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Are you always this sociable?

    Behind the bar, yes. Outside work, I’m an introvert who loves peace and quiet.

    How much of you is in Kosmos?

    Everything! The music, books, photographs, décor and coffee all reflect our personalities.

    When did it become a community hub?

    Almost immediately. Neighbours connected, and local suppliers became friends.

    Who’s influencing whom — you or the neighbourhood?

    Both. I bring my values to Kosmos, and the community gives just as much back.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Do you have legendary regulars?

    Absolutely! The self-proclaimed “Cosmic Furniture” have become friends with each other.

    Is Kosmos more than coffee?

    Kids use our old typewriter, others knit or listen to records. It’s a place to slow down.

    What would you miss most?

    The atmosphere and our wonderful mix of personalities.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Any plans for a Kosmos empire?

    No chance! I’d rather enjoy running one café than stress over ten.

    If Kosmos were an album?

    Colourful experimental jazz. No question.

    Which regular deserves a movie?

    Wojtek, our Scrabble champion. Chick Corea’s Return to Forever playing on our turntable won him over.

    Photo by Adalat Naghiyev

    Your favourite Kosmos memory?

    Renovating with friends. Music, camping-stove coffee, laughter and endless hugs.

    Who does Kosmos really belong to?

    Our crew, our guests and everyone who helped create it. They’ve all left something of themselves here.