Forget tech startups and luxury hotels. Apparently, the real money in Sopot is hiding inside a bowl of fish soup.
For over 30 years, Bar Przystań has been feeding hungry locals and tourists on Sopot’s beachfront. Long queues, mountains of fried fish and enough chips to feed a small country. But nobody expected the numbers to be quite this ridiculous.
According to Forbes, the family-run restaurant generated a staggering 37.7 million PLN in revenue in 2025, with 16.6 million PLN in net profit.
Yes, that’s profit. After expenses.
275,000 Bowls of Soup. Seriously.
The figures are almost as outrageous as the queues outside.
In just one year, Bar Przystań reportedly sold:
275,000 portions of Fisherman’s Soup
150,000 portions of fries
40 tonnes of Atlantic cod
The restaurant can accommodate around 525 customers at once, with orders typically served within 15 minutes.
That’s not just a beach bar. That’s a fish-powered money machine.
From Humble Beach Bar to Millions
Behind the success are the Kaniewski and Juszczakiewicz families, who have spent more than three decades building the business in the same beachfront location.
Now run by the second generation, including Damian Kaniewski and Łukasz Juszczakiewicz, Bar Przystań has become one of Sopot’s most remarkable family-business success stories.
No fancy international expansion. No celebrity chef empire. Just one location, a seriously efficient operation and a lot of hungry people. Just check the queues…
The 3City Daily Verdict
While half of Sopot is busy complaining about restaurant prices, Bar Przystań is quietly generating millions from fish soup, cod and chips.
16.6 million PLN in annual profit. From a beach bar.
Suddenly, that queue outside looks a little different.
And somewhere in Sopot, a restaurant owner is seriously reconsidering their menu.
Maybe we should all stop chasing the next big business idea and start selling fish soup.
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.
Sopot isn’t exactly short of pretty places, but Palotna is doing something a little different. Hidden inside a beautiful 19th-century building, it’s part photography studio, part creative playground and part meeting place for people with interesting ideas. We caught up with Katia, the woman behind it all, to talk unexpected friendships, flamenco nights, unusual workshops and why running a beautiful space sometimes means carrying bricks in a dress. Oh, and apparently, she’s still waiting for two guests to fall in love and get married.
What’s the secret to making a space feel special rather than just beautiful?
Freedom. Beautiful interiors catch your eye, but feelings stay with you. Our 19th-century building has incredible character, yet it’s the people who bring it alive. I want visitors to leave inspired, connected or simply happy.
Sopot is famous for beaches and nightlife. Where does Palotna fit in?
Sopot has many personalities! You can spend the afternoon on the beach and the evening at an intimate dinner or creative workshop. Our guests love dressing up for events, too. Sometimes everyone deserves to feel like the main character!
What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened at Palotna?
We’ve danced flamenco, tasted olive oil from wine glasses and held silent tea gatherings. For our birthday, we even made a 15-kilogram cake resembling real soil! But the most meaningful moments are hearing how our events have changed someone’s life.
Before Palotna, who was Katia?
Was creating your own space always the dream?
I’ve always loved creating environments where people can flourish. From volunteering with children to working in HR in IT, that idea followed me everywhere. Palotna simply gave it a physical home, filled with sunlight, flowers and creativity.
Palotna isn’t simply a photography studio. What was your original vision?
I wanted somewhere people could meet, create and inspire each other without being confined to one role. Sopot has so many different personalities, and I wanted Palotna to reflect that same freedom.
Tell us about the new Immersive Garden. Where did the idea come from?
It began with memories of an apple orchard outside my home in Belarus. I realised physical gardens can disappear, but the gardens inside us remain. Graphic and set designer Ekaterina Burlak, bonatical designer Ikebanistka Anka Floral and I brought that philosophy to life for Palotna’s first birthday.
Have any unexpected friendships started at Palotna?
Absolutely! People meet at our events, become friends, go on walks or start creative projects together. You can organise an event, but you can’t organise chemistry. Honestly, all that’s left is for us to get someone married! (Laughs.)
If you could give anyone the keys to Palotna for one night, who gets them?
A complete stranger! No rules, no expectations. I’d return the next morning to discover what happened. Maybe they’d transform the studio or throw the party of their lives. I love the unknown.
If someone made a film about your life, what would surprise the audience most?
That I’m still searching. I have more ideas than time — books to write, projects to create and dreams of expanding Palotna. My mind is constantly building something new. I don’t have all the answers, but I love that my story is still unfolding.
After chatting with Katia, you realise Palotna isn’t really about beautiful interiors. It’s about the people, the unexpected friendships and the wonderfully strange things that happen when creativity takes over. She’s already hosted flamenco nights, silent tea parties and a cake that looked like dirt. Now she’s hoping someone finds love there. And if Palotna ever hosts its first wedding, we’re betting the cake will be the least normal thing about it.
Sopot after dark. A few drinks, questionable decisions and stories nobody wants repeated the next morning. Tucked away from the usual tourist madness is SPOT, a cocktail bar run by Michał, a former club promoter and barber who’s heard enough drunken confessions to write a bestseller. We tracked him down to talk cocktails, Sopot nightlife, customers behaving badly and why owning a bar means you’re basically at a party every night. Unfortunately, you’re also the one cleaning up afterwards.
SPOT is hidden away in Sopot. Genius, marketing or pure accident?
Pure accident! But maybe that’s what makes it special. Finding us isn’t easy, but once you do, you’ll remember the way back.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
How did you end up owning a cocktail bar?
I started as a club promoter. Terrible fit! Then I worked my way behind the bar and fell in love with bartending. When the chance to open SPOT came along, I grabbed it.
Has Sopot nightlife lost its soul?
It’s changed enormously in my nine years here. But there’s still an alternative to the tourist madness. That’s us! Fair prices, a great crew, karaoke and darts coming soon.
Come on, what’s the wildest thing you’ve witnessed?
Hundreds of stories. Unfortunately, what happens at SPOT stays at SPOT. Sorry!
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Are bartenders really unpaid psychologists?
Absolutely! You need serious mental resilience. Some confessions are so outrageous I wish people had kept them to themselves.
What’s with the retro, slightly underground décor?
I grew up in the countryside loving nature. I made or modified much of the interior myself, with help from friends. There’s a lot of me in these walls.
Who’s the biggest nightmare customer?
Honestly, anyone can cause trouble
once alcohol gets involved!
Three drinks we absolutely must try?
Our signature Kiwi Star and Pineapple Kiss. And a classic Long Island Iced Tea. Two of those and your evening is definitely underway!
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Have cocktails become ridiculously pretentious?
I’ve always believed beauty lies in simplicity. Give me a modest, clever garnish over a ridiculous fruit salad balanced on a glass.
What changes between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.?
Alcohol can completely transform people. But I think everyone already knows that!
Do you still enjoy partying on your nights off?
I used to be the first at the bar! Now I own one, my life has changed completely. Free time means improving SPOT or fixing whatever broke over the weekend. I’m already at a party every night!
What’s guaranteed to annoy you?
Guests bringing their own alcohol. Seriously? It’s disrespectful. You wouldn’t bring your own steak to a restaurant.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
One rule for Sopot nightlife?
Have fun together without unnecessary fights. Enjoy yourselves, behave like civilised human beings. Simple!
And what’s the secret behind Michał?
Determination and stubbornness. Once I decide to do something, I don’t give up easily. That’s probably why SPOT exists. I never imagined I’d end up running my own place, but here we are. Sometimes the best decisions are the ones you don’t overthink.
Michał has spent nine years watching Sopot after dark, and somehow he’s still smiling. Behind the cocktails, cheeky stories and occasional drunken idiot is a bloke who’s built his own little corner of the city’s nightlife. We left with one burning question: what exactly has he witnessed behind that bar? He wouldn’t tell us. Which probably means half of Sopot should be very, very grateful.
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.
It was one of those glorious late-summer afternoons in Sopot when the last thing you wanted to do was sit indoors. Fortunately, at M15, you don’t have to.
“Here’s where M15 gets interesting.
As summer disappears and Sopot’s beach crowds head home, M15 doesn’t pack up and disappear with them. The restaurant moves its beachside dining indoors, keeping those beautiful sea views while swapping summer cocktails and lighter dishes for goose, venison and warming winter teas.
I found myself having lunch with the head chef, literally on the beach, with the Baltic stretching out in front of us. Sunshine, sea air, good conversation and, most importantly, seriously good food. Not a bad afternoon at the office.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
And then there’s the real winter attraction. Saunas. On the actual beach.
We got talking about what makes M15 tick. For the chef, the sea isn’t simply a pretty backdrop. It’s part of the restaurant’s identity.
Not tucked away in some hotel basement. Right there beside the Baltic, where you can sit in the heat watching the waves before stepping outside into the cold sea air.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
His signature recommendation?
Cod with wasabi potato purée, paprika sauce and root vegetable granita. There’s also fish soup, Baltic sprats and rather clever cod pierogi with browned butter and chive oil.
The sauna season begins on 1 October, with sauna-master ceremonies featuring music, aromas and carefully choreographed heat rituals. There are evening sessions and weekend sunrise experiences, which the chef describes as particularly spectacular when the beach is deserted.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
And if fish isn’t your thing, there’s a 60-day dry-aged steak that the chef speaks about with the sort of affection most people reserve for their children.
Naturally, I asked about the inevitable Baltic plunge.
His advice?
Don’t overthink it. Apparently, the hardest part is taking that first step. For anyone not quite ready to throw themselves into the Baltic, there are also ice barrels waiting.
And his idea of the perfect M15 winter experience?
Cod pierogi, hot tea with honey, cinnamon and ginger, a sunset sauna ceremony and a quick dip in the sea.
Having enjoyed M15 in the summer sunshine, I reckon I owe the place a return visit when the temperature drops.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
I ended my afternoon at M15 with my feet in the Baltic, a cocktail in hand and absolutely no desire to be anywhere else. Not a bad way to finish a working day. But with those beach saunas calling, I reckon I’ll be back when the temperature drops. Next time, I’ll swap the cocktails for a sauna. The Baltic can do its worst.
Gaweł, who the hell are you when the cameras are off and there’s nobody left to impress?
The cameras, restaurant and attention haven’t changed me. I’m still the guy who has to find out what’s around the corner. I chase the unknown, taste, explore and soak up life. The only one who slows me down is Boguś, my ridiculously affectionate dog, who has more patience with me than I do.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Restaurant, fame, TV show. Ambition, ego or refusing an ordinary life?
I’ve always had an enormous appetite for life. I love discovering new things and finding out what’s next. I refuse to stand still.
Everyone sees charming Gaweł. When does Dark Gaweł come out?
I’m emotional, feel everything deeply and overthink far too much. When I care, I give 100%. Disappointment hits hard, but I’ve learned not every relationship is worth saving. Sometimes you appreciate the lesson, close the door and move on. No regrets.
Sopot: seaside postcard or midnight playground? What’s your wildest printable story?
I came for the nightlife, but now I love the peace, especially out of season. As a student in Wrocław, I’d come to Sopot to party, sleep in my car because I couldn’t afford a hotel, hang my clothes up to avoid creases and brush my teeth at a petrol station.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
“After all these years, what keeps you coming back to Cały Gaweł?”
Honestly, Cały Gaweł is about people. An incredible team and loyal guests, from Sopot and across Poland. I even go there to forget my own problems. After years of hard work, knowing we’ve created somewhere people genuinely feel good is the greatest reward.
Your perfect, slightly unconventional day in Sopot?
I start with a forest walk with Boguś, then matcha at Cały Gaweł and filming recipes. If I’ve got a free afternoon, I cycle along Obrońców Westerplatte, past Villa Bergera and down the coast to Nowy Port. Headphones on, music blasting — I’m starring in my own music video. I also love Małe Molo and LAS café.
Every success story has an ugly chapter. What’s yours?
At university, I worked in a bank opening business accounts, making hundreds of calls daily. To this day, I hate phone calls. Seriously. Just text me.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
TV Gaweł versus real-life Gaweł. What’s the difference?
Imagine walking onto a TV set with 35 people and absolutely no experience. We filmed six episodes in two days — a crash course in television! But I quickly relaxed. The most important thing was staying myself. I never wanted to invent some polished TV version of Gaweł.
What makes the polished Gaweł completely lose it laughing?
Almost anything! I don’t take life too seriously, especially myself. The past year and a half has been the happiest period of my adult life. I feel lighter, laugh more and appreciate everything I’ve built. Nothing lasts forever, which makes enjoying the present even more important.
Ever smiled at someone while thinking, “What an absolute idiot”?
More than once! Haha! I try to see the good in everyone, but I have zero tolerance for fakeness, selfishness or insincerity. If I sense it, I’ll say it to your face. Honesty matters, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
What’s the stupidest decision you’ve made that turned out brilliantly?
Opening my restaurant. I imagined having my own table, sitting back and enjoying the atmosphere. I had no idea what happened behind the scenes. I lost seven kilos in the first week, followed by years of hard work and mistakes. But it became the project of my life. Ten years later, it still is.
What’s the most ridiculous thing people do to look important in Sopot?
Showing up at every event just to be seen. I’d rather be at my restaurant with my guests and team, or creating recipes in my kitchen. I don’t need to be everywhere.
What experience changed how you see food?
Copenhagen taught me that exceptional food doesn’t need complexity. Just a few outstanding ingredients.
Which criticism hurts because it’s true?
That I’m stubborn. I prefer to call it having standards. Haha!
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
What scandal would your friends reveal anonymously?
That most of my Instagram content gets published during my morning bathroom routine.
What behaviour makes you lose faith in people?
Disrespecting restaurant staff. I’m close to my team, and I won’t tolerate anyone treating them badly. I’ll always speak up.
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve worn?
An enormous trench coat borrowed from my mum in high school. I thought I looked like the Wizard of Oz. My style is rebellious minimalism, and I regret nothing!
Your most expensive mistake, beyond money?
Investing years in a friendship I knew wasn’t right. Eventually, I said, “ENOUGH.” Friendship means giving back the energy you receive. It must work both ways.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Your most extravagant indulgence?
Quality and originality. Forget glitz and champagne. I love places where taste, detail and passion come together and genuinely make my pulse race.
Ever broken your own rules?
My rules are sacred.
If you could change anything in Sopot for 24 hours?
I’d make people stop watching each other and start taking a genuine interest in one another.
What’s the biggest misconception about you?
That I’m impressed by the things that impress everyone else.
What would you tell everyone who’s underestimated you?
Come visit me at Cały Gaweł. I’d be happy to give you a high five.
Finally, what’s the truth you’ve spent longest hiding?
That I know everything. The truth is, there’s far more I don’t know than I do. That’s what keeps me curious about the world.
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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.
