Falstaff has compiled a list of some of the best (and most unusual) breakfasts available in Warsaw.
Bright and vibrant vegan dishes, Copenhagen vibes, iconic hotel cafés, and wine bars where you can start your day with a glass of pet-nat (natural sparkling wine) – there are many exciting ways to enjoy your breakfast in Warsaw.
Kubuś Piekarenka is one of the trendiest breakfast spots in Warsaw right now, so don’t be surprised if you encounter queues here, and not only on weekends. Such hype is completely justified: the owners have transformed the former grocery store into a true work of art, with pastel swans on the walls, moderately eccentric furniture, and vibrant colour accents. However, the main attraction here is the breakfasts, which are perhaps the most photogenic in the Polish capital. Iron trays, vintage ice cream cups, elegant egg holders, and plates casually filled with portions of homemade butter are all part of the experience. Baked apples with cinnamon and whipped cream, smoked mackerel paste with cottage cheese, egg, dill, and bread, or the local favourite – an omelette with crayfish in tomato sauce and vodka. It is recommended to try absolutely everything on the menu (which, by the way, is not very extensive).
A minimalist yet impeccably designed place that focuses on the Danish approach to breakfast, which is served every day from 8am to 4:30pm. Simplicity, quality, and the finest ingredients take centre stage at Baken. The bread is homemade, artisanal and sourdough-based; the cheese and butter come from local farmers, and the eggs are from free-range hens. From these ingredients every morning they create simple and understandable but absolutely stunning dishes – toast with Emilgrana cheese and farm ham, smorrebrods with salmon and homemade ketchup and, of course, the main local highlight – the “Copenhagen plate” – with airy creamy butter, organic Gouda cheese, a bag-cooked egg, and fruit jam. It vividly proves that all genius is indeed very simple.
If you can't imagine breakfast without vibrant colours and equally vibrant flavors, then Lychees, an exuberant vegan project, is the place for you. It operates exclusively for breakfasts half of the day (from 9am to 4pm). The menu here is compact and unconventional, but never tiresome. It's a blend of Polish, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences seasoned with a considerable dose of creativity and boldness. Congee with cashew butter, oyster mushrooms glazed in muscovado and salsa macha, toast with potato and smoked tofu salad, potato chips, gochujang mayonnaise, and canola oil, or Kohlrabi and russet apple with burned lemon dressing, togarashi, and plant-based labneh are just a portion of the magical array of local dishes on offer. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without sourdough bread with plant-based butter and jam.
A separate part of any gastronomic program is breakfast at five-star hotels. This option always has its fans, and it's completely justified: starting the day in a luxurious setting, being confident in the quality of food and service, and not having to think about anything – it's a great way to start the day. In Warsaw, there is a perfect spot for such people: the renowned Café Bristol, which can easily be called a timeless Warsaw classic. The café is located in the eponymous hotel, built in 1901, right in the heart of Warsaw, just a few steps away from the Old Town. Inside, there is an almost pre-war atmosphere – restrained, elegant, and noble. They serve a perfect selection of classic dishes for breakfast, both in presentation and taste, such as free-range fried egg, with pork bacon, mushrooms, roasted cherry tomatoes, and sourdough bread toast; homemade granola with natural yogurt, caramelized pineapple and pine syrup, or pancakes with homemade cherry comfiture, vanilla quark, toasted nuts and elderflower syrup. And, of course, there is a dessert display that always features a wide variety of tempting treats.
To experience being a true local resident trying the best bagels in the Polish capital, you should make your way to Serso in the Praga-Północ district. This small establishment, tucked away between the equally grey Warsaw houses, captivates you at first sight. It's almost always noisy here, with most guests being regulars, and the atmosphere of a craft bakery is evident as soon as you step inside. All the bagels are baked on site, and the approach to the quality of fillings inspires respect: if it’s salmon, it’s wild; if it’s cream cheese, it’s local, and even the vegan options are unconventional, like the ‘fake’ omelette with parsley, portobello mushrooms, and miso. It’s essential to come here in the first half of the day since Serso only works until 4pm, and most of the bagels can easily be sold out before lunchtime.
The fashion for certain venues comes and goes, but Bułkę przez Bibułkę doesn't care about that at all. Simple and straightforward breakfasts, which are served all day, have remained relevant for the past ten years. And it's completely justified. In the ‘Bułkę’ arsenal, there is a proven classic: oatmeal, pancakes, croissants with honey and jam, omelettes, and Turkish-style eggs. The prices are affordable for everything, the quality of the products is consistently good, breakfasts are served all day, and they come with a cappuccino or Americano priced at 6 zlotys (slightly over one euro). For those who are not afraid to start the morning with sparkling bubbles, it should be noted that Bułkę przez Bibułkę offers Prosecco for 7 zlotys per glass. It is not surprising that the establishments have gradually turned into a small chain: now there are already four Bułkę locations in Warsaw and another one is located in the suburbs, in the town of Konstancin-Jeziorna.
Mozaika is a cult place for several generations of Warsaw natives. The café appeared in the 1960s, and back then, it was a meeting place for the local bohemian crowd, with dances, lively parties, traditional Polish cuisine, and a decent amount of alcohol. The new owners decided not to completely break the concept but rather merge the old and the new into a unique and incomparable mix. The neon sign from 1971 still adorns the building façade, while inside they exposed concrete columns and marble floors, added elegant brass details and oak rails to the bar counter, and placed their focus on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes on the menu (although some classic dishes, including Warsaw-style tartare, remained). As a result, on weekends, you can encounter a diverse crowd: stylish youth sipping cocktails and taking selfies against the backdrop of antique chandeliers and elaborate mirrors at the bar counter, while elderly couples (possibly from the same bohemian scene of the 1960s) dance just like they did 50 years ago.
On weekends, they serve a city-wide famous breakfast (or rather brunch) in an all-you-can-eat format for 70 zlotys per person. It's a unique attraction that can be experienced on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 12:30pm.
A bar with natural wines and an ideal spot for breakfast – it seems like such a combination of concepts was destined to appear in Warsaw. From Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 2:30pm, the amazing wine project Rascal temporarily transforms into a specialty coffee place, where straightforward breakfasts are served. Scones with blackcurrant jam, three types of omelette, including one with gorgonzola, granola with yogurt, and four types of sourdough sandwiches – from egg/cheddar to mascarpone, honey, pistachio, and seasonal vegetables. Of course, all of this is complemented by excellent coffee ranging from hand brew to espresso tonic, but we recommend stopping by sometime in the evening to appreciate the local selection of natural wines.
If there is an ideal French bistro in Warsaw, it is located at Śniadeckich 18. That's where Krem is situated – a place that is unpretentious, straightforward, and absolutely timeless. On their local menu, you'll find impeccably prepared French classics: a huge section dedicated to Croque Monsieur, including options with smoked salmon or burrata, a ‘food porn’ section with raclettes and fondues, including a recipe with Mont d'Or cheese, tomato confit omelette, and a goat cheese cheesecake. All of this is perfect for a leisurely French breakfast, especially considering that Krem opens at 9am.
