Robert De Niro, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Meir Teper celebrate Warsaw’s anniversary with a rare Sake Ceremony — and break ground on Kraków’s future Nobu Culture District.
Robert De Niro, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Meir Teper celebrate Warsaw’s anniversary with a rare Sake Ceremony — and break ground on Kraków’s future Nobu Culture District.
In a weekend that blended star power, tradition, and urban transformation, the three founders of Nobu Hospitality—Robert De Niro, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Meir Teper—arrived in Poland for a dual celebration that underscored the nation’s dynamic cultural momentum. Their visit marked two milestones: Warsaw’s own anniversary-year reflections, celebrated with a ceremonious Kagami Biraki at Nobu Hotel Warsaw, and the symbolic start of a new chapter in Kraków, where construction on the world’s first Nobu Culture District is officially underway.
The Nobu Hotel Warsaw—now five years old and the first Nobu property in Central and Eastern Europe—hosted what insiders are already calling one of the most significant moments in the brand’s regional history. On Saturday evening, the founders presided over a Sake Ceremony, a ritual Nobu reserves for occasions that symbolise renewal, unity, and gratitude.
Their arrival set the tone: greeted with slices of bread, herring, and Polish vodka, the trio were welcomed in a gesture that linked Japanese hospitality with unmistakably local warmth. Hand-crafted Bolesławiec ceramics bearing their names, created by the century-old Polish pottery institution, ensured that even the keepsakes carried cultural resonance.
During the press conference, each founder reflected on Poland’s transformation. Meir Teper, whose parents originated from near Lublin, spoke emotionally about feeling “at home” and praised the country’s remarkable progress since 1989. De Niro recalled a previous Warsaw visit over three decades ago—too brief, he said—and expressed admiration for the city’s energy today. Chef Nobu shared insights on blending local ingredients with Japanese tradition and confirmed that De Niro’s longtime favourite remains the iconic black cod.
Guests were welcomed with a locally inspired cocktail and a performance by Tony Yike Yang, the youngest laureate in the history of the Chopin Piano Competition. The evening then culminated in the breaking of the sake barrel—an act symbolizing prosperity and new beginnings. For Warsaw, celebrating a milestone anniversary and its ongoing evolution, the gesture resonated deeply.
“The Sake Ceremony in Warsaw is a source of pride for all of us,” the founders said jointly, underscoring the hotel’s role as an artistic, culinary, and cross-cultural hub.
