While Powiśle was once the bubbling epicenter of Warsaw’s flirtation with full-bearded hipsterdom, today the area has moved forward, gentrified and matured. This new, cultivated mentality is especially pronounced on Rozbrat, a highly aspirational street in the process of being infilled with smart brasseries and bistros. First, on any self-respecting safari round Powiśle, must come Rozbrat 20.

Warsaw doesn’t traditionally do breakfast, at least not very well. Gradually, that’s changing, and you can thank places like this for that. A pioneer of the neo-bistro philosophy, R20’s menu draws on many of the techniques and flavors associated with fine dining, but with none of the overkill and formality: on the contrary, it’s a place to be enjoyed. However, before you get to the dinner choices, then swing by at the start of the day for their bread & breakfast options: in my case, creamy fried eggs, lightly grilled bacon, some fried mushrooms and smattering of Ferrari red tomatoes. Now that’s a good start to any day.

Round the corner, Fabryczna. Looking for a place in which to shut the world out and stick your nose in a book? Head to this warm den to sink inside a comfy retro chairs and soak up the natural light that pours through the window. It’s a place to eavesdrop, catch-up on reading and generally daydream the morning away. And it’s all that much better for their perfect flat whites and neighborly charm.

Yet as tempting as it is to spend the rest of the afternoon in Fabryczna, doing so would overlook the third core venue in this little micro-district.

A place of good vibes and good news, Dyletanci is a place that presents fantastic wines handpicked by owner Maciej Sodaj against the eclectic cooking of the immensely talented Rafał Hreczaniuk. FYI, pictured there is the gazpacho, a fabulous summer cooler made with the weather in mind.