With expertly crafted dishes by Chef Rafał Pędowski and a focus on seasonal ingredients, The EATERY trad. sets a new benchmark for Polish cuisine.
With expertly crafted dishes by Chef Rafał Pędowski and a focus on seasonal ingredients, The EATERY trad. sets a new benchmark for Polish cuisine.
When it comes to the frequently asked question about which is the best restaurant serving authentic Polish cuisine, the answer often changes as new places open up and raise the bar. Last year, The EATERY shone brightly in this regard when they opened in the backyard of Plac Konstytucji, offering modern flavors expertly prepared by seasoned chef Rafał Pędowski.
It has been a big year for The EATERY, winning a spot among the Top 50 Restaurateurs in Poland 2024 by Forbes and opening a new sister restaurant, just a year after their last one in the city center.
The EATERY trad. in Powiśle moves in on the ground floor of a characteristic 1960’s 13 story hotel with the letters ZNP on the roof, standing for the Polish Teachers’ Union, which has its headquarters nearby. The interiors are minimally sophisticated as their other restaurant, designed by co-owner Agnieszka Dubas. The original pastry colored stone walls and black and white marble floor harmonize with elegance touches of transparent glass and avant garde style line art murals making the whole building a little bit more Mies van der Rohe. There is a combiniation of feeling like you are in a wonderful cave supplied with a glowing back light from one side to a stage like over-sized window gracing the cavernous tall ceiling space on the other. A ribbon of sleek modern furniture line the outside setting the stage for summer, as the view of the park with the bustling Wisła behind it creates the perfect vibe to sit, talk, and sip The EATERY trad.’s sensational cocktails.
The EATERY trad.’s menu offers both small and large portion options, perfect for tasting and sharing dishes. Ordering a schabowy should the the first choice, but the hard decision is whether to share or keep it all to yourself. It is well prepared with a delicate, yet perfectly crisp exterior and the tenderest of pork inside. We added their golden potatoes and mizeria (thinly sliced or grated cucumbers with sweet sour cream and vinegar) to accompany the big plate of fried meaty lovejoy.
A telltale sign of a traditional Polish restaurant is adhering to the law of cooking with seasonal ingredients. If inspired by this article to visit The EATERY trad., do so soon while the wild garlic is still available and made into a sauce. It is intensely flavorful, perfect for dipping potatoes as well as smothering the asparagus it is served with. If you miss it, no worries; there are plenty more delectable things to choose from, like the pyzy dumplings with pork and beef inside, topped with bacon bits. Served four on a plate, they resemble little steamed buns that are soft to bite into, revealing a juicy meaty core. This dish pairs perfectly with their Plum Cocktail, which combines sweetness from their own marinated plums and smoky top shelf whiskey.
Another must-order from their menu is the kaszanka (blood sausage). The bed of crispy onions and broken-up kaszanka under an apple filled with walnuts, honey, and cinnamon sets a benchmark for this dish that you will always refer to. Staying true to the seasonal theme, their rhubarb szarlotka with marshmallowy beza inside is so amazing that I suggest ordering a slice to go and bringing it to your babcia to knock her socks off!
