Talk Of The Terraces
With the mercury rising, the Insider tracks down its top secret gardens and restaurant terraces…
Ale Wino
ul. Mokotowska 48
At first you think you’re walking into a car park. And then, it hits you – a beautiful inner-city sanctum with wooden decking, a slanted sail shielding the sun, and bespoke, funky chairs from the esteemed Studio Rygalik. You want to dwell here for a bit longer than planned: and there’s no harm in doing so.
Belvedere
ul. Agrykoli 1
Exotic botanical flourishes such as a one-hundred-year-old palm and elaborate latticework are the norm in Belvedere, an Imperial Age orangery set amid the immaculate lawns of Łazienki Park. An apex is reached each summer when diners chow down on posh food whilst preening peacocks strut with aloofness between the outdoor tables.
Amber Room
Al. Ujazdowskie 13
Hushed, lavish, cultured and classy, the wedding cake palace housing Amber Room is a veritable maze of extravagant rooms. The gorgeous interiors of this restored manor are rivaled only by a serene garden terrace in the front, and a sunken patio in the back that feels private and shielded from both the elements and the public.
Fest Port Czerniakowski
ul. Zaruskiego 8
Set inside a wooden lodge down a curling road flanked by water and woodland, there’s something about Fest that feels emotive and correct. It’s not a place of flash and fancy, it’s a place that’s honest, escapist and natural in its charm. Just by being here, you feel alive and well. A picture of unexpected pastoral bliss, it’s the next best thing to a weekend in the działka.
Kanapa
ul. Narbutta 10
The former private residence of the Syrian ambassador, this grand pre-war villa is the epitome of elegance. Secluded and still, the back garden is a riot of flowers and shrubs and a glorious spot for whispered trysts. The upscale Ukrainian food and seasonal grill slots in naturally with the surrounds.
Szóstka
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 9
For an experience that’s head and shoulders above the rest – quite literally – head to Szóstka, the sixth floor fine dining restaurant of the Hotel Warszawa. Long and narrow, the outdoor terrace is ideal for sunset moments with a cocktail in hand. Being here as the sun switches to shades of scarlet is a moment to be savored.
Stixx
Pl. Europejska 4A
Filled with winding walkways, pinches of greenery and fancy water features, Pl. Europejski has integrated seamlessly into the fabric of the city – but it would all feel incomplete without the presence of Stixx. With the roof rolled back on the all-weather terrace, and the Spire twinkling above, it’s a venue that feels completely international – a sensation amplified by the slick interior and cosmopolitan crowd.
Flaming & Co.
ul. Chopina 5
Seemingly inspired by a Long Island shoot for Hilfiger, Flaming has long been hailed as one of Warsaw’s summer heroes. Well-spaced tables separated by picket-fenced greenery allow for privacy, with the sophisticated air hitting new heights in the evening once the candles are lit. Shaded by the trees that loom overhead, it’s a space that feels cool, casual and confidently affluent.
Shoku
ul. Karolkowa 30
The superb pan-Asian food is bettered only by a 500 sq/m back lawn that feels almost impossibly pristine. Scattered with deckchairs, beanbags and blankets, the overriding impression is of being at a well-planned picnic. Helping everyone’s enjoyment are seasonally adjusted cocktails of genuine merit.
Eden
ul. Jakubowska 16
Adjoining a masterpiece of modernist architectural design, this discreet townhouse garden feels intriguing and discreet, with its crowning glory provided by an all-year greenhouse cluttered with herbs and pot plants. Coincide your visit with a big concert at the nearby National Stadium and you’ll get the added bonus of eavesdropping on a gig.
