Tłusty Czwartek is Warsaw at its most deliciously unbuttoned — queues out the door, powdered sugar on every coat sleeve, and the annual debate over who fries the finest pączki. From century-old institutions and neighborhood stalwarts to vegan innovators and doughnut disruptors, this roundup tracks down the sweetest stops in town, whether you crave tradition, nostalgia, or something boldly new.
Pracownia Cukiernicza “Zagoździński”
ul. Górczewska 15, (Wola)
If Warsaw’s pączki canon had a venerable sage, it’d be Zagoździński — frying classics the old-school way since 1925. They still use animal fat, a grandfathered touch that whispers of richer, deeper flavour and tradition. When I first landed in Warsaw, insiders told me these were the city’s best; I queued for four hours, clutching a paper-wrapped box tied with string like treasure. That ritual alone feels like Tłusty Czwartek.
BAJA Vegan Patisserie
ul. Solec 85, (Powiśle)
Baja has quietly become Powiśle’s favorite vegan pączek lab — where plant-based indulgence isn’t a compromise but a revelation. Founded by long-time friends Hania and Krysia out of a shared craving for truly joyful baked goods, Baja’s vegan pączki are seductively soft and lush, charming vegans and omnivores alike. They constantly tweak, taste and test, rooting each seasonal twist in real pleasure — the kind you savor bite by glorious bite.
Kukułka
Mokotowska 52 (City Center), ul. Francuska 10A (Saska Kępa), ul. Zygmunta Krasińskiego 10 (Żoliborz
Kukułka wears its sweetness lightly — airy dough, thoughtful fillings and a sense of seasonal whimsy that feels right for Tłusty Czwartek without tipping into saccharine excess. Part of a small, neighbourhood-first confectionery crew spread across Mokotowska, Pl. Wilsona, Burakowska and Francuska, Kukułka marries classic Polish sentiment with contemporary polish, making it the perfect stop for those who like their pączki bright, balanced and just a touch clever.
Ciastko z dziurką
ul. Wilcza (City Center)
At Ciastko z dziurką, Tłusty Czwartek stretches into something closer to a season than a single day. Their Fat Thursday Festival keeps the trays in constant rotation, mixing playful, limited-edition flavours — matcha with blackcurrant, passion fruit with cream, pistachio with apricot — with beloved classics like rose-kissed raspberry and custard-filled blueberry. It’s the kind of place you pop into for one and leave with a box.
LUKULLUS
ul. Chmielna 32 (City Center), ul. Mokotowska 52A (City Center), ul. Rozbrat 22/24 (Powiśle), ul. Walecznych 29, ul. Walecznych 29 (Saska Kępa)
Lukullus is the nearly universal answer when Varsovians are asked where to find classic pączki that feel like Warsaw itself. With round, generous dough stuffed with rose or plum jam and kissed by a delicate glaze, these are the understated heroes of Chaos Thursday. There’s something reassuringly consistent about them — conservative in sweetness, confident in quality — and always worth the stop on a chilly February morning.
MOD Donuts
ul. Oleandrów 8 (City Center), Gen. Józefa Zajączka 15 (Żoliborz) ul. Paryska 37 (Saska Kępa)
Fat Thursday is February 12th! As every year, MOD at Oleandrów 8 is a real event: 36 hours of non-stop frying – starting Wednesday at 9:00 AM and continuing until Thursday at 9:00 PM. You can do some late-night shopping there, and that vibe of queues and waiting for your dream doughnut is palpable! Unlike most bakeries, MOD doesn’t make doughnuts in advance, but on-the-fly, so on Oleandrów Wednesday and Fat Thursday, you can enjoy the freshest doughnuts in town .
Cukiernia Pawłowicz
Chmielna 13, (City Center)
Cukiernia Pawłowicz’s “Chmielna classics” are a go-to for purists who want their Tłusty Czwartek pączki warm, sweet and unapologetically old-school. Think fluff that’s tender straight off the counter with plum or rose jam oozing like a good memory. Locals have sworn by them for years — I recommend grabbing one hot and eating it while the city hums around you.
