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Poland’s rising stock as a culinary destination received another boost following Thursday’s release of the latest edition of the Michelin Guide Poland.
Covering Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, and—for the first time—Gdansk, the foodie bible issued eight stars in total, 16 Bib Gourmands, and 55 recommendations.

Founded in 1900, Michelin’s guides have since become a universal benchmark in quality. According to Michelin, one star recognizes restaurants that are “very good in their category,” two stars denote “inspired and refined cuisine,” while three stars are issued for “remarkable cuisine by chefs at the peak of their talent.” Bib Gourmands, meanwhile, are awarded for “quality food at moderate prices.”

Retaining its position as the country’s best-rated restaurant, Krakow’s Bottiglieria 1881 kept the two stars it won last year. Viewing Polish food through a modern prism, the restaurant was praised for its “sophistication, depth, and wonderful purity of flavor.”

Continuing, the guide added: “The best of the Polish larder is used throughout, while each finely crafted course is finished with an artistic flourish.”

Two hours south of Krakow, Giewont—so named for the views of the eponymous mountain in front—earned its first ever star and was lauded for its “expressive, consummately seasoned dishes” and its French and Polish influences and ingredients.

Poznan’s Muga and Warsaw’s Nuta both retained their one-star rating, with the latter hailed for the creativity of its chef, Italian Andrea Camastra. “With a degree in chemistry from Oxford, Andrea even has an on-site lab for testing out his creations,” says Nuta’s review.

Of the new inductions, Warsaw’s Rozbrat 20 was upgraded from Bib Gourmand to a fully-fledged star holder. “Look out for the well-judged butter flavored with Marmite, which the chef took a liking to while working in London,” advised Michelin.

Arguably, it is Gdansk that has the most to celebrate. Featured for the first time in the Michelin Guide, the wider region was awarded two stars, five Bib Gourmands, and 13 recommendations.

Located on the 33rd floor of the beach-side Olivia Centre skyscraper, Arco by Paco Perez was deemed the hottest booking in town: “The cooking is spectacular, underpinned by Polish produce, driven by Spanish flavors and incorporating a few Italian influences,” wrote Michelin’s reviewers.

However, it is Gdansk’s Eliksir that has become the talk of Poland after winning the country’s first Green Star. Introduced in 2020 to promote those at the forefront of sustainable gastronomy, the Green Star has become one of Michelin’s rarest awards.

Justifying Eliksir’s selection, Michelin wrote: “The team at Eliksir implements many policies in order to reduce the restaurant’s impact on the planet. Central to this is a low-waste philosophy that includes reclaiming cooking oil for use as fuel and saving citrus peels to be used for cordials and syrups.”

Continuing, they added: “Local produce is also key to the Eliksir ethos, as is the use of renewable energy sources and a commitment to working with suppliers who share the restaurant’s sustainable approach.”

Source: TVP World