New Reviews in Łódź In Your Pocket #33

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Main Feature: The New City Central, Łódź Fabryczna

Cafe Wolność 

This is quite simply, a cult classic. Never mind that it’s the only cafe and or club on Freedom Square smack dab between Manufaktura and Piotrkowska Street, this place genuinely puts the FREE in freedom. Sporting a slightly faded and neon orange retro vibe the serve up great coffee beverages and solid mixed drinks all day and late into the night. The crowds that flock here are a mix of students, normcore locals and lovers of a good time of all shapes and sizes.

Before Food Market @Piotrkowska South 

The first open concept weekend food market of its kind in Poland. It’s a unique place and gorgeous space that features around 20 small restaurants representing cuisine from all around the world spread out over 500 sq. meters in a post-industrial warehouse. Each chef serves up signature dishes from their respective restaurants featuring everything from Spanish, Japanese, Hungarian, Indian, Jewish and traditional Polish cuisine from the Łódź Region.

6. Dzielnica @Piotrkowska South  

Climb three flights of stairs inside the first door on the right at Piotrkowska street’s most notorious address to find good vibes, great beer and even better snacks. There are two bars, a stage and plenty of eclectic tables and chairs spread out over six or so rooms of what looks like a large high ceilinged apartment. This hotbed of alternative culture hosts regular concerts, exhibitions, interesting debates and much more. They have original sandwiches, salads and other top notch savoury snacks served till late.

Klub OHM @Manufaktura  

The newest music club in town and from all reports it is the hottest ticket around. While it is only open on the weekends (concerts and DJ parties Fri and Sat 22:00 – 04:00) in just a few months they have already hosted some of the biggest names in Polish alternative rock, electronica and pop (google: Tymon Tymański, Rebeka, Julia Marcell, Natalia Przybysz, Mikromusic and Bokka). Located in the very heart of Manufaktura in a former power station.

Good Morning Vietnam @OFF Piotrkowska  

Before there was OFF there were Vietnamese food huts crowded in the abandoned courtyard of a rotting factory. Now things have come full circle and this new late night Vietnamese fast food joint is the first and last point of entry in what is arguably the most popular districts in all of Poland. Their exhaustive menu of Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai street food has something for everyone, you just have to find it.

Szyby Lustra  @OFF Piotrkowska 

Emerging from our tram stop on Aleja Piłsudskiego we noticed their neon sign and large windows from afar through the hazey filter of the ongoing construction. With a slight retro diner feel, this thoroughly modern gastronomic outpost is up to something big. The regularly changing menu reads like a who’s who of the trendiest and tastiest comfort foods on the planet from tacos to burgers (pulled pork!) and from Tagliatelli Nero to Vietnamese Pho. Quite simply a revelation and a revolution.

Porcja 

Just off the radar of OFF Piotrkowska is this healthy, hearty, heady and hip little cafe bistro. They offer up all sorts of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free and whatever-allergies-you-might-have free. Their set seasonal menu changes every month or two but expect exotic salads, handy sandwiches, exotic snacks and truly super soups, plus a cheap and filling two course daily lunch special (14zł!) that changes every day.

Sky Bowling Łódź 

This is for all ye Lebowskis out there both big and small. 24 premium modern bowling lanes (max 5 bowlers per lane) with top of the line digital scoring and pin setting technology. They also have night bowling with full fledged ‘Tronesque’ neon florescent lights and ball guides (check the photos) to help you knock em’ down in the dark. They also have two billiards tables (15zł/h Mon-Thu and 20zł/h Fri-Sun) and a fully stocked bar that serves up great drinks and hearty snacks to help keep you keep rolling along.