New Reviews in Wrocław In Your Pocket #38

Get the PDF at wroclaw.inyourpocket.com
Main Feature: Wrocław Markets

 Osiem Misek 

‘Eight Bowls’, one of the most successful food trucks in Wro, has acquired a stationary restaurant in which to serve more of its tasty concoctions: lots of bowl food (obviously) – spaghetti, ramen, really good pad thai – and their signature pulled pork baos, which draw folks from near and far.

Bistro Station1470931840_restaurant

Cheap and plentiful home-style food right next to the main train station – convenience at its best for weary travellers. Though buffets aren’t usually paragons of hip decor, we were pleasantly surprised by Bistro Station’s classy ambiance, and you probably will be, too; all that’s left is to load up your plate with goodies, then weigh and pay – 100 g of food costs an easy-on-the-wallet 3.25zł.

Sushirolka 

Cheap street-food sushi is something we’ve only recently found out about, but apparently hand rolls of this type are quite the thing in Australia (Aussies are welcome to correct us) and quickly gaining popularity in Poland. This small stationary locale might lack nuance – though the fillings differ, not much else is on offer – but locals seem happy to walk around town, sushi roll in hand. Attention vegans: the ‘mango and avocado’ roll is completely seafood-less.

U Gruzina1470931840_restaurant

Street food is in, big time. Wrocław’s already got a veritable army of assorted food trucks and their stationary equivalents, and it was only a matter of time before the Georgians got in on the action. You won’t find dishes like chanakhi or ajapsandali here, however; this tiny corner venue serves up only khachapuri and kubdari breads (with khinkali dumplings expected to join the party in the near future), but what it lacks in diversity it makes up in greasy deliciousness – a perfect prelude to your pub crawl.

Margoux Mleko i Miód (Margoux Milk and Honey)1470931840_restaurant

Hipster-central, and we mean this in the very best way possible – the design hits perfect marks for trendiness (whitewashed brick, exposed light bulbs and ductwork, neon art), and the menu is a frolic through breakfast options (eggs, pancakes, English breakfast, Polish breakfast, honey bread) with a concise selection of soups, salads, and lunch/dinner options like duck breast and rabbit comber.

W Kontakcie1470931840_restaurant

An obsession with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free creations has gripped big-city Poland as much as the rest of the Western world, and with it comes a demand for gourmet hummus, apparently. The best chickpea paste in Wro is to be found at this cosy and chic hole-in-the-wall next to the University of Science and Technology campus; choose from a myriad toppings like blue cheese, caramelised onions, peanut sauce, and horseradish.

Taszka Wine & Petiscos coctail1470931840_restaurant

Taszka is a labour of love by a Polish-Portuguese duo, serving Portuguese-inspired petiscos (tapas) and three informal tasting menus (including a vegetarian version) alongside an impressive selection of wines straight from sunny Portugal. Fresh and unique, Taszka’s imaginative dishes and laid-back atmosphere are a winning combination for date night or a post-sightseeing splurge.

Święta Racja1470931840_restaurant1471791072_cerveza 

‘New Polish’ food in great style – to be honest, we’d recommend this over all the city’s tourist-trappy Polish restaurant any day. The interior is chic and toned-down with a loft feel, while the menu is full of reworked classics like pork tongues, marinated herring, lard, grilled smoked cheese, beef cheeks, heart goulash, and grilled pork chops – all more delicious than the names might imply.

Chimney Cake Bakery 

This sweet treat is native to the Hungarian-speaking regions of Romania, but these local Polish lads have perfected it, while putting their own twist on things. If you’re not familiar with chimney cakes, it consists of a yeast dough thinly rolled and wrapped in a spiral around a spit, then rolled in sugar and basted in butter while baking. At Chimney Cake Bakery they make them right in front of you and offer 10 different toppings and fillings.

Targowa Craft Beer & Food1470931840_restaurant1471791072_cerveza 

Located in the cellar of Wrocław’s splendid, historical Market Hall (Hala Targowa), Targowa pub serves up a good selection of craft beer brewed both locally and further afield. The prices are a little steeper that elsewhere in the city, but the crowds of jolly booze enthusiasts don’t seem to mind. A selection of greasy pub food is available – ribs, beef cheeks, schnitzel, fried camembert – and special tasting boards let you sample five types of beer.

The following venues do not feature in the printed guide, but are reviewed on the Wroclaw In Your Pocket website

Grexit1470931840_restaurant

This simple hole-in-the-wall joining Wrocław’s street food revolution offers a comprehensive menu including everything from souvlaki to loukaniko to grilled haloumi to tzatziki; we tried feta psiti (feta cheese baked with tomatoes, olives, and oregano, served with a bit of pita bread) and were quite satisfied indeed. We’d take some points off for the plastic utensils, but they probably come with the (street food) territory.

Thali1470931840_restaurant

Wrocław has always been short on Indian options, and the addition of Thali has done little to remedy the situation. It could have been worse – we’ve been to a fair few Indian restaurants run by Polish with little to no grasp of spices – but despite the Indian cooks toiling away in the kitchen, the results simply aren’t too impressive. If you’re after some quality Asian, you’ll probably have a better time at Osiem MisekMango Mama, or Phathathai.

Zenka1470931840_restaurant

Simple, bright, and modern, Zenka is the younger sister of Central Cafe who has wandered a bit farther from the city center (across the river, in fact). Offering a selection of coffee, tea, seasonal drinks, hit-or-miss cake, and smallish daily lunches (11:00-15:00), it’s an okay option if you’re staying in the Nadodrze district or fancy a sit-down after a riverside walk.

 

 

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