Over recent years dozens of vegan bistros and restaurants have popped up like mushrooms in Warsaw. In 2017 HappyCow.net included Warsaw in their 10 Top Vegan Cities In The World list, placing the Polish capitol at third place after Berlin and Los Angeles.
Many of these places you can find in one specific neighborhood called Śródmieście Południowe (Southern Downtown), an alternative part of the city`s downtown area where the local life thrives. I even heard lately the district being referred to as „the Vegan District”.
Krowarzywa Vegan Burger
This is probably the most popular vegan bistro in Warsaw. Its name is an interesting play on words. When I hear it in Polish I understand it as “a living cow”, but it`s written differently as a one word as it contains the word “vegetables”. The Krowarzywa serves vegan burgers and they are really delicious. My favorite is called “Cieciorex” which is a burger made of chickpeas. Here you can also find helathy juices and smoothies. Don`t be surprised with a big line of people (Hoża 29/31 Street & Marszałkowska 27/35, Monday – Sunday: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, krowarzywa.pl).
Lokal Vegan Bistro
It`s one of the best vegan places in town, run as a cooperative, with veagn versions of Polish classics as well as several modern dishes like souvlaki and fries. Order your food, receive a number, then wait for it to be called out, and after you eat – return your empty plates. Really delicious food and nice crowd. Sometimes you need to wait for a table and food cause it`s extremely popular (Krucza 23/31 Street, Monday – Thursday: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Friday – Sunday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm).
Momencik
The Momencik is a vegan burrito and taco bar. It`s located in a small basement that you can reach walking down a few steps from street level. Inside you will meet a very friendly staff and affordable menu. The Chili Sin Carne and Guacamole burritos are my favorites. You can also have a fresh juice or a cocktail based on plant milk with fruits (Poznańska 16 Street, Monday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Sundays: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, facebook.com/momencik).
Słodki Bez
To eat a vegan dessert try the Słodki Bez. It`s a confectionary that serves gluten free sweets without any sugar or lactose. The menu changes frequently and it`s not very big but everything is delicious. Depending on the time of the year the owners use seasonal fruits in cakes based on millet groat (Jagielnik), cashew (Nerkownik) or vegan chocolate, cream or gingerbread. Here you can also drink a hot vegan chocolate (Hoża 51 Street, Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, facebook.com/slodkibez).
Vega Bar
All places above are located in the same area and reachable on foot. There is one more place I must mention here but you probably need to take a tram or Uber to get here. The Vega Bar is the first vegan place in Warsaw I ever visited, about 20 years ago. I guess this is the oldest place on Warsaw`s vegan map and I can assure you many people don`t even know about it. It`s a dinning type of restaurant with delicious Indian food. I always must eat some sabji with kofta. I add to it things like samosa, pakora and one of many great salads. What’s great about this place is that profits support dinners for children from poor families. The Vega Bar also organizes meditation workshops (Al. Jana Pawła II 36c Street, Monday – Sunday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, vega-warszawa.pl).