The Varsovian View
Best Gluten-free Dining Options in Warsaw
It is estimated that somewhere between 6-15% of the populations of the Western world suffer from some form of gluten intolerance. Luckily, the restaurants of Warsaw generally cater quite well for those who suffer from such allergies, with allergen menus often available (either a physical or a digital version), as well as restaurant staff members often being adequately trained, in order to safely assist diners with their requests. We have created a short list of some of the best restaurants in Warsaw for those who are searching for the best gluten-free dishes in town. Here are the results:
Best Burger: Nine's Restaurant
Founded & owned by Polish football legend, Robert Lewandowski, Nine's incredible consistency & quality ensure that it is leaps and bounds beyond its competition.
First, let's start with the food: unlike what I have found with burgers at other restaurants, this one was designed for someone to actually eat it, rather than just to gawp at how high a tower it resembles. It is not messy, nor sloppy. Stable, well-balanced, and delicious, all as a consequence of the burger's ideal composition, as well as the sheer quality of its ingredients. To complement this masterpiece, I always make sure to order it with the perfectly salted, cooked-to-perfection sweet potato fries. With these, a sublime combination is formed.
The cultivation of an all-embracing atmosphere is perhaps Nine's greatest achievement. It does not feel like some rowdy sports bar, nor some stuck-up establishment trying to be something that it's not. There is no pretension, but simply a successful attempt to concoct the perfect recipe for a sports bar-cum-restaurant; the sports pedigree flows through its veins, while simultaneously fostering a friendly atmosphere for all.
Recommended dish: Nine's Premium Burger (request a gluten-free bun)
Recommended drink: Classic lemonade
Address: Haberbuscha i Schielego 6, 00-844
Open: Monday-Wednesday 12pm-10pm, Thursday-Saturday 12pm-11pm, Sunday 12pm-9pm
Best Risotto: Miele Miele
While the interior may not be the most inspiring, the atmosphere cultivated by the proprietors of this charming restaurant certainly is one to write home about. Whether it is the gregarious disposition of the waiters, or the excellent playlist of Italian pop classics which transports you back to the sunny shores of the Apulian coast, Miele Miele will be sure to leaving a lasting impression on every diner.
Attention to detail and great care is placed upon customer satisfaction, as well as for their well-being. This can be exemplified by the case of our previous visit to this fine establishment, when the appearance of the head chef at the table, who wished to describe the possibilities of cross-contamination when it comes to allergens, such as gluten, due to the relatively diminutive size of the kitchen (I had already ordered the risotto there several times before without any problems, so I knew that it wouldn’t arise in this case). For the head chef to make the effort to convey this directly to a customer demonstrates the great degree of care that the restaurant shows its diners.
When it comes to the food, those lofty standards are certainly maintained, without a shadow of a doubt. When we factor in the range and the quality of risottos served here, it can be seen unparalleled in this regard in Warsaw. The portion sizes are on the generous side, too.
Miele Miele is always one of the first restaurants on my mind when I’m thinking of where to eat out in Warsaw… and that’s for good reason.
Recommended dish: Any of their exquisite risottos.
Recommended drink: Mango-passion fruit lemonade
Address: Miodowa 2, 00-080
Open: Sunday-Thursday 12pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-11pm
Best Pasta: Freta 33
While this may potentially be a surprise choice for some, especially for the pasta purists, there are a few very good reasons, why a pasta dish not made in a traditional Italian restaurant comes out on top.
The first thing is the sheer freshness of the ingredients. It would seem that only minutes before the dish is served to you, that the avocados were clipped from their trees. The avocados not only possess an incredible, fresh flavour, this creamy, green specimen melts in your mouth like a vanilla ice cream on a warm, summer evening. Not only are the cherry tomatoes preposterously juicy, the fine balance between sweet & sour flavours leaves you craving for more and more. To wash that down, there can be nothing better on a fine summer afternoon, than a cool glass of their freshly-squeezed orange juice.
Make sure that you swing by in the afternoon and soak in the truly charming surroundings of the New Town Square. Don't fret if you haven't made a reservation, since the restaurant is located in the relatively quiet New Town, away from the droves. Certainly, this is a place to keep in mind on those busy summer days.
Recommended dish: Gluten-free pasta: fresh tomatoes, avocado, basil, garlic
Recommended drink: Freshly-made orange juice
Address: Freta 33/35, 00-227
Open: Sunday-Thursday 12pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-11pm