Warsaw restaurant for Wigilia

I've realised that the only way to avoid a mountain of washing up and being guilt tripped into eating carp is to go to a restaurant that's offering a wigilia meal on the 24th. Anybody got any suggestions as to one which will be open and might be good?

McDonald's :p

Many of internationals go to the Cafe Imperial Sheraton Warsaw Hotel & Towers, ul. Prusa 2, tel. 022 450 61 80. It's about 150zł/person.

I've been told it is good, and there is a wide choice of dishes, but reservations should be made soon.

I can't invite you since I'm invited myself and have to eat that carp thing myself.

I have no idea which of them might be good but following most probably will be offering a Wigilia feast ;) :

Sheraton hotel's restaurant,
Sobieski hotel's restaurant,
Bristol hotel's "Malinowa" restaurant,
Europejski hotel's restaurant,
Restauracja Browarmia,
just a quick google scan, I'd say most restaurants will hold some kind of an event on 24th but you'd need to reserve a table much earlier.

Check this site: erestauracja.pl/erestauracja/index.php?p=1

You can switch to english and make a search for restaurants in Warsaw opened on 24th. All opened ones will have a green token next to them on the list.

Good luck.

I'll give them a call but the (three) reports I've heard are that it's not up to much foodwise. I must say that the sunday brunch there is particularly unimpressive. But thanks for the tip.


I don't think I can imagine a worse meal than the MrWigilia, a carpburger?!!!


That one I do know about: it's 275zl per person. And as it's going to be me, my girlfriend and her daughter, would put a bit more of a hole in my pocket than I want to be there (especially as I'll be dropping 500zl+ on Christmas day brunch).


That's a good link, hadn't seen it before. Unfortunately it looks a bit bleak for Christmas and I do wonder if all the info is correct, they list one place as being open even though I know it isn't (because a friend of mine owes it and told me yesterday that they are not open).


Hasn't the Europejski been shut for a couple of years?

About this one I actually heard from my mate who was there on 24th a few years ago ( I think 2). Sorry for misleading if it is closed.


Yeah, you get a McWafer and a beetroot soup with 2 extra refills in a 2L coke cup.


mhm, they probably can't update it immediately after they get the number of free tables or the info about the restaurant being closed. If not then indeed it sounds dodgy. But it is possible that many restaurants are already full.

Not sure about that. I'm friends with several people who own restaurants, between them they must own about 15 places and none are open on 24th.

Damn, I'd be in for that, out of sheer curiosity!! ;)

Anyone up to meeting and creating an expat oriented Wigilia minus the karp? I'm pretty much by myself in southeastern Poland near Tarnów in the middle of nowhere. Although several neighbors have invited me for Wigilia, I really can't stand either karp or śledż and don't wish to force myself to eat it out of respect. They all love their fish and I don't like it. I'd rather opt for the pierogi, naleśniki, placki and force some other good meat dishes (although not traditionally allowed). I'm flexible to travel a bit. It's a shot in the dark, but let me know if you're interested.

I hated śledż until I tried it with vodka: the two go together superbly! Without the taste of vodka in my mouth I can't stand śledż but with I love the stuff. Try it. Drinking is traditionally not allowed but repeatedly sneaking out onto the balcony for a shot of vodka is going to endear you to your Polish neighbours as it'll give them an excuse to do the same.

As for meat, why not just roast a turkey and bring it over with you?

When one goes to a restaurant on the night of Dec. 24 then it's a dinner or supper. It could be a very nice dinner or supper but it will not be Wigilia. Period.

As for washing the dishes (and the preparation of the food) I'd say it is a part of the celebration, and it's not just about the part when you eat food or open presents.

But then, you have to understand the Polish soul and customs to understand the Wigilia Bozego Narodzenia. It is as religious holiday, but it is also a family and social holiday. Certainly not the happiest time for lonely *******.

Oh, btw. meat? During Wigilia???!!!

Living in the most Catholic and traditional part of Poland [yes I am also Catholic and part Polish], nobody here would be too happy to even mix a tiny portion of meat with the typical Wigilia dinner. I think I'll just cook up some spaghetti and meatballs for Wigilia and enjoy it in my home!

Last year my girlfriend and her daughter came to mine for Wigilia and it was a great evening. The only bad thing as far as I'm concerned was doing the washing-up, took ages! This year they'll be here again and the only important thng for me is their company. But having their company and not doing the washing-up or knowing that my girlfriend has been slaving over a stove all day would be better!

Traditional is the thing really. The church relaxed the rule about avoiding meat a few years ago, but traditions, especially Christmas ones, don't change easily.