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The charming city of Gdańsk in Poland is not short on great places to enjoy a long, lazy breakfast or a relaxed brunch. Here’s our rundown of the best places in town to start your day in one of Poland’s most historically rich cities.

Kawiarnia Retro

Cafe, Dessert, Coffee

This cozy hipster café is full of quirky touches, from a gramophone and a typewriter in the window to a superlative collection of porcelain cat figures. It has a small but delicious breakfast menu, with a wide range of coffees, plus great toasted granola and Scandinavian breakfast platters. If you’re feeling decadent, the buckwheat chocolate cake is a must-try, although the venue doesn’t open until 10 a.m.

Amsterdam Bar Beer & Bagels

Restaurant, European

There’s no mistaking what this beer & bagel bar specializes in, its walls decorated all over with retro beer-and-bagel-related posters hanging above comfy sofas. The soft, warm bagels make for a good breakfast or light brunch, and the soups and salads are also a good option. The green space bagel is a quirky innovative option, and, if you’re looking for something refreshing, order one of the freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. One thing to note though, despite having this niche for bagels and brunches, the venue doesn’t actually open until 1 p.m.

Bar Mleczny Neptun, Gdańsk

Restaurant, Polish

Bar Mleczny Neptun
© Northern Irishman in Poland

The cheapest and most Polish option on the list is the famous Bar Neptun which opens at 7.30 a.m. on weekdays. It’s one of the Polish Bar Mlecznys (Milk Bars) and is situated on Gdańsk’s main Ulica Długa just a minute walk from the main square and Neptune’s fountain. With superb soups, salads, pierogi, and Polish cutlets, all for bargain prices, this is definitely the budget breakfast or brunch option.

Bar Turystyczny

Restaurant, Polish

If a restaurant always has a queue when you walk past it, it’s usually a good sign. In which case, Bar Turystyczny wins hands down in Gdańsk as the queue constantly spills over into the street. Despite its touristic sounding title, this is actually a very popular local restaurant which serves absolutely stunning Polish dishes for cheap prices. Despite the long wait for food, it will be worth it once you taste the delicate local pierogi or delightful soup on their inexpensive menu.

Café Ferber

Cafe, European, Coffee

Café Ferber is an excellent option and part of a nifty local chain, with their other venues including nearby Sopot. They do truly delicious breakfasts (Polish and Continental) and serve up good coffee in a very red coloured venue. Café Ferber is also licensed and has Wi-Fi. By night, it becomes a bit of a cool cocktail bar.

Billy's American Bar and Grill

Diner, American

Burgers at Billys American Bar and Grill | © Billys
© Billy's
Billy’s American Bar and Grill serves huge breakfasts, including European options as well as their trademark American breakfast. By lunchtime, great burgers and steaks are worth trying. The venue has a typical American diner feel to it. If you secure a window seat, you also overlook the gorgeous harbour front of Gdańsk.

Café Factotum

Cafe, European, Coffee

This café is conveniently located right in the centre of Gdańsk and highly rated for its delicious coffees and great choice of cakes. Factotum’s hearty breakfasts and brunches include toasties and sandwiches (kanapki) with various fillings. It also has a selection of savoury pies that make a perfect lunch. In the evening, the café becomes a bar, and, to cope with demand, has seating outside in summer months.

A la Française

Restaurant, French

As the name suggests, this lovely restaurant specializes in French cuisine, and as such the breakfasts are an event. One of the best things on the menu are the wafer-thin crepes, which come with a variety of fillings, either sweet or savory. Brunch dishes not to miss include the traditional French onion soup — rich, hearty, and floating with cheese. Checked tablecloths and wine shelves on the walls complete the French atmosphere.

Familia Bistro - Kuchnia Wileńska

Restaurant, Lithuanian

This homely little bistro specializes in Lithuanian and Polish cuisine, with particular emphasis on the traditional cuisine of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Try their Žemaičių pancakes made with potato and stuffed with meat (the two key ingredients of the cuisines of both countries). Or treat yourself to the most beloved of Vilnius pastries, kibinai, served with a variety of fillings from minced meat to sweet curd cheese.

Lookier Café

Restaurant, European, Polish

In a prime location in central Gdansk, and with very friendly waitresses, Lookier Café offers great food from early morning right through until the evening. The best breakfast options are waffles and pancakes, with a fresh Latte to go with it. For brunch, try one of the venue’s delicious smoothies to accompany the Spinach Cream soup, the Lyon Burger, or the Bruschetta. Lookier opens at 8 a.m.

About the author

A travel writer, perpetual tourist and long term blogger, Jonny grew up in Northern Ireland but his global adventures have seen him live in Australia, Uruguay, England, Kyrgyzstan, Poland and Hong Kong. With 30 years writing experience, Jonny is a veteran writer with a taste for the unusual and quirky. Jonny's 150 country journey around the world saw him feed hyenas in Ethiopia, play football in Afghanistan, hitch-hike in Iraq and visit disputed regions unrecognised by the UN. Jonny is usually based in Poland but is never far away from another adventure and runs travel blogs in several niches.

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