Burgers used to be lowbrow fare just a few years ago, but now they’re chic and a la mode and other French words. This trend is no different in Warsaw, capital of Poland, where the mishmash of culinary culture welcomes the movement with open arms.
There are many burger bars worth checking out in the city, and here are a few of our favourites.
Warburger, Dabrowskiego Street
Conveniently placed next to one of the best ice cream places in Warsaw, Warburger (pronounced “var”, not “war”, disappointingly) is a relatively small stand alone building on the edge of a green space.
Its small size guarantees it always looks busy but persevere and you will be rewarded – plus in nice weather you can just sit on the grass once you get your food.
Their artily-branded menu includes the “Kacburger”, or “Hangover Burger”, which includes a generous shot of bourbon moistening the patty.
Bobby Burger, Emilii Plater / Weronicza / Zurawia / etc
One of the first gourmet burger places to start the trend originally began as a van stopping around Powisle, the student district.
Over the last two years, Bobby Burger has expanded quickly with several permanent outlets around the city, including Zurawia near Centrum station, Emilii Platter right outside Zlote Tarasy shopping centre, and even one near the massive headquarters of TVN (Polish national telly) in Mokotow.
The burgers themselves are straightforward, with a lot of love gone into the patty, while the other parts of the meal meekly sit beside in awe.
22, Nowy Swiat Street
Having opened in autumn 2013, 22 is a solid burger joint that also offers a breakfast menu before midday. It’s located on Nowy Swiat, a popular picturesque street that’s a tourist highlight.
The main attractions of 22 are less the food and more the amusingly stripped-down interior (the toilet sits inside a faux warehouse crate) and the selection of fine Czech beers.
Burger Bar, Okluska Street
They couldn’t be bothered to give this place a real name, but the food more than makes up for it. Inside this brick-floor establishment, the particularly succulent burgers are supplemented by a menu containing some thirst-quenching meaty soups and other more traditional American bites such as pulled pork.
Don’t be surprised to find queues here during summer. Directly opposite across the street is a café/bar owned by the same people called, in equally Spartan fashion, Music Bar.
Tower Burger, Chmielna Street
One of the pricier burger places on our list, Tower is located on the fashionable Chmielna Street, close to fancy-pants bars and boutiques.
The food lives up to its name with large portions to satisfy the hungriest of diners. It’s also open until 3am three nights a week for those looking for a midnight feast.
Barnburger, Zlota Street
With possibly the most creative selection of burgers in the city, the mighty Barnburger sits right next to the Palladium, one of Warsaw’s top concert venues.
With highlights such as the Muppet Burger, the Dirty Harry and Sex & Violence, the star is the Bypass – when you order one, you can enter the restaurant’s competition for fastest devourer.
The rosemary chips that come with each meal are also, for want of a better word, bangin’. To top it off, they import all their beef from Hereford in England, bless ‘em.
Slow Food, Naruszewicza Street
This modest shack next to Wierzbno metro station demands less limelight than the other places on our list.
Don’t be fooled though – despite being run by a “mom and pop” older couple with a disarming propensity for blaring Polish house music while you eat, Slow Food offer a carefully-chosen menu of delights that’s very competitively-priced and includes an ambitious and tasty salmon burger.
Beef’N’Roll, ??? (we can’t say)
A slick pop-up truck that moves from place to place, serving generously-sized burgers with a nice selection of spicy stuff.
Over the summer it was commonly parked close to the Marriott Hotel on Nowagrodzka, but you have to follow Beef’N’Roll on social media to be sure of where to find it.
