Gdansk boasts the remarkable Avocado restaurant chain, which has become a true phenomenon on the city's culinary map. This chain includes three establishments: Avocado Vegan Bistro, Avocado Vegan Pestka and Avocado Vegan SPOT, each offering a slightly different culinary experience, but all united by high quality at affordable prices.

Avocado Vegan Bistro, located on Wajdeloty Street in the atmospheric Wrzeszcz district, is the place that first started the vegan revolution in Gdansk. The restaurant is famous for its original plant-based dishes priced at PLN 30-45, making it accessible to a wide audience. The menu is inspired by international cuisine, but with a distinct emphasis on local ingredients. Especially worth trying is their flagship dish - the beet and avocado burger, which has already become a legend among Gdansk vegans. The bistro is distinguished by its cozy decor with elements referring to the city's maritime history, which creates a unique atmosphere.

Nearby is Avocado Vegan SPOT, also on Wajdeloty Street, which specializes in faster, more casual dishes. It's the perfect place for lunch while exploring the city. The restaurant offers a wide selection of sandwiches, wraps and salads, with prices ranging from £20 to £35. SPOT stands out from other places with its industrial decor, which alludes to Gdansk's shipbuilding past. An interesting fact is that the restaurant's furniture was made from recycled materials from the former Gdansk Shipyard.

Avocado Vegan Pestka, located on Podwale Staromiejskie, is the youngest member of the Avocado family. The restaurant is located in the heart of Gdansk's historic center, making it an ideal place to relax while exploring the Old Town. Pestka stands out with a more refined menu, offering fusion-inspired dishes priced at 35-55 PLN. The restaurant is famous for its seasonal specialties using local fruits and vegetables. It's worth knowing that the building housing the restaurant dates back to the 17th century and was once part of Gdansk's fortification system.

Also noteworthy is Manna 68, located on Holy Spirit Street in the heart of the Old Town. This vegetarian restaurant with a wide menu offers dishes in the PLN 30-50 price range. Manna 68 is located in a historic building, whose history dates back to the 15th century. According to local legend, valuable works of art from Gdansk churches were hidden in the building's basement during World War II. Today, the restaurant is famous for dishes inspired by traditional Kashubian and Pomeranian cuisine, but in a plant-based version. Particularly recommendable are their dumplings with buckwheat groats and forest mushrooms, and their soup with Pomeranian root vegetables. Manna 68 also offers an impressive organic wine list, making it the perfect place for an evening meal after a day of sightseeing.

Continuing your culinary journey in Gdansk, it's impossible to miss House of Seitan, which has won praise from locals and tourists alike. Located at 3 Wajdeloty Street, in the same neighborhood as some of Avocado's establishments, it forms with them a kind of vegan culinary trail of Wrzeszcz. House of Seitan, as the name suggests, specializes in dishes based on seitan - a plant-based meat substitute with a high protein content. The restaurant is distinguished by its industrial decor, referring to the port history of Gdansk, and the prices of the dishes range between PLN 25 and 45.

An interesting fact is that the owners of House of Seitan also run a small manufactory, where they produce seitan according to a traditional recipe derived from Buddhist monks. The history of seitan in Europe dates back to the Middle Ages, when the recipe came to Italy with travelers from the Far East. Especially worth trying is their 'Danzig Plate' - a composition of different types of seitan inspired by traditional Pomeranian meat dishes. On weekends, the restaurant organizes cooking workshops where you can learn how to prepare your own seitan.

Near the Old Town, at 24 Jaskółcza Street, is Nie/Mięsny Dolne Miasto - a place of unique character, combining Middle Eastern cuisine with local influences. The restaurant is housed in a restored building from the early 20th century, which miraculously survived bombing during World War II. The restaurant is famous for its hummus prepared according to a traditional Lebanese recipe, but with the addition of local herbs and spices. Prices at Nie/Mięsny range from £20 to £40, making it one of the most affordable places offering Middle Eastern cuisine in the city.

It is worth knowing that the Lower Town district, where the restaurant is located, is currently undergoing a fascinating transformation from a neglected part of the city into a vibrant artistic enclave. Nie/Mięsny is actively participating in this process, organizing cultural events and supporting local artists. On the walls of the premises you can admire the works of Gdansk artists, and on summer evenings intimate concerts are held in the small courtyard.

Another place worth visiting is Babette - a soup and bread studio, located at 4/6 Garncarska St. This small establishment specializes, as the name suggests, in homemade soups and freshly baked bread. Babette stands out from other places with its minimalist Scandinavian decor and 'zero waste' philosophy. All soups are prepared with seasonal vegetables sourced from local suppliers, and prices range between £15 and £25 for a serving of soup with bread.

Babette's story is a fascinating one - the restaurant was created by two friends who, after years of working in corporations, decided to realize their dream of having their own restaurant. The name refers to the movie 'Babette's Feast', which tells the story of the transformative power of food. Particularly recommended is their soup made from Pomeranian boletes, harvested in the forests surrounding Gdansk, and sourdough rye bread, baked according to a recipe passed down in the family of one of the owners for generations.

Faloviec / vegetable cuisine, located a little further from the center, at 2 Obrońców Wybrzeża Street, is a real gem for lovers of plant-based cuisine. The restaurant specializes in dishes inspired by the cuisine of various regions of Poland, but in an entirely plant-based version. The restaurant is distinguished by its modern, ecological design and large garden, where you can dine among the greenery in the summer season. Prices in Falovec range from 25 to 45 zlotys.

Comparing all eight places described, there are some regularities and differences that will help you choose the perfect restaurant for different occasions. In terms of location, the most central are Avocado Vegan Pestka and Manna 68, which are located in the heart of the Old City. These are ideal places to dine while visiting the historic center of Gdansk. In contrast, House of Seitan, Avocado Vegan Bistro and Avocado Vegan SPOT form a vegan cluster in the Wrzeszcz district, which is easily accessible from the city center. No/Meat Lower Town offers the opportunity to discover a less touristy but very atmospheric part of the city. On the other hand, Faloviec, located farthest from the center, compensates with a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful gardens.

As for prices, the cheapest options are offered by Babette (PLN 15-25 for soup with bread) and Avocado Vegan SPOT (PLN 20-35). Slightly more expensive, but still in the affordable price range, are House of Seitan and Not/Meat Lower Town (PLN 20-45). The most culinary sophisticated, and therefore slightly more expensive, are Avocado Vegan Pestka and Manna 68 (PLN 30-55).

It's also worth noting the specialties of individual places. For lovers of burgers and faster dishes, Avocado Vegan SPOT will be the best choice. Those looking for traditional flavors with a plant-based twist should visit Manna 68 or Faloviec. House of Seitan, on the other hand, is a paradise for those who yearn for the texture and taste of meat, but choose a plant-based diet for ethical or health reasons. Babette will satisfy lovers of simple, homemade flavors, while Not/Meat Lower Town offers a fascinating fusion of Middle Eastern cuisine with local influences.

Gdansk has a rich culinary history, which has been influenced by various cultures over the centuries. As an important trading port, the city was a place where not only goods but also culinary traditions were exchanged. Today, this multicultural legacy is reflected in the offerings of plant-based restaurants, which often draw inspiration from traditional Gdansk dishes, but prepare them in a modern, vegan way.

It is interesting to note that meat-free cuisine was highly developed in medieval Gdansk, due to the numerous fasts imposed on the liturgical calendar. Recipes for dishes made of peas, beans, cabbage and mushrooms have been preserved, and today they are reinterpreted by chefs in vegan restaurants. Manna 68 in particular is famous for recreating old Danzig recipes in a plant-based version.

When planning a visit to the described places, it is worth remembering a few practical tips. During the summer season, which in Gdansk lasts from June to August, restaurants in the city center and Old Town tend to be crowded, especially on weekends. It's worth considering reserving a table then, or visiting establishments a little farther from the main tourist routes, such as Faloviec or places in the Wrzeszcz district.

Most of the restaurants described also offer take-out options, which can be a good option during peak season. Many of them also have special lunch menus from 12:00 to 16:00, offering dishes at lower prices. This is a great option for those traveling on a tight budget.

It's also worth noting the seasonality of the menus at some places. Babette, Faloviec and Manna 68 regularly change some of their offerings depending on the availability of seasonal produce. This allows you to discover new flavors and dishes even on subsequent visits.

All in all, Gdansk offers an impressive variety of affordable options for those who prefer plant-based cuisine. From the simple, homemade soups at Babette, to the Middle Eastern inspirations at Nie/Mięsny Dolne Miasto, to the sophisticated dishes at Manna 68, there is something for everyone. What's more, by visiting these places, you can not only eat well, but also learn about the different facets of the city, its history and contemporary culinary culture.