Cracow has made golden records in the history of Polish gastronomy thanks to the Bottiglieria 1881 restaurant, which was the first in the country to receive two Michelin stars. This milestone in Polish gastronomy took place in 2023, just a decade after the first Michelin star was awarded to a Polish restaurant. Bottiglieria 1881, located on Bocheńska Street in the heart of Krakow's Kazimierz district, is housed in a historic 19th century building. The name of the establishment refers to the history of the place - there used to be a wine store established here in 1881.

At Bottiglieria 1881, chef Przemyslaw Klima has created an original cuisine that combines Polish culinary traditions with modern techniques and international inspirations. The tasting menu consists of more than a dozen carefully composed dishes that change according to the season and the availability of the best local ingredients. Each dish is a small work of art, where it is not only the taste that counts, but also the presentation and story behind the dish. Especially noteworthy are the interpretations of traditional Polish dishes, which the chef presents in a completely new light, preserving their essence, but adding a modern twist.

The restaurant is also famous for its impressive wine list of more than 200 items carefully selected by sommeliers. The interior of Bottiglieria 1881 combines the historic character of the building with an elegant, minimalist design, creating an intimate atmosphere conducive to culinary discovery. Prices at this establishment are among the highest in Poland, reflecting the level of the culinary experience - a tasting menu is an expense in the very expensive category.

Warsaw boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants: Rozbrat 20 and NUTA. Rozbrat 20, run by chef Bartosz Szymczak, is located in an elegant townhouse in Powiśle. The restaurant has earned a Michelin star for its creative cuisine, which is based on seasonal, local products of the highest quality. The menu changes regularly, reflecting the rhythm of the seasons and the availability of the best ingredients. The chef is known for skillfully combining traditional Polish flavors with modern culinary techniques.

The interior of Rozbrat 20 is elegant and subdued, with a strong emphasis on guest comfort. The restaurant offers both an à la carte menu and a tasting menu, which allows you to fully experience the chef's culinary vision. Prices fall into the expensive category, but the quality of the culinary experience fully justifies the investment.

NUTA Restaurant, located at Trzech Krzyży Square, is one of the newest stars on the Warsaw culinary scene. Chef Wiktor Kowalski creates dishes here inspired by Polish tradition, but with a modern, international twist. NUTA is distinguished by its special approach to local, seasonal products, which the chef sources from small, carefully selected suppliers. The restaurant's tasting menu is a true symphony of flavors, where each dish has its own unique 'note' and tells a culinary story.

Poznan, a city with rich culinary traditions, has joined the elite group of cities with Michelin-starred restaurants thanks to Muga restaurant. This small, intimate establishment on Krysiewicza Street, run by chef Artur Skotarczyk, has won recognition from Michelin inspectors thanks to its creative cuisine combining Polish traditions with Mediterranean and Asian influences.

The story of Muga is a fascinating example of culinary determination and passion. Artur Skotarczyk, before opening his own restaurant, gained experience in renowned establishments in Poland and abroad. His road to a Michelin star was not easy - Muga restaurant initially operated as a small bistro, gradually evolving into fine dining. The chef is known for his uncompromising approach to the quality of ingredients and precision of execution, which ultimately earned him the highest honor.

The menu at Muga changes seasonally, and each dish is carefully considered in terms of flavor, texture and presentation. Particularly noteworthy are the game and fish dishes, which the chef sources from local suppliers. The restaurant offers both an à la carte menu and a tasting menu, which is a culinary journey through a variety of flavors and techniques. Prices at Muga are high, but fully reflect the quality of the dining experience.

The interior of the restaurant is elegant and cozy at the same time, with only a dozen tables, which guarantees an intimate atmosphere and personalized service. Muga is also famous for its excellent wine list, carefully selected by a sommelier who is happy to advise on the perfect pairings of wines with food.

Gdansk, a city with a rich commercial and culinary history, has lived up to its Michelin star thanks to the Arco by Paco Pérez restaurant. This is a unique case on the Polish culinary scene, as acclaimed Spanish chef Paco Pérez, holder of a total of six Michelin stars in his restaurants around the world, is behind the concept.

Arco by Paco Pérez is located in the modern Olivia Business Center complex and offers cuisine inspired by Mediterranean traditions, with a focus on Catalan cuisine, but using local, Polish products. This fusion of culinary cultures creates fascinating flavor combinations that have delighted Michelin inspectors.

The restaurant stands out not only for its exceptional menu, but also for its spectacular interior design, which combines elegance with modernity. The spacious, bright interior with panoramic windows creates the perfect backdrop for the culinary masterpieces served to guests. The tasting menu at Arco is a true journey through the flavors of the Mediterranean, with subtle touches of Polish cuisine.

Prices at Arco by Paco Pérez are among the highest in the Tri-City, reflecting the international standard and reputation of the chef. The restaurant attracts not only local fine dining connoisseurs, but also tourists from all over the world who come to Gdansk specifically to experience cuisine at the highest level.

The phenomenon of Polish Michelin-starred restaurants is a relatively new phenomenon on the culinary map of Europe. Only a decade ago, Poland was a white spot in the Michelin guide, and today it can boast six stars in five restaurants. This spectacular development testifies to the enormous potential of Polish gastronomy and the talent of domestic chefs.

It is worth recalling that the first Polish restaurant to receive a Michelin star was Warsaw's Atelier Amaro, run by Wojciech Modest Amaro in 2013. This event opened the door for other Polish restaurants and showed that Polish cuisine can compete with the best in the world. Today, after only eleven years, we already have a restaurant with two stars, which is a remarkable achievement.

What distinguishes Polish Michelin-starred restaurants? First of all, a creative approach to local culinary traditions. Chefs of such restaurants as Bottiglieria 1881, Rozbrat 20 or NUTA draw inspiration from Polish culinary heritage, but interpret it in a modern, often surprising way. They use local, seasonal products of the highest quality, often sourced from small, family-owned suppliers.

Another important aspect is growing environmental awareness and sustainability. The Eliksir restaurant in Gdansk was awarded a Green Michelin Star for its exceptional sustainability practices, showing that Polish chefs are aware not only of taste and presentation, but also of the environmental impact of their business.

In addition to the starred restaurants, the Michelin guide also recognizes sixteen restaurants in Poland with the Bib Gourmand designation, which offer excellent quality at an affordable price. Among them are such gems as Molám in Krakow, which specializes in Thai cuisine, and Warsaw's Alewino, which combines Polish traditions with Mediterranean influences.

What will the future bring? Culinary experts predict that the number of Polish restaurants with Michelin stars will grow steadily. The situation is particularly promising in the Pomeranian region, which was recently included in the Michelin guide and already boasts a restaurant with a star (Arco by Paco Pérez) and Poland's first Green Star (Eliksir).

Also worth noting is the growing popularity of the Bib Gourmand concept in Poland. In 2024, as many as nine new restaurants received this distinction, indicating the dynamic development of the Polish culinary scene not only in the premium segment, but also in more affordable fine dining.

Polish Michelin-starred restaurants are becoming important points on the culinary map of Europe, attracting culinary tourists from all over the world to Poland. For many foreign guests, a visit to Bottiglieria 1881, Rozbrat 20, NUTA, Muga or Arco by Paco Pérez is the main reason for coming to Poland, which shows how much drawing power these culinary gems have.

Observing the pace of development of Polish gastronomy in the last decade, it is safe to predict that in the coming years there will be more Michelin-starred restaurants, and perhaps we will also see the first Polish restaurant with three stars, which would be the absolute crowning achievement of the culinary revolution in our country.