In the heart of medieval Toruń, a city that was incorporated into the Kingdom of Poland in 1454, there are two unique establishments that combine history with a modern approach to plant-based cuisine. Podmurna Street, which runs along the city's former defensive walls, is home to two gems of the vegan culinary scene.

The first is Project Nano, an intimate café housed in a historic building at 14 Podmurna St. The establishment, though small (hence the name 'Nano'), offers a space where history meets modernity. The 16th-century walls, where wealthy Torun merchants once lived, now serve delicious vegan baked goods. Especially noteworthy are their cakes with no added sugar, ideal for health-conscious people. Coffee with plant-based milk is served here in ceramic mugs made by local artists, adding to the authenticity of the place and supporting the local creative community.

A little farther down the street, at number 17 on the same street, is Ciasna, an all-vegan restaurant whose name perfectly reflects its character. It is housed in a narrow, long room typical of the medieval buildings of Toruń. The history of the place dates back to the time when Torun was an important trading center of the Hanseatic League, and merchants from all over Europe met in similar establishments. Today Ciasna is famous for its vegan versions of traditional Polish dishes, including pierogi with a variety of plant-based fillings. Particularly recommended are the pierogi with buckwheat groats and mushrooms - a dish that draws on the region's culinary traditions while offering a modern, plant-based approach.

It's worth noting that both of these establishments are located in close proximity to Torun's historic attractions. In the 1860s, the city experienced significant cultural and academic development, becoming the first and most important center of Polishness in Pomerania. Today, strolling down Podmurna Street between the two establishments, one can admire fragments of medieval defensive walls that remember the time when Torun was an important point on the map of the Teutonic state.

As for prices, Project Nano offers its baked goods and drinks at affordable prices, placing it in the 'cheap' category, making it an ideal place for a quick coffee and dessert while sightseeing. Ciasna, on the other hand, while offering full-fledged meals, has prices at the 'average' level, but still affordable for most tourists. Both places stand out for their authentic, non-commercial atmosphere, which is in perfect harmony with the historic character of this part of the city.

Near to the Old Town Square, near the majestic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose construction began in the 13th century, is Karrotka, a vegetarian restaurant that holds a special place on the culinary map of Toruń. Located at 5 Panny Marie Street, in a building that remembers the times when Toruń was an important trading center of the Hanseatic League, Karrotka offers a menu inspired by traditional Polish cuisine, but in a completely meatless version.

The restaurant is famous for dishes that draw on local culinary traditions. Particularly noteworthy are their chops made of millet groats with mushroom sauce - a dish that evokes the flavors of the Polish countryside while being completely plant-based. According to local legend, similar dishes were prepared in Torun as early as the Middle Ages, especially during periods of fasting when meat was forbidden. Today, Karrotka continues this tradition, adding modern touches to it.

The interior of the restaurant refers to the history of the city - wooden tables, brick on the walls and soft lighting create an atmosphere that allows you to move back in time. The restaurant's windows overlook Gothic architecture, reminding us of the time when the city joined the Kingdom of Poland in 1454, an important moment in its history.

Prices at Karrotka can be described as 'average', offering good value for money. The restaurant is particularly popular with tourists looking for authentic local flavors, but in a vegetarian and vegan-friendly version.

Crossing the Old Town Moat, which was once part of the city's defense system, we arrive at Bread House Cafe at Old Town Moat 2. This cafe, while not fully vegetarian, offers a wide range of plant-based options, including delicious vegan baked goods. The place combines modern design with respect for the historic fabric of the city - it is housed in a restored building that remembers when Torun experienced its cultural and academic heyday in the 1860s.

The Bread House Cafe is especially famous for its baked goods - breads, rolls and sweet snacks are prepared on site, using traditional methods. Particularly recommended are their vegan carrot cakes, which hark back to old Polish recipes when carrots were a popular sweetener before sugar became widely available. Prices at this café can be described as 'average,' making it affordable for most visitors.

It is worth noting that the location of Bread House Café on the Old Town Moat allows you to enjoy the Old Town skyline from a different perspective. Sitting on the cafe's outdoor terrace, you can contemplate the view of the defensive walls and towers, which remember the time when Toruń was an important point on the map of the Teutonic state. In 1824, Toruń's population was only 8,600, and today it is a vibrant city where tradition meets modernity, of which Bread House Cafe is a perfect example.

Leaving the very center of Toruń and heading towards the Bydgoskie Przedmieście district, we arrive at Chwast Prast vegetarian Bistro at 61 Adam Mickiewicza St. This location is no accident - Bydgoskie Przedmieście is a district that developed significantly in the 19th century, when the construction of railroads contributed to Toruń's economic boom. In 1862 the railroad connected the city to Warsaw, and in 1873 to Berlin and Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), which opened up new commercial and cultural opportunities.

Chwast Prast is housed in an early 20th century building that remembers the days when the neighborhood was home to Toruń's intelligentsia and wealthy bourgeoisie. Today, the bistro combines the historic character of the place with a modern approach to plant-based cuisine. The menu is inspired by international cuisine, but there are plenty of local touches as well. Particularly recommendable are their 'stuffed cabbage rolls' with millet groats and mushrooms, which are a vegan interpretation of a traditional Polish dish.

The interior of the restaurant is decorated in an industrial style, with elements referring to the history of the place - exposed brick, wooden beams and vintage furniture create a cozy atmosphere. On the walls one can admire photographs depicting Torun from the early 20th century, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the city's history while tasting modern, plant-based dishes.

Prices at Chwast Prast can be described as 'average', making the place accessible to a wide audience. The bistro is particularly popular with young people and families looking for healthy, ethical food options.

It is worth comparing all five of the described establishments in terms of their offerings and character. Project Nano and Ciasna, located in the heart of medieval Torun, offer the most authentic historical experience, allowing you to sample plant-based delicacies in a setting that has changed little over the centuries. Karrotka stands out with a menu most rooted in Polish culinary tradition, while Bread House Cafe specializes in baked goods prepared according to traditional methods. The Chwast Prast, on the other hand, offers the most international and modern approach to plant-based cuisine.

In terms of prices, Project Nano is the most affordable, offering its products in the 'cheap' category. The other establishments are in the 'average' category, with Prast Prast and Karrotka, which offer full-fledged meals, perhaps slightly more expensive than the others.

In terms of atmosphere, Tight offers the most intimate experience, in keeping with its name. Bread House Cafe and Weed Prast are more spacious and modern, ideal for longer meetings. The Project Nano and Karrotka combine traditional and modern elements to create unique spaces that reflect the spirit of Toruń, a city where history is still alive and present in everyday life.

All these places have one thing in common - they are proof that Toruń, a city with a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, can harmoniously combine tradition and modernity. Plant-based cuisine, while it may seem like a modern trend, has deep roots in this city, dating back to a time when fasting was an important part of religious life and access to meat was limited. Today, in the 21st century, the tradition is being revived in a new form, offering tasty, ethical and healthy alternatives to locals and tourists.