In the heart of the Old Town, on Garncarska Street, there is a place that has been conquering the palates of Danzigers and tourists since 2020. Babette - Soup and Bread Workshop is a unique bistro that combines traditional bread baking methods with a modern approach to healthy eating. The history of the place is fascinating - Babette's founders decided to revive forgotten baking recipes from the time when Gdansk was an important trading center of the Hanseatic League. According to local accounts, the name of the restaurant refers to the legendary baker Babette, who baked bread for Danzig merchants and sailors in the 17th century.

Babette's interior impresses with its rustic character - brick walls, wooden ceiling beams and stylish furniture create a cozy atmosphere. The heart of the establishment is a traditional bread oven, where a variety of sourdough breads are baked daily. The menu changes weekly, offering colorful soups cooked in cauldrons, perfect for both small and large appetites. The roasted pumpkin soup with coconut milk and curry is especially worth trying - a flagship dish that has gained cult status among regulars.

Babette is also famous for its homemade spreads, pickles and other toppings, which can be purchased to take away. Interestingly, the restaurant also runs bread-baking workshops, where you can learn the secrets of traditional baking. In 2024, in response to growing interest, Babette opened a second location in the Przymorze district, expanding its fan base.

A completely different character, though an equally impressive approach to healthy food, is presented by Manna 68. This vegan restaurant is located in a historic building on Holy Spirit Street, in the heart of the Main City. The history of this building dates back to the 15th century, when it served as a grain warehouse for Danzig merchants. Today, after careful restoration, it impresses with its combination of historic architecture and modern design.

Manna 68 is a place that was born out of a passion for plant-based cuisine and concern for the planet. The restaurant's founders, fascinated by traditional Kashubian cuisine, decided to create a vegan interpretation of it. The menu is based on local, seasonal products, often sourced from small, local suppliers. Particularly recommended are the dumplings with a Kashubian filling of broad beans and potatoes, and the nettle soup - a dish that, according to local accounts, had magical health properties.

The restaurant is famous for its original desserts, which, despite the absence of dairy, delight with their creamy texture and intense flavor. The cashew cheesecake with a mousse made from local forest fruits is a true masterpiece that attracts even those skeptical of vegan sweets. Manna 68 also offers a special tasting menu to explore the variety of flavors of plant-based cuisine in the form of small portions.

Prices at both restaurants can be described as average, although Manna 68 ranks slightly higher in this category due to its use of exclusive plant-based ingredients. Babette attracts a more casual atmosphere, ideal for informal gatherings, while Manna 68 will work well for more special occasions. What both restaurants have in common, however, is an uncompromising approach to the quality and authenticity of the dishes served.

The phenomenon of the Avocado chain is one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of Gdansk gastronomy. What started as a small vegan place on Wajdeloty Street in Wrzeszcz has grown into a true healthy food empire with three different concepts: Avocado Vegan SPOT, Avocado Vegan Bistro and Avocado Vegan Pestka. Each of these places, while united by a common philosophy, offers unique culinary experiences.

Avocado Vegan SPOT, located at 25 Wajdeloty Street, is the first child of the family. The restaurant was established in 2016, at a time when vegan restaurants were a real rarity in Gdansk. The founders, fascinated by the history of the Wrzeszcz district, which was famous for its avant-garde cafes and restaurants in the interwar period, decided to revive this tradition in a modern way. SPOT's interior draws on the aesthetics of the 1920s, with distinctive tiles, brass accessories and vintage furniture.

Avocado Vegan SPOT's menu focuses on classic dishes with a vegan twist. The flagship dish is the 'Danzig Dok' burger - referring by name to the city's shipyard history - with a black bean cutlet, caramelized onions and homemade BBQ sauce. The restaurant is also famous for its vegan versions of traditional Polish dishes, such as pork chop with tofu and bigos with tempeh. Interestingly, SPOT organizes periodic 'Back to the Roots' events, during which dishes inspired by pre-war Gdansk recipes are served in a plant-based interpretation.

Just a few steps away, at the same address, but with a separate entrance, is Avocado Vegan Bistro - a more intimate and refined version of the concept. The bistro was established in 2018 as a response to the growing interest in plant-based fine dining. The interior is elegant, with a predominance of dark colors, soft fabrics and moody lighting. The menu changes seasonally and focuses on the chef's original compositions, which experiment with fermentation, smoking and other traditional food preservation techniques.

Particularly notable is the dish 'Baltic Treasure' - marinated tofu that resembles smoked salmon in flavor, served with roasted beet puree and cashew sour cream. The bistro also offers a tasting menu with the option of pairing with natural wines or kombucha. Interestingly, the establishment has its own fermentation cellar, where kimchi, pickled vegetables and other fermented delicacies used on the menu are made.

The third member of the Avocado family is Avocado Vegan Pestka, located on Podwale Staromiejskie, in the heart of historic Gdansk. Opened in 2020, Pestka differs from its sister establishments with a more casual character and a menu inspired by street food from all corners of the world. The interior is bright and airy, with plenty of plants and elements alluding to the city's maritime character.

Pestka is especially famous for its vegan bowls - colorful, nutrient-packed compositions that are not only delicious, but also photogenic. Particularly popular is the 'Neptune Bowl' - a reference to the famous Gdansk fountain - with a base of quinoa, marinated tempeh, avocado, pickled red cabbage and tahini sauce. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of smoothies, cold-squeezed juices and baked goods without refined sugar.

Prices at Avocado's locations can be described as average, although Bistro ranks in the higher price bracket due to its more refined dishes and cooking techniques. SPOT and Pestka attract a diverse clientele - from students to families with children to tourists looking for healthy options. Bistro, on the other hand, is a popular place for romantic dinners or business meetings.

It is worth mentioning that all Avocado locations are actively involved in the local community, organizing cooking workshops, lectures on healthy eating and charity events. The chain also cooperates with local artists, who regularly display their works on the walls of the restaurants, creating a kind of bridge between the culinary and visual culture of the city.

On the map of Gdansk wellness restaurants, a special place is occupied by Faloviec - a restaurant whose name refers to the sea waves, so characteristic of the seaside location of Gdansk. Located at 2 Obrońców Wybrzeża Street, in the modern district of Przymorze, Faloviec stands out not only for its menu based exclusively on plant-based ingredients, but also for its unique approach to local culinary tradition.

Falovec's history is closely linked to Gdansk's maritime heritage. The restaurant was founded in 2019 on the initiative of a group of friends - passionate about sailing and a healthy lifestyle. According to local stories, the idea for the restaurant was born during a cruise on the Baltic Sea, when the founders, tired of the lack of plant-based options in seaside towns, decided to create a place combining their love of the sea with their passion for plant-based cuisine. The name 'Faloviec' comes from the old Polish term for a sea wave, which perfectly reflects the character of the place.

The restaurant's interior impresses with a minimalist design inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics, with a predominance of natural materials - wood, linen and stone. Large windows let in plenty of light, while nautical accents - such as ropes, navigational maps and old photographs of Gdansk's harbor - add character to the space. A particularly interesting design element is a large installation of driftwood, collected by the owners during walks on Baltic beaches.

Falovec's menu is based on local, seasonal products, often sourced from small, Pomeranian suppliers. The chef, fascinated by traditional Kashubian and Pomeranian cuisine, creates plant-based interpretations of it, preserving authentic flavors and aromas. The flagship dish is 'Baltic Plate' - a composition inspired by marine gifts, in which marinated seaweed, tofu reminiscent of herring in taste and smoked potato puree play the main role.

A unique element of Falovec's offer is 'Sea Sundays' - a cyclical event during which a special tasting menu inspired by the cuisine of different coastal regions of the world is served. Each month, the chef takes guests on a culinary journey to a different corner of the globe - from Scandinavian fjords to the Portuguese coast to Japanese islands.

Faloviec is also famous for its proprietary fermented beverages, such as kombucha flavored with sea salt and seaweed, or bread sour based on regional bread. An interesting fact is that the restaurant runs its own herb garden on the roof of the building, where not only classic herbs are grown, but also rare varieties of sea plants adapted to land conditions.

Prices at Falovec can be described as average, although special events and tasting menus place them in the higher price bracket. The restaurant attracts a diverse clientele - from locals to tourists to those interested in sustainable lifestyles and ecology.

Comparing all the restaurants described, one can see that each offers a unique approach to healthy, plant-based food. Babette delights with its traditional approach to bread baking and homemade soups, Manna 68 offers a refined interpretation of Kashubian cuisine in a vegan edition, the Avocado chain caters to a variety of needs - from street food to fine dining, and Faloviec takes guests on a culinary journey inspired by Gdansk's maritime heritage.

In terms of location, Manna 68, Avocado Vegan Pestka and Babette have an edge for tourists exploring the historic center of the city, while Avocado Vegan SPOT and Bistro are the perfect stop while exploring the atmospheric Wrzeszcz district. Faloviec, located a bit further from the center, instead offers a quieter atmosphere and easier access for those traveling by car.

Regardless of the location chosen, Gdansk's wellness restaurants prove that healthy, plant-based food can be not only nutritious, but also full of flavor, creative and deeply rooted in local culinary tradition. This is a true revolution that is changing the face of the city's gastronomic scene and attracting more and more conscious, discerning foodies.