Three Lublin restaurants I visited were recognized in this year's Michelin Guide
✦ 4 min
I'll admit that when I heard Lublin had made it into this year's Michelin Guide, I felt enormous joy. A beautiful moment not only for the chefs and restaurateurs, but for everyone who has watched the local food scene grow year after year.
I decided to visit the three recognized places and find out what made them catch the eye of Michelin's anonymous inspectors.
1. Perłowa Pijalnia Piwa
This place shows that good cooking doesn't have to be overly formal. The atmosphere of a historic brewery, refined interiors and a modern approach to the kitchen make it easy to understand why the restaurant landed in the guide.
I remember them when they only had seats at the bar, and even then the vegan options were delicious. On the current menu the starters — lentil pâté and cebularz — are top! From the mains I had pasta and kopytka, both tasty, but there are better dumpling dishes in Lublin in my opinion, in terms of the sides they come with.
The kohlrabi soup was also delicious. I'll happily come back for starters, soup and a beer with cherry juice. Value for money? Starters and soup, absolutely. Pasta and kopytka — not quite, for me.
2. Raj Utracony
Always an interesting and satisfying experience. The kitchen was once more Middle-East inspired, but for a while now it's been a strong romance with Asian flavors — also a plus for me. Plenty of aromas, spices and colors. A nice journey. Wonderful people.
This place shows how diverse Lublin's culinary scene is becoming. Every dish thought through, the whole a very coherent experience.
The menu changes quite dynamically, following the seasons, so I won't recommend anything specific — it'll surely change soon. I love their hummus, which seems to survive every menu change. Next to my homemade one, I consider it the best hummus I've had in Lublin. With hot pita. And those desserts. Value for money? Always.
3. 2PiEr
The biggest success of this year's edition is this restaurant, which earned a Bib Gourmand — awarded to places offering exceptionally good quality at a reasonable price.
A modern interpretation of Polish cuisine, great service and a beautiful view over the city make it well worth booking a table. Value for money? Definitely. I joke that for their delicious Bellini I'd probably even pay extra.
Lublin on Poland's culinary map
It seems that just a few years ago many people associated Lublin mainly with its beautiful old town. Today it's increasingly becoming a culinary destination on Poland's map. And I hope this is only the beginning.
