Mercato Bistrot & Bar — Restaurant in Gdansk

DANGEROUS allergy mishandling nearly caused anaphylactic shock

I am writing this review to warn others with severe allergies about the dangerous negligence I experienced at Mercato restaurant in Hilton Gdansk.

Background: I have a severe nut allergy that previously resulted in hospitalization due to anaphylactic shock. When booking our 5-year anniversary dinner (reservation name Bakker), I clearly specified this life-threatening allergy in our reservation notes.

What happened: Despite emphasizing my severe nut allergy multiple times to our waiter at the beginning of the meal, he served me a hazelnut-infused pastry during our 6-course tasting menu. Trusting the restaurant's professionalism, I ate it.

The emergency: Within minutes, I turned white with red blotches and white spots appearing on my neck - early signs of an allergic reaction. When my girlfriend urgently asked if there were nuts in the dish, the waiter: First ignored us and served other tables Then claimed there were NO nuts when asked again Only after a THIRD urgent inquiry admitted "maybe a little"

Life-saving action: Recognizing the symptoms from my previous hospitalization, I immediately went to the bathroom and induced vomiting to prevent the allergens from reaching my stomach, throwing up the entire 6-course meal and wine.

Unacceptable response: Rather than taking responsibility for this life-threatening error, the waiter blamed ME for "not stating it enough" (despite it being noted in reservation and mentioned multiple times). Management's solution was merely reducing our 800 PLN bill to 600 PLN - completely inadequate given they nearly caused a medical emergency.

This ruined our 5-year anniversary and could have killed me. For a restaurant of this caliber and price point, the complete failure to manage a clearly communicated severe allergy is inexcusable and dangerous.

If you have severe allergies, I cannot recommend trusting this establishment with your safety. The staff's casual attitude toward life-threatening allergies and refusal to take responsibility is...

I recently dined at Mercato in Gdańsk, and overall, it was a delightful experience. The standout feature of the evening was the outstanding service by our server, Oliwia. She was extremely knowledgeable, knowing every detail of each dish on the menu. Her friendly demeanor and attentiveness made us feel truly welcomed and well taken care of throughout the meal.

Most of the dishes were beautifully plated and had a refined flavor profile. It’s clear the kitchen pays attention to presentation, and the ingredients seemed fresh and thoughtfully combined. While the concept of the Dziadówka Soup was intriguing, the flavors felt a bit “disconnected,” as if each component wasn’t fully integrated. A little tweaking to unify the tastes and textures would make this dish shine. The fish itself was tender and flavorful, but the absence of any crispness left it feeling one-note. A light sear or a crisp finishing technique could add a pleasant contrast in texture.

The highlight of our experience was definitely the exceptional service. Oliwia’s expertise, patience in answering questions, and overall warmth added so much to the meal. She also offered helpful suggestions about pairings and portion sizes. Ambiance.

Mercato’s dining room has a stylish, modern feel that complements the elevated menu. The atmosphere is relaxed but still feels special, making it a great spot for a leisurely meal or a celebratory dinner.

If you’re looking for a restaurant where service is just as memorable as the food, Mercato is definitely worth a visit. While there are a few minor adjustments that could enhance certain dishes—like bringing more harmony to the soup and adding crispness to the fish—the core experience is still highly enjoyable. I look forward to seeing how the menu continues to evolve and would happily return to see what new creations the talented team (especially Oliwia) will bring...

Went for the tasting menu and as much as the food was delicious the service was very poor and more like a low grade restaurant experience. I made a reservation specifically requesting an English speaking waiter for my partner and that was also it was his birthday celebration. From the start we have only received a menu in polish and no drinks/wine list - weirdly when asking for it the waiter said they don’t have it at the moment because of some changeover (??) but he can just bring some of his recommendation once we start eating? My partner who clearly is a foreigner and the moment we entered we only spoke English yet he was handed a polish menu. I have also mentioned an allergy to one of the ingredients asking If there is a substitute for it however he seemed negligent to offer anything or care. The whole time we had to wait a very long time for the courses to arrive even though it was not busy and the waiter would not do small things such as refilling our water etc. In the end we waited 30 mins for just dessert without explanation while watching the staff close up the restaurant. It was supposed to be a birthday meal and did not feel as special as it could have been, the waiter was not apologetic at all about things like the waiting time, allergies, caring about our table or even offering the right menu for my partner. Lack of hospitality and kindness which is literally his job as a waiter in such an establishment.

Stars for the food as it was very good, vibrant and colourful. All the courses were very creative and interesting and we loved the fresh ingredients. We visit a lot of fine dining restaurants and this one was so far one of the worst in terms of service. Please work on it as it doesn’t feel like fine dining at all more like a low grade...