Epoka — Restaurant in Warsaw

Terrible customer service—we decided to avoid further disappointment and canceled our reservation.

We booked well in advance for Valentine’s Day, fully expecting a special menu at a premium price. However, two weeks before the date, the restaurant informed us that we could only choose between two set menus: 3,500 PLN or 6,000 PLN per couple. These prices were more than double the usual menu or what similar high-end restaurants in Warsaw—or even Michelin-starred establishments across Poland—typically charge on that day.

Included in the price was a compulsory bottle of expensive yet uninspired champagne, along with some caviar. While I might have been fine with the caviar, neither my date nor I drink alcohol, and we certainly weren’t planning to down half a bottle each in one sitting. When we asked for an alcohol-free alternative or the option to forgo the champagne, the restaurant flatly refused.

This left a bad taste in my mouth. People abstain from alcohol for many valid reasons: intolerance, medical conditions, medication interactions, pregnancy, past struggles, or simply personal preference. At this price point, customers should have a choice.

The restaurant explained that they have an exclusive agreement with Antonius and Dom Pérignon, requiring them to include these products in all meals. If anything, this policy only made me less inclined to support those brands—it feels like a desperate attempt to force their products on unwilling guests. How dire their business circumstances must be.

On top of that, the extremely short notice made it nearly impossible to find an alternative for the same evening anywhere in Warsaw. This demonstrates a complete lack of respect for guests, who are essentially forced to either pay several times more than they originally planned for items they may not even want or cancel their Valentine’s Day plans at the last minute—when most other restaurants are fully booked. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. If you truly must prioritize brand partnerships over providing a good experience for your guests, the least you could do is plan properly and disclose all the details when reservations open.

Save yourself the trouble—book a table elsewhere, especially for special occasions.

It’s a shame, as we both love historical cuisine and fine dining, and we were truly looking forward to the experience. Still, I just couldn’t bring myself to support this kind of behavior, it felt...

This restaurant embodies everything wrong with fine dining. If you’re after a culinary experience that offers genuinely good food rather than Instagram-worthy photos, this is not the place. This was my first ever tasting menu where I left feeling hungry. The quality of the ingredients, cooking techniques, and seasoning were all below par. It felt like 90% of their effort went into the visual presentation rather than the actual flavors. Every dish looked perfect—like a little piece of art that surely took a lot of effort—but ultimately disappointed with underwhelming, mild flavors.

For example, the duck main course was so bland; the duck breast itself was chewy and tasteless, and the garnish did nothing to enhance it, apart from looking pretty. Even the bread course, served with an overcomplicated butter, was disappointing. It looked great and smelled good, but the bread itself was just okay—lacking salt and flavor. Honestly, you could find a better loaf at a random bakery. I guess it’s not just the quality of the cooking, but also the ingredients themselves that fall short. The duck we were served and the flour used to make the bread seemed to be of poor quality.

Additionally, the pacing between courses was odd; we waited far too long for the first few dishes to arrive. While the service was what you’d expect from a two-star Michelin establishment, it lacked a touch of genuine finesse and felt a bit robotic. There are other great restaurants in Warsaw much more worth a visit than Epoka and offering absolutely better value...

During our visit to Warsaw, my wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Epoka, a restaurant highly recommended by our friends. Having experienced many restaurants around the world, including those with 2 and 3 Michelin stars, our expectations were understandably high. However, what we encountered at Epoka exceeded even the highest of them.

The culinary experience and the entire evening were so extraordinary that we still reminisce about it to this day. At Epoka, everything simply aligns perfectly! The entire concept, the experience, the flavors, the wine pairing, the interior design, and the service work in flawless harmony, creating one of the best dining experiences we've ever had.

Epoka is truly on a world-class level. I am convinced that if the restaurant were located in cities like Paris, Copenhagen, or London, it would immediately earn 2 Michelin stars. It is, therefore, surprising to see that in Poland, it holds only a recommendation.

The team at Epoka consists of true professionals who clearly work with passion and dedication—something that is more valuable than any Michelin star.

Epoka—keep doing what you’re doing; don’t change a thing. Bravo and congratulations to the entire team!

Best regards from...