The story
Mercato sits on Targ Rybny (Fish Market) in Hilton Gdańsk, a name that echoes the city’s centuries‑old trading past. The restaurant’s concept is a tribute to the many markets that once animated Gdańsk’s streets – from the Targ Rakowy where crayfish were sold to the ławy chlebowe where bakers sold bread of proper weight. The space itself, with outdoor seating and air conditioning, nods to that lively commerce while offering a calm, welcoming setting for modern dining.
The kitchen’s work has earned a Michelin Recommendation, a recognition that speaks to the clarity and confidence of the cooking. Here, modern cuisine is not about flash but about honouring local ingredients and historical techniques without being bound by them.
The menu reads like a walk through a market hall. Starters include śledź bismarck – herring with onion syrup, ‘Pomeranian pineapple’ (a local horseradish variety), buttermilk, and flavoured butter with bread. Beef tartare comes with shallot, mustard, chorizo oil, and toasted onion. Pierogi filled with mushrooms are served with a glace de volaille sauce and caramelised sauerkraut, topped with boletus.
Soups are equally direct: a crayfish bisque with crayfish necks, potato, carrot, celery, and grissini; a duck‑stock pumpkin cream with smoked crème fraîche; and a traditional żurek on rye sourdough with potato purée, mushrooms, and pulled pork.
Main courses range from a risotto with spinach, celery, Żuławski Werderkäse cheese, and stracciatella, to spaghetti with seafood (mussels, prawns, tomato, and crayfish sauce). Cod loin with edamame, chickpeas, and tapioca sits alongside veal stroganoff with garlic bread and herbs. There is a 220g beef burger with cheddar, jalapeño, pickled cucumber, bacon, and red onion marmalade, and a steak with foie gras, spinach, brown mushrooms, and a choice of pepper or béarnaise sauce.
The wine list, presented by the sommelier team, mirrors the same careful selection – from Champagne to Polish solaris. Desserts like crêpes Suzette with Grand Marnier and warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream keep the meal grounded in pleasure.
Mercato is a place where the city’s trading history and modern cuisine meet with a natural grace. The Michelin nod is simply the latest chapter in a story that began with the fishermen and merchants of Targ Rybny.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
Interior and Atmosphere The restaurant is located in the Hilton hotel near the Fish Market on the Motława River. The interior is elegantly and minimally furnished, yet cozy. Large panoramic windows, through which you can watch the river and the moored ships, let in plenty of natural light. Cuisine and Chef The cuisine here is an original, creative interpretation of Pomeranian flavors based on local and seasonal ingredients. Standout dishes include beef tenderloin tartare with truffle and mushrooms, perch with caviar and champagne sauce, or rainbow trout with salsa verde. An extensive wine list will satisfy even the most demanding guests. Service and Occasions Mercato, which tells the culinary history of Gdańsk in a modern take, is suitable for both business lunches and celebrating important family moments or meetings with friends.
Location
