4 Late-Night Kebabs in Warsaw That Are 2 Legit 2 Quit

The telltale sign that a city is a gastronomic powerhouse and epicenter is when you can find delicious bites at all hours of the day (and night). And what better litmus test than the kebab.

Author

Big Body
August 26, 2024

Sometimes, you just need a mothaflippin’ kebab. For this Big Body, it’s typically a weekly bi-weekly occurrence. For me (and many), kebabs are affordable, satiating fast food that’s the perfect alternative to McDonald’s when you want to feel marginally healthier. It’s also the ideal bite for when I’ve thrown all trans fat caution to the wind after twelve piwos (beer) and a shisha. 

In my humble opinion, the telltale sign of a city that is a gastronomic powerhouse is when you can find delicious bites at all hours of the day (and night) - especially when you’re deep in your everyday routine and the banalities of life are full throttle. 

Warsaw is emphatically a contender for one of the best cities to formidably cover the entire gastronomic Rolodex. Not every night is going to be this grandiose occasion where you toss on a blazer, pair of khakis, and your best pair of unscuffed underpants (for goodness sake, I only have so many pairs), so it’s important to have a range of options at your disposal. 

Here are four of the best kebab haunts in Warsaw that back this up and are as the legendary hip-hop and dance prophet M.C. Hammer rapped, “2 Legit, 2 Quit.”

Pale Ale Travel Note: With that Greek blood in me, the combination of fries and (kebab) meat all wrapped together is in my blood. If you suspect we could have been brothers in a previous life, my recommendation across the board is to order a ‘Frykti kebab’ (french fry kebab). They’re hearty, they texturally work, and they add just that much extra depth to an already fantastic meal. 

1. Kebab Bajka

Website, Address, & Details: N/A

My most frequented kebab haunt on the list, as it was just a stone’s throw away from my apartment during my one month in Warsaw, Kebab Bajka epitomizes the term ‘late-night kebab’ to a T considering it’s open 24/7. The wait is worth it. I promise you that. 

Thick or thin, served by the platter or in the box, there’s no wrong way to eat a kebab (or Reese’s) at Bajka. Their sauce-to-meat ratio has been perfected, the tortillas render a formidable crunchy snap, the garlic sauce doesn’t overpower, and the meat isn’t overly gamey. 

Opt for a duży (monstrous) Diana frytki kebab if you love fries stuffed into your wrap along with fresh vegetables, and want a kebab the size of a wizard’s staff. Seriously, I’ve never seen a bigger kebab in my entire 33 years on this earth.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Don’t be confused! There’s a kebab shop called ‘Alibaba Kebab’ right next door that is popular. While it’s also popular, I’d say that the majority of Warsaw locals can be found lining up for Bajka instead. If you do try Alibaba, let me know!

2. Mado Kebab Grill

Website, Address, & Details: https://madokebab.pl/ 

An absolute powerhouse and my favorite (barely topping Bajka) kebab in all of Warsaw, Mado Kebab Grill on Żelazna strikes the ideal balance between not too fatty and not overly lean kebab meat. There’s also a pinch of heat to these bad boys (especially their signature ‘Chili Hot Kebab’) which will have you reaching for the nearest glass of milk. 

Mado also might be the most reasonably priced on the list due to its positioning slightly to the west of the city center. Even better, it’s open into the wee morning hours so you won’t break the bank after a long night of throwing back Żywiec piwo (beer) and vodka. 

If you’re not feeling a kebab, don’t worry. There are countless mixed grill plates to choose from, including one of my go-to’s, kofta. 

Oh, and it’s a convenient lunch stop before or after heading to the Warsaw Rising Museum which is just a stone’s throw around the corner.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Want to class things up a bit while in Warsaw? Make sure to check out my post breaking down 3 must-try upscale and traditional Polish eateries!

3. Yazin Kebab

Website, Address, & Details: https://www.facebook.com/kebabwawa/ 

Yazin Kebab is the most unique Warsaw kebab on the list thanks to its amalgamation of both Turkish and Indian ingredients. Sometimes, you want a kebab with a little more oomph and Indian cuisine never disappoints in that department. 

While you’ll find classic rolled and bulky kebabs, thick, thick kebab boxes, and grilled platters on the menu, this is your spot if you’ve always wondered what butter chicken would taste like in wrapped form. Hint: it’s absolutely delicious. 

You know you’ve attempted to roll chunks of sweet, aromatic, and silky butter chicken in whatever remaining naan you had left at an Indian restaurant, so why not leave it to the professionals? 

Yazin also fries up chicken in almost any form imaginable, including chicken nuggets, wings, and strips, a rarity at kebab shops which often just stick with the (often) unbeatable one-two kebab-french fry punch. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: In the mood for a true Polish street food staple? Make sure to check out my post breaking down two of the best zapiekanka spots in Warsaw. Zapiekanka is a popular open-faced sandwich with more customizable ingredients and toppings than a Mr. Potato Head toy. 

4. Black King’s Kebab

Website, Address, & Details: Black King’s Kebab’s Facebook

Located a stone’s throw from the Warsaw Novotel and the heart of where strip club touts pester you with no shame, Black King’s Kebab is rotisserie’ing (I just turned it into a verb) up ‘Georgian’ kebabs - as evidenced by the Georgian flags that hang proudly and the lavash bread (very popular in the Caucasus). 

If you’ve ever been to a Georgian restaurant then you already know that they know meat. If you didn’t know that. Now you know. Georgians know meat. Black King’s meat is clean, balanced, and juicy - which already gets you 50% of the way to a perfect kebab. 

It’s also one of the few kebab haunts I’ve encountered that also offers up pork options. And, to quote my brother after he tossed back a slab of grilled pork during his first visit to a Georgian restaurant (this was in Krakow), “That’s some damn good pork.”

Contrasted with the extra crunch and sweetness that lavash bread yields compared to traditional kebab tortillas, and you’ve almost reached kebab Nirvana.  

Finally, staying true to their name, Black King’s rolls up a kebab with black lavash bread (the “black kebab”), which doesn’t particularly do anything to the taste as it’s activated charcoal. However, I did see Venom do a little happy dance after he received his matching kebab after a long night of drinking, so take that as you will. 

A Quality Kebab is Never an Eating Concession

While there's simplicity and straightforwardness to kebabs, there’s integrity and patience behind the cooking and preparation - which never leaves me feeling like eating one is a “concession” because I couldn’t find anything better or make it out the door in time for a higher-end eatery. 

Honestly, I’d take one of these tried and tested kebabs any day of the week over a gamble on a three-Michelin star restaurant or fine dining restaurant. 

All four of these kebab restaurants were at the heart of my comfortably easing into a routine during my one month in Warsaw and I hope they serve as a reliable, filling, and delicious option (or back-up) for you. 

If you have any questions about traveling to or eating out in Warsaw, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]. Please also let me know if you try any of the above kebabs and your thoughts!

Finally, don’t forget to pick up my megadoc of 150+ restaurants, cafes, and bars in Poland!

Eat well everyone,

Big Body