With a blend of vintage and modern architecture that pairs perfectly with delectable, hyper-authentic Georgian food, LOMI Restaurant is coming onto the Warsaw restaurant scene with a bang.
And that bang comes in the form of soft, fresh-baked bread, succulent eggplant appetizers, delicious fish cooked at the table, garlic sauces, spice and herb toppings, world-class wines and a dining experience that is just all-around incredible. And it’s all served within a renovated pre-war building with little pops of detail that encapsulate both the old and the new of the capital city.
So what’s the story behind this new, much talked-about spot?
The History and the Future
Walk down the prominent Marszałkowska street, and you’ll undoubtedly stop to gawk at LOMI Restaurant. Located on Marszałkowska just a few feet south of Hoża, it’s hard to miss. Part of that is because it’s located in a renovated, 127-year-old tenement house, with much of its original pre-war facade intact, including a stone and brick exterior that gives it that gorgeous, early 20th-century feel.
While the building itself survived the war, it underwent a restoration in 1997 to return it to its pre-war state. It also served as home to both bank and candle shop before its newest owners took over.
And this is where the LOMI Restaurant story begins – amid a restored 19th century building rife with architectural and design details. The building was bought by a couple from Georgia who had been living in Ukraine up until the war broke out in 2022. In Dnipro, Ukraine, the couple had owned a very successful Georgian restaurant which won multiple awards for its authentic, savory food.
When they came to Warsaw, the couple set about buying and renovating the Marszałkowska space, naming it LOMI, which means “lion” in Georgian (it’s a simple nod to one of the owners named Lewan – “Lew” means lion in Polish).
The results of their purchase and renovation over the last few months aren’t just beautiful, they’re meaningful too. They’re a clear nod to the romanticism of Georgian culture in every little detail, from the candles on the lamps, to the original flooring under your feet. Inside, you’ll find interior windows with colored glass panels, antique-looking chandeliers, an open kitchen area, and multiple rooms that either allow for open-space dining or for more private parties. In fact, one VIP room seats 10 to 14 people – perfect for birthday parties or larger gatherings.
Even the very entrance is inviting – when you step through the doors you’re first met with a half-circle marble countertop on which chefs will be making Georgian bread using a traditional Tandir oven, while others will be folding Chinkali (a Georgian dumpling stuffed with meat or savory cheese). Stop by for a look and a sample!
While the interior of this space is really gorgeous, there’s even more to be said about the food…
Dining with Friends, in Style
Georgian dining is all about community – food is home in Georgia. And LOMI Restaurant embraces that idea completely, with an array of appetizers and dishes to share (as well as personal sizes) at their large tables, some of which can seat up to six or eight people!
The head chef, an award-winning Georgian cook, will serve up some incredible dishes (75 in total!) along with her own homemade cheese and sauces. And it’s all done in a semi fine dining arrangement, with elegant plating and flavor-packed bites. Start with appetizers that consist of eggplant, nut paste, pomegranates and herbs or try others like herb and spice pastes with spinach, carrot and eggplant, which you can spread on slices of fresh bread.
Don’t miss their open fire grill, which cooks up three different styles of meat, including kebab, beef, and a chicken and turkey blend. Their Mangal grill (a traditional charcoal grill) also cooks up whole fish and chicken, which are brought to the table to finish. Watch as the waiter pours chacha (a Georgian liquor) on the meat and completes the cooking process right in front of you!
Smaller portions abound here, simply because Georgian food is all about sharing and tasting a plethora of options. Try soups like a fresh chicken and spice soup, or variations on the chicken soup we all know, cooked with whole tomatoes. Salads include tons of herbs and nuts (though they can be made without, depending on allergies and personal preference), which are a fresh accompaniment to the rich meat dishes.
The main offers are incredible, too, like meat served in a warm clay dish or served in a garlic cream sauce, and a half-chicken drenched in a sauce made from cherries and forest fruits (both sweet and a little sour).
When dessert rolls around, if you’re not already stuffed, trying a traditional churchkhela is a must. A grape and walnut candy with a sticky sweet exterior, churchkhela are traditional in Georgia and extremely popular. When you’re done with your meal, order a tea and the restaurant will bring you the specialty dessert.
Speaking of drinks, LOMI Restaurant has done an excellent job of focusing on their wine selection. Here you’ll find more than 100 different types of wines from all over Europe and Georgia. If you’re partial to the Italian and French varieties, don’t worry, they’ve got them in spades.
But if you’re interested in having the full Georgian experience, don’t miss Georgian wine. Traditionally a higher percent than most wines (Georgian wine lands at around 15% alcohol), they’re also incredibly delicious and well-balanced. Whereas Italian and French wines are often made in oak barrels, Georgians tend to make theirs in kvevri, or large earthenware vessels which they store in the ground during the fermentation process.
Sip on some wine, try a paste of herbs and spices, bite into some fresh fish cooked at the table, and delight in a sweet fruit dessert after dinner – you’ve gotten the full, Georgian experience.
And while there are a lot of Georgian restaurants across the city of Warsaw, there are few that are simply as authentic as LOMI Restaurant. If you’re going to venture out and immerse yourself in Georgian cuisine, there’s no better place.
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