Enter the crazy world of sweetness - Warsaw's Lukullus

Here's a story for those with a sweet tooth. I'm introducing you to my favourite confectionary spots on the map of Warsaw, which can bring you to a different dimension. Enter the crazy world of sweetness with Warsaw's Lukullus, that emerged from a family business settled in our capital city after World War II. The grandfather of the current owner started running a small confectionary on the right bank of the Vistula River, and since then, the company has gone through many changes. When the grandson took over, he decided to rebrand the regular place into a kingdom of sweetness. The first step was using natural and good-quality ingredients (such as butter), which soon became the trademark of Lukullus.

Back to the 60s

The amazing confectionary products can be found in one of the branches located on Chmielna Street, right in the center of Warsaw. In the beautifully designed interior, together with a cup of coffee, one can enjoy perfectly crafted and innovative tastes: jasmine with matcha enclosed in a white, egg-shaped form laid on green sponge cake, a mix of passionfruit and vanilla cream in a cake ball or a melange of tropical fruits and rum topped with whipped cream. These are only a few of numerous creative options. The other part of the magical experience is the surrounding that brings you to the atmosphere of the 50s and the 60s in communist Poland. If your head was just filled with a cavalcade of poor and ugly objects of Soviet reality - you couldn't be more wrong! Lukullus brings the most beautiful design ideas of that time together: the round marble tables surrounded by wide armchairs on thin legs, the floor is covered in mosaics, and the walls lined with elegant wooden panels. Dimmed lights bring a cozy atmosphere to the rooms filled with a sweet smell.

Club Tropicana

My number one, though recently opened, is another branch of the company - an ice-cream shop christened after the famous St. Tropez. The place itself is worth paying a visit. Located in the vicinity of some popular parks in Warsaw (such as the Royal Bathrooms), Lukullus St. Tropez is a bit off the beaten track, but I swear, a little bit of commuting is completely worth it. The main inspiration for the interior were the projects of the famous Memphis Group and the aesthetics of the 80s and the 90s. Entering the ice-cream shop, you will see a decoration that looks like a music video set: pink-golden, wavy walls, palm trees and a huge eye instead of a window. The owners also paid attention to the music from the era, that will make your visit even more fun. The ice-cream experience is, again, of an unusual kind: try the taste of Pavlova cake with raspberries, chocolate so thick that is hard to lick or feel the crunch of vanilla seeds under your teeth while enjoying the richest taste you could ever find.

Supporting local artists

The confectionary has a few other locations in the city, and they might be close to your place of staying. The one on Mokotowska Street always has a stunningly decorated front window, depending on the season. Sometimes you can see there a classical torso wearing headphones and surrounded by neons, on other occasions there are penguins marching through the winter wonderland, carrying Christmas gifts. Moreover, the owners pay attention to details, packing their products in magnificent boxes designed by local artists. 

If you want to experience another dimension of modern confectionery, you cannot miss these spots. In Lukullus, craftsmanship and attention to detail are brought to the highest level. Even if you have to pay a little bit more for a piece of cake than in a regular chain store, it's worth every penny, as it's created with great passion, respect to tradition and support for local people. So, when in Warsaw, enter the crazy world of sweetness in Lukullus, and - I bet, you'll want to come back.