A Restaurant Above the Clouds
On the 33rd floor of the Olivia Star building, ARCO by Paco Pérez elevates dining in Gdańsk to extraordinary new heights. Quite literally. With floor-to-ceiling glass walls framing the city, the Baltic Sea, and even the distant Hel Peninsula, the restaurant offers not just a meal but a panorama that changes with every hour of the day. Sunrise spills golden light over the city, while evenings bathe the dining room in dramatic sunsets reflected across the water. Few dining experiences in Europe combine this level of gastronomy with such an unforgettable vantage point.
Paco Pérez: A Master of Culinary Poetry
The restaurant carries the vision of Paco Pérez, one of Spain’s most decorated chefs, holder of five Michelin stars across his restaurants in Spain. His philosophy is rooted in balance: between land and sea, tradition and innovation, discipline and playfulness. ARCO is his canvas in Poland, and together with resident chef Antonio Arcieri, he orchestrates a symphony of flavors that bridges the Mediterranean with the Baltic.
For Gdańsk, a city better known for its maritime history than for haute cuisine, ARCO’s arrival was transformative. It brought the city its very first Michelin star, placing it firmly on the map of global fine dining destinations.
The Atmosphere: Elegance and Amber Glow
Step into ARCO, and you immediately sense refinement without stiffness. The interiors are sleek yet warm, inspired by the Baltic coast. Amber accents nod to the region’s natural heritage, while polished woods and shimmering metallic details mirror the sea’s shifting hues. The dining room feels intimate, even at such great heights: a place designed for whispered conversations, celebratory toasts, and gastronomic theatre.
The design avoids opulence for opulence’s sake. Instead, it mirrors the food itself: precise, thoughtful, deeply rooted in place yet expressed with cosmopolitan flair.
The Menu: De Rerum Natura, Nature on a Plate
ARCO’s gastronomic journey is encapsulated in its tasting menu, poetically named De Rerum Natura (“On the Nature of Things”). Spanning 24 “experiences,” it is a narrative that flows from garden to sea to land. Each dish is an exploration of flavor, texture, and philosophy: surprising, playful, and deeply memorable.
Highlights include:
- Cebularz Reborn: a traditional Polish onion bread transformed into a delicate, airy doughnut — familiar yet entirely new.
- Oysters & Beetroot: the minerality of oysters paired with fermented beetroot, creating a dialogue between sea and soil.
- Sturgeon & Caviar: tender sturgeon enriched with a crown of caviar, lifted by the brightness of citrus.
- Potato Clouds: a reinterpretation of Calabrian pasta e patate, where potatoes become ethereal clouds suspended in jelly tubes.
Each plate feels like a riddle, you recognize the story but are delighted by the unexpected way it unfolds.
Bread, Tapas, and Playfulness
Even before the main symphony begins, the prelude sets the tone. Baskets of bread arrive: pillowy brioche, rustic sourdough, and crisp focaccia: paired with golden olive oil from Catalonia. Tapas amuse-bouches tease the palate: olives reimagined as translucent jellies, crab tacos the size of a coin, tiny bites that hint at the creativity to come.
These opening gestures are playful, almost mischievous. They whisper that this is not a meal to be taken literally: it is a dialogue between chef and diner, where each bite is an invitation to wonder.
Main Acts of Intensity
As the courses progress, dishes deepen in intensity. Lamb ragout is paired with sea cucumber “pasta”, a juxtaposition of land and sea that feels both daring and harmonious. Wild boar nigiri topped with raw prawn delivers an almost primal thrill, rich and briny in equal measure. These are dishes designed not just to please but to provoke thought, to stretch the imagination of what food can be.
Sweet Crescendos
Desserts continue the journey with a blend of finesse and indulgence. A sphere of chocolate conceals bursts of fruit; citrus is transformed into shimmering gels and airy mousses; local berries are paired with Mediterranean herbs. The finale is light, elegant, and refreshing: a reminder that in the hands of true masters, even indulgence can be refined.
The Service: Choreography of Elegance
Service at ARCO is an art in itself. Every movement is fluid, every interaction warm yet discreet. Staff glide through the room as though choreographed, explaining dishes with a mix of expertise and charm. There is no stiffness here, no intimidation: only the sense that you are in the care of true professionals who delight in sharing their world with you.
For Whom is ARCO?
ARCO is not for the diner seeking comfort food or a quick evening out. It is for those who understand dining as a form of art. For cosmopolitans who collect experiences the way others collect art or jewelry. For couples marking milestones, for business leaders sealing partnerships, for travelers who want their time in Gdańsk to be etched into memory.
It is also for the curious epicure who relishes discovery: a new way to see Polish tradition, a new interpretation of Mediterranean finesse, a new horizon both literally and gastronomically.
Beyond the Plate: What to Do Around
Part of ARCO’s magic lies in its context. After dinner, step onto the observation deck of Olivia Star and take in Gdańsk illuminated at night. Spend your days exploring the city’s Old Town, with its Gothic spires and maritime charm, then return to ARCO for an evening that feels worlds apart.
For travelers on a longer journey, the Hel Peninsula and Baltic beaches are nearby, making ARCO the perfect culinary anchor for a broader exploration of northern Poland.
The Verdict: Gdańsk’s Star in the Sky
ARCO by Paco Pérez is more than a Michelin-starred restaurant; it is a statement. A statement that Gdańsk belongs on the global culinary stage. A statement that tradition and innovation can dance together in perfect harmony.
To dine here is to surrender to an experience, of flavors, textures, and vistas, that lingers long after the last glass of Champagne has been poured. For those who travel in search of beauty, meaning, and delight, ARCO is a destination.
