Hint Food & Drinks, Wroclaw, Poland

If you’re struck by déjà vu whilst lounging in Wrocław’s newest bistro, it might be due to the fact that local designers BUCK.Studio were inspired by the colourful tiles that are such an evocative feature of western Poland’s largest city, on old staircases and kitchen stoves especially. 

Located on the ground floor of the stylish Puro hotel – itself set in the Four Denominations quarter near the Old Town – Hint is swathed in tiles of vivid blues and greens, the colours often arranged in an almost Morse code-like pattern that nicely sets off the natural oak veneer of the walls, and the battalion of Artek Domus and Gubi Beetle chairs. The communality of the space is reinforced by a large central table stacked with books and magazines which lures an attractive lunch crowd of young twenty-somethings and networking hipsters. 

The best seats in the house are by the windows looking out into the Puro’s rear garden, which links to a picturesque alley running along a bijou canal. All the better to peruse head chef Mateusz Izajasz’s unexpectedly sophisticated menu of zhoozhed up street food, the hearty bites including lobster bagel burgers, Cajun tempura fries, and an indulgent chocolate lava cake paired with popcorn ice cream.