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Cafe Polonia
Categories: Restaurants Polish Restaurants German Polish, German [Edit]
118 Washington StSalem, MA 01970
(978) 745-0045
- Nearest Transit:
-
Washington St @ New Derby St (426/455, 450, 451, 455, 456, 459, 465, 468)
New Derby St @ Klopp Alley (426/455, 451, 455, 459)
New Derby St Opp Klop Alley (426/455, 451, 455, 459)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
58 reviews for Cafe Polonia
Review Highlights
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"But the star of the dish was definitely the stuffed cabbage." In 12 reviews -
"...it was: a dab of Hungarian Goulash on the corner of mouth." In 5 reviews -
"The Kielbasa: I love grilled kielbasa." In 4 reviews
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Less H.
Beverly, MA
4/29/2012
So good. I love me some German and Polish food, Cafe Polonia serves it up presented well and in a sunny cleanly decorated atmosphere.
This is not the kind of cafe where you're going to drink cup after cup of coffee soaking up free wifi, go next door to Gulu for that atmosphere.
We went for lunch wanting to try it without having to refinance our house. The lunch menu offers up some great classic meals, stuffed cabbage, pierogies, pyzy dumplings and weiner schnitzel. We got a mixed pierogie bowl for 2, stuffed cabbage and pyzy dumplings and 2 beers to wash it all down. We managed to eat it all but it was VERY VERY filling
The coconut shrimp is a weird addition to the menu. Odd.
Everything was presented simply and gorgeously. The flavors were great. Everything was just great. The server was attentive and very good. I found the music volume to be slightly high for my taste.
Prices were at the upper end of what I would pay for lunch, but everything was so good it was worth it. -
Review from Jared R.
Salem, MA
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'll start by saying my exposure to German and Polish food is limited to the Biergarten at Walt Disney World, Wirtshaus in Methuen and the International Festival in Peabody.
Finally had a chance to get to Cafe Polonia for a wonderful meal with the family.
I got the Wurstplatte. Everything was cooked to perfection. Great potato salad and fries. I thought it was great.
My wife got the Polish Plate (which after sampling, I wish I had also gotten). The pierogis were delicious, the Gobki was fantastic (my wife commented that the sauce was a bit 'Chef Boyardee', but it matched with the gobki) and the Kielbasa was perfect
My son got the mac and cheese. It was REALLY good. He ate almost the whole plate. We had to stop him so he could have room for the ice cream we promised him.
My wife and I shared a chocolate babka and my son had the ice cream and fruit for dessert. We loved the babka. Good flavor in the chocolate and matches the ice cream well.
The beer selection is great. I had the Affligem Blonde (served in the proper glass) and my wife had the Zywiec Raspberry which she enjoyed.
Service was good. Our waiter was a little flustered, but his intentions were good and he was attentive.
I enjoyed the decor. It was very bright, open and cheerful. It was a wonderful change to the German dungeons I've been in at other places.
I'd say my only complaint was that they were out of the Heffe Weiss on tap that day (a mix up with the distributor who sent them an Ale) and the soda was flat.
After effectively getting 'samplers', my wife and I know what to get next time so save a bit of money. I can't wait to go back and get some black pudding (kizka/blood sausage) and a Heffe Weiss.
For my family, I think the more affordable lunch menu is a better fit for us. I'd love to just get a kielbasa sandwich, fries, potato salad and a beer.
I think I found that I prefer Polish food to German after going here (and having other experiences at German restaurants) -
Review from Mallory S.
Boston, MA
Updated - 2/27/2012
Another tasty weekend lunch at Cafe Polonia. We had the potato dumplings with goulash and the knackwurst. Both were delicious.
They were unexpectedly packed on Sunday afternoon so they were short staffed and that left us without much service from our waitress. Also - for some reason they don't put silverware out on the table, so you have to ask for it if the server forgets to bring it with your app/entree... and that has happened on a few occasions now. Tip: You can always grab silverware wrapped nicely in a napkin from the bar no matter how busy your server may be.
March Deal! They are having $7 lunch specials throughout March. Lots of tasty options and a good savings!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/22/2011
Great atmosphere, very friendly service, and wonderfully specific menu! This was my second time here… Read more »
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Review from Honey H.
Manhattan, NY
2/2/2012
My friends and i stopped here to try something different while doing a roadtrip
The pumpkin soup was perfect!!! And the presentation for the dishes were a visual art. The goulash really topped out dinner!
When were back on the road this will be our frist stop.
What are you waiting for ? -
Review from Tim M.
Marblehead, MA
11/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is basically polska kielbasa galore - there is kielbasa plate, kielbasa shish kebabs, kielbasa tacos, kielbasa stew, bacon wrapped kielbasa, blood kielbasa and polish plate which is basically kielbasa and stuff. I don't understand what coconut shrimp is doing on the menu - we didin't order it because I thought it was also made out of kielbasa also.
Good selection of beer, cabbage and yes, kielbasa, make it a good place to hang out. Wait on popular nights is long. You will need to hit the gym afterwards, the food is basically fat wrapped in fat and fried in lard. -
Review from Kathleen H.
Beverly, MA
I like knowing of a place where I can get blood sausage.
The potato pancakes were smushier in the middle than I like, but they were tasty. Good beer, and I like all the wood. In the decor, that is.
They have an outside seating area.
It was fine - but left the impression that I don't need to rush back anytime soon. -
Review from Chris L.
Brookfield, IL
11/9/2011
Thanks, Yelpers - I'd seen the reviews when we were planning our Halloween weekend visit, and was thrilled to find Eastern European food that wasn't completely meat-based. We had a short wait before the hostess found us a table, but it was totally worth it.
I ordered the Veg Pierogies (a few of each: potato & onion, sweet cheese, and mushroom & sauerkraut) and the Beet & Goat Cheese salad ... The pierogies are obviously handmade and had the perfect proportion of filling to dough - reminded me of my aunt Alice's kitchen. If you're lucky enough to live in the area, go! -
Review from Steve N.
Haverhill, MA
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meh, the one in Southie is better.
The stuffed cabbage was mostly filler and the sauce lacked the paprika zip. The blood sausage was decent but the kitchen couldn't scare up a couple of over easy eggs to put on top.
Service was a bit slow with only one bartender and one waitress.
on the plus side they still have the great beer selection of the Southie location and some are even on draught. -
Review from Courtney N.
Gloucester, MA
2/10/2012
I had wanted to try Cafe Polonia since it opened, and I was not disappointed. The decor is charming, the waiter was very nice, and the food (for the most part) was delicious. I had to eat fast and take home most of my work (the perils of eating out on your lunch break) and I really want to go back and have a leisurely meal. I ordered the Polish plate and loved all of it. My friend got a sandwich and gave me the coleslaw and that's the one bad part of the meal- it was like drinking vinegar straight from the bottle. Wow. Neither one of us could eat it. We know not to order that again for sure. Otherwise, a great experience and I plan to return soon to try some other Polish delights!
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Review from Hilary W.
Newburyport, MA
9/18/2011
Really loved this place. Cafe Polonia had a very warm and inviting atmosphere with a lovely staff. We shared a round of pierogis which were delicious! I had the goat cheese salad and a beet soup. The salad was one of the best I've ever had and the soup was full of yummy mushroom dumplings.
I will definitely be back! -
Review from Kelly P.
Everett, MA
6/22/2011
My cousin and I came here armed with a Groupon, and my cousin was freshly home from a trip to Germany and Austria and wanted some weiner schnitzel.
We got potato pancakes which were delish, and I had the mixed vegetarian pierogis and it was good, but I was so full I took most of it home! My cousin could not stop raving about the Hungarian goulash, and the way that thing smelled I myself was tempted to try it (but I didn't-- I'm a veggie). She said the weiner schnitzel was excellent as well.
More than the yummy food, I was totally impressed by the service. An older woman (could have been the owner) came over and gave us these delicious jelly-filled yumminess fresh from the oven, and she was so nice and attentive and it was obvious they wanted to make sure we had a good experience there. My cousin and I wanted this woman to adopt us, for real, she was just the sweetest ever! They want repeat business and with that kind of service they will get it. -
Review from Daisy M.
Salem, MA
8/7/2011
I've eaten here a few times. Great location for people-watching when the weather is nice. Food is heavy on meats, which I like.
Tried the Hunter's Stew, Potato Pancakes for 2, Beet Soup and Beet & Parmesan Salad. All were good. Waitress each time was knowledgeable and helpful.
I enjoy the menu, which reminds me of childhood, and look forward to trying their Stuffed Cabbage & Pierogis. Hopefully, like my Mom used to make : ) -
Review from Amber L.
3/14/2011
I often frequented their location in Dorchester while dating an ex and after breaking upa often wished I lived closer to a good Polish restaurant. Two years later my dream has been realized and Cafe Polonia is now in Salem!! Near Gulu-Gulu and Upper Crust too!! It creates a nice Bermuda triangle from which my belly has a hard time escaping!!
As with the other location, the service is top notch. They are super friendly and willing to explain dishes to whoever I bring with me.Their Pierogi bowl is fantastic and if you are new to Polish food I would definitely recommend Polish plate. Last time I went I had the Goulash delight and it was very tasty. I've also had the potato pancakes, parts of my boyfriend's German Wurstplate, and had various tastings of my friends' plates (Fruit Pierogis, Kielbasa Platter, and a few others) and have enjoyed all of them. I also and tickled that they serve smalec.
I've gone three times since they've opened and will definitely be going more! -
Review from Meredith K.
Cambridge, MA
5/28/2011
There are so many nice things to say about this restaurant. It's located in a charming square in Downtown Salem, right behind a statue of Samantha from the TV series Bewitched. The tables indoors are of a simple light wood and match the flower box outdoors. They have outdoor seating in both the front and back of the restaurant.
What made the meal for me was the accordion player. The man had stamina - he played almost our entire meal! And I give him props for his variety. When we sat down he was playing "Deep in the Heart of Texas." (yes, on the accordion). He played Elvis. He transitioned from a song by the Beatles to Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer." He played what I think was a polka, because the couple at the table behind us got up and started dancing in the square. Loved it!
Oh yes, and the food. We started with potato pancakes with salmon and caviar, served with sour cream. They come two to a plate. My husband was impressed with the amount of caviar. Nice flavors. For dinner, I had potato dumplings topped with Hungarian goulash, served with a side of sweet cabbage stew. The cabbage stew was really good. I think I was expecting the entrée to be something else - it was pretty good, but not something I would order again. Nevertheless, it went really well with the Zywiec beer I had, flavored with raspberry syrup (don't cringe - it's good!). The beer was on tap, it came out filled past the 0.5l mark on the glass, and was really refreshing. The combination of the food and the beer and the accordion made me feel a little like I was in Eastern Europe.
My husband had the "hunter's stew": grilled kielbasa with cabbage. The kielbasa was huge! Probably 14" long and sliced in half, lengthwise. He took half his meal home with him (partially because he helped me eat mine).
The waitress was nice, but seemed a bit scattered.
To sum up, we had a nice evening at Cafe Polonia and the accordion player was awesome! -
Review from Salem X.
Salem, MA
1/6/2011
I had this dream last night that I was being attacked by bratwurst. Some were pork and some were chicken. They didn't get along with each other, but were united in their hatred of me. As they kept poking me with their bulbous ends, long strands of sauerkraut held down my arms and legs. All the while, I was being water-boarded with Czech and Polish ales. Maybe even a Lithuanian. And the schmaltz. I won't even mention what they did with the schmaltz.
But you know what? I LOVED it.
And when I awoke from the dream - after tossing and turning and covered in sweat - I dragged myself to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. And there it was: a dab of Hungarian Goulash on the corner of mouth. And I wondered... was it really just a dream?Listed in: It was the best of times...
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Review from Matt L.
Salem, NH
5/11/2011
Schnitzel is a good thing. It is even a better thing when it is prepared well, served with some excellent sides, and done in a friendly and charming way.
Cafe Polonia hasn't been open long, but it seems to be making a good and quick impression in downtown Salem. (And it is doing it all without marketing itself as the place to get haunted goulash or witches brew!)
We came in on a quiet weeknight for dinner, and were given excellent attention and service by a bubbly young wait staff. The menu is diverse, ranging from German to Hungarian to Polish. I'm a sucker for German fare, so I went right to the aforementioned schnitzel.
The veal was tender and fried to perfection, served with a simple lemon wedge. My sides were a pile of sweet, peppery roasted potatoes and a bowl of tangy purple cabbage. The portion was more than adequate for the $12 price. An appetizer of pork spread and bread made for a good accompaniment as well.
Everyone else at the table enjoyed their fare, which covered the spectrum of the different food nationalities Cafe Polonia represents.
I've recommended it a handful of times already, and look forward to coming back for some excellent, hardy food. -
Review from Catherine S.
Laguna Hills, CA
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food rocked but the service so slow he forgot our mulled wine we waited 30 minutes for. Just got the check.
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Review from Jamie P.
Boston, MA
5/10/2011
Cafe Polonia has delicious food and a great atmosphere. We went for dinner and I had the Kielbasa Sandwich, which was gigantic. This dish can easily be split between 2 people. It comes with sauerkraut, German potato salad and fries. It was all very good. I also tried the potato dumplings and Hungarian Goulash, which was also quite delicious.
Cafe Polonia also has a few beers on tap. Most are German or Polish beers.
It's very bright inside and the hostess/manager is very entertaining. She was dancing around all the tables while a guy played folk music.
All in all it was a great experience and we will definitely be back! -
Review from Salina C.
Burbank, CA
10/22/2011 4 photos
This place is so adorable. Came here with my hubby for a light lunch and a few beers. They have a great selection of European beers. The pan seared pirogi's are fantastic. (get the mixed ones!) The pumpkin soup is just ok, the cabbage soup is amazing, especially on a cold rainy day. For dessert, we shared a sweet cheese nalesniki (polish crepe filled with sweet cheese or fruit). It wasn't horrible, but I probably won't get it again here. The crepe itself was plain and it could have used more filling. the price is decent. The staff was very friendly and answered all of our questions Dawn was a server, she was so sweet! Next time I'm in Salem, I will be sure to stop by for some cheese pirogi's.
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Review from Lee F.
Salem, MA
11/8/2010
I have eaten here twice in one week's time! I was looking forward to trying Cafe Polonia because it sounded like a nice change of pace from the usual pizza/seafood/italian restaurants all over the North Shore. I wasn't disappointed. Everything from the food to the decor to the service was warm and inviting.
The atmosphere is very cozy, with bright painted walls, lots of light and blonde wood furniture.
The food is delicious, fresh and prepared quickly. I had the pan-fried cheese and potato pierogis the first time I ate lunch there, and cabbage soup and potato pancakes the second time. (nice to see some options for vegetarians in a kielbosa-heavy culture!). I would like to see butter served with the bread in addition to the heavy garlic spread they brought with it. They have a nice drinks menu that tempted me with warm spiced beer and my new favorite: Zwyzec with raspberry syrup.
The servers were very quick and friendly, even on Halloween, when Salem is crowded and crazy. The owners greeted every customer and came around often to check on everyone.
Lunchtime prices are reasonable for a nice quality restaurant, around $10-$14 per entree. I hope to try their dinner menu soon. -
Review from Alison C.
Morgan Hill, CA
10/24/2011
Food was good, nice clean restaurant.
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Review from Barrett H.
Cincinnati, OH
10/23/2010
Dinner last night at Cafe Polonia was a fun first experience at the new restaurant in downtown Salem. We called in a reservation since it's Halloween season in Salem, but when we got there at 7:00 the restaurant was only at half-capacity. By 7:30, however, the place had come to be nearly full.
As others have mentioned, we were greeted with an unspectacular basket of bread. 2 slices of crusty bread cut in half. That and a thimble of schmaltz. The bread looked poor (although not Wonder Bread style, more like the-nicest-loaf-at-Stop-and-Shop style) and passing around the thimble of schmaltz felt like sharing a side of ranch dressing with 4 people, so I passed. Those who tried the bread confirmed my suspicions. Just a slight increase in quality and presentation here would improve the first impression you get from Cafe Polonia.
For dinner, I had the Polish plate, which is "hunter's stew, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, and pierogis". When I ordered this, the waitress remarked that the plate was a ton of food, so I imagined a huge plate of mess to be brought out. Luckily, despite ordering what is probably the largest serving on the menu, this wasn't some overstuffed plate of quantity over quality. It was 4 pierogis, a 1/4 of a kielbasa link, one galumpki, and a pile of sauerkraut. No, there was no hunter's stew brought out, but I didn't realize it was missing until I had eaten most of my food and was already full.
Everything I did get was very good. The sauerkraut was cooked up with chunks of meat in it and the pierogis were excellent; not greasy or doughy.
My wife ordered the filet, which they clearly pan-sear (as advertised) instead of grilling it. The meat had little char, but was cooked to the appropriate doneness on the inside and was a good size.
Our friends both ordered the potato pancakes. I got to try one and it was out of this world. Neither thick nor thin with a taste of onion that didn't overwhelm the potato flavor at all. Fried perfectly... there isn't a bad thing to say about these. If you like potato pancakes, Cafe Polonia's rendition merits a visit in. An older couple sitting next to us was talking to the manager and said the pancakes were just like the ones their Polish grandmothers made them. Sounds good to me.
The beer selection at Polonia is great. Mind you, this is not some Biergarten with hundreds of choices. Instead, this is a list of a 20 or so beers from Central and Eastern Europe with a few local brews mixed in. While you're confined to choosing from unusual beers, I would much rather have a bunch of new-to-me beers to choose from rather than "I'll have the beer that isn't a Budweiser product". I tried the Okocim Porter since I wanted something hearty and most of the other beers are lagers. Wow. High ABV, but a very full taste. My friend tried a Perla lager and liked it, although it looked like any other pale lager from where I sat. How lagers go with sausage and cabbage is beyond me, but that could just be personal taste.
The service at Polonia is exceptional. Have you ever had a horrible experience with a server and thought, "Why is someone like that doing this job?" Well, Polonia's staff is the opposite of that. Genuinely friendly people working with the public. Even as the dinner rush set in, every customer was greeted with a big smile and polite welcome. Our waitress was very pleasant and took care of everything we needed. As a whole, the staff is friendly and welcoming. They take the time to talk for as long as the customer engages them, but no one lingered.
One of the few downsides at Cafe Polonia is the wait time for the food. I would give at least 90 minutes for a meal here. It's what happens when you eat at a place that isn't serving flash-fried, frozen junk. From the size of the dining floor (small, maybe 50-60 seats), it seems like the kitchen must be tiny. From what I could glimpse of behind the curtain, it seems like the back of the house is jammed into a very small area. Fresh cooking + tiny kitchen = slow. I' imagine if you came here when it's slow, the food comes out much quicker.
Speaking of the dining area: it's nice enough. Seems like the owner gave someone the corporate card and said, "Hit up IKEA, Pottery Barn, and Pier 1 and get some stuff that makes this place feel like a Polish home". It's not the worst idea or execution, but it's all oak and the color red. Pretty bright for a quiet dinner spot, but since Polonia isn't open at all hours of the night, it's not a problem for me.
As we left, we forgot to claim our doggie bags and one of the waiters (not ours) came sprinting out with our leftovers. His urgency was as if somoene had left their prosthesis behind. Really, the staff at Polonia is awesome.
Overall, I definitely plan on returning to Polonia. The prices are a bit high and it's a niche restaurant, so it won't be a constant stop, but I know we'll go home happy whenever we do make the trip. -
Review from Jodi B.
Salem, MA
5/4/2011
Walking into Cafe Polonia made me feel like Henry Hill in Goodfellas; except for the whole Polish food thing, of course. I told the hostess I had a reservation and she was so friendly, I began to wonder if someone important made a reservation under the same name. She ushered us to a nice table in the back that had a big "Reserved" sign on it and chatted with us for a moment before leaving us to peruse the menu. I think she even called my husband "Sir," which I never consider a good thing because it goes to his head and then he expects me to address him that way.
I visited Cafe Polonia because I had a Groupon and because my husband has a soft spot for Pierogies and though I don't call him Sir, I still try and toss in a token subservient action every now and again. To be honest, I had some concerns about the atmosphere of the restaurant after looking at the website. It touted their blond wood furniture and some of the pictures made me suspect that it would look like your typical New Hampshire restaurant; you know, the ones in the strip malls with little valances in their windows and the fake peonies in little vases on the light wood tables.
While the decor of Cafe Polonia had some common elements of those NH restaurants, somehow it still worked. It could have been the live accordion players and the couples dancing that lulled me into an Eastern European frame of mind - that or the fact that I was halfway through the novel "The Historian," in which the protagonist visits Hungary and Bulgaria searching for Dracula.
The waitress was not as friendly as our hostess but she was efficient nonetheless. My husband ordered the Polish Plate and I opted for the Gypsy Pancake, which is a potato pancake stuffed with Goulash. We also ordered two Zywiecs, one with raspberry syrup and one without. The beers were delicious and though the first sip of the raspberry one sent me into throes of delight, it proved too much of a good thing and after two sips, I wished I had a plain one because the raspberry started to seem cloyingly sweet. So I drank most of my husband's instead; see how those token moments of subservience pay off?
When the food came I was shocked by home much there was. My Gypsy Pancakes were the size of my head, which although totally proportionate to my body, is still larger than a pancake ought to be. And although it was a bit greasy - the pancake, not my head - they were amazing. When I tried them with the hot goulash from the center I was ready to jump up on the table and dance some Polka to show my appreciation. But I erred on the side of reserve; I didn't want to perpetuate that nasty rumor that Americans are loud and ignorant.
My husband's Polish plate had some of the best Kielbasa we've ever had. Although I am not a kielbasa fan I still can recognize when it is good and this had the best snap of any I have ever tried. But the star of the dish was definitely the stuffed cabbage. Even after eating way more of my Gypsy Pancake than was decent, I kept stealing more of that cabbage . . . and washing it down with his beer. The hunters stew and the pierogies, which led us there, were fine but couldn't hold a candle to the Gypsy Pancake or the Stuffed Cabbage.
The dessert menu, sadly enough, was pretty uninspired. The Chocolate Babka cake reminded me way too much of molten lava cake - a dessert craze that should have been put out if its misery a long time ago. The only other thing that seemed moderately interesting were the blintzes but not interesting enough to tempt me into crossing the line into gluttony.
I'm looking forward to returning and having my husband try other dishes that I can then supplement my Gypsy Pancake with. -
Review from Tony M.
Salem, MA
11/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
I am so happy that this place is as good as I wanted it to be. I tried the boiled potato perogi and I was transported back to Pittsburgh, to when I first tried their pasta-ey / potato-ey / carb-ey goodness.
The bread condiment was surprising. I thought it was some kind of white bean dip. But it was actually a bacon fat and bacon bit spread that I didn't like at first, but now I am craving.
We ended our meal with the best damn cup of coffee in town. I will definitely be back to try some of the meats. They looked and smelled amazing. -
Review from Misty S.
Tried Poloina for the first time yesterday. Hubby was excited for the extensive European beer list and I was excited because, well, who doesn't love a potato pancake?
I think Polonia has a few kinks to work out, but I'll definitely be back to try again. We went for lunch on Saturday, the weekend before Halloween, around 3pm. The dining area was about 3/4 of the way full, and there was only one other party in front of us, but even though there were at least 5 open tables it took us 20 minutes to get a table.
Once we were finally seated, the waitress promptly took our order (Kielbasa dinner, potato pancakes with applesauce). It took us almost 45 minutes to get our food. I'm not sure what happened, but the table of 4 guys next to us that had ordered almost 15 minutes after us received their food first. I was hungry and getting grumpy. When our food finally came out it was pretty good. Hubby's Kielbasa was legit the biggest link I've ever seen in a restaurant! It was at least a foot long and came with 2 sides (potato salad and french fries). I ordered the potato pancakes. While I enjoyed them, they were a bit greasy and afterwards my mouth tasted oddly like I had eaten chinese food.
I'm excited that Polonia is in town and am looking forward to trying them out after they have a busy Halloween season under their belt. -
Review from Jeff B.
Salem, MA
10/7/2010
Cafe Polonia just opened in the middle downtown Salem, near the Upper Crust and the "Bewitched" statue.
My lunch began with a very friendly waitress, followed quickly by a complimentary bread basket and spread made of pork fat and garlic. The waitress almost apologetically offered butter as a substitute. I was down with the schmalz, though.
The decor is- well- tacky Polish farmhouse/whorehouse constructed with items all bought at a Grossman's Hardware store. Lots of nice light wood, and charming in a kitschy, wacky way.
The menu is pretty extensive- even for lunch. Alas, I stuck to the standard fare and got the Polish plate- a massive mound of flavorful sauerkraut, a stuffed cabbage roll the size of a small loaf of bread, kielbasa, and a selection of perogis. The cabbage roll filling was much lighter than the leaden ones I turn out. Other things were good, as well.
The cafe has an large selection of beers from east of the former Iron Curtain- Poland, Russia, Ukraine, even Georgia. Those of you beer aficionados who are looking for a new one to try might want to check them out.
Wait staff was super friendly and attentive, even with a fairly brisk crowd. Next time I come, I will see if the potato pancakes are any good. If I bring my Tums, I'll get the giant one stuffed with goulash.
Polish food is generally pretty hearty & basic- you have to be in the mood for it. There's not a whole lot of fancy culinary artistry going on here, but, it is good for what it is, & I'm giving it 4 stars anyway. -
Review from Amy M.
Salem, MA
6/18/2011
I want to give Polonia five stars for its charm and uniqueness, but the greasiness of the food our last two visits was a little disturbing. My two favorite things about Polonia are (1) the warm spiced wine ("grzaniec") and (2) the country-like atmosphere. Natural wood everywhere, good lighting, fun decor, accordian player....it's all great.
We love starting out with the mixed pierogi bowl for 2--my favorite is still potato and cheese, but I keep adding the cabbage & mushroom to see if it will grow on me. Husband tried the potato pancakes last time and they were drowning in oil, which is in contrast to the "Gypsy Pancake" he had before, which was massive, covered in goulash and sour cream, but not greasy. I got the Kielbasa Platter once and it fed me for days-- delicious, plump & juicy sausage. Also tried the Chicken Riesling w/ mushrooms & scallions, which doesn't sound particularly special, but it was fantastic. The massive plate of red cabbage that came with it was daunting but tasty.
PS: I do not like the seasoned lard that comes with the bread. Not one bit. But I'm sure they would bring butter if asked... -
Review from Jeff L.
Marblehead, MA
12/1/2011
A coveted four stars to Cafe Polonia...This place is great! Eating here absolutely obliterated any stereotypes I may have had about Polish food being heavy and bland! The food here is delicious! I went here once during restaurant week and again with the missus two weeks later..The food has a modernized presentation which was visually appealing...i tried the beet soup which was delicious, the pierogis were smallish gloops of heaven with carmelized onion...They have numerous Polish, Czech and German beers on tap...It was a little slow both times I went and we sat at the bar...One of the more interesting places in Salem...
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Review from Chas A.
Chicago, IL
10/7/2011
While walking along the pedestrian mall in Salem today, we were handed a card by a young man touting a bratwurst and German beer lunch special at Cafe Polonia for 5 bucks. Sounded like a good deal, so off we went.
Upon entering, we liked the place immediately. Nice decor, bright and welcoming.
While ordering, I asked if I could substitute a Zywiec Polish beer (a favorite), for the German one. Our server said no, only European beers for the special. With a smile, I mentioned Poland was in Europe. She was not amused, it seems, and I ordered a couple of Spatens. No big deal. Just thought I'd give it a shot.
So...we ordered up a pair of brat & beer lunch specials and an order of fries to split. The brats were dumped on our table in a timely manner, with nary a word from our server. The fries were never delivered.
The wallet with the bill was tossed on our table while looking at our servers butt, as she was takling to patrons at another table nearby.
The total bill was $10.70 for 2 brats and 2 beers. The fries were not on the bill, evidently forgotten on the way to enter our order. This, as well as her rudeness, earned our server a thirty cent tip, as we had no change to leave the exact amount on the bill.
While at the Cafe Polonia, we couldn't help but notice that those that were ordering full meals, (not the lunch special), were treated to the full attention of our server.
Good brats, rude service. Never again. -
Review from Russ P.
Marblehead, MA
11/8/2010
Blown away...
I had heard that this place would be opening and I was eagerly awaiting the arrival. My wife and I were out and decided to stop by for a late lunch. The entire experience was excellent from start to finish.
The inside is very comfortable. It is decorated in nice blond woods with bright walls and simple decor. We were seated quickly and politely and our server was very prompt in his arrival and introduction. We were there on a Sunday and were fortunate to enjoy some live, traditional Polish music while we ate.
My wife had a good Polish beer - they have a list of several. We shared a Silesean Dumplings app. These were delicious, soft little dumplings with caramelized onion on top.
The menu is large, but not overly so and has many traditional Polish and eastern European dishes as well as more pedestrian plates. My wife had the Gypsy Pancake. This is a huge potato pancake over a delicious goulash. This was served with a really nice beet salad and some sliced cucumbers. The portions are large and we had a nice take home bag. I had the Polish Plate which is a great mix. It comes with some assorted perigees, a really good kielbasa and the best stuffed cabbage roll I have ever had.
The whole experience was great. If you have never tried Polish food, go ahead and check it out. We went with high expectations and found all of them to be satisfied. -
Review from Liv R.
Salem, MA
10/18/2010
I enjoy Polish and German food so was very excited to try the new Cafe Polonia in town shortly after they opened. The interior of the restaurant is very bright and sunny, perfect for lunch but not the best decor for dinner.
Your meal starts with complimentary bread with either butter or schmalz. I did not try the schmalz, but my two year old did, and she really liked it. Like another reviewer said, the bread certainly isn't fresh, but it is a welcome addition to the meal, especially when dining with hungry toddlers.
For lunch, I ordered the kielbasa sandwich (that came with a small amount of sauerkraut) that was served with fries and potato salad for $8. The size of the kielbasa was very large and could have been split between two people. The fries were very good, but the German potato salad wasn't like any German potato salad I've ever had. It was like cold deli red bliss potato salad. I felt that my meal was a good deal for the price, and I would order it again. Others in my party ordered the potato pancakes (4 pancakes for $11!) served with ~three tablespoons of applesauce and the potato and cheese pierogis (6 for $10). Both of these dishes were tasty, but way over-priced for what you get, especially on a lunch menu.
The prices are certainly high for the comforting peasant food you are getting. I would return to the restaurant if I were in the mood for this type of cuisine, but I'm not sure how frequently I would choose it over other better-priced places in Salem. What is over-priced for lunch is almost comical for some of their dinner prices. (The same sandwich above that is $8 for lunch is $12 for dinner!) While they do offer some more interesting dishes on the dinner menu, if I wanted to pay $15-24 an entree for my meal, there are far many other places I would go first in Salem, especially with the nearly IKEA-like lunch-cafe decor of Cafe Polonia.
I should also note that the service was good and very timely. We were dining with three toddlers and were perfectly welcome. While I didn't order off of it, they had a nice kids' menu with traditional German/Polish options. -
Review from Tarek M.
Woburn, MA
5/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Amazing food ! Loved the atmosphere and the wide verity of international beer ! Highly recommend it
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Review from David K.
Boston, MA
9/5/2011
One good thing about the restaurant is the nice atmosphere. Unfortunately, that was outweighed by everything else.
Two stars for service. While polite, it was inattentive and unbelievably slow. We were there for Sunday lunch. There were around 5 other tables seated. Two servers, a hostess, and what seemed like a manager working. Well, "working." It was around 20 min before we were able to place our order, service took another 30 min, and even getting our check took 10 min. When the waiter finally emerged with our food, he happily announced, "Well, I guess I've got some hungry customers here!" Gee, you think? Not sure what the staff was doing during all of this time; it's not like there were a lot of other tables to worry about. We were never offered more bread, nor were our water glasses kept filled. Seriously, what are you folks doing?
Three stars for the food. I'm Polish by descent and grew up eating much of what I had at this restaurant. Unfortunately, what they served often didn't measure up.
My wife got the Weiner schnitzel. This was pork, not veal. The breading and frying were executed well, and the meat was juicy and tender. Strangely, the chop was barely pounded. It was more like a fried pork chop than actual Weiner schintzel. The cole slaw side was pretty good--crisp, refreshing, no off notes.
I got the Polish plate: stuffed cabbage, grilled kielbasa and sauerkraut, and three pierogies. The stuffed cabbage was the worst of the three. The ground beef and rice stuffing was more or less flavorless, and the sauce tasted like nothing more than Cambell's cream of tomato. Blech.
The kielbasa was quite good--not the best I've had, but very respectable. Four stars on that. (Then again, unless they make their own, the credit for that goes to whomever they bought it from, not to their kitchen.) Three stars on the sauerkraut; it wasn't bad, but it lacked the bite I hope for in this dish to complement the heaviness of the kielbasa.
The pierogies were a mixed bunch. The cheese and potato were quite good. Definitely four star. The plain cheese was a very sweet cheese, but not unpleasant. The cabbage and mushrooms didn't do a lot for me.
The pricing was very fair.
So, in summary, two star service, three star food (but variable). -
Review from Jessica R.
Boston, MA
7/25/2011
Do not hesitate. If you love legit Polish food you need to eat here. The Boston location is equally delicious, but the Salem restaurant is three times the size. Beet soup is amazing. Go, go, go.
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Review from Diana M.
Jupiter, FL
7/19/2011
We ate here because it was the only restaurant in downtown Salem that had availability on Halloween weekend. The pieroges were good. Food is pretty heavy, but tasty and definitely filling.
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Review from Kacey M.
Salem, MA
11/1/2010
We stopped by here for a late lunch on a Friday afternoon. The hostess who greeted us was very friendly and welcoming! We were seated next the entrance to the kitchen even with all the open tables. The chairs were a little hard to sit on and slippery. The waitress we had was very nice and attentive.
We started with the potato pancake, which was very good, but a little greasy. The three different sauces they offered was a great treat! Our meals were served quickly and were very good.
The atmosphere was very nice and bright. The only complaint was they were banging something in the kitchen for our entire meal. Other than that, it has a good menu option with a very friendly staff! -
Review from L F.
Salem, MA
12/31/2010
Hearty food, beautiful atmosphere and friendly staff make Cafe Polonia my new favorite restaurant in Salem. I had never tried Polish food before, but now I'm a convert. I started my meal with bread and a bacon/bacon fat spread called Schmalz that I thought would be unappetizing but was actually very good. The older reviews on Yelp compalined about the bread looking like slices of Wonder Bread and of the tiny amount of Schmalz they serve. Cafe Polonia must be paying attention, because we received a generous portion of Schmalz, and the bread looked more like slices from artisanal breads. They have a very extensive menu. It was a little overwhelming at first, and on my first visit I opted for the Berlin Burger. It was very good, but I wished that I had been a little more adventurous and ordered something more daring than just a hamburger. So on my next visit I tried the Gypsy Pancake - a potato pancake with Hungarian goulash. It consisted of a generous serving of goulash, made with pork and noodles in a delicious brown sauce, between two enormous potato pancakes. It was delicious and very filling. I haven't tried their desserts yet but would love to the next time I go there.
The atmosphere is beautiful and very authentic. Blonde wood furniture and woodwork create a light, sunny environment. I love sitting by the large windows at the back of the restaurant if there's a seat available. It's a great place to bring the entire family, as indeed, I've witnessed on my visits several extended families seated at the long tables in the middle of the restaurant. There is plenty of seating so they can accomodate large parties as well as individuals or couples. Overall Cafe Polonia is a very pleasant, inviting place that serves really great food. I plan on going back again and again. -
Review from Jim V.
Salem, MA
11/7/2011
I have been four times now. Once for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. I have enjoyed the meals and would recommend it to anyone. I'm told the soups were amazing (from the people I had dinner with) - the wiener schnitzel was good (but could be thinner) and the beer selection is great.
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Review from jenilee p.
Salem, MA
Still recovering from the terrible loss of my favorite sushi establishment in Salem, comfort food from a new restaurant seemed the only antidote: a ray of sunshine just when the rain seemed unbearable. Fortunately, Cafe Polonia has come acallin' in a big, warm, comfy, home-cooked way.
Located in a cozy nook of retail which has seemingly morphed into an inverted restaurant corner (home to other nice eateries including Gulu Gulu and Upper Crust Pizza), this restaurant is adorable. Blond wood and trinkets from Poland are seen at every corner, with long tables, short tables, an arch sort of decoration, rakes and scythes all around the room. The bar looks especially inviting, showing all manner of wares that can take off that unpleasantly penetrating winter chill we are all dreading.
After a warm greeting from waitstaff and a lovely lady who must be one of the owners, we were seated at a table by the window, prime seating for people watching during the month of October in Salem. Soon after, our waitress brought over a variety of sliced sourdough bread with schmaltz of pork fat to spread. NOTHING whets the appetite like pork fat. Butter, welcome to second fiddle land.
Riffling through the menu, we quickly decided on an appetizer of smoke salmon and caviar on potato pancakes. My bigger half went for the kielbasa shish kabob, and I, perpetually the fat kid of this duo, chose the Polish plate of stuffed cabbage, pierogies, and grilled kielbasa on a bed of sauerkraut with smokey pork. Beer? Do you want beer? The restaurant's extensive and interesting beer list includes gems such as Krusovice Cerne from the Czech Republic and a Zatec Pilsner. If you're feeling extra saucy, during the month of October, they are having a special where you can order a 12 oz of German beer and a wurst sandwich for the rock bottom price of five bucks... I'm just sayin'.
So enough about the booze, the food has that "made from scratch" magic that one feels can only be experienced upon driving home and sitting at your mom's kitchen table.
Appetizer: The smoked salmon, caviar and potato pancake appetizer is not to be missed. Two flawless potato pancakes, crisp on the outside, and warm airy grated potato on the inside, are topped off by slices of delicate cold smoked salmon, and a generous scoop of economically-priced caviar. This layered masterpiece makes for a great appetizer for sharing as each person can get their own little portion. The salty caviar, and fishy, smokey salmon combine with the potato pancake for a most satisfying way to begin your meal.
Now onto our meals. Since my meal actually included all elements of my bigger half's meal, (except for a few perfectly grilled mushrooms on the shish kabob), I'll be going over each element of the perfectly constructed Polish plate. Order it... it beckons...
The Kielbasa: I love grilled kielbasa. It's salty, the skin should be snappy, and when done right, it's nice and juicy. 'nuff said.
The pierogi: The first two pierogies definitely included some sort of potato and cabbage filling. One of them I think had mushrooms as well. Both of these were delicious, and exactly what I would expect from a wonderful handmade pierogi. The third dumpling I picked up, topped with the same caramelized onions as the first two, had a sweet cheese filling. The salty/sweet combination in each bite was fantastic. It's always nice to see a variety of flavors available, and I noticed that pierogi samplers are available as appetizers, if you are a dumpling fanatic.
The cabbage roll: Now when I make stuffed cabbage at home, I must be doing something wrong, because they always seem like they can second as an anchor to the QE2. But Cafe Polonia again surprises. Every bite of this roll was light and airy, and the rice and pork filling lacked that heavy density that I just described. Wrapped in a layer of cabbage, and topped with a tangy, sweet tomato sauce (maybe with a touch of smoked paprika?), this was the best cabbage roll I have ever had.
Finally, the sauerkraut: the biggest surprise of all. Ne'er again shall I think of sauerkraut as solely a topping to a hot dog. The warm cabbage side dish at this restaurant was tangy, but not so vinegary that you feel like you are consuming mounds of pickling brine. Mixed in were various spices and whole juniper berries. Every bite also contained shredded bits of smokey pork. Absolutely delicious. Make sure that whatever you order comes with this side dish.
I would qualify myself as a Polish food novice. Sure, I love kielbasa, pierogies, and always relish slices of smoked ham from Polonus down the street, but other than that, I'm completely clueless. What I will say, is that what I ate today was authentic and commands further study. Thanks to good people at Polonia for coming to Salem. I'll be back much and much as the mercury drops. -
Review from Michael B.
Boston, MA
7/3/2011
Our group of 4 had all eaten a number of times at their Dorchester location, which we love. The Salem location is much larger, but the food is the same excellent quality -- authentic recipes and very fresh ingredients. I highly recommend their potato pancakes and goulash, and their kielbasa is fantastic. The available sides really help Cafe Polonia shine: strong horseradish, various Polish salads, fresh applesauce, and a spicy mustard that goes well on just about anything.
The drinks menu was much improved over Dorchester, and they have a number of beers on tap in Salem. We were all too full to get dessert.
Service was not very good this first time in Salem, whereas it's always been stellar in Dorchester. Five stars for the food, two for the service.
