Mamuśka! Restaurant and Bar

A cavernous venue in South Bank, right next to Waterloo Station and the celebrated Leake Street graffiti tunnel, Mamuśka! Restaurant and Bar claims to be the biggest Polish restaurant in the city. One glance at the high-ceilinged space tucked away in an arch is enough to put any arguments to the contrary to rest for the time being.

Mamuśka! relocated to South Bank from Elephant & Castle, where the beloved local establishment operated in the style of Poland's old milk-bar cafeterias. With orders placed at a counter, the restaurant retains some of those sensibilities even in the vast new space, which includes an open-air mezzanine that can be hired for private events and looks out over the main dining hall.

The menu at Mamuśka! includes Polish classics such as the Schabowy pork schnitzel – also served in a so-called tower, layered with peppers and sausage stew and topped with melted cheese –, bigos sauerkraut stew, Polish sausage and goulash. You can start your meal with a traditional Polish soup, some of the famous pierogi dumplings, featuring fillings such as pork or goat cheese and spinach, or a crispy potato pancake.

The drinks menu also stays true to Poland, letting you complement your meal with one of the many Polish commercial or craft beers on offer. If you've got big plans ahead (perhaps even at the restaurant itself, as they host live music and other events as well), a board of vodka shots might be just the thing to pick you up after a hefty meal. Alternatively, you can savour one of the fine Polish vodkas served here straight up.

By: Daniel Sheppard, Tatty Good