“It took me 32 attempts to get it right”: Pura Vida, Warsaw

In a city where pierogi reigns supreme, a culinary rebel is tossing the rulebook out the window. Maciej Kwiecien, the mastermind behind Pura Vida, is serving up a paradox: fast food that's healthy, delivered meals that are freshly crafted, and plant-based proteins that even carnivores crave.

From traditional restauranteur to virtual kitchen renaissance man

Maciej Kwiecien's journey as a restaurateur spans three decades and two capitals. "I've been in the food industry for almost 30 years, with most of my experience gained in London," he reminisces. But four years ago, feeling the burn from London’s high-pressure scene, Maciej bid farewell to the West End gastropubs and returned to Warsaw.

Heading home, Maciej wanted to try something untested in the Polish capital. "I didn't want to run a traditional restaurant with a big venue and lots of customers," he explains. "Instead, I wanted to explore the delivery and dark kitchen concept that I'd become familiar with in London."

Maciej's vision quickly birthed a thriving business. "Fast forward two years, and we now have three locations, with a fourth on the way. In each location, we run five or six different brands, all exclusively for delivery. No seating at all!" he remarks. This approach allows Pura Vida to cater to diverse tastes, from Warsaw bagels to their premium Pura Vida salad bowls.

But Maciej's crowning achievement is his homemade, plant-based protein, seitan. "It took me 32 attempts to perfect it, but I'm very stubborn and wanted to create the perfect vegan meat substitute," he grins. This dedication to quality has paid off, with Pura Vida's seitan becoming a local favorite.

According to Maciej, central to Pura Vida's rapid growth during this time has been their partnership with Wolt. 

"The subscription program Wolt+ has been particularly helpful for our growth, while Wolt Drive is perfect for those large office orders that make up a big part of our customer base.” 

This partnership has enabled Pura Vida to reach more customers and streamline its operations, turning the challenges of a delivery-only model into opportunities for growth.

Driving new local dining trends

Pura Vida isn't just riding the wave of change in Warsaw's energetic food scene – it's helping to drive it. "We definitely consider ourselves a health food provider," Maciej asserts. 

This shift is reflected in Pura Vida's customer base, which skews towards the health-conscious and office workers looking for a nutritious lunch. By offering both local favorites and international cuisine, Pura Vida is catering to Warsaw's evolving taste buds while nudging them towards more sustainable, plant-based options.

Maciej's menu is also heavily shaped by his globetrotting adventures. "Moroccan cuisine is my favorite," he shares. "I love the combination of couscous, coriander, charcoal flavors, and the sweetness of the plums and apricots." This passion for bold, high-contrast flavors is evident in Pura Vida's best-selling Superfood Salad, a fusion dish that’s as big on nutrition as it is on powerful flavors.

But it's not just about taste. Maciej's commitment to sustainability influences every aspect of his business, from sourcing local, free-range eggs to minimizing food miles when ordering ingredients in. With his customers increasingly conscious of the footprint of the food, sustainability has to be at the top of the priority list.

A recipe for future growth

But Maciej’s ambitions don’t stop there. "In five years, I'd love for it to be a well-known brand recognized for quality," he muses. "I also want to sell our own ingredients in supermarkets, especially to provide additive-free options for Polish shoppers."

This vision of sustainable growth is supported by Pura Vida's continued partnership with Wolt. As the brand expands, Maciej says that Wolt's tools and analytics will play a crucial role in managing multiple locations and reaching new customers.

“The data Wolt provides is amazing and is exactly what you need to keep an eye on a growing business and see what you’re doing right.” 

From its humble beginnings as a pandemic-born idea to its current status as a multi-location, multi-brand powerhouse, Pura Vida is showing Warsaw that fast food can be healthy and delicious in equal measure. With Maciej at the helm and Wolt as a trusted partner, this health-food awakening is ready to give Warsaw's traditional eateries a run for their pierogi.