golden ceiling foams above reef-shaped counter in warsaw bakery by znamy się

znamy się brings the surf and sweetness of portugal to warsaw

Nestled in Warsaw’s Solec neighborhood, Pastelowe is a petite pâtisserie that channels the surfy spirit of the Portuguese coast into just 63 square meters of vibrant interior, designed by architecture studio Znamy się. The bakery is dedicated to the famed pastéis de nata, eggy custard tarts with a cult following, and captures their sunny origins through form, texture, and hue. With its yellow foam ceiling, sculptural counters, and marine-toned accents, Pastelowe is a sensory escape to the Atlantic shores of Portugal.

all images by Migdał Studio

pastelowe pâtisserie draws on the anatomy of ocean waves

At the heart of the concept is the surf. Polish studio Znamy się draws on the anatomy of ocean waves, beach break, point break, and reef break, which the founders encountered on holiday and brought back to Warsaw in both pastry and design. Curved benches and softly rounded mirrors evoke the forgiving nature of beach-break waves; wall shelves march in steady rhythm like the ordered swell of a point-break; and the counter, a dramatic undulating form, channels the bold energy of reef-break surf. 

Warm oak plywood hints at sun-baked sand, while metallic finishes shimmer like wet rocks and rolling water. The ceiling — coated entirely in yellow spray foam — steals the show, its tactile irregularity and golden hue suggesting seafoam and morning sun. Branded in deep marine blue, the space ripples with contrast, echoing the freshness of the pastries themselves, which gleam behind the tunnel-like counter. While compact in area, Pastelowe stretches its atmosphere far beyond the walls — giving Warsaw locals a slice of Portuguese surf culture, no wetsuit required.

Pastelowe is a petite pâtisserie that channels the surfy spirit of the Portuguese coast

]63 square meters of vibrant interior designed by architecture studio Znamy się

the bakery is dedicated to the famed pastéis de nata

captures the sunny origins of the portuguese delicacy through form, texture, and hue

yellow foam ceiling, sculptural counters, and marine-toned accents shape Pastelowe

Znamy się draws on the anatomy of ocean waves

curved benches and softly rounded mirrors evoke the forgiving nature of beach-break waves

the counter, a dramatic undulating form, channels the bold energy of reef-break surf

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the space ripples with contrast

the ceiling is coated entirely in yellow spray foam

metallic finishes shimmer like wet rocks and rolling water

the tactile irregularity and golden hue of the ceiling suggest seafoam and morning sun

warm oak plywood hints at sun-baked sand

branded in deep marine blue

giving Warsaw locals a slice of Portuguese surf culture

echoing the freshness of the pastries themselves

blue light paints the bathroom in the color of waves

project info:

name: Pastelowe | @pastelowe

architecture: Znamy się | @znamysie_com

location: Warsaw, Poland

area: 63 square meters

design team: Bogna Kawa-Nowak, Wojtek Nowak, Monika Jokiel)

lighting: Chors

photographer: Migdał Studio | @migdal.studio