The "Perła Przemyśl" Restaurant – a place with a mission

Among the numerous activities of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Przemyśl, there is a wide range of initiatives aimed at those in need. In addition to material and social support, Caritas conducts care, health, educational, and caregiving activities, as well as supporting the professional, emotional, and spiritual development of its beneficiaries. One of the more interesting, and somewhat less typical, initiatives undertaken by Caritas in Przemyśl is the "Perła Przemyśl" restaurant. The restaurant is located in a unique location – the beautifully restored 19th-century building of the Przemyśl Railway Station.

The "Perła Przemyśl" restaurant officially opened on March 3, 2019. The first few months of its operation were not easy. Shortly after its opening, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, significantly limiting the global restaurant industry. Sanitary restrictions, restaurant closures, and restrictions on social life prevented the restaurant from establishing a strong presence in the local market. Just after the first wave of the pandemic subsided, in February 2022, war broke out in Ukraine. Due to the massive influx of refugees, Przemyśl became one of the main reception points for those fleeing the conflict. During these dramatic days, the "Perła Przemyśl" transformed into a humanitarian aid center. Every day, thousands of refugees arrived at the Przemyśl train station, where they found temporary shelter, a warm meal, and support. Restaurant workers, supported by a multitude of Caritas volunteers, prepared and distributed free lunches, sandwiches, sweets, water, and packed lunches to the refugees, as well as to the uniformed services ensuring safety (police, firefighters, and the Regional Security Guard). On average, several thousand meal portions were distributed each day.

The restaurant had a special area designated for mothers with children. This was a place where they could relax, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, change their baby's diapers, regain strength for the journey ahead, and, if necessary, find accommodations for the night. Children could use the playroom, which was stocked with toys, books, stuffed animals, and educational aids. Caritas volunteers acted as caregivers and entertainers, helping the children adapt to the difficult situation. For several months, the "Perła Przemyśl" restaurant functioned as a help point for refugees and emergency services. Hundreds of thousands of people in crisis benefited from the assistance offered there.

After the situation at the border stabilized, the restaurant returned to its original business profile. Currently, "Perła Przemyśl" operates as a dining establishment open to all residents of the city, surrounding towns, and tourists. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The restaurant's culinary offerings are rich and diverse. Customers can choose from appetizers, lunches, soups, traditional and regional dishes, pastas, vegetarian meals, salads, desserts, and a variety of beverages. Seasonal menus are also introduced throughout the year, catering to the needs and tastes of customers depending on the season.

Particular attention is paid to the quality of the dishes served. Meals are prepared with organic and natural products sourced from local producers. Due to its specific nature, the restaurant does not serve alcohol. In addition to daily customer service, "Perła Przemyśl" also offers catering services. Meal delivery and comprehensive catering services are available throughout the Podkarpacie region. As part of its catering services, the restaurant also provides table and room decorations, as well as professional waiter service.

The restaurant features three banquet rooms that can accommodate up to 250 people. Guests also have access to an outdoor terrace and a specially designed children's play area. The restaurant regularly hosts special events such as christenings, communions, birthdays, and anniversaries, as well as business lunches, banquets, conferences, and training sessions. Caritas also organizes regular meetings for the underprivileged, refugees (e.g., Christmas Eve and Easter breakfasts), and volunteers.

The restaurant offers appetizers, lunches, soups, traditional and regional dishes, pasta, vegetarian meals, salads, desserts and drinks.

"Perła Przemyśl" is more than just a restaurant – it's a place where commercial activity meets charitable mission. This is the first initiative of its kind run by Caritas Przemyśl. All profits from the restaurant operations support other Caritas initiatives, such as soup kitchens for the poor and homeless, feeding children and youth in social therapy centers, and providing care to seniors in social welfare homes. Additionally, the restaurant has become a place for the professional activation of unemployed individuals. Some of the employees are residents of the Przemyśl Social Integration Center. By working at "Perła Przemyśl," they gain new skills, learn how to work in the restaurant industry, and have the opportunity to return to work.

The "Perła Przemyśl" restaurant is a unique place – not only for its beautiful interiors in the restored 19th-century railway station, but also for its unique combination of culinary activities and charitable mission. Anyone who chooses to dine at the restaurant supports the numerous charitable initiatives of Caritas of the Przemyśl Archdiocese. We cordially invite all Przemyśl residents, guests from surrounding towns, and tourists visiting the region to take advantage of the "Perła Przemyśl" restaurant. Delicious food, professional service, and the knowledge that every meal helps others – all this awaits you on Dworcowa Street in Przemyśl.

Rev. Dr. Paweł Konieczny