Best Milk Bars in Warsaw

A bar mleczny - literally "milk bar" in Polish - a dying breed of state-subsidized cafeterias in Poland’s urban centers. 

Dairy farmer Stanisław Dłużewski opened the first one, Mleczarnia Nadświdrzańska, in Warsaw in 1896, selling cheap milk and egg-based meals. 

The number of milk bars in Poland soared to 40,000 during communist times, when there were few restaurant options available.

• Today, only about 150 milk bars remain.

So named for the inexpensive dairy-based meals that were served in lieu of meat during times of rationing, milk bars first appeared in the late nineteenth century and have become emblematic of Poland's communist past. At incomparably lean prices, they offer quick, stick-to-your-rib staples like soups, stewed meats, and cabbage and root vegetable salads. But these institutions, relics of a political and economic landscape the country has outgrown in the years since communism fell in 1989, are now in danger of extinction.

Owing to subsidies, the prices are considerably lower than at other bars or restaurants. A typical dinner consisting of three courses and a dessert usually costs less than 10 złotys, as opposed to 20-50 in the average restaurant. Despite being considered fast-food outlets, modern milk bars still serve traditional meals, which take a relatively long time to prepare, making them more an example of slow food bars.

Milk bar menu

For some, eating at a "bar mleczny" is an essential Polish sightseeing experience. These super-cheap cafeterias, which you'll see all over the country, are a dirt-cheap way to get a meal, and, with the right attitude, a fun cultural adventure.