Best Milk Bars in Warsaw

A bar mleczny - literally "milk bar" in Polish - is a form of government-subsidized workers' diner. 

Milk bars were invented by the communist authorities of Poland in the mid-1960s as a means of offering cheap meals to people working in companies that had no official cafeterias. The name originates from the fact that until the late 1980s the meals served there were mostly dairy-based and vegetarian.

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.