A Polish milk bar (bar mleczny) is a place where you can eat polish cuisine with cheap prices. This typical milk bar has a menu including such dishes like the pork chop with potatoes and salad, many different kinds of soups, pancakes or dumplings and even it got breakfast options, like a scrambled egg as well as weenies. Last times many milk bars added also vegetarian meals.
Milk bars have their own, unique atmosphere. You can meet here people from all the social groups like poor guys, students and businessmen etc. In milk bars there are no borders, you can feel equality among people.
The beginning of milk bars was in the year 1896 at Warsaw located in Poland, but they actually spread during world war when the majority of the population was poor. After the year 2000, when capitalism got up steam and many people started getting better money, many milk bars are closed. But still, there are many of them open in Wrocław.
1The most popular is Bar Mleczny “Miś” (since 1970) on Kuźnicza 48 street.
It is open from Monday to Friday at 7am-8pm and on Saturday at 8am-5pm.
“Miś” provide meals for students, tourists, field trips and ordinary Wroclove citizens. During the dinner time here the queue will be so long, many people wait outside.
The prices of the “Miś” meals are one of the cheapest in the town. E.g. dumplings cost little more than 4zł, a tomato soup – about 1,50zł.
2Jacek i Agatka
Address: pl. Nowy Targ 27
Opening hours: Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm, Sat: 9am–5pm
The name of this bar alludes to the evening TV cartoon for children from PRL’s time (Polish political system during 1952-1989 years). As you can see in the picture, “Jacek i Agatka” renders that vibrations. You can eat here the whole dinner falling within the ambit of 10zł.
3 Mewa
Address: B. Drobnera 4
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm; Sat: 9am-4pm
It has got also quite good localisation, near the city centre. It’s advantage is no long queues. The difference between “Mewa” and the rest of milk bars are meals including hearts and stomachs. The most expensive meal costs 5zl. You can also buy here half portions. What is also important is that many people complain about employees who work there.
4 Wegetariański Bar Mleczny
Address: Kuźnicza 11
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-9pm; Sat-Sun: 11am-9pm
It is old “Green Way” restauration. As you can see it works all week. This isn’t typical milk bar, because of the inner design and prices – they are the most expensive in combination with other milk bars, but it’s got the best food quality. If you buy something you can also prepare yourself for longer waiting than in the rest of milk bars. The advantage of this place are workers who speaks English.
5 Bar Mały
Address: Kołłątaja 27
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm
This is the nearest milk bar to the Wrocław Main Station. It’s got a yard which is a really pleasure option during summer. You will pay here about 15zl for a whole two course meal with a drink. Many people praise this local and visit it regularly.
6 Bar Karmazyn
Address: Piaskowa 17 (Hala Targowa)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-6.30pm; Sat: 9am-5.30pm
This milk bar is located in historic Hala Targowa which allows you to eat something with small amount after shopping. The prices are low but also the quality of meals leaves much to be desired.
7 Steak Bar
Address: Piaskowa 17 (Hala Targowa)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-6.30pm; Sat: 9am-5.30pm
This is the second milk bar located in Hala Targowa, if you are near, this is the best option.
8 Bar Słoneczny
Address: Komandorska 147
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm; Sat: 10am-5pm
This milk bar sits on the first floor of an exhibition pavilion near the University of Economics what means that it is the farthest milk bar from city center. During summer it can be really hot there. The prices are low and the service is quite quick.
10 U Jędrusia
Address: Kościuszki 128
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm
11 Produs
Address: Traugutta 83
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-7pm; Sat: 10am-4pm
It is also really cheap milk bar with big meal portions and PRL atmosphere.
12 Swojska Chatka
Address: Sucha 10 (near Main Station)
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 9am-8pm
Address: Kazimierza Wielkiego 17 (near to the market square)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm; Sat: 10.30am-4.30pm
Address: Reja 2c (behind Pasaż Grunwaldzki)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm
As you can see they’ve got 3 locals around city centre. The prices are quite peach, but not as much as in “Miś” or “Mewa”. These bars were created as a “domestic” alternative to fast food restaurants.
Thus we come to the end. There are a lot of milk bars and similar places in Wrocław where you can eat home Polish cuisine. Enjoy your exploring!
