Where to eat in Warsaw
Warsaw eats Polish: dumplings, sour rye soup and a breaded pork cutlet, cheaply, in canteens called milk bars. It is also a city of new restaurants and food halls. Eat the traditional lunch in a milk bar, and book dinner at weekends.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- Śródmieście for milk bars and lunch, Praga and Powiśle for evenings.
- Order this
- Pierogi, żurek and a kotlet schabowy in a milk bar.
- When to eat
- Lunch from noon, dinner from 6pm. Milk bars close early in the evening.
- Book or walk in
- Book Friday and Saturday dinner. Milk bars take walk-ins.
- Tipping
- Tip about 10 per cent in restaurants. Round up in cafes.
What to eat in Warsaw
- PierogiFilled dumplings, boiled or fried, with potato and cheese (ruskie), meat, or cabbage and mushroom.
- ŻurekA sour rye soup with sausage and egg, often served in a bread bowl.
- Kotlet schabowyA breaded pork cutlet with mashed potatoes and pickled cabbage, the standard milk bar main.
- BarszczClear beetroot soup, often with small dumplings called uszka.
- Placki ziemniaczanePotato pancakes, served with sour cream or goulash.
- ZapiekankaA long open toasted baguette with mushrooms and cheese, sold at street stands.
- SernikPolish cheesecake made with curd cheese, found in most old cafes.
Where to eat in Warsaw, by neighborhood
Śródmieście
The center has the milk bars on Marszałkowska, the food hall at Koszyki and the most restaurants. Good for lunch.
Old Town
Pierogi houses and cafes in the lanes, and a lot of places aimed at tour groups. Walk off the square.
Powiśle
Cafes and restaurants on the slope to the river, quieter than the center.
Praga
Bars and restaurants around Ząbkowska Street and the old factory courtyards. The best area for a long evening.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Bar Mleczny Prasowy
złMilk bar · Śródmieście
OrderPierogi ruskie or kotlet schabowy
One of the oldest milk bars in the city, on Marszałkowska, serving cheap Polish home cooking in a canteen.
- Book
- Walk in, expect a queue at lunch
Confirmed open: freewalkingtour.com
-
Zapiecek
złzłPierogi restaurant · Old Town
OrderA mixed plate of pierogi
A pierogi house with a menu of dumplings, soups and bigos, in the Old Town lanes.
- Book
- Walk in, book for groups
Confirmed open: zapiecek.eu
-
E. Wedel Chocolate Lounge
złzłCafe · Śródmieście
OrderA cup of drinking chocolate
The Szpitalna Street cafe of Poland's oldest chocolate maker, founded in 1851, for hot chocolate and cake.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: inyourpocket.com
-
Sztuka Mleka
złMilk bar · Śródmieście
OrderBigos or placki ziemniaczane
A newer milk bar on Grzybowska Street, serving the classic dishes in a cleaner, modern room.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: warsawinsider.pl
Food markets in Warsaw
- Hala MirowskaA covered market hall of 1901, with fruit, vegetables, cheese and flowers. Go in the morning.Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday; check hours locallySource: whereisthemarket.com
- Hala KoszykiA restored market hall turned food hall, with stalls and restaurants under one roof. Good for a mixed meal with a group.Daily, mornings until late eveningSource: koszyki.com
How Warsaw eats
- Meal timesLunch from noon and dinner from 6pm. Milk bars close by about 8pm.
- Milk barsOrder at the counter, pay first, then collect your plate and clear your tray.
- TippingTip about 10 per cent in restaurants. Round up in cafes.
- PayingAsk for the bill at the table. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Signs of a place to walk past
A menu in six languages with photographs of every dish.
A restaurant on the Old Town Market Square with a tout outside.
A pierogi place with no Polish customers at lunch.
Eating in Warsaw: questions people ask
What food is Warsaw known for?
Pierogi, żurek, kotlet schabowy and potato pancakes. Milk bars serve the cheapest home cooking.
Where should I eat in Warsaw?
Śródmieście for milk bars and lunch, Praga and Powiśle for dinner.
What is a milk bar?
A cheap canteen from the communist era that serves simple Polish dishes at low prices.
Do I need to book in Warsaw?
At weekends, yes, for popular restaurants. Milk bars take walk-ins.
What is a zapiekanka?
A long open toasted baguette topped with mushrooms and cheese, sold from street stands.
Do you tip in Warsaw?
Yes. Tip about 10 per cent in restaurants and round up in cafes.