Poland Travel Tips

Street food and fast food are affordable and widely available. Popular items typically cost between 10 to 20 PLN ($2.50 to $5 USD). Fast food chains like McDonald’s and KFC offer meals for 20 to 30 PLN ($5 to $7.50 USD).

Casual restaurants and milk bars offer traditional Polish meals at budget-friendly prices. A meal at a bar mleczny, a cafeteria-style eatery serving homemade Polish dishes, typically costs 15 to 25 PLN ($4 to $6 USD). At a small local restaurant, a main dish such as pierogi or bigos costs around 25 to 40 PLN ($6 to $10 USD).

Mid-range restaurants with table service, especially in city centers and tourist areas, generally charge 40 to 80 PLN ($10 to $20 USD) per person for a main course, with set menus or lunch specials offering good value.

Traditional Polish dining experiences, such as a hearty meat-based meal (like pork knuckle or duck with dumplings), typically cost 60 to 120 PLN ($15 to $30 USD) per person, depending on the restaurant.

Fine dining restaurants and upscale venues in major cities like Warsaw and Kraków offer tasting menus and premium Polish cuisine, with prices ranging from 150 to 400 PLN ($37 to $100 USD) per person. International fine dining or Michelin-starred restaurants tend to be on the higher end of this range.

Cafés and coffee culture are popular across Poland. A standard coffee costs 10 to 15 PLN ($2.50 to $4 USD), while specialty drinks and desserts can range from 15 to 30 PLN ($4 to $7.50 USD).

Tips for Saving Money:

• Lunch specials at many restaurants provide full meals at a lower price.
• Milk bars offer traditional Polish food at very low prices.
• Street food markets and local bakeries sell affordable, high-quality snacks.