Ola from Warsaw

About me I'm a Warsaw journalist, writing everyday news, reviews of new places, and meeting lots of inspiring people who create Warsaw. I also travel a lot and the further I go the more I appreciate Warsaw! Our exeptional wild beach in the centre of the city, cold vodka drunk at the bar at 04:00, riding a bike over an empty Świętokrzyski bridge at night - these are the things th...
Aug 22, 2025

Hala Mirowska Warsaw

What I call the real Poland

""Hala Mirowska" is an old market in the centre of Warsaw. This is what I would call the real Poland. I used to do my shopping of fruits and veggies here!"

Hala Mirowska is an old market in the centre of Warsaw. There are two market buildings, an open air market between them and a lot of street pedlars everywhere around. It's the place where I used to shop every day, where I could buy the cheapest fruits in summer and where saleswomen always have a good recipe for some dish for me.

There are a lot of elderly people and you can hear a lot of chats and quarrels. One can buy almost everything there, fix almost everything, get a piece of advice on almost every subject and hear some news and gossip. Just the centre of the universe for me :).

Two halls constructed in 1899-1901 are now one of the oldest buildings in the vicinity. Since then they were silent witnesses of Warsaw's history. During the Second World War Germans conducted civil executions here. Bullet holes are still visible on the northern wall of one hall.

During the Warsaw Uprising everything except the walls was destroyed. The communists at first were planning to demolish them completely but finally didn't do it. The halls have been a bus depot and a sports hall with boxing matches for some time. They were rebuilt in the period of 1950s-1960s and started to be a market place again. In 1988 Margaret Thatcher did her shopping there: she bought some vegetables and dried mushrooms.

Hala Mirowska is what I call the real Poland.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

About this spot

pl. Mirowski 1

PLN

free

Our Warsaw Guide

Find your way with 164 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Warsaw guide.

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Warsaw

Miejsce

THE place

"Miejsce" Warsaw is a tiny little restaurant made of sea containers on floats, which is a bit off the beaten path, dark and foggy. I love their beer!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 8, 2025

Hygge

Relaxing in Czerniaków

"Hygge" in Czerniaków, Warsaw, has great food at reasonable prices and the drinks are not expensive! It's relaxing, too -- a rare combination...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 8, 2025

Jewish Synagogue

Last synagogue in Warsaw

The "Jewish Synagogue" is the only one to have survived WWII. It's today the most important place for prayer and Jewish cultural events in Warsaw.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 8, 2025

Przysmak

The taste of childhood

"Przysmak" Warsaw is a place my father used to come for 'obiad' (lunch). This is one of my favorite bars for a budget lunch and 'kompot' drink.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 8, 2025

Mezze

Middle Eastern food & drinks

"Mezze" is one of the best modern Middle Eastern kitchens in Warsaw. Every time I visit this restaurant I'm amazed by its huge selection of unique dishes.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 8, 2025

Porcelana na Pięknej

Polish porcelain

"Porcelana na Pięknej" Warsaw is one of the oldest and best shops for porcelain in the city - a lot of people, both young and old, are very much into it!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 8, 2025

St. Tropez

Ice cream by Lukullus

"St. Tropez" by Lukullus in Warsaw makes ice cream that's irresistible even in winter! This place makes me feel like a kid again...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 7, 2025

Pardon To Tu

Hidden music spot

"Pardon To Tu" in Warsaw has always made me feel like home, maybe because of the music or the view. They change locations often, but all else is the same!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Stefano

Nardone

Oct 6, 2025

Bar Mleczny Rusałka

Old style canteen

"Bar Mleczny Rusałka" is an old style milk bar/canteen in Warsaw where you can buy the cheapest meal in Warsaw and everything taste like at mum's!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ola

Synowiec

Oct 6, 2025

Eden Bistro Warszawa

Food from paradise

"Eden Bistro Warszawa" is such a nice surprise. Its vegan/healthy options are the best in town, and I really love their glasshouse in the garden...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Magda

Przedmojska

Oct 6, 2025

Skamiejka

Russian neighbour

"Skamiejka" is a little Russian restaurant on my street in Warsaw. The menu is entirely in Cyrillic. I always wave at Tamara when passing outside it!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ola

Synowiec

Oct 6, 2025

Pragian Courtyard Orchestra

Music in brass

"Pragian Courtyard Orchestra" is a monument in Warsaw that shows 5 musicians and commemorates this tradition and the city's folk music.

029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Ola

Synowiec

Oct 6, 2025

Heading to Warsaw?

164 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Warsaw app Home
Warsaw app Home
Warsaw app Map
Warsaw app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

164 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Warsaw

Get to know our other Spotters from Warsaw

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
7285
Made with the 💚 of 499 Spotters.
Filters