Do What Locals Do in Warsaw

To experience Warsaw like a local, slow down and follow everyday rhythms. From riverside walks and neighborhood squares to simple food rituals, these small moments reveal the city’s relaxed, social and authentic side.

Spend time by the Vistula River

Eat lunch at a milk bar

Enjoy Polish chocolate and a sweet break

Walk and relax in parks

Explore revitalized industrial spaces

Spend time around Plac Zbawiciela

End the day with street food

Enjoy the best traditional Polish doughnuts

Old Town & New World Street
Stare Miasto & Nowy Świat

As the day winds down, locals head to the river for fresh air and open views. The boulevards are ideal for unhurried walks, casual conversations and watching the city slow into evening mode. Where: Vistula Boulevards

Milk bars are a daily ritual for many Varsovians. Simple interiors, classic Polish dishes and fast service create an authentic experience that feels unchanged by trends or tourism. Where: Bar Bambino, Bar Prasowy

A beloved Polish brand with historic cafés across the city. Locals stop here for rich hot chocolate, desserts and a comforting pause during the day or evening.

Parks are living rooms of the city. People walk, read, meet friends or simply breathe. From the elegant calm of Łazienki to the casual, modern vibe of Pola Mokotowskie.

These former factories now pulse with life. Locals come to eat, meet and unwind in spaces where raw industrial architecture meets contemporary design and social energy. Where: Norblin Factory, Koneser, Elektrownia Powiśle

A lively neighborhood square where locals meet for coffee, drinks and conversation. Surrounded by cafés and bars, it’s a popular spot to feel Warsaw’s social, everyday rhythm. Where: Plac Zbawiciela

Late evenings often finish standing at a counter with a hot zapiekanka. It’s informal, satisfying and deeply local — the perfect end to a Warsaw night. Where: Zapiexy Luxusowe

Their specialty is doughnuts with mixed fruit jam, made from natural ingredients, fried in traditional lard, handmade according to the old, proven recipe of Władysław Zagoździński (founder of the confectionery in 1925).

Where: Vistula Boulevards

Where: Bar Bambino ul. Hoża 19 Warszawa; Bar Prasowy: Marszałkowska 10/16 00-590

Where: E.Wedel Chocolate Lounge "Old-Fashioned Shop", 8 Szpitalna Street

Where: Łazienki Królewskie, Pola Mokotowskie

Where: Pracownia Cukiernicza "Zagoździński ul. Górczewska 15, 01-186