The Best Budget Restaurants in Gdynia

The popular Bar Mleczny Słoneczny (literally “Sunny Milk Bar”) is a superb choice for a budget restaurant in Gdynia, being one of the famous Milk Bars in Poland. It is one of the cheapest places in the city, one of the busiest and also a traditional style Polish restaurant, dating back to 1959. Bar Mleczny Słoneczny is a survivor — there was once nine such Milk Bars in Gdynia. They were present in almost every district from the now-forgotten Narcissus bars in Witomino and Silent Hill on St. Maximilian (then Marceli Nowotka). This place has a happy vibe and serves fantastic Polish dishes such as pierogi (Polish dumplings), nalesniki (Polish pancakes), a range of zupa (Polish soups) and of course the famous kompot (standard fruit juice in these parts).

Bar Pomorza GDY 50 will shock you! Despite being a restaurant on a boat anchored in Gdynia harbour, on one of the most expensive coastal parts of Poland, this place is cheap and cheerful. The trademark fish and chips comes most recommended, and locals swear by having a shot of vodka with it. It’s also pretty traditional — meals are served on paper plates with plastic cutlery, and you can feel the boat rocking on windy days. The wooden interior adds to its appeal.

Gdańsk has some great vegetarian restaurants and here in nearby Gdynia, the Green Way Wegetarianski Bar Mleczny is a really cheap option, popular with locals and of course vegetarians. Meat-free options are mixed up by the chefs making tasty treats of vegetarian food amidst a local atmosphere and at very good prices! This is a local favourite for all sorts of vegetarian goodies, including great curries and cheap breakfasts from just 3.40 złotych.
Bar Mleczny Green Way, Gdynia | (c) Green Way / Facebook

Kwadrans is a bistro in central Gdynia with excellent food at good prices. Daily soups start from 5 złotych, local pancakes (nalesniki) start from 12 złotych and there are huge main courses such as pork cutlets from 17 złotych and house pierogi from 10 złotych. The venue also caters for children with smaller dishes and has mostly traditional Polish cuisine with some international salad options too. Kwadrans also has an alcohol licence with a small selection of beers and wine available.

Bar Mlecznys is simply the least expensive and most casual place to eat, with one in every Polish town and city. This venue, Bar Mleczny Domowy (The House Milk Bar), is the perfect budget option for those wanting to escape the busy streets of central Gdynia. This bar is in the district of Grabowek, northwest of the city centre. It attracts a local crowd and offers a typical range of Polish dishes from 6 złotych and upwards.
Bar Mleczny Domowy Gdynia | © Bar Mleczny Domowy | Facebook

Gdynia is Poland’s gateway to Sweden, with the ferry port situated slightly north of the city centre. It is in this area that you can find another excellent, low-priced restaurant, Bar Mleczny Jaśko. This is a perfectly fair priced option for those coming into or going from Gdynia harbour, especially on the ferry that takes you from Gdynia to Karlskrona in Sweden. Breakfast is served until 12 noon, with many dishes costing between 3 and 6 złotych. Tea is a mere 2.5 złotych and coffee is 4 złotych. Main courses are equally inexpensive, with traditional Polish style food. The venue is open seven days a week.

Poland’s trademark pierogi is something every visitor to the country should try. Here in Gdynia you have a few options for trying good pierogi, but this place Pierożek Pierogarnia, not only specialises in pierogi but it is also a cheap place to eat. The range of pierogi is also huge and various, including a Plum pierogi dish (sweet), Pierogi z Rybą (with fish) and the popular pierogi Ruskie. The company actually has two venues in Gdynia, so you can choose to eat by the harbour or in the city centre location at Skwer Kościuszki.