Bar mleczny

[1] The first milk bar, called "Mleczarnia Nadświdrzańska," was established in 1896 in Warsaw by Stanisław Dłużewski, a member of the Polish landed gentry.

[2][3] Although the typical bar mleczny had a menu based on dairy items, these establishments generally served other, non-dairy traditional Polish dishes as well.

[5] In the mid-1960s, milk bars were common as a means of offering cheap meals to people working in companies that had no official canteen.

After the fall of the communist system and the end of the centrally planned economy, the majority of milk bars went bankrupt, as they were superseded by regular restaurants.

They became small, inexpensive restaurants that took advantage of PRL nostalgia, while providing good quality food and customer service.