The Best Food Markets in Poland
From Krakow to Warsaw, Wroclaw and the Tri-City: Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia, here are the best indoor/outdoor markets in these major Polish cities, where the locals shop for best quality, specialty products and fresh fish, meat and produce.
HALA KOSZYKI – WARSAW
Address: ul. Koszykowa 63 Warsaw Opening hours Restaurants* and stores: Monday – Saturday – 9:00a.m. – 9:00p.m. Sunday: 9:00a.m. – 8:00p.m. Some restaurants close at 1:00a.m, restaurant Ćma by Mateusz Gessler opened 24/7
Over a 100 years after it’s erection, Hala Koszyki came back to life in Warsaw on October 21, 2016. The “Koszyki” market hall, commonly called “People’s Bazaar” was built in 1906 – 1908 on Koszykowa Street in Warsaw. Hala Koszyki is the first and the only place of its kind in whole Poland. It currently hosts eighteen fabulous restaurant concepts, eleven fantastic groceries and service premises. Some of the best Warsaw restaurateurs and chefs work hard, everyday day, to prepare unique dishes in both Polish and international cuisines. Read more about Hala Koszyki’s history and all the wonderful attractions on their website and definitely make it a stop on your next visit to Warsaw!
HALE MIROWSKIE – WARSAW
Address: Plac Mirowski 1 Warsaw Opening hours: Monday – Friday -7:00a.m. – 8.00p.m. Saturday 7:00am – 6:00am
Mirowskie Halls were built between 1899-1901. Formerly the baroque pavilions were barracks of the Crown’s Mounted Guards. Mirowskie Halls, except for the walls, were almost entirely destroyed during Warsaw Uprising (bullet holes are still visible on the northern wall of one hall) and then rebuild after World War II. The west hall, called Hala Mirowska, since 1997 has been owned by the company called “Społem”. The east hall, called Hala Gwardi, for many years served as a sports centre. Nowadays, it’s “a heaven on earth” filled with fresh foods. People from Warsaw say that it’s worth coming here even from the farthest parts of the city. It’s not just about the fruit and vegetables, but great atmosphere and surroundings. The beautiful architecture makes this market a perfect place to shop and edmire. Here you can find all kinds of vendors – elderly ladies with fresh eggs and homemade jams, exotic stands with purple potatoes and kids selling wild blueberries they picked with their grandmothers in the morning.
STARY KLEPARZ – KRAKOW
Address: Rynek Kleparski Kraków Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 7.00a.m. – 7.00p.m. Saturday 7.00a.m.-3p.m.
Do you know how to recognize real Cracovian? That’s the person that will always haggle over the price during shopping. That’s just the way things are here and there is no better place for that than Stary Kleparz and Hala Targowa. People have been shopping at Stary Kleparz since the 17th-century. Located in the center of the city, the place is always full of busy people – shouting sellers, gossiping ladies and shoppers exchanging recipes. Sellers are nice, there are many choices of fresh products and the smell is seductive, guiding you through the entire market – from colorful stands with seasonal vegetables to the line for fresh milk and cottage cheese ( Polish cottage cheese is fabulous!). There is also a fish-stall with the best fresh fish in all of Cracow. It’s one of those places where shopping is a real pleasure. The best time for shopping is always in the morning before noon, later you might have problems with finding what you want. Many Cracow’s famous chefs shop here, too.
HALA TARGOWA – WROCLAW
Address: Piaskowa Street 15 Wrocław Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 8.00a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Saturdays: 9.00a.m. – 3.00p.m.
There is also something for fresh-food lovers in Wroclaw. Hala Targowa was build in 1908 and from that year on became a very popular place to buy fresh meat, fish, vegetables, sweets and flowers. There are also small shops with cosmetics, clothes, leather goods and jewerly on the upper floor. One can easily spend an entire morning browsing, tasting and experiencing this unique place. Make sure you bring your camera for an opportunity to take great pictures of fresh produce and people.
HALA TARGOWA IN GDYNIA
Address: Wojta Radtkiego 36/40 Gdynia Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 8.00a.m. – 6.00 p.m. Saturdays: 8.00a.m. – 3.00p.m.
The Tricity in the Pomerania region of Poland refers to the cities of Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia, all located on the Baltic Sea coast and only a few miles away from each other. Although Gdansk and Sopot have scores of wonderful attractions, Gdynia also has many charms and corners worth discovering and one of those is the famous Hala Targowa Gdynia – fresh food indoor/outdoor market.
For a local shopping experience visit these food markets on your next trip to Poland. Stops at the above mentioned markets and additional once are included on Poland Culinary Vacations itineraries. Smacznego! Enjoy!