Supermarket culture rules in Poland?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've noticed the virtual disappearance of butcher's, fishmongers and bake shops from the Warsaw scene (dunno what it's like elsewhere in Poland). Only the occasional cukiernia (pastry shop) may still be encountered, and the odd greengrocer. Is it like that where you live in Poland? What about other countries -- the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, etc.? I understand from hearsay that Italy is one of the longest hold-outs where the local family-owned food shop is still conpsicuously present.

They're still around if you know where to look, usually in the middle of older housing estates. But the relentless march of the supermarket is continuing here.

Sklep Mięso, wędliny is not really a butchers, when compared to UK standard. Furthermore are there any ' real ' fishmongers outside the supermarkets.

Only a handful in Warsaw. Plenty in the UK (especially Northern England and Scotland) in markets. Talking of which, Pol3 should have a look at Hala Mirowska (particularly the newer part on the right as you face the entrance). Some good shops in there. Also the little market at the junction of Pulawska and al. Lotnikow (the smaller bit opposite MaccyD's, not the big empty part across the road) - some nice shops including a good fishmonger.

I've lost the local bakery and butchers since I moved to my osiedle 5 years ago, but it's no great loss. They weren't "local" places; just small stores that accepted bread and meat deliveries from a bigger supplier, just like the supermarkets do.

I don't think I've ever seen a place make and sell its own bread in Warsaw, except in a supermarket...

Corner of Jana Pawla and Solidarnosci.


Hard to pick up on such places from home in the USA....

I had forgotten that place, but it's only been open for about six months, hasn't it? I didn't know they had ovens in there too.

AFAIK, some of the stuff is baked on site and some of it is brought in from the suburban bakery owned by the people who own the shop.

Jan Piekarz in Konstancin is amazing- bakes its bread on site. There is another one close to galeria Mokotow on Wilanowska- can't remember the name.

There will be a fish monger in Konstancin (top secret at the moment)
I admit to going to a supermarket- I have no choice. I live in an area of Warsaw that has no shopping but a corner store. I would love to be able to walk to the end of my street where there were loads of shops- much like the British version of the "high street", unfortunately big box seems to be taking over. In Kabaty/Ursynow it is possible to go shop in this method but I don't live there.

No. I'm now enjoying a chilli-con-carne made with excellent beef from my local butcher. Their busiest days are on Tuesdays and Fridays, when they have fresh meat from their own farm. Their sausages are also great. Occasionally there's mutton. I avoid pork except for the occasional pig-out breakfast rasher.

The best baker's in town opens at 0530 and closes at 2100. It sells a wide range of excellent breads.
As for vegetables, what doesn't come out of the family's ground (I don't think my ma-in-law has ever bought a potato) can be bought from the old ones in the market. For now, of course, the supermarket supplies most of our needs.

as usual, i will.

not warsaw, but here in wroclaw. much the same as it was twenty years ago with regard to the butcher, baker, fishmonger.

there has only ever been one fishmonger in this neighbourhood. still open.
there are more butchers.
possibly one or two bakers out of business.

Are you really in Poland?


Same here in Krakow, it's chokablock with butchers, green grocers and especially bakeries.

Fish mongers... you can get fish in shops, it's fierce expensive compared to other dead animals and we are a fair bit from the sea...

I miss fresh fish, there are loads of frozen white meat fish but they don't taste very good. I don't know of any fishmongers though, although there are plenty of Sushi bars.

The best fresh fish you can get around here is fresh water trout, it's great.

You thinking of Lubaszka's, they have some excellent breads?

lubaszka.pl/4/sklepy-firmowe

There used to be the Centrala Rybna (Fish Central) shops, of coruse state-owned.,which stoicked only fish and some seafood (kalmary and tinned things).. They had outlets all over the country. Yes, I'm quite aware of Hala Mirowska and Hala Marymoncka and some of the smaller bazarki scattered about, but. I was thinking more in terms of small, family-run corner shops. Maybe Poland should bring in some ...

Things in my Warsaw neighbourhood have got better over the last 15 years: Hala Mirowska has got bigger and better and there are now a couple of specialty shops within a 15-minute walk which are not in HM.


No: that is why his posts are such utter rubbish.


That's the one.


Yes, lots of them, more than 15 years ago. But one has to actually be in Warsaw in order to see them.

We are regulars at 'Senatorska'. Piotr lubaszka and Jan Piekarz are the best two in Warsaw.

If you're near Arkadia, on ul. Burakowska, just behind Rondo Babka/Radoslawa there's a great bakery. They have a window at the entrance selling hot bread and cakes 24 hours.

Only ever get as far as Mielżyński Wine Bar or the enclave of shops there. Never seen a bakery there will look for the next time I am around that area.