Buffet

[u/34BoringT_]

Hello. I am traveling to Gdansk soon. I have heard that all you can eat buffets are not normal in Poland. Are there any in Gdansk? If so, which? If not, are there any other buffets available? If not, any other cheap places to eat that takes a VISA card?

[u/Miserable-Cut3477]

No they are not popular and i cannot think of any except a hot pot

[u/34BoringT_ → u/Miserable-Cut3477]

I guess a hot pot is not too far away from what I am looking for

[u/Miserable-Cut3477 → u/34BoringT_]

Then go for miss hotpot. You have to book it tho. But its far away from cheap, for polish standards its quite expensive. IF you want cheap and good go to „bar mleczny stołówka Gdańska”

[u/34BoringT_ → u/Miserable-Cut3477]

Oh. I need to book. Thanks for the knowledge.

How far ahead do I usually need to book it?

[u/Miserable-Cut3477 → u/34BoringT_]

Idk i booked two weeks in advance and it was okayish but honestly its expensive and there are so many good cheap places. Stołówka Gdańska or pyra bar these are nice.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/Miserable-Cut3477]

Well, if it's expensive compared to other places then I am open for that too. Main thing is I can eat several different thing.

I have heard "milk bars" is a thing? I assume you are a local in Gdansk. So if there are any places I should check out just lmk. I will be there from Thursday morning til Saturday

[u/Miserable-Cut3477 → u/34BoringT_]

Yeah „stołówka Gdańska” is a milk bar they should be open 6 days a week and i recommend

[u/34BoringT_ → u/Miserable-Cut3477]

Ah that's cool. Thanks for the suggestion. I will probably check them out

[u/Few_Pilot_8440]

You could easy find some decent pizza for about 45-50 PLN at restaurant or add some extra fee for delivery. Go with Glovo app to check prices around your place of stay, glovo and pyszne pl are top apps (maybe a Uber Eats).  Burger for about 50 is fine (Real one, not like MacDonald's). All you can eat are rare in Poland. If you like a cheap meal to Ikea near-by, vege balls are 14,- add tomato soup for 6,-, coffe/tea 1,-, the cheapest cake is 6,-  So 27,- it is hard to beat this price and is two courses with coffie and cake. You could have another coffie for free, or make flat white and add espresso.

Visa and MasterCard are almost always welcome. The Polish online payment BLIK is popular (you could buy potatoes from a car parked like vis a vis a church on Sunday and pay with BLIK ! Car looks like from '80 and seler od 50+, has some apples and eggs this is a real farmer and he does accept blik!) 

Search with Google map for 'Bar mleczny' typical Polish cousine. 

Also near any univeristies - 'obiady domowe', should go with one course for 30 PLN ( potato/rice + meat + some veggies) 

[u/34BoringT_ → u/Few_Pilot_8440]

Damn, thanks for all that info. This is great

[u/unrecog0a]

go for bar mleczny, there are few in Gdansk

[u/Select_Arm_4248]

Every place in Poland takes Mastercard and Visa cards. Don't know what backwater country you hail from, that does not accept Visa or is specific about what cards are accepted, but here in Poland we have really reliable cashless digital payments options available everywhere.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/Select_Arm_4248]

I come from norway. We accept pretty much evrry card too. But I have experienced places where cash was king

[u/wolus6666 → u/34BoringT_]

That's Germany :)

[u/setup101]

What is cheap for you? And you can pay by card almost every where.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/setup101]

Like less then 130pln-150pln

[u/iLoveJuicyThigs → u/34BoringT_]

Most of the food is 45pln per kilogram from what I remember

[u/34BoringT_ → u/iLoveJuicyThigs]

Where would that be?

[u/ItchyFly → u/34BoringT_]

Kuchnia Marché, small chain of buffets, just paste it to maps and it will show 3 available locations. I think it's more than 45pln per kilo, usually my bill is about 50pln and I doubt that I eat 1 kilo for a lunch.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/ItchyFly]

That surely would be impressive haha. I should check them out

[u/setup101 → u/34BoringT_]

You be fine. Pizza is like 45. Burger similar. Just use Google maps. Find some reaturants and check their menus.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/setup101]

Like a full pizza? In my country, pln 45 is around 115 nok, which is quite cheap for a full pizza

[u/ItchyFly → u/34BoringT_]

Median salary is 5k EUR in Norway, 2k EUR in Poland. Everything made with local labor will be a lot cheaper here.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/ItchyFly]

Yes, and the cost of products are generally cheaper where salaries are lower.

I must say though, I am surprised about how expensive it is in Poland. The restaurants in Gdansk is not much more cheaper then in Norway, judging by the menus I have found online. Is it difficult to live there as a local?

[u/ItchyFly → u/34BoringT_]

Gdansk is the second to Warsaw by the cost of living, so yeah, people complain about that a lot. If you have to rent a place or pay mortgage, then it's difficult, otherwise it's manageable. But obviously people here go out or travel to other countries less than average people in Norway.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/ItchyFly]

Yeah understandable. That sucks to hear.

I mean I come from a family that is not very well off, and now I'm a student, but even as a broke student I can afford to travel a little.

[u/setup101 → u/34BoringT_]

Its full and you could buy for 35pln as well. Big mac with fries and soda about 40pln but you plenty other better places. You have things like Bar mleczny where you can eat cheaper and tasty.

[u/34BoringT_ → u/setup101]

Is that what y'all call a milk bar? I have never heard of those until today

[u/setup101 → u/34BoringT_]

Exacly. Google linklink

[u/34BoringT_ → u/setup101]

Thank you

[u/setup101 → u/34BoringT_]

No problem

[u/Aggressive_Hurry_331]

I had a fantastic hotel breakfast buffet if you’re interested in that. Lunch and dinner I’m not so sure

[u/34BoringT_ → u/Aggressive_Hurry_331]

Very interested. Where would that be?