Wroclaw, Poland
Wroclaw is an edgy city in the west of Poland. In recent years the historically run down city has taken a trendy turn which can likely be attributed to tech company presence and increased tourism. The most popular activity is perhaps boozing, but the food and art scene are also not to be missed.
Beach bars
For the summer, many of the club (think nightclub) owners turn the beaches (think riverbanks) to the “it place to be”. DJs blasting house music, endless booze, lawn chairs, hammocks, sand and sun make for the perfect hangout with family or friends.
- Odra Pany – The Googler hangout, a lively outdoor bar
- Zazoo – An oasis outside the local Zoo
- Forma Plynna – My personal favorite beach bar in Wroclaw
Markets
One of the best ways to understand a place is to visit the markets with the locals.
- Wroclawski Bazar Smakoszy – A farmers market in the grounds of an old brewery. You can find food and treats to fill up on, including tonic espresso and most importantly canned Rose!
- Flea market – We missed the main part of this event, but it is seemingly gigantic and filled with trinkets and well, local crap. A permanent antique shop in the same field and a used bike shop are not to be missed. We visited with the antique shop owner and played one of the oldest video games known.
- Hala Targowa - A large hall filled with stalls that sell a variety of food and flowers.
Local art
An up and coming art scene makes for not only unique creatives but also some awesome, and cheap finds!
- Craft fair – We happened to be here on the day of a local craft fair. Our host, a ceramicist, showed us around the booths of locally made clothes, dishes, furniture and the likes. We also attended a movie about a food popup that creates full experiences, strange to say the least.
- Survival at the Audytorium Wydzialu Chemii Uniwersytetu - a pop-up art exhibit in the old chemistry building of the university. It featured local art and unique experiences such as playing old stumps and hearing the sound through headphones.
Food
- Perogis – It’s Poland, so we had to try them. The best we had were at Pierogarnia Stary Mlyn, try the dessert ones for something different, but I'll admit I liked the savory ones better!
- Late night food in the main square– I can't remember the name of this place, and I don’t know if I would go here during the day, but after a late night out it’s a great night cap. If you head to the main square after hours you will surely find this place on the northwest side of the large church. Think 1.5 euro drinks such as beer, wine, etc. and 3 euro food - kielbasa , beef tartare, potatoes with cottage cheese and more.
- Dinette and Giselle – As with many places these days, brunch is the weekend thing to do. Both places had outdoor seating and breakfast dishes with flavors from around the world, not to be missed.
- Bulka z Maslem Solny - This restaurant has an outdoor seating area in a large courtyard tucked away from the wall to wall buildings just outside the main city square. We got a large platter of spreads to share, it was delicious and full of flavorful surprises.
- Winnica - A little wine bar in the same courtyard described above. Ideal place to sit and share a bottle, especially in the evenings. The courtyard has festive lighting draping across the middle and dark ivy climbing the walls of the buildings.
