If you’ve been to Elektrownia Powiśle lately and noticed the massive line outside, you might have wondered why people are waiting so patiently to get into a Milk Bar. But, it’s not your typical milk bar experience. Once you’ve finally made it inside and you notice the phrase written on the floor, almost like a finish line, “ŚWIĘTO KIEDY CHCESZ!” (holiday when you want it), you’ll understand the excitement. There’s hardly a livelier scene on a Saturday afternoon in Warsaw’s culinary landscape.
Food-wise, while it’s not groundbreaking to find breakfast items available all day, the offerings here are exceptionally enticing. A dish like Hash brown with Pastrami speaks for itself, but when your eyes wander across the menu to BBQ chicken waffles, and then to the intriguing option of porridge with shrimps, you’ll find yourself saying, “Why not? Today feels like a holiday.” On the sweeter side, staples like French toast, bread pudding, and blueberry pierogi are available. However, since the restaurant is Ukrainian-owned, starting with Syrniki—a fluffy pancake resembling marshmallows—topped with Tres Leches is a great choice. It’s so sweet and delicious that it might make you feel like it’s your birthday, which incidentally, would be the perfect occasion to celebrate here because the cakes are as delectable as they look. Don’t miss out on trying the Kyiv cake and Victoria’s Secret to satisfy your cravings for all things pink and made of red velvet.
As for cocktails, having breakfast and cocktails together might seem a bit strange at first, but it’s an experience worth having. We sampled a few to mark a special occasion, but the standout favorites were the Lasting Bliss – a concoction of bourbon, brandy, cherry liqueur, and chocolate bitters, which feels like candy for adults, especially with its chocolate spoon garnish topped with a maraschino cherry. The other standout cocktail, Clover Club, is made with gin, Martini Fiero, raspberry puree, lemon juice, and egg white, which when paired with the red velvet cake looks like a scene straight from the Barbie movie.
Upon entering Milk Bar, there’s a lot to take in. From the enticing display of cakes to the bar serving up top-notch cocktails, to a side room where bakers are hard at work, and a VIP room for celebrating special occasions in privacy—the ambiance is sophisticated yet inviting. The design touches, courtesy of the multi-award-winning architectural and design studio YODEZEEN, add to the ambiance. A particularly nice touch is the use of olive trees, which, when combined with the distressed-looking map of Ukraine on the wall, seem to symbolize hope for peace.
In conclusion, we wholeheartedly recommend Milk Bar for a gathering with friends. The staff are exceptionally friendly, and their interactions resemble that of a loving family. Just remember, they don’t take reservations, so aim to arrive before the weekend crowds to secure your spot.
