The national dish of Poland is bigos , made with sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, onions and any variety of leftover meat. Soups play an important part at mealtimes and are usually rich and very thick. Table service is the norm in restaurants. Western drinks, such as whisky, gin or brandy, can be obtained in most bars but are expensive.
Wine is available but, again, is imported and expensive.
The best bottled beer is zywiec , a fairly strong lager-type beer. Coffee shops are very popular in Poland and are the favourite places for social meetings from early morning to late at night. They do not close during the day and have the same function as do pubs in the United Kingdom. Alcoholic drinks are available throughout the day. Warsaw also reflects the strong theatrical and musical traditions of Poland, with about 17 theatres, and three opera companies.