One of Poland's major cultural cities, Poznan is a foodie's dream. From sublime street food to fine dining sensations, the best food in Poznan is an eclectic mix of savory delights and sweet treats, time honored classics and relatively new favorites.
Take your time to explore the city's exquisite cuisine and you'll peel back the layers and get to know a little bit more about what really makes this city and its people special.
16 Best Foods to Try in Poznan
Food in poznan is as varied as it is delicious, with a whole range of wonderful traditional dishes for you to discover.
Below, I've listed 15 notable foods in Poznan that I enjoyed during my visit. I highly recommend taking a food tour to get the best out of your culinary adventure in Poznan – you'll find some of my food tour recommendations listed below.
Happy eating!
1. St Martin's Croissant
Poznan's perfect pastry is its most famous food. The legendary St Martin's croissant was invented way back in 1891 by a Catholic priest as part of a campaign to help Poznan's population get through the winter.
It's a simple of neighbourly togetherness and the spirit of the Poznan population. The St Martin's Croissant is made by folding the dough 81 times, adding a mix of white poppy seeds, raisins, almonds, sugar and butter in between each layer. The result is spectacular!
In fact, this croissant is so revered in Poznan and all throughout Poland that it's legally protected! The special recipe is protected under EU law and states that, in order to be considered a true Saint Martin’s croissant, you have to use the exact specified ingredients and recipe.
The best place to try this magnificent pastry? There's only one destination... the croissant museum!
Poznan Croissant Museum
Address: wejście od, Klasztorna 23, 61-779 Poznań, Poland
Website: http://rogalowemuzeum.pl/
2. Beef Roulade
This is a very typical dish in Poznan and the surrounding region. It consists of tender beef cheeks on heaps of mash with variety of veg and gravy. Portions are super generous in most places where you order this traditional Poznan dish.
Like many beef dishes in Poznan, the best way to enjoy beef roulade is a traditional Polish restaurant. There are so many options in the center of the city, but my recommendations comes from a little further afield.
In my Things to Do in Poznan piece, I recommend visiting the nearby city of Gniezo, the birthplace of the Polish nation. Its glittering cathedral features intricately carved bronze doors. While there, don't miss visiting the wonderful Restauracja Młyn, which serves a tremendous beef roulade.
Restauracja Młyn
Address: Franklina Roosevelta 50, 62-200 Gniezno, Poland
Website: https://www.mlyngniezno.com/
3. Slepe Ryby (Blind Fish Soup)
A typical meal in Poznan, slepe ryby is a deliciously warming soup. While it may be thought of as peasant food traditionally, this sublime soup is soothing and warming, particularly popular in winter time.
Simple ingredients include potato, smoked ribs, onions, mixed vegetables and a pinch of salt. You'll often find it served as a starter on menus at restaurants in Poznan.
One of the best is Warzelnia, a traditional Polish restaurant set in the heart of the city.
Warzelnia
Address: Stary Rynek 71/72, 61-772 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48535936036
4. Pierogi (Stuffed Dumplings)
A traditional dish served all throughout Poland, pierogi are small dumplings made with a yeast dough that can come with either savory or sweet fillings. The most commonly served pierogi include fillings such as mushrooms, minced meat, cheese, onions, potatoes and spices.
These delicious dumplings are very popular all over Poznan. You'll find them served up in just about every humble eatery, but head to an upscale dining spot to enjoy them at their best.
I recommend seeking out Vis A Vis Koziołków for some of the best pierogi in the city. This low-key restaurant is nestled right next to Old Market Square and is the perfect showcase for traditional delicacies.
Vis A Vis Koziołków
Address: Stary Rynek 40, 61-772 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48 790 044 221
Website: https://visaviskoziolkow.pl/
5. Pyry z Gzikiem (Cottage Cheese with Boiled Potatoes)
A famous dish of Poznan, this traditional food is usually served on Fridays as a simple alternative to a meat dish. It's almost like a potato salad, and is often served with radish, dill, onion or chives to bring a little bit of extra pop to the flavor.
It's a simple, no-thrills dish, traditionally thought of as peasant food, although in the modern era Poznan residents take pride in giving it as much flavor as possible.
There are a few great restaurants in the city serving this traditional Polish dish. One of them is the excellent Restauracja Bamberka, which is right next to the Old Market Square. Perfect for enjoying traditional Polish dishes after sightseeing.
Restauracja Bamberka
Address: Stary Rynek 2, 61-772 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48505016114
Website: http://www.bamberka.com.pl/
6. Barszcz (Borscht – sour soup)
We're willing to bet most people have heart of this classic Polish soup. This authentic winter warmer, also known as Barszcz Czerwony, is a classic dish that's traditionally served on Christmas Eve.
Still, you'll find it on menus throughout Poznan. Red beetroot gives this dish its characteristic red coloring, while carrots, celery, sautéed onions, garlic, sautéed mushrooms and herbs bring an extra depth of flavor.
To the west of the city, Bistro Przychodnia is a homely traditional restaurant that serves a wonderful borscht
Bistro Przychodnia
Address: Śniadeckich 17, 60-773 Poznań, Poland
7. Szare Kluchy z Kapustą i Boczkiem (Potato Noodles Served with Bacon and Sour Cabbage)
This comforting dish is typical of Poznan cuisine. The combination of the flavors and the textures work perfectly together, creating a dish that's warming and soothing.
It's very typical of the potato-based dishes that you'll find in Poznan and across Poland as a whole. The fried bacon and cooked vegetables bring plenty of umami flavor, while the potato noodles are perfect for mopping up the juices.
This dish is very typical of Polish food. You'll find a very good version of this dish at Hyćka Restauracja to the east of the city.
Hyćka Restauracja
Address: rynek Śródecki 17, 61-126 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48535045035
Website: http://www.hycka.pl/
8. Marynowana Pieczona Pierś z Gęsi (Marinated Goose Breast in Gravy, Red Cabbage and Homemade Yeast Dumplings)
Another hearty dish that's the perfect showcase for just how tasty Polish food can be. This is the sort of dish that you order over a long lazy lunch, either with a refreshing beer or a nice glass of wine, followed by a blissful stroll around the historic heart of the city center.
This dish is served at some of the top restaurants in Poznan. One of my favorites is Ja Brzoza, which has delightfully rustic interiors and a leafy terrace garden. Highly recommended.
Ja Brzoza
Address: Żydowska 29, 61-761 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48730797121
Website: https://www.jabrzoza.eu/
9. Czernina Podana z Lazankami (Duck Blood Soup with Noodles)
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It's definitely not for the faint of heart, but this richly delicious soup will reward those with an open mind and an adventurous palete.
This is an old school dish, with recipes traditionally passed down from generation to generation. So, there's lots of variety in terms of the way it's cooked and prepared.
However, it's usually always cooked with the whole duck, mixed vegetables, a few fruits and some complementary spices and herbs. Head to the cottage style restaurant Tumska for an example of how czernina is done right.
Tumska
Address: Ostrów Tumski 5A, 61-109 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48885988008
Website: http://tumskapoznan.pl/
10. Kaczka po poznańsku
Simple humble food that goes down a treat. This traditional Poznan dish is essentially pan fried duck meat served with potato dumplings, cabbage and mixed vegetables.
It's classic hearty food and is typically enjoyed at lunch time, particularly at the weekend.
Drevny Kocur 77 Poznań is one of the best restaurants in the city and serves this classic dish along with many others. It's a great destination for foodies who want a taste of authentic Poznan food.
Drevny Kocur 77 Poznań
Address: Stary Rynek 77, 61-762 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48608487800
Website: http://www.drevnykocur.cz/
11. Plyatski (Potato Pancakes)
Otherwise known as placki ziemniaczane, these potato pancakes are a popular delicacy in Poznan and throughout the rest of Poland.
They are made from grated potatoes, boiled or mashed potatoes, which are then fried in butter and served with sour cream or apple sauce.
Head to Na Winkly, a casual eatery that specializes in Polish finger food delicacies, including plyatski.
Na Winklu
Address: Śródka 1, 61-125 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48796145004
12. Golonka
Considered one of the national dishes of Poland, golonka consists of a ham hock that has been slow cooked to perfection. It's typically seared first, then braised until melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Like many Polish dishes, golonka comes in lots of different regional varieties. It's traditionally served whole, on the bone, alongside boiled potatoes and steamed vegetables.
Located right in the heart of the city, elegant restaurant Pyšna Chałupa gets all the classics right and it's no surprise to find that they do one of the best versions of golonka in the whole of Poznan.
Pyšna Chałupa
Address: Stary Rynek 82, 61-772 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48668306200
Website: http://www.pysnachalupa.pl/
13. Pierniczki
These traditional sweet baked goods are found in many countries throughout Eastern Europe, and Polan is no exception. They are like gingerbread cookies and come in all different shapes and sizes. You'll typically find Pierniczki in bakeries throughout Poznan all year old, although they are most certainly more popular during the holiday season.
Pierniczki are normally spiced with ginger and cinnamon, and can even be made with chocolate.
For the best Pierniczki in the city, head to the amazing coffee shop PiernikoMania, which is located just south of the center of Poznan.
PiernikoMania
Address: Przemysłowa 55, 61-564 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48505533115
Website: https://piernikomania.com.pl/
14. Befszyk Tatarski (Steak Tartare)
The Polish version of the globally popular dish, steak tartare, this is a hugely popular dish in the country, often served at special occasions like weddings and communions, and is said to have its origins in the invasion of the Mongols right back in the 1400s.
This dish consists of ground meat served with pickled sides and a raw egg yolk.
However it came about, the dish is served all throughout the city. A staple of traditional Polish cuisine, there are a few places that really stand out when it comes to making Polish steak tartare. One of them is the excellent Whisky in a Jar, which specializes in all things meat. If tartare isn't your thing, try one of their burgers – they're sensational!
Whisky in a Jar
Address: Stary Rynek 100, 61-772 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48515720336
Website: https://whiskeyinthejar.pl/
15. Zurek
The epitome of Polish comfort food, zurek is regarded as practically a national treasure. Families pride themselves on their specific zurek recipe, passed down for generations, and you'll find many family-run restaurants throughout Poznan serving their own spin on this old school classic.
There are lots of variations of zurek, although at its core it consists of sour rye flour, potatoes, vegetables a hearty stock and a healthy serving of meat, typically served with a hard boiled egg.
The Polish have been making this soup for centuries.
Wiejskie Jadło
Address: Stary Rynek 77 /wejście od, Franciszkańska, 61-772 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48 61 853 66 00
Website: https://wiejskie-jadlo.pl/
16. Bigos
An iconic Polish stew, Bigos is one of the nation's most loved dishes. Its beauty lies in its simplicity – there are only three main ingredients here: sauerkraut, meat (typically beef or pork) and fresh shredded cabbage.
There are of course variations depending on the region and you'll often find different combinations of meat and extra vegetables thrown in for good measure.
One of the best places to find this popular Polish stew in Poznan is Pierogarnia Stary Młyn
Pierogarnia Stary Młyn
Address: Zamkowa 7, 61-768 Poznań, Poland
Phone: +48 61 101 50 00
Website: https://www.pierogarnie.com/restauracje/stary-mlyn-poznan/
Food Tour in Poznan
Get to know this wonderful Polish city through its cuisine and history with an immersive, expert-led food tour. It's the best way to get to know a city, while satisfying your inner foodie at the same time!
Poznan: Private Traditional Polish Food Tour
Take a traditional Polish feast tour for a delicious dive into the city's cuisine and culture. You'll try an array of dishes, appetizers, and desserts while getting valuable insights into traditional customs from locals.
What are the most traditional foods in Poznan?
Pierogi, beef tartare, and beef roulade are traditional dishes found on most city menus. As for baked goods, St. Martin's croissant is simply a must.
Is Poznan cheap?
Yes, it's a very affordable city. You can enjoy an elevated dining experience without spending a massive amount of money.
What's the most popular food in Poznan?
As in most Polish cities, pierogi is one of the most popular foods, and it can be served with a sweet or savory filling.
Is Poznan known for street food?
Poznan is better known for its traditional dishes served in restaurants. However, there are lots of great bakeries selling baked treats.
What international food is Poznan known for?
Poznan is known to have an array of excellent Thai restaurants scattered throughout the center of the city.
In Conclusion
An eclectic foodie destination that rewards the curious traveler, Poznan is packed full of fabulous restaurants serving up a long list of popular delicacies.
Work your way through the list above, visit some of the recommended restaurants, and enjoy your culinary adventure in this wonderful Polish city.
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