Discover Poznań’s rich culinary heritage, from hearty potato dishes and meat specialties to sweet, flaky pastries that tell the story of the region’s soul. This Poznań food guide is your passport to the most iconic tastes of Greater Poland.
A Taste of Tradition: Why Poznań’s Cuisine Stands Out
There’s more to Poznań than just St. Martin’s croissants – though those flaky, almond-sweet delicacies are certainly worth every bite. Dive deeper, and you’ll find a world of flavors grounded in hearty, rustic traditions. This Poznań food guide explores the iconic dishes of Greater Poland, a region where potatoes (pyry) reign supreme, and every meal tells a story of local resilience, simplicity, and joy.
Pyry z Gzikiem – The Humble Hero of Poznań
Start your Poznań food guide adventure with perhaps the region’s most beloved dish: pyry z gzikiem. At first glance, it’s simple – just potatoes boiled in their skins, served with a creamy mix of twaróg (white cheese), sour cream, onions, and chives. Yet this meal, once reserved for meatless Fridays in modest homes, has become a regional classic. You’ll find it in nearly every traditional restaurant in Poznań, often upgraded with extras like radish or boiled egg.
You Can Find Pyry z Gzikiem at These Restaurants:
Pyra Bar – A haven for potato enthusiasts, offering a variety of potato-based dishes, including the classic pyry z gzikiem.
Szybka Pyra – Known for its authentic and delicious local food, especially their rendition of pyry z gzikiem.
Pyraland – Place offers a variety of potato-based dishes, including options like pyry z gzikiem, Pyra Boczkowa with bacon and Pyra Śledzik featuring herring.
Ślepe Ryby – A Fish-Free Surprise
Don’t let the name fool you – ślepe ryby, or “blind fish,” contains not a single gill. This dish is a thick, warming potato soup made from root vegetables, mashed potatoes, and often enriched with myrdyrda, a browned flour-and-butter roux. It’s a staple of the old peasant diet, hearty and economical, and a must-try for anyone following this Poznań food guide. You can also find a modern twist – with meat stock or smoked bacon – in some local eateries.
From Szagówki to Szare Kluchy – Kluski Culture
If there’s one thing Poznań does spectacularly well, it’s dumplings. Among the most iconic are szagówki, diagonally-cut potato dumplings similar to kopytka, often served with stewed meats or fried onions. Then there are szare kluchy, grey-hued dumplings made from raw, grated potatoes – humble in look, but rich in comfort and flavor. This dumpling duo is a cornerstone of the Poznań food guide, offering visitors a true taste of regional ingenuity.
Wiejskie Jadło – Offers a rustic Polish dining experience, featuring traditional dishes like szare kluchy.
Sweet Side of Poznań: From St. Martin’s Croissants to Szneki
Of course, any good Poznań food guide must honor its crown jewel: the St. Martin’s Croissant (rogal świętomarciński). Eaten around 11 November to celebrate Saint Martin’s Day, these buttery pastries are filled with a luxurious mix of white poppy seeds, nuts, raisins, and candied orange peel, then glazed and sprinkled with chopped nuts.
Did You Know?
Only croissants made in Poznań and certified surrounding areas can be officially called rogale świętomarcińskie. The croissant’s shape is said to mimic the horseshoe lost by Saint Martin’s horse!
But there’s more sweetness to uncover:
- Szneki z glancem – spiral-shaped yeast buns topped with glossy icing.
- Brzdąc – light sponge cake layered with cocoa whipped cream.
- Rura poznańska – gingerbread squares sweetened with honey, often sold at fairs.
Which Restaurants Serve These Sweets?
- Inna Piekarnia – An artisanal bakery praised for its array of sweet pastries, including the iconic St. Martin’s croissants. Also known for their delightful szneka z glancem, a sweet treat to complement your coffee.
- Fawor Bakery – Located near the Croissant Museum, it’s a popular spot to purchase authentic rogale świętomarcińskie.
- Weranda Caffe – A charming café offering a variety of desserts, including the traditional brzdąc.
Poznań Food Guide to Hearty Meats and Stews
Meat dishes take center stage in traditional Poznań cuisine. This Poznań food guide wouldn’t be complete without:
- Kaczka po wielkopolsku – duck roasted with apples, served with red cabbage and kluchy na łachu (steamed dumplings).
- Golonka – pork knuckle, often served with groats or sauerkraut.
- Zrazy – beef rolls filled with bacon, pickles, and onions, simmered until tender.
Here Are Some Places Where You Can Try These Meals:
- Hyćka – Located in the Śródka district, this restaurant is renowned for its traditional Greater Poland cuisine, including the celebrated roast duck. It also presents zrazy wołowe served with szagówki, providing a hearty and traditional meal.
Ratuszova – Situated in the Old Market Square, offering a historical ambiance and a delectable roast duck dish. - Restauracja Hacjenda – Situated at ul. Morasko 38, Hacjenda serves Golonka po bawarsku accompanied by potatoes, sauerkraut, and horseradish. Hacjenda also offers zrazy wołowe as part of its menu, maintaining a focus on regional dishes.
- Restauracja Golonkowo – Located in Biskupice at ul. Mieszka I 1, Golonkowo specializes in various styles of pork knuckle, offering a range of flavors.
Unique Regional Soups in the Poznań Food Guide
Our Poznań food guide wouldn’t be thorough without mentioning local soups:
- Polewka – a buttermilk soup thickened with cream and flour, served with sliced potatoes.
- Parzybroda – cabbage and potato stew, with or without meat.
- Czernina – a sweet-and-sour duck blood soup, flavored with dried fruit and vinegar. A true taste of heritage, though not for everyone!
Where You Can Eat These Traditional Soups?
Hyćka – Also serves a well-regarded version of czernina, staying true to traditional recipes. Hyćka also offers parzybroda, a traditional cabbage soup, among its menu of regional dishes.
Restauracja w hotelu Relax – Situated at ul. Bułgarska 115, this restaurant serves polewka made with buttermilk and potatoes, as well as ślepe ryby.
Did You Know?
Parzybroda literally means “beard-burner” – the hot cabbage leaves in the soup could stick to your beard if you weren’t careful while slurping.
From Galart to Ciupka – Poznań’s Quirky Side
A final note in this Poznań food guide goes to the more curious bites:
- Galart (or zimne nóżki) – jellied pork with carrots and parsley, served cold with vinegar or lemon juice.
Did You Know?
In the Poznań dialect, galart can also mean “a feeling of fear or anxiety.” You might say “mam galart” before an exam—talk about multi-tasking vocabulary!
- Ciupka z grochem – a rustic dish of sauerkraut and yellow split peas, best after a 098few days’ rest in the fridge.
More Than Just Food: A Culinary Heritage
What makes Poznań’s cuisine so special is not just the food, but the stories behind it – the blend of Polish, German, French, and Jewish culinary influences, shaped by history, hardship, and hospitality. This Poznań food guide is an invitation to explore not only dishes but identities, passed down from grandmother to granddaughter, from home kitchens to stylish restaurants.
So next time you’re in Poznań, skip the tourist traps and follow your nose to a local joint dishing up szare kluchy, czernina, or a steaming bowl of ślepe ryby. Your taste buds will thank you!
