After opening almost a decade ago, SPOT. still hits the spot when it comes to good food and wine with the bonus of a special setting. Since the very beginning, it has rolled out contemporary yet accessible cuisine, tweaking or revamping the classics and giving them a modern spin.
Over the years, SPOT. has gained a faithful crowd of regulars attracted by its succulent, contemporary bistro-style fare. In 2024, SPOT. was awarded Bib Gourmand recognition by MICHELIN Inspectors for the quality and taste of its food.
The history of SPOT. began more than fifteen years ago with a group of friends who wanted to open Poznań’s first concept store. The project was ultimately carried out by a couple, Monika Sadowska and Lechosław Olszewski, who decided to breathe new life into a post-industrial red-brick building in the Dolna Wilda district of Poznań. Although it initially began with the idea of a concept store, the project morphed into a multifunctional space with a restaurant at its heart.
“Back then, the two top trends in world gastronomy were Slow Food and New Nordic, which were both concepts we identified with,” remembers Olszewski. Right from the word go, SPOT.’s cuisine has focused on seasonal, locally-sourced produce, crafted into original yet comforting dishes. Though free of a “national” cuisine label, SPOT. has always been keen to highlight local delicacies or draw inspiration from traditional Polish staples and flavours, often mixing them with foreign seasonings or ingredients to create original, mouthwatering recipes.
The menu created by chef Jakub Hamankiewicz, who is at the helm of SPOT.’s kitchen, conjures up dishes like local green asparagus grilled over a Japanese hibachi, served with homemade labneh, wild garlic gremolata and pistachio; celery velouté with a zingy touch of apple, hazelnuts, and chili oil to spice things up, or zander, a famous freshwater fish from Poland’s lakes, served with a beurre blanc sauce, blanched spinach, pumpkin purée and aromatic fennel, with a decadent financiers cake flavoured with cardamom, burnt honey, tangy rhubarb and raspberry jam and served with a wicked dollop of chantilly cream to finish. What’s more, those who fancy popping in for a glass of wine will, no doubt, be delighted by the selection of Polish cheeses, carefully sourced from artisanal producers.
SPOT.’s founders have always sought to blend first-class quality and service with a comfortable, enjoyable vibe. Creativity has been kept simple and accessible, thus enhancing SPOT. as a fun venue that is open to all. In the warm months, SPOT.’s dining room overflows into the lush green garden, one of the most charming of Poznan, providing a calm, leafy setting for alfresco dining.
SPOT.’s accessibility is also expressed through its pricing policy, making it suitable for everyday meals and frequent returns.
SPOT. also boasts a knock-out wine list that stars top Polish wines, many of which are served by the glass. What’s more, a well-stocked cellar goes hand-in-hand with wine education and the restaurant often hosts wine events, fairs, classes and competitions (such as Polskie Korki, a Polish wine competition).
Quality ingredients and food, combined with a savvy wine offer and a casual, informal vibe, make SPOT. an exemplary Bib Gourmand restaurant.
This special distinction by MICHELIN Inspectors was introduced in 1997. According to the guide’s definition, the Bib Gourmand highlights restaurants offering exceptionally good food at reasonable prices. The name comes from the Michelin Man, also known as Bibendum, and is often sought after by travelling foodies who are particularly interested in places with a great quality-to-value ratio. Though the Bib Gourmand may not be as prestigious as a MICHELIN Star, restaurants bearing it on their walls are always worth checking out for a satisfying meal in a laid-back setting.
