Poznań may not be the most obvious or popular destination, but it is well worth visiting. The capital city of the Greater Poland region, it is renowned for being one of the most photogenic towns in Poland, on account of its monumental town hall, whose famous mechanical goats pop out of the clock tower to announce the strike of noon with a small dance; its town square flanked by buildings with brightly coloured façades; and its red-brick Gothic churches contrasting with the calming greenery of the banks of the River Warta. As one of the oldest cities in Poland, it is steeped in history, while its galleries, museums and esteemed cultural events, as well as international trade fairs and conventions also attract visitors.
But there is one more reason to head to Poznań – food! 2023 saw the publication of the MICHELIN Guide’s Polish selection, which for the first-time lists restaurant recommendations for three cities, Warsaw, Kraków and Poznań, marking the latter’s debut in the legendary “Red Guide”.
In total, 11 restaurants in Poznań have garnered recommendations from the MICHELIN Guide inspectors. In this edition, you will find all manner of restaurants, differing in character, style and the provenance of their cuisine, from laid-back local favourites to elegant fine dining venues. But what they all have in common is their exceptional quality and high standards, making the MICHELIN selection a great resource to reach for, whatever your tastes or the occasion may be.
“I am sure that the presence of the MICHELIN Guide here in Poznań will stimulate our gastronomy scene and that many interesting new places will be opened,” says Artur Skotarczyk, chef at Muga, the first restaurant in Poznań to be awarded the iconic MICHELIN Star. Muga, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, is a true gem on Poznań’s culinary map, and indeed Poland’s. Chef Skotarczyk’s cooking is a fine marriage of French technique and seasonal, local ingredients, as well as luxury delicacies, brought together with elegant, contemporary flair. The tasting menu is an opportunity to marvel not only at the chef’s skill but also his ability to source quality produce – venison, truffles, foie gras, asparagus (a true speciality of Poznań) and crayfish. In addition – no doubt in homage to French cooking – there is a generous amount of butter to elevate the flavours of the ingredients. At Muga, wine is a key element of the meal and, since it has snapped up one of the top sommeliers in Poland, you can rest assured of the quality of the pairings and wine service. Thanks to the smart, modern and intimate setting, guests can fully immerse themselves in their dining experience.
The people of Poznań – and not just those with professional ties to the restaurant world – are proud of their cuisine and ingredients, and no visit to Poznań would be complete without tasting some of the local dishes. To that end, make a beeline for A Nóż Widelec: This restaurant dedicated to regional flavours is run by power couple Agata and Artur Kuter, who respectively manage the restaurant floor and work magic in the kitchen. Going to A Nóż Widelec, located in a residential building in a quaint part of the city, feels like visiting someone’s home – only with a professional kitchen and a skilled chef cooking up a storm. Artur Kuter is a prominent advocate of the cuisine of Greater Poland and local ingredients, so it stands to reason that these play the leading role on the menu at A Nóż Widelec. However, he revisits them in a modern way, so you can expect the likes of a savoury cannoli with Baltic herring paprykarz and horseradish mousse, traditional borscht or żur – a sour rye soup served with two kinds of artisanal sausages and egg, or roasted duck leg with szagówki (small potato dumplings) and roasted apple. Kuter strikes a fine balance between comforting fare and refined culinary art, making A Nóz Widelec a terrific place to get acquainted with the cuisine of Greater Poland.
The MICHELIN Guide selection for Poznań perfectly reflects the diversity of the city’s food culture. Take Zen On, a popular haunt among locals and one of the most acclaimed ramen spots not just in Poznań but in the whole of Poland. While ramen is the speciality of the house, the menu also features equally indulgent bao buns, dim sum and udon. If you are an avid cheese lover, head to Fromazeria, a Bib Gourmand awarded restaurant. As its name suggests, it focuses on cheese – local and international – and uses different varieties in its dishes: Parmesan donuts served with prosciutto and a scoop of Polish caviar, risotto “cacio e pepe” with Parmigiano Reggiano, smoked Fiore Sardo and creamy, stracciatella handmade with Polish organic milk, or chocolate and Brillat-Savarin cheesecake.
The diversity of culinary Poznań comes not only from the cuisines represented, but also the array of ambiences. TU.REStAURANT, another Bib Gourmand, is located in a beautifully renovated 19C red-brick building that previously served as a military canteen. Nowadays it promises contemporary urban cuisine, drawing inspiration from all over the world. SPOT, surrounded by a lush garden, offers an escape from the buzz of the city for the time of a wonderful meal that comes complete with a well-curated wine list that includes top Polish wineries that are but little known beyond Poland’s borders. The restaurant is reputed among wine connoisseurs, and regularly organises tastings and master classes, wine fairs or food and wine pairing dinners – events worth checking out if they coincide with your stay in Poznań.
These are just a few examples of the treats Poznań has in store for food-loving visitors – and there is more to look forward to, as the city also boasts an enviable speciality coffee scene, a wealth of atmospheric wine bars and an abundance of tempting pastry shops.
To consult the MICHELIN Guide’s current selection of restaurants in Poznań, please click here.
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