Polish traditional€€stary-rynek
Wiejskie Jadło on Stary Rynek in Poznań is the rustic-Polish room tourists default to, with wooden benches, a Stary Rynek courtyard garden and a long Polish-classics menu run reliably.
Signature: Żurek, Golonka, Pierogi
Order: Żurek in a bread bowl.
Tip: Enter from Franciszkańska street, not the square; the side door cuts the queue at peak times.
Indian€€stary-rynek
Taj India in Poznań is the city's longest-running Indian room with over 17 years of tradition, with tandoor breads from a clay oven, a long regional curry list and a vegetarian section.
Signature: Tikka masala, Dal makhani, Lunch buffet
Order: The 50 PLN lunch buffet on weekdays for the broadest tasting.
Tip: The dinner mains run pricier; the lunch buffet is the better-value entry point for first-time visitors.
Polish, brewpub€€lazarz
Ułan Browar in Łazarz, Poznań brews six house beers on site in the restored 19th-century light-cavalry barracks at City Park, with regional Wielkopolska cooking in a 1,000m² room.
Signature: Golonka z piwem, Pierogi, Burger
Order: The Kapral Pils with grilled kiełbasa.
Tip: Wednesdays are 'Ułan Browar and Friends'; guest brewers pour alongside the house lineup.
Modern Polish bistro€€jezyce
Papierówka in Poznań, named for the early-summer apple, sits in a green oasis on Zielona 8 facing Zakrzewski park, with light regional cooking and a short cocktail list.
Signature: Sezonowy tatar, Pierogi, Naleśniki
Order: Whatever is on the chalkboard daily set; the prices are reasonable and the portions are small but plated.
Tip: Eat outside under the trees in summer; the courtyard tables are the entire reason to come.
Polish, brewpub€€stary-rynek
Brovaria on Stary Rynek 73-74 in Poznań is Poland's first brewpub-with-hotel, in business since 2004, with beer brewed in tanks behind the bar and Polish classics in four dining rooms.
Signature: Kaczka, Golonka, Pstrąg
Order: Beer-braised pork knuckle with the house pilsner.
Tip: Ask the barman for a Trzy Szychy tasting flight of all three house beers; it is the best survey of the room in twenty minutes.
Modern Polish€€stary-rynek
Ratuszova on Stary Rynek 55 in Poznań is a modern-Polish room in a historic tenement, in business since 1954, with roast duck, czernina and game on a seasonal menu.
Signature: Kaczka pieczona z jabłkami, Czernina, Dziczyzna
Order: Roast duck with apples and red cabbage.
Tip: Sit in the vaulted cellar room for the proper Stary Rynek atmosphere; the upstairs is brighter but less characterful.