Modra Kuchnia in Jeżyce, Poznań is a small basement room on Mickiewicza, run by Szymon and Dorota, cooking a tight modern Polish menu with a wine pairing on every plate.
Signature dishes: Kaczka z modrą kapustą, Pierogi, Sernik
Must order: Roast duck with the modra kapusta that gives the room its name.
Tip: There are only a handful of tables; book a week ahead for weekend dinner.
Address: ul. Adama Mickiewicza 18/2, 60-834 Poznań
Concordia Taste in Poznań sits inside Concordia Design, a converted print works above the railway viaduct, with chef Adam Adamczak cooking modern Polish comfort food and a Studio Rygalik culinary lab in the dining room.
Signature: Menu degustacyjne, Sezonowa ryba, Comfort food
Order: The seven-course tasting menu.
Tip: Take a window table; the train viaduct view at sunset is part of the room.
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.
Whiskey in the Jar on Stary Rynek 100, Poznań is the city's serious steakhouse, with dry-aged Polish beef, a rock-and-roll dining room and a wall of Jim Beam jar cocktails behind the bar.
Signature: Steki, Burgery, Żeberka grillowane
Order: A 300g ribeye with the house bone-marrow butter.
Tip: The second-floor JARy cocktails come in mason jars; a 'JAR' on the menu is a long drink for two, not a steak.
Taj India in Poznań is the city's longest-running Indian restaurant, with tandoor breads from a real clay oven, a long regional curry list and a vegetarian section that outperforms the meat plates.
Signature: Tikka masala, Dal makhani, Naan z czosnkiem
Order: Dal makhani with garlic naan.
Tip: The lunch buffet is the best-value way in; under 50 PLN for eight or nine curries plus breads.
Vine Bridge in Śródka, Poznań is one of the city's smallest serious tasting restaurants, with chef Radosław Nejman running a new-Polish-cuisine kitchen across a handful of tables and a counter on regional product.
Signature: Menu degustacyjne, Sezonowa ryba, Wino z Polski
Order: Whatever the chef plates at the counter; the kitchen does not run a fixed menu.
Tip: Reserve three weeks ahead, or try the Sunday brunch on Jordan Bridge in summer for a lower booking bar.
Concordia Taste in Poznań sits inside Concordia Design, a converted print works above the railway viaduct, with chef Adam Adamczak cooking modern Polish comfort food and a Studio Rygalik culinary lab in the dining room.
Signature: Menu degustacyjne, Sezonowa ryba, Comfort food
Order: The seven-course tasting menu.
Tip: Take a window table; the train viaduct view at sunset is part of the room.
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.
Cucina in Poznań sits in the restored Stare Koszary barracks at City Park, with chef-led Mediterranean cooking, a serious wine wall and a Michelin Guide listing in the Wielkopolskie selection.
Signature: Makarony, Tatar wołowy, Pieczona kaczka
Order: Hand-rolled pasta with the day's sauce.
Tip: The covered terrace is the room to ask for in summer; it stays useable on cooler evenings.
