Apartament Kiekrz

In an expanding neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city, this white-tiled bistro is the perfect place to taste modernised, lightened versions of traditional Polish dishes that have lost none of their punchy flavour. A few prime steaks sold by weight are ideal for celebrating, but the real value is to be found in the likes of the ‘szare klunchy’ (‘grey ducks’) dumplings topped with melting beef cheek, sauerkraut and a rich demi-glace sauce thickened with bone marrow. Polite, helpful service is an added bonus.

A former barn, this warm and welcoming spot in the dynamic neighbourhood of Jeżyce has been renovated in a chic style that feels elegant, yet still with a rustic touch. The cooking is all about the French classics, from pâté en croute to decadent chocolate ganache with sour cherries cooked in red wine. There’s a wonderful generosity to the food that chimes with the enthusiastic service; the prices are sensible and the added extras include a drink on arrival and freshly baked madeleines with your coffee.

After a striking, architect-led conversion, this historic military building now boasts a mezzanine, a feature wine wall and a cocktail bar with a communal table. This all adds up to a stylish and characterful restaurant; one which also features a wide-ranging, modern European menu that includes small plates, large dishes to share and a small pasta selection. Everything is well-priced and appealing, with sauces being a real strength of the kitchen, whether it's a madeira jus with scallops or a wonderful truffle-infused velouté with chicken.

Situated in a small business park in a Poznań suburb, this well-run sushi spot is flooded with natural light and has a bright, contemporary Japanese look. The chef-owner shows great passion in her work and learnt her craft from respected sushi masters. Her menu mixes traditional nigiri, sashimi and maki with more creative and international touches. The hot dishes include a choice of ramen and the strong wine list features a sake selection too.

The gorgeous Sołacki Park provides a wonderful setting for this restaurant housed inside a fine lakeside building that’s over 110 years old. The recently refurbished interior is suitably bright, but it’s the lovely terrace that steals the show. The extensive menu caters for a range of appetites, featuring soup, salads and pastas alongside more substantial dishes like bone-in pork chop – which shows off the technical skill of the kitchen. Their bedrooms provide the perfect base for exploring the park.

Steaks, steaks and more steaks are the order of the day at this butcher’s shop and restaurant housed in part of the reinvented former army barracks at Stare Koszary. Thankfully, those steaks are of great quality and are cooked with an assured hand. Beef from the US, Argentina and Australia are on offer, but it’s worth going for the Polish Hereford Heifer for its flavour and value for money. Non-steak dishes include burgers, merguez sausages and fish of the day.

Housed inside a historic building that was once a military barracks, the ever-developing Cucina now forms part of the City Park Hotel. The Mediterranean-influenced menu has a particular leaning towards Italy, from focaccia and gnocchi to linguine and tiramisu. A large, on-view wine wall is an indicator of the serious list, which features some excellent vintages and is enhanced by charming, knowledgeable service. A covered terrace comes into its own in the summer.