Apartamenty Stara Winiarnia

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.

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.

Sitting a stone’s throw from Lake Kierski and not far from Poznań airport, this restaurant within the Hotel Edison is something of a hidden gem. The cooking comes with a Polish heart and centres around colourful, imaginative dishes that fuse quality produce with a creative streak – such as cured trout from Zielenica with fennel, quail’s egg, buttermilk and dill. The hotel is surrounded by vines, meaning the wine list includes some none-more-local options.

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.

Hidden away in a residential area, this basement restaurant sports rustic exposed brickwork and simple bistro furnishings. It’s named after Chef-Owner Livio Marino, who has a passion for authentic Italian dishes that manifests itself here in an extensive menu that includes a selection of homemade pastas. Look out for the pasta dishes and the likes of sea bream cooked over an open fire. For dessert, it’s very hard to resist tiramisu in a place like this.

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.