Old Town

Housed in an old brewery dating from 1844, the award-winning Stary Browar complex has been dubbed an art, leisure, and shopping extravaganza, and its success a sign of Poznań’s economic renaissance. Its opening in 2003 also marked a successful move aw

Editor's pick

Markets

Wielkopolska Market

Pl. Wielkopolski

With Poznań's historic main market square apparently not big enough, fruit and veg merchants have been relegated to this 1600 square metre plaza only a few minutes walk away. Renovated and generally more orderly than some of Poz's other open-air marke

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Clubs

Czekolada

ul. Wrocławska 18

Credit crunch you say? Not in Poznań, people. While the rest of the world staggers around like a shot pig the denizens of Poznań are living the high life in places like Czekolada. To call this place sexy would be a disservice; this is the final word i

Editor's pick

Museums

Poznań Croissant Museum

Stary Rynek 41/2 (entrance from ul. Klasztorna 23)

Yes, there are the billy goats and the international expos, but St. Martin's croissants (rogale świętomarcińskie) might be Poznań's best-loved trademark. Baked specifically for

Editor's pick

Art Galleries

Arsenał City Gallery

Stary Rynek 6

Founded in the late 1940s under the somewhat commie-sounding name Central Exhibition Bureau, Arsenał is one of the oldest players on Poznań's art gallery scene - and probably the most important, especially given its very central location. Currently or

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Brovaria

Stary Rynek 73-74 (Brovaria Hotel)

Go formal and pick the right-hand room for a smoothly subdued dining area or else do as the rank-and-file and head either to the brewing hall out back, the bar to the side, or the al fresco terrace. Brovaria has something for everyone, with the premiu

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Upmarket

Brovaria

Stary Rynek 73-74

The lower floors are home to one of Poznań's finest micro-breweries, and if that doesn't convince you to stay, then a quick look around the rooms will. Furnishe

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Bars & Pubs

Brovaria

Stary Rynek 73-74 (Brovaria Hotel)

Brovaria feels an integral part of Poznań life, and it’s certainly become established as the main expat haunt since the demise of Dom Vikingów. Yet while it feels an ingrained piece of Poznań one look at the design reveals a modern, industrial space,

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Breakfast

Brovaria

Stary Rynek 73-74 (Brovaria Hotel)

An open buffet costing 39zł in one of Poznań's top locations, right on the square.

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Charlie's Restaurant

Stary Rynek 48

New arrival on the main square, Charlie's serves 'new Polish' dishes with an international flair, including pan-fried salmon with black lentils, Jerusalem artichoke, and coconut sauce, wild sorrel soup with bacon and parmesan, and a twist on traditional

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Clubs

Cuba Libre

ul. Wrocławska 21

Set down a shadowy courtyard basement, Cuba Libre is a bouncy Latin venue replete with whitewashed walls, pics of Che, and wall space dedicated to an assortment of Cuban goodies. This place goes for detail, so much so that drinkers can even take a sea

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Flavoria

Pl. Andersa 3 (IBB Andersia Hotel)

Tucked away deep inside the IBB Andersia Hotel, Flavoria isn’t the type of place you just stumble across by accident. But those willing to sniff it ou

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Amber & Jewellery

Frey Wille

ul. Półwiejska 42 (Stary Browar)

Fine jewellery and fashion accessories inspired by masters like Klimt and Mucha. Frey Wille boutique hails from Austria, and what sets it apart from most places is that the items on offer are handmade; the philosophy of the boutique is to create works of

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Hostels

Fusion Hostel

ul. Św. Marcin 66/72

We’ve seen many hostels, but few to rival Fusion. Could this be the best in Poland? The design here is positively futuristic, with an excellent common room decked out with low-slung sofas. Everything shines and sparkles here, while a maximum of seven

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Opera

Great Theatre

ul. Fredry 9

The name is a bit of a misnomer as the Great Theatre today is home to opera and ballet. Built in 1910 by Max Littman as a city theatre house for the German population of what was then Prussian 'Posen,' the last German performance was held in 1919 before

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Gifts & Souvenirs

Handmade

ul. Mielżyńskiego 16

For souvenirs which are both authentic and actually useful, hand-painted pottery is the way to go; easily recognisable across Poland, these beauties from the Bolesławiec Pottery Factory have a trademark look and a tradition dating back to the 14th centur

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Spa & Beauty

Harmonia SPA

Pl. Andersa 3 (IBB Andersia Hotel)

You’ll find pretty much all you could ever need for some serious ‘R&R’ (that’s rest and relaxation) in this 500m2 beauty salon and wellness club on the 2nd floor of the

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Cream of the Crop

IBB Andersia Hotel

Pl. Andersa 3

A well-located tower with an indoor pool and spa, air-conditioning throughout, and top-band conference facilities. Fitted with plasma screens and heated bathroom floors, rooms come with window side sofas proving a great spot to enjoy your complimentar

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Breakfast

Kuchnia Wandy

ul. Święty Marcin 76

This upscale Polish restaurant also does nice egg-based breakfast dishes: choose from bagels with sunny-side-up egg, freshly baked croissants with egg and ham, scrambled eggs, omelette with trout and spinach (with delicious homemade bread), or try the mo

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Kuchnia Wandy

ul. Święty Marcin 76

Finally, a Polish restaurant which does not descend into tourist kitsch or need a thorough dusting. Hip and elegant, Wanda's Kitchen does meat-heavy traditional cuisine justice with gourmet options including rabbit with groats and oyster mushrooms, confi

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Lavenda Gastro & Cafe

ul. Wodna 3/4

There are a slew of cosy little cafes dotted around the back streets of Stary Rynek, and competition is indeed tough; Lavenda slots right in there

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Amber & Jewellery

Lilou

ul. Wrocławska 21

Pendants, charms, and delicate chains abound in this boutique-y jewellery shop staffed by immaculately-attired ladies keen to assist and advise potential buyers. Glamorous but not intimidating, this is the place to browse miniature shiny trinkets during

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Hostels

Melody

Stary Rynek 67 (entrance from ul. Kozia 16)

Once hostelling in Poland meant curfews and growling staff. Then any Tomek, Ryszek, or Harold with a room was throwing in a couple of bunk beds and getting listed by hostel booking sites as a legitimate business. Luckily the Melody Hostel has come up

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Indoor Attractions

MK Bowling

ul. Św. Marcin 24 (Galeria MM)

At first glance, MK Bowling looks like a cross between an American diner and a night club - mainly down to the red booths, large bar, and larger choice of drinks - including the very American option of ordering beer by the pitcher. It’s on the lanes (

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Oberża Pod Dzwonkiem

ul. Garbary 54

Resembling a traditional mountain lodge, ‘Under the Bell’ is bursting with giant timber beams, beautiful 200-year-old wooden furniture, rusty machinery, old pots and pans, piles of dusty books - even the barstools are fashioned out of saddles. It all

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Places of Interest

Old Town Square

Packed with monuments, landmarks, museums, and mementos from the city's rich history, Poznańs marvellous Old Town Square warrants more than a passing glance and smartphone pic. Faithfully reconstructed after the immense damage of WWII, the Square can

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Cafes

PETIT PARIS Boulangerie

ul. Półwiejska 32 (Stary Browar)

A prime location on the ground floor of Poznań’s bustling Stary Browar shopping complex means that this cafe/boulangerie is never short of

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Breakfast

PETIT PARIS Boulangerie

ul. Półwiejska 32 (Stary Browar)

A perfect breakfast option, where the most important meal of the day is served all day. Choose from French classics like croque madame, crepes, croissant sandwiches, tartines and more - all made from authentic French ingredients, and delicious fresh b

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Bars & Pubs

Piano Bar Restaurant & Cafe

ul. Półwiejska 42 (Stary Browar Shopping Mall)

The perfect spot for business meetings and dinners, with a clean cream interior punctuated by white tablecloths, a piano, and some well-chosen local art. The mobile drinks cabinet can be dispatched to your party if an emergency surfaces, such as an in

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Italian

Piano Bar Restaurant & Cafe

ul. Półwiejska 42 (Stary Browar Shopping Mall)

Attached to the side of the Stary Browar shopping mall, Piano Bar rates as one of the top dining options in Poz. The background aesthetics are f

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Cafes

Pijalnia Czekolady E.Wedel Stary Rynek

Stary Rynek 92

This cosy chocolate lounge offers a superb collection of confectionery courtesy of Wedel - Poland’s best-loved brand. Find chocolates, cakes, and pralines of every description, plus rich hot chocolate drinks you can practically stand a spoon up in - all

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Pretekst

ul. Fredry 7

A delightfully quirky café/bar/restaurant situated round the back of the Imperial Castle, where trumpets burst out of the wall and gold-framed 19th-century paintings jostle for space. Successfully blending old-fashioned furniture with a modern atmosphere

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Ratuszova

Stary Rynek 55

One of the longest-running establishments in town, and with good reason. Located right on the main square, Ratuszova serves up a vast array of healthy and modern seasonal dishes using the innovative sous vide method not found in many other Poznań rest

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Seafood

Restauracja Momo

ul. Szewska 2

At Momo pasta dishes, duck, steak, and salads are all on offer, but it's the fresh seafood that really stands out. The specialty is the 80zł seafood plate filled with mussels, calamari, baby squid, and prawns, but the chef creates new delightful and i

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Mid-range

Rezydencja Solei B&B

ul. Szewska 2

Squirrelled away just beyond Old Town Square, Solei presents compact rooms decorated with floral patterns, IKEA water colours, and wood furniture. It's on a quiet street, but close to all the action, though prices sky-rocket during trade fairs. Solei

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Hostels

Rosemary's Hostel

ul. Wrocławska 13

A right double whammy for film buffs and party-goers alike. Situated on one of Poznań’s best streets (and within spitting distance of the Old Town Square), Rosemary’s Hostel pays homage to one of Polish cinema’s finest names - Roman Polański. Indeed,

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Upmarket

Royal

ul. Św. Marcin 71

Plenty of character and history inside this courtyard hotel. Having served as army HQ during the 1918 Wielkopolska Uprising, Royal is tastefully decorated with wood pa

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Bars & Pubs

Słodownia Browar Pub

ul. Półwiejska 42 (Stary Browar Shopping Mall)

Set inside the old malt house (Słodownia) of the former Huggerów Brewery which has now become the vast Stary Browar mall, Browar Pub attracts a

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Mid-range

Stare Miasto

ul. Rybaki 36

Prim rooms fully deserving the three stars they have been granted. All come with ensuite bathrooms and internet access, and given the old town location are surprisingly large. The studio and apartment are also open for business and are fully air-condi

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Spa & Beauty

Thai Smile Massage

ul. Ogrodowa 17/4

Anyone looking to escape the raucous buzz of Poz’s city centre could do a lot worse than relaxing with a fine massage. A peaceful, modern environment (with English speaking staff) only five minutes from the market square, Thai Smile Massage is an idea

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The Time

ul. Młyńska 12

Located in Poznań's posh Młyńska 12 business centre, the result of the refurbishment of a fin de siècle building designed by architect Oskar Hoffman, The Time meets the standards of its high-profile guests. Perfect for impressing both business partners a

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Wiejskie Jadło

Stary Rynek 77 (entrance from ul. Franciszkańska)

Wiejskie Jadło is just what you expect from a Polish restaurant - a warm wooden interior, bustling staff, and big decent portions of hearty grub. We enjoyed the żurek soup and after gut-busting sausages, it's good we didn't have far to go - they're lo

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Wine Bars

Wino na Kieliszki

ul. Młyńska 12

The city's first self-serve wine bar, 'Wine by the Glass' lets you pour your own vintage from a selection of forty. Just load up a pre-paid card by the bar, order a cheese board or some nice tapas, and enjoy your Dionysiac evening. Recommended.

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Japanese

Zindo Sushi Korean-Japanese Restaurant

ul. Kramarska 15