Whether you’re craving pizza, burgers or loaded fries, Kulinarna Kamienica Food Hall offers a variety of dining options under one roof in downtown Poznan, Poland. Pictured are a pepperoni pizza from Fiufiu Pizza, loaded fries from The Fry and a burger with fries from Sexy Bull. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
Where do you go when everyone in your group is craving something different and no one can agree on where to eat?
That was the dilemma my friends and I faced this week. One friend wanted sushi, another was craving burgers, I had my heart set on Indian food, and someone else was in the mood for pasta.
Rather than spending 20 minutes debating where to eat, we headed to Kulinarna Kamienica Food Hall, where everyone could order exactly what they wanted without compromise.
Loaded fries topped with melted cheese, bacon, tomatoes, scallions and a creamy sauce from The Fry are one of the shareable menu items available at Kulinarna Kamienica Food Hall in downtown Poznan, Poland. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
Situated between Stary Browar and Old Market Square, Kulinarna Kamienica Food Hall is easy to reach whether you’re shopping, sightseeing or exploring downtown Poznan.
Inside, you’ll find 10 restaurant concepts, two stand-alone bars and an upstairs bar and lounge all under one roof. The food hall offers something for nearly every craving, making it an ideal stop for groups that can’t agree.
Once everyone had settled on what they wanted, we split up to order before meeting at one table. Within minutes, it looked like a veritable United Nations food festival, with dishes from around the globe filling every inch of space.
I decided on the butter chicken from Curry Leaves, served with fluffy basmati rice and warm garlic naan. One thing I appreciate about Curry Leaves is its chicken-to-sauce ratio.
Butter chicken served with basmati rice and garlic naan from Curry Leaves is a favorite menu item available at Kulinarna Kamienica Food Hall in downtown Poznan, Poland. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
Some restaurants skimp on the chicken and make up for it with extra sauce, but that wasn’t the case here. Another bonus was that the kitchen accommodated my request to make the butter chicken spicy.
Since butter chicken isn’t traditionally prepared with much heat, many Indian restaurants in Poznan won’t adjust the spice level upon request, making this a welcome surprise.
Around the table, the variety continued. One friend ordered the rigatoni Bolognese from Fiori Pasta, topped with freshly grated Parmesan and basil. The pasta was cooked al dente and the rich meat sauce reminded him of meals he enjoyed while stationed in Italy.
Another friend chose the stir-fried beef noodles from Noodle House. While the noodles were a bit thicker than she preferred, she still enjoyed the dish’s overall flavor.
The pepperoni pizza from Fiufiu Pizza featured a thin, airy crust topped with generous portions of mozzarella and fresh basil, while the loaded fries from The Fry came piled high with melted cheese, bacon, tomatoes, scallions and a creamy sauce that made them perfect for sharing.
For those craving something heartier, there was a juicy burger with crispy fries from Sexy Bull, gochujang Korean-style fried chicken from Cheeky Chicken, grilled chicken souvlaki with fries and tzatziki from Pita Bros, and a beautifully cooked grilled steak served with roasted potatoes, salad and herb butter from Sexy Bull.
You’d think with all the wandering required to place our respective orders, there would have been a lag time in delivery for some of us. But all the food was served simultaneously enough to allow us to enjoy dinner together.
Although many of us skipped the alcohol since we visited on a Tuesday and several people had physical training the next morning, the food hall’s two bars offer an extensive selection of local and imported beers, wines, handcrafted cocktails and mocktails.
A couple of us opted for postdinner cappuccinos instead. Rich, creamy and topped with a velvety layer of foam, they made for a top-notch top-off and gave us another reason to linger around the table.
Rich, creamy cappuccinos were the perfect way to end a meal at Kulinarna Kamienica Food Hall in downtown Poznan, Poland. (ShaTyra Cox/Stars and Stripes)
Speaking of which, Kulinarna Kamienica feels more like a social gathering place than a traditional food court. The renovated historic building features communal seating, and the atmosphere encourages you to stay awhile instead of rushing through your meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a full dinner with drinks, it’s easy to find something without breaking the bank.
Kulinarna Kamienica Food Hall
Address: Podgorna 13, Poznan, Poland
Hours: Monday-Thursday, noon to midnight; Friday-Saturday, noon to 1 a.m.; Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
Cost: Appetizers and shareable items start around 20 zlotys, while most entrees range from 40 to 65 zlotys. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are available from the food hall’s bars.
Information: www.kulinarnakamienica.pl
