Yo Poznan!

It’s tough, fam. Real tough. Every week Poznań throws another shiny new restaurant at us, and the scale at home is crying louder than my grandma when I skip Sunday lunch. But duty calls, and when we heard whispers of a new Indian spot on the block—allegedly the most authentic in town—we had no choice but to pull up and see if the rumors were true.

We already showed love to our Pakistani friends a while back (and that review blew up—y’all clearly like your spice), so now it’s time to give the spotlight to Maharaja. Quick history lesson: Maharaja means “Great King” in Sanskrit. Basically, royalty.

Maharaja

The owners hail from Northern India, which means the menu leans heavy into classics from that region—rich curries, fragrant biryanis, street snacks that slap harder than your favorite playlist. And here’s the kicker: right across the street, they’ve got Maharaja Mart, one of the only places in Poznań where you can score real Indian spices, rice, snacks, and more. So yeah, you can eat at the restaurant, then hit the shop, and try your own desi chef skills at home. We’re actually launching a project soon where we’ll cook with their stuff at home, break down the cost per meal, and probably set off our smoke alarm in the process. Stay tuned.

But back to the restaurant. The vibe? New, clean, modern—with just enough Indian flair sprinkled in so you know where you are. What we loved most though? The open view into the kitchen. Honestly, every restaurant should be forced by law to have this. If politicians really cared about us, they’d pass that bill tomorrow. Forget boring tax debates—show me my naan being flipped in 4K.

We kicked off with a Samosa Chaat (25 PLN).

Now, if you don’t know what chaat is, imagine the wildest flavor party in your mouth: crunchy samosa smashed up, drenched in chutneys, yogurt, spices, and a hint of sweetness. It’s spicy, tangy, creamy, crunchy—basically flavor chaos in the best way possible.

Next up: Chicken Lollipops (25 PLN).

These aren’t your sad supermarket wings—these bad boys are marinated, fried till crispy, and come at you with garlic, ginger, and chili heat. Finger-lickin’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Then the big hitter: Dum Biryani.

This dish is royalty-level. Rice layered with marinated chicken, slow-cooked with yogurt, saffron, and about 27 spices that I couldn’t even start to name. Every bite hits different—warm, aromatic, slightly smoky—and it comes with a cooling yogurt sauce on the side. It’s the kind of dish that makes you wanna close your eyes mid-bite and whisper “damn.”

Because we’re greedy (and curious), we asked for a mixed meat platter off the menu. Pro tip: always ask. You never know what surprises the chef’s got hiding in the kitchen.

The Drinks

No Indian feast is complete without the drinks, though. The Masala Chai (15 PLN)? Spicy, milky, sweet—the kind of tea that warms your soul and makes you believe in second chances. Best I’ve had in a while. The Mango Lassi (15 PLN) was thick, creamy, tropical, and straight-up addictive. And then the curveball: Salt Lassi (15 PLN). A savory yogurt drink with a hint of spice. Weird? Kinda. Refreshing? Totally. For the brave ones only.

The Verdict

Listen… this is probably the best Indian food you’ll find in Poznań right now. Full stop. Prices are fair, portions solid, flavors authentic. The spot’s still new, so give them time and they’ll only level up from here. Hats off to the chef—literally—we had a quick chat with him, and we’ll be bringing you an interview soon.

So if you love Indian food like we do (or if you’ve just been eating bland chicken and rice for too long), make Maharaja your next food outing. Get in before they realize how good they are and bump the prices.