Here we go!

Everyone loves eating out in Poznań — but lately one topic keeps popping up in conversations, social media threads, and late-night debates over beers.

“Restaurants here are getting too expensive.”

You’ve probably heard it.

Maybe you’ve even said it yourself after seeing 45 PLN for a burger or 50 PLN for a bowl of ramen.

But here’s the uncomfortable question nobody really asks:

Are restaurants in Poznań actually overpriced — or are customers forgetting how brutal the restaurant business really is?

What Does a Restaurant Meal Actually Cost?

Let’s start with something simple: a casual dinner.

Based on menu prices from popular Poznań restaurants, the average price today looks roughly like this:

• Burger: 38–48 PLN
• Pizza: 35–55 PLN
• Pasta dish: 34–45 PLN
• Ramen: 32–45 PLN

Add a drink and maybe dessert and a typical night out can quickly reach:

70–100 PLN per person

Five years ago, that same dinner might have cost closer to 50–60 PLN.

So yes — prices have gone up.

But the bigger question is why.

But behind those menu prices lies a reality most diners never see.

Restaurants Are Fighting a Cost Explosion

Running a restaurant today is nothing like it was five years ago.

Owners in Poznań are dealing with a perfect storm:

• food ingredient prices rising
• electricity and gas bills exploding
• staff wages increasing
• rent climbing in popular districts

Even basic ingredients — oil, dairy, meat — have seen massive price increases since the pandemic and inflation waves. And restaurants can’t simply absorb those costs forever. At some point, the menu price has to move.

The Staff Problem Nobody Talks About

There’s another issue quietly hitting the industry: people simply don’t want to work in hospitality anymore.

Restaurant owners across Poznań say it’s becoming harder to find: experienced chefs, reliable waitstaff, kitchen assistants willing to work evenings and weekends

Many workers move abroad for better pay, while others leave the industry entirely.

And when staff shortages hit, wages inevitably go up.

Great for employees.

But another pressure point for restaurants already struggling with rising costs.

Delivery Apps Are Taking a Huge Bite

Then there’s the delivery economy.

Apps like Uber Eats, Bolt Food, and Glovo have completely changed how people order food.

They’ve also changed restaurant economics.

Many restaurants say delivery platforms can take 20–35% commission per order.

That means a meal priced at 40 PLN might leave the restaurant with barely 25 PLN after fees.

Suddenly those “expensive” menu prices don’t look so outrageous.

The Poznań Food Scene Is Actually Thriving

Here’s the twist in the story.

Despite all these challenges, Poznań’s restaurant scene is arguably better than ever.

New concepts keep opening.

Creative chefs are experimenting with international cuisine.

Neighborhoods like Jeżyce and Łazarz are packed with interesting food spots.

The city’s food culture has grown massively over the past decade.

But growth comes with a price.

So Who’s Right?

Customers aren’t wrong for noticing higher prices.

Eating out has become more expensive.

But restaurant owners aren’t villains either.

In many cases, they’re simply trying to survive in an industry where margins are notoriously thin.

Because here’s a reality that might surprise many diners:

A lot of restaurants operate on profit margins of just 5–10%.

That means if you pay 40 PLN for a meal, the restaurant might actually keep only 2–4 PLN in profit.

One bad month.

One rent increase.

One spike in energy costs.

And a restaurant can suddenly find itself in serious trouble.

The Bigger Question for Poznań

So the real debate isn’t just about menu prices.

It’s about something bigger:

What kind of food scene does Poznań want?

A city full of cheap, basic eateries?

Or a vibrant restaurant culture with creative chefs, quality ingredients, and unique dining experiences?

Because if customers demand low prices above all else…

many of the places people love today might simply disappear tomorrow.

What do you think?

Are restaurants in Poznań getting too expensive — or are diners forgetting what it actually costs to run one?