Welcome to LOLA, the newly opened Chinese restaurant that’s shaking up the food scene in Poznań. Tucked away on the ground floor of a sleek office building on Nowe Rynek (New Square), this spot is anything but your typical Chinese eatery. Imagine the kind of place you’d stumble upon in London or NYC, opening with a bang—and that’s exactly what LOLA brings to the table.

The Chef

The buzz around LOLA is real, and it’s no surprise considering the masterminds behind it. The owners are already known for some of Poznań’s most viral dining spots, and this time, they’ve pulled out all the stops. They’ve even brought in chef Ernest Jagodziński, one of Poland’s top culinary talents, to helm the kitchen. With various awards under his belt, Ernest’s influence is all over the menu, adding his signature twist to every dish. Think of it like a cheeky little “666” tattoo—devilish, unforgettable, and oh-so-good.

Step inside, and you’ll find a space that’s arguably the best-looking restaurant in Poznań. The decor screams luxury, and the food? In our humble opinion, it’s the best Chinese cuisine you’ll find in town. But don’t come expecting a strict adherence to tradition—Ernest has made sure every dish has a unique spin that makes LOLA stand out.

Start your night with the “Idealny Set na Start”—Oriental chips, pickles, and fermented veggies. It’s the perfect way to kick things off, offering a mix of textures and flavors that set the tone for what’s to come. And here’s a pro tip: sit right in front of the open kitchen. Sure, it’s a bit dangerous because the aromas will have you wanting to order everything on the menu, but that’s part of the fun!

One of the coolest gimmicks here is the electronic tablet you’re handed as soon as you sit down. Forget about old-school paper menus; here, you can swipe through the dishes, see high-def photos, and even read fun descriptions that make it impossible not to order at least a few things. It’s an interactive experience that adds a modern twist to dining which you can also do outside by the way.

The Chow

We couldn’t resist trying out a bunch of dishes, and while everything was pretty much spot-on, a few stood out as absolute must-tries.

The bao was soft and fluffy

First up, the Bao z szarpanym policzkiem wołowym (Bao with pulled beef cheek, pickled mango, and coriander) for 46 PLN. The bao was soft and fluffy, while the beef was rich and savory, perfectly complemented by the sweet-tart mango and fresh coriander.

Tangy, sweet, and just the right amount of crunch.

Next, we went for the Kurczak w sosie sweet & sour (Sweet & sour chicken with jasmine rice and crispy veggies) also for 46 PLN. This dish hit all the right notes—tangy, sweet, and just the right amount of crunch. It’s the ultimate comfort food, but with a gourmet twist.

Impossible to resist.

Then there were the Skrzydełka z kurczaka w tempurze (Chicken wings in tempura with spicy chili sauce and sesame) for, you guessed it, 46 PLN. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and dripping with a spicy, sticky sauce that was impossible to resist.

The sides

Of course, we couldn’t leave without trying a couple of sides. The Sałatka wakame z glonów morskich (Wakame seaweed salad) for 15 PLN was fresh, light, and bursting with umami. And the Zielona fasolka szparagowa (Green beans with miso sauce and chili flakes) for 29 PLN was a revelation—though, full disclosure, we found the dish with the refried young beans with edamame-spicy Korean sauce a bit too crunchy for our liking.

Almost perfect!

In short, LOLA is everything we expected from these top-notch owners and a star chef like Ernest Jagodziński. Just be careful sitting too close to the open kitchen—you might end up ordering half the menu, like we did! Highly recommended if you’re into that NYC-style dining vibe. Just maybe ask them to soften those green beans a bit, and they’ll be absolutely perfect!