The Saint Martin's Croissant (rogal): Poznań's Signature Pastry
By Jérôme R · Visited in July 2026, completed with our research · Updated · How we work
Poznań has its own signature pastry, protected by a geographical indication: the rogal świętomarciński, literally the “Saint Martin's croissant”. We tried it on a terrace on the Stary Rynek, the city's historic main square. Also check out our stroll through Poznań's city centre.
What is rogal świętomarciński?
It's a crescent-shaped flaky pastry, filled with a paste of white poppy seeds, walnuts and dried fruit, then iced and topped with chopped nuts. Its recipe is protected by a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), much like Champagne or Roquefort in France — only bakers following the traditional recipe and method can use the name. It's traditionally linked to Saint Martin's Day on 11 November, but you'll find it year-round in the city's bakeries.
Our tasting
True story, July 2026: we tried the rogal świętomarciński on the Stary Rynek, with a beer on the terrace, facing the town hall (Ratusz) and its famous Renaissance façade. A rich, generous pastry, exactly what you'd expect from a protected regional speciality — a great sweet addition to a food-focused stop in the city.
The Croissant Museum: an option we didn't try
A note on transparency: a museum dedicated to this speciality, the Rogalowe Muzeum Poznania (Croissant Museum), runs workshops and demonstrations on making the rogal. We didn't visit it during our flying stop in Poznań, but it's worth considering if you want to dig deeper into this speciality beyond just tasting it.
Good to know
▸ Good to know
- Rogal świętomarciński is sold in most bakeries in central Poznań, especially around the Stary Rynek.
- The genuine PGI recipe is protected: look for the official logo to make sure you're getting the real thing.
- It pairs well with coffee or a beer, depending on the time of day.
Frequently asked questions
What is rogal świętomarciński?
A crescent-shaped flaky pastry, filled with white poppy seed, walnut and dried fruit paste, a protected (PGI) speciality of the city of Poznań.
Where can I get the real Saint Martin's croissant in Poznań?
Bakeries around the Stary Rynek widely sell it; look for the PGI logo to guarantee the authentic recipe.