Bulgarians enjoy dining out, and so will you during your memorable visit in Sofia. Most restaurants in the foothills of Vitosha Mountain have lovely views over the Sofia plateau and the city's urban area, and offer you enticing food in an array of colourful traditional dishes. And the waiters tend to be dressed in their natural costumes, giving you a charmingly authentic experience.

Most of the Kruchmas (traditional Bulgarian taverna-like restaurants) have live singing and dancing in the background as dinnertime is very much a social event. Their energy is infectious and will have you tapping your feet.

Just reading our Sofia Restaurant Guide will make you hungry! So, after some Shopping for presents from Sofia, relax in beautiful surroundings and taste a variety of dishes from the restaurant of your choice. To learn more about the national cuisine, check out our Bulgaria Restaurant Guide.

Sofia Food & Cusine Guide

Eating Out

It's worth succumbing to the temptation of national favourites such as Tarator (cold yoghurt soup with shredded cucumber, fennel, garlic and walnuts), Kavarma (casseroles of pork and veal garnished with onions and mushrooms), Kebapcheta (strongly spiced mini meat rolls) and Banitsa (pastry filled with white cheese or spinach). Wash it down with a variety of white and red wines or liquors like Rakia and Mastika. Vegetarians need not worry as the Shopska sallata (salad with a Feta like textured but unique Bulgarian white cheese) is always a delicious alternative. Food is relatively cheap and plenty of fresh produce (and mostly organic) is available, a pleasant and wholesome meal for 2 should only cost about 15 to 25 EUROs.

But there are also several international restaurants which serve Mediterranean and European fare. Look around for some Irish and British pubs if you want more familiar fare and the thrill of watching the match of the day on a big screen just like back home.

Bulgarian Cafes are perfect places to potter around if you want to do some people-watching. Cafes tend to sell a variety of popular cuisine like salads, pizza, pastry and desserts. Drinks such as Rakia, Vodka and Beers, and Tea and Coffee are available always - a café is also a microcosm of the community, everyone is sipping beer and coffee in Sofia - artists, hikers, hawkers, old ladies, young couples. And there are plenty of the cafes around!

The loveliest aspect of eating out in Sofia is that in most restaurants you can dine outdoors several months in the year - warm sunshine, colourful crowds and the backdrop of Vitosha makes even the simplest meal a wonderful experience.

Rakia

Get tipsy the Bulgarian way with a bottle of Rakia, the national drink of Bulgaria and most South Slavic people. Rakia is a hard liquor similar to brandy, and made by distillation of fruits mainly grapes and plums.

Hint: The Bulgarian tradition in dinning is to always start with a small one (50ml) usually Grape brandy to go with the Shopska Salad and Meze (meat appetizers), and keep chatting over it with your Bulgarian friends for 30-45 minutes, before you move to the main meal usually including pork meat and consumed with wine or Bulgarian beer, usually Zagorka. Have a Baklava, some cake or seasons' fruits for dessert if you wish.

Tipping

Tipping is fairly routine in Sofia and around 5-10 percent is the accepted rate. But you must check in the menu before you tip as some restaurants include a 10-12 percent service charge. Menus are mostly in Leva (Bulgarian currency) and less often in Euros.

Below we have provided a comprehensive list of eating establishments in Sofia for a variety of culinary preferences. Many of these come with our personal tick of approval of our local team at SofiaHotel-Link!

Restaurants List

Vitosha

The restaurant is located in the very centre of Sofia and is appointed entirely in traditional Bulgarian style and recreates the lifestyle, traditions and culture of the Bulgarian people.
Every night at 21:00 hours a live music and dance group stages a folklore show for the guests - a pegeantry of music, lights, costumes, mesmerizing songs and dances from different regions of Bulgaria.

Let's go there tonight and get to know the unique Bulgarian culture and the temperamental nature of a Balkan people who love their entertainment and their guests wholeheartly.

Credit cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, JCB, American Express

Address :33, Vitosha Blvd., 1000 Sofia,
Close to the crossing with Solunska Str.

Phone :989 07 70

Fax :987 9465

Email :vitosha33@abv.bg

Pri Yafata Tavern

A cult place, a folk-style restaurant, situated in an extraordinarily beautiful and impressive three-story house, built in the beginning of the last century in the very center of the capital. An entirely traditional, folk-style interior. Known as an appropriate place to take your foreign guests.

1st floor - 50 seats, 2nd floor - 80 seats, 3rd floor (VIP) - 25 seats,
Two summer gardens with 40 and 60 seats respectively.

The restaurants offers: Bulgarian traditional cuisine, charcoal barbeque, selection of 100 Bulgarian wines, live Balkan music, played by an attractive quartet, rich folklore program on request.

Address :28 Solunska Str. / Tzar Assen Str., 1000 Sofia

Phone :980 17 27

Gorubliansko Hanche

10 km from Sofia on the motorway to Plovdiv.
Traditional Bulgarian cuisine. From 9pm the only folklore program in Sofia to include "Nestinarki" firedance. Secure car parking.

Address :.

Ezero

They offer Bulgarian cuisine specialties: fresh peppers all year round, meat dishes with vegetables, etc. There is a live music at the weekend.

Closed Wednesday

Address :In the Pancharevo area, down the Samokovsko Shousse highway, about 13 km from downtown.

Zlatna Ribka (Golden Fish)

A vast restaurant offering some of the best fish dishes around - especially recommended are fresh carp or trout stewed in tomatoes and vegetables. If you are lucky, you will get a table next to the fish-filled pool.

Address :Down the Samokovsko Shousse highway, about 20 km from downtown.

Shopite

This is an original Bulgarian tavern, with authentic wood paneling and wooden furnishing. Veal and chicken soup, green salads, vegetable salads, fruit salads, liver, stewed tongue, grilled fish and fish in batter, etc.

Address :63 Raiska Gradina St.

Tihiat Kat

Motel and restaurant located in the Vitosha mountain, on the way to Zlatni Mostove area.

Address :12 km from down town, you ca reach it by buses 61 or 62 or by car on weekdays.

Hadjidraganovite Kushti

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :75 Kozlodui Str.

Phone :931 31 48

Chevermeto

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :31, Cherni Vrah Blvd., (Hemus Hotel - Green house)

Phone :963 03 08, 66 17 79

Manastirska Magernitsa

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :67 Han Asparuh Str.

Phone :980 38 83, 980 33 03

Simovata Kasta (Simo's House)

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :12 Karnigradska Str.

Phone :981 13 53

Bay Gentcho

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :15 Kniaz Dondukov Blvd.

Phone :81 74 74

Vodenitsata (The Watermill)

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :Dragalevtsi, next to the cabel-lift station.

Phone :967 10 58

Boyansko Hanche (Boyana Inn)

Address :Boyana residential district - Sborishte Sq.

Phone :856 30 16

Gorublyansko Hanche (Goroublyane Inn)

Address :357 Tzarigradsko Shousse Blvd., Goroublyane residential district (near Petrol station B+)

Phone :973 62 60

Shoumako

Address :On the ring road between the Bistritsa and Simeonovo residential district's

Zlatnata Ribka (The Little Golden Fish)

Address :Pancharevo residential district

Phone :992 31 77

Shturkelovo Gnezdo (The Stork's Nest)

Address :Pancharevo residential district, 40km from Sofia

Phone :997 263 80

Beyond the Alley - Behind the Cupboard

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Frommer's Review

It's not just the name that's quirky; located in an attractive Art Nouveau house, in an interesting up-and-coming area just north of the Cathedral, the decor at this fabled restaurant is equally eccentric. In the lovely garden you are greeted by a classic Bulgarian water fountain, but here sprouting some 20 taps; in the lobby is an antique cupboard filled with childhood mementos (changed seasonally); even the bathroom is a surprise, so don't miss it (and look up)! Food is a mix of international (French/Italian) but with Bulgarian influence -- the "village salad," for instance, comprises fresh vegetables topped with Rhodope cheese matured in a juniper casks, while the balls of Itchera goat's cheese, coated and deftly fried in slivered almond coats, is superb; similarly so the oven-baked rabbit, stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, and served with a potato gratin, and the toasted soda bread stuffed with baked peppers and brie. With a large wine cellar updated annually, the wine list is also a superb introduction to one of Bulgaria's best-kept secrets. Small wonder that this is a personal favorite for the editor of Bacchus, Bulgaria's revered food and wine magazine and host to the likes of Bill Clinton and Catherine Deneuve. In short, if you have time for only one restaurant in Sofia, head to Beyond the Alley.

Prices: 13 - 25 leva ($7-$16 / £ 4.50-£ 8.65).

Note: 7% service charge is added to bill. Credit Cards Accepted - MC, Visa

Reservations: Reservations are essential at night

Address :31, Budapest Str.

Phone :980 90 67, 983 55 45

Website :http://www.beyond-the-alley.com/

Vishnite

Very small (for 15-20 prs) and cosy Bulgarian National and international cuisine restaurant.

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :45 Hristo Smirnenski Blvd., on the corner with Vishneva St.

Phone :963 49 84

Roussalka Restaurant & Summer Garden Restaurant

Address :47 Cherkovna St.

Phone :435 257, 437 679

Somewhere There Go & See

Address :3 Yavorova Chuka Str.

Phone :931 57 10

Website :http://www.idi-vij.com/enindex.html

Gloria Palace Club & Garden - Gorna Banja district

The former Diplomatic Club offers outdoor and indoor Restaurant for 150 guests, tennis courts, fitness centre, garden and swimming pool.

VIP hall for 50 persons with fireplace
2 small halls for presentations - each for 30 seated

Address :51, N. Petkov Blvd.

Phone :(+359 2) 957-10-55

Fax :(+359 2) 915-77-56

Email :gpalace@solo.bg

Website :http://www.gloriapalace.net

33 Stola

Address :14 Prof. Assen Zlatarov Str.

Phone :846 53 33

The Artist's Union

Address :6 Shipka Str.

Phone :846 51 29

The 30's Restaurant

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :74 Cherkovna Str., Sofia

Phone :843 76 79

Bulgaria

Address :4 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Sofia

Phone :870 202

Deva-Spartak

Address :4 Arsenarski Blvd., Sofia

Phone :65 10 36

Alexandria

Address :Sofia Airport

Phone :971 36 60

Bulgarka

Address :11-ti Avgust St, Sofia

Phone :88 10 90

Helios

Address :1A Oborishte St., Sofia

Phone :880 385

Lebed

Address :Pancharevo lake area, 83, Samokovsko Chaussee

Phone :992 34 65, 992 30 45

The White Cat

Address :11, Sheinovo St., Sofia

Phone :944 04 54

Wolves

Address :140 Vitosha Blvd., Sofia

Phone :952 50 32

Continental Plaza

Address :1 Bulgaria Blvd., NDK, Sofia

Phone :951 54 30, 916 69 55

Astor Magic Theatre

Address :29 Cherni Vrach Blvd., Sofia

Phone :866 16 61

Party Club

Address :3 Vasil Levski Blvd., Sofia

Phone :980 56 60

Russian Club (Restaurant KRIM)

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

The most refined Sofia Restaurant!

Krim Restaurant is the favourite and preferred place of our capital's intellectuals since 1939. One of the most beautiful buildings, built 100 years ago, Krim is distinguished by the elegant style of that time.

After a long restoration, restaurant Krim has opened doors once again and welcomes guests from all over the world in an exceptionally cosy and refined atmosphere. It is once again a favourite place for inviting important business guests of local companies, as well as for politicians and intellectuals for informal lunches and fine dinning. Special guests of the restaurant have been the Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl and French Presiedent François Mitterrand.

Cost of typical dinner with wine: about 40 EUR

Address :17, Slavyanska St. and Dobrudja Str., Sofia

Phone :988 69 50; 981 06 66

Club Restaurant

Union of Bulgarian Journalists

Address :4, Graf Ignatiev St., Sofia

Phone :873 083

Fantasia Tavern

Address :6, Sveta Nedelya Sq.

Phone :987 91 33

Tavern Atina

Address :1A, Vitosha Blvd.

Phone :888 240

Restaurant Sofra

Turkish Speciality (New Restaurant)

Address :69, Oboriste Str.

Phone :944 5005, 944 2005

The Green Paradise

Address :38A Cherni Vrah, Blvd.

Phone :868 96 96

Miro's Restaurant

Address :34, Murfi Str.

Phone :943 71 27

The Sky Dragon

Address :87 Tzarigradsko Shose, Blvd. (inside Pliska Hotel)

Phone :971 37 12

L'Incontro Allegro

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :24 Assen Zlatarov Str.

Phone :846 73 03

Website :http://www.allegrobg.com/

Enoteca Uno

Recommended by SofiaHotels-Link.

Address :45 Vasil Levski, Blvd.

Phone :981 46 13, 981 43 72

Website :http://www.uno-sofia.com/enoteca/index.aspx?pid=1&lang=en

Restaurant Piccola Italia

An Italian fast food place. Very delicious meals by Chef Pepi. Closed on Sunday evenings

Address :Yanko Sakazov Str.

Phone :846 84 26

Restaurant Club Italia

Address :6 Patriarch Evtimi Blvd.

Phone :981 57 35

La Vita Bella

Address :6 Stara planina Str.

Phone :989 70 07

Sekura

Address :100 James Bouchier Blvd. (in the Kempinski-Zografski Hotel)

Phone :62 518/36 56

Bitburger Club

Address :20, Stefan Karadja Str., Sofia

Phone :981 96 65

Fenerite

Address :2, Kotel Str., Lozenets, Sofia

Phone :964 03 86

Czech Club

Address :15, Krakra St.,

Phone :441 383

King's Club

Address :108, Vitosha Blvd.,

Phone :528 464

Phenyan (Pyongyang)

Address :24, A. Zratarov St.,

Phone :946 12 14

L'Etranger

Address :78, Tzar Simeon St.,

Phone :983 14 17, 0887 523 376

Montmartre

Address :36 Hristo SmirnenskiÂ·St.,

Phone :665 521

Saint-Tropez

Address :"V. Levski"- National Stadium

Phone :800 513, 813 640

Royal

Address :2b Shipchenski Prohod Blvd. (next to the Universiada Hall)

Phone :736 562

Pri Latsi (at Latsi's place)

Address :18, Oboriste St.,

Phone :846 86 87

Eddy's Diner

Address :4, Vitosha Blvd.,

Phone :876 783

Mexicano

Address :11, Krakra St.,

Phone :446 598

Ramayana

Address :17, Hristo Botev Blvd. (near Hebros Bank)

Phone :954 95 66

Awadh

Address :41, Cherkovna Str.

Phone :943 30 01

Taj Mahal

Address :11 August Str. (near Dondukov Blvd.)

Phone :987 36 32

Maharadja

Address :65, Kiril and Metodi Str.

Phone :Tel.: 831 21 64

SASA

This is a new Japanese Restaurant (situated on18th floor in Hemus Hotel) part of the chain of Chef's group by ''Happy", which includes the VIP restaurants ''Tambuktu", ''Capitan Cook and ''Carrera".

Sasa in Japanese means ''a bamboo leaf ". The bamboo leaf is the true symbol of Japan and is an inseparable part of its history and tradition. It is usually connected with abundance and solidarity .

Mr. Hiroaki Sasaguri, chef of the restaurant has made up a seven-part menu which includes seasonal Japanese dishes: salad rolls, sushi, aromatic soup with goose liver, duck rolls with special sauce, stuffed salmon with mashed potatoes and black truffle, ''Tepanyaki" veal, and for desert - the Japanese tiramisu with green tea.

Address :D- 3 , bul. Cherni vrah 31, Hotel Hemus, fl.18

Phone :963 54 14

Fax :963 54 14

Carrera

Carrera is a gourmet restaurant of the higher price level, part of Chef's Group chain.Exquisite atmosphere, tranquility and coziness, combined with extraordinary service is the reaso which makes restaurant Carrera different. There you can enjoy the unique "winter garden", arranged in Mediterranen style with lot green and unforgettable romantic atmosphere.

In the menu are included meat specialties,mostly from veal. The meat is with a high quality and from selected producers. You can combine the taste of different cheese and butcher selection with great variety of wines.

The restaurant seats 100 guests and is suitable for business lunch and dinner , cocktail parties , romantic dates, business and family occasions.

Address :4 Golo Bardo str., Sofia

Phone :++ (359) 2 960 28 66

Vratata

In the prestigious capital quarter Lozenetz a neat 100-year old city house is rising , which has sheltered on of trul;y best capital restaurants.

Opening "Vratata" ("The Door") , you run into a romantic meeting between the East and the West , the cultures, flavours, aromas and perceptions of the two worlds.

Every day in "Vratata" a special lunch menu awaits you, and in th evening the master chef unleashes his imagination and offers untried so far meals like Fillet fromred from Red Mullet, Kmchatka crab, Back of deer and wild boar, Snails.

To the gourmet - menu there is a selected wine list of Bulgarian enoteca wines and offers fro the Old and New world.

Recently the already registered quality mark "Vratata'' gained prominent positions in the sphere of the luxurious and yacht catering as well.

Like every real house the restaurant attracts clients with its green yard, where in the summer nights you can often hear the sound of violin .

Address :12,Kokiche Str. Sofia , Bulgaria

Phone :++ (359) 2 869 90 05

Mechata Dupka (Bear's Lair)

The owners of Mechata Dupka respect Bulgarian traditions and savors. Fine hospitality and authentic ambience complemented by folk live music.

Address :5, Graf Ignatiev Str.

Phone :++ 359 2 986 63 03

Barbados

A round bar in the middle of th main hall is the natural center of aquatic decor. The restaurant's calling cards - "Good to the last fish'' forecats the meal.

Address :34 A, Totleben Blvd. (in Hotel Shipka building)

Phone :++ 359 2 954 12 34

Capitan Cook

The restaurant copmprises of 3 different parts - a Shushi Bar, an entire non-smoking hall and the main restaurant . An unique approach to the modern fish-orientated cuisine.

Address :12-14, P.Slaveikov Str.

Phone :++359 2 954 90 98

Tambuktu

The pride of this spacious exotic eatery is the unique Caribbean charcoal oven that gives the fish a smoky flavour. Fully WI - FI enabled.

Address :10, Aksakov Str.

Phone :++359 2 988 12 34

Fox & Hound

Stepping trought the doors of the Fox & Hound is like traveling back in time to the foggy old Albion. This lively and friendly British pub serves excellent food and an impressive selection of drinks.

Address :34, Angel Kanchev Str.

Phone :++ 359 2 980 74 27

Veselo Selo

The interior is an artistic interpretation of Bulgarian household from the mid-1800's . This genuinely good idea has been tarnished somewhat by the inept idea of filling the place with a large quantity of annoyingly twittering paroquets in cages and plastic plants. 100%of the offers come from the Bulgarian national cuisine and are served on special wooden platters.

Address :Borisova Gradina

Phone :++ 359 2 963 23 11

Restaurants in Sofia

Most of the Kruchmas (traditional Bulgarian taverna-like restaurants) have live singing and dancing in the background as dinnertime is very much a social event. Their energy is infectious and will have you tapping your feet.

Sofia Food & Cusine Guide

Eating Out

Rakia

Tipping

Restaurants List

Vitosha

Pri Yafata Tavern

Gorubliansko Hanche

Ezero

Zlatna Ribka (Golden Fish)

Shopite

Tihiat Kat

Hadjidraganovite Kushti

Chevermeto

Manastirska Magernitsa

Simovata Kasta (Simo's House)

Bay Gentcho

Vodenitsata (The Watermill)

Boyansko Hanche (Boyana Inn)

Gorublyansko Hanche (Goroublyane Inn)

Shoumako

Zlatnata Ribka (The Little Golden Fish)

Shturkelovo Gnezdo (The Stork's Nest)

Beyond the Alley - Behind the Cupboard

Vishnite

Roussalka Restaurant & Summer Garden Restaurant

Somewhere There Go & See

Gloria Palace Club & Garden - Gorna Banja district

33 Stola

The Artist's Union

The 30's Restaurant

Bulgaria

Deva-Spartak

Alexandria

Bulgarka

Helios

Lebed

The White Cat

Wolves

Continental Plaza

Astor Magic Theatre

Party Club

Russian Club (Restaurant KRIM)

Club Restaurant

Fantasia Tavern

Tavern Atina

Restaurant Sofra

The Green Paradise

Miro's Restaurant

The Sky Dragon

L'Incontro Allegro

Enoteca Uno

Restaurant Piccola Italia

Restaurant Club Italia

La Vita Bella

Sekura

Bitburger Club

Fenerite

Czech Club

King's Club

Phenyan (Pyongyang)

L'Etranger

Montmartre

Saint-Tropez

Royal

Pri Latsi (at Latsi's place)

Eddy's Diner

Mexicano

Ramayana

Awadh

Taj Mahal

Maharadja

SASA

Carrera

Vratata

Mechata Dupka (Bear's Lair)

Barbados

Capitan Cook