Bulgarian cuisine is one of the tastiest in Europe. Bulgaria’s flavour-packed vegetables, herbs to the full, Chicken, fish, veal, lamb have a special traditional place in Bulgarian cooking. There are many places where you can taste fresh, tasty, and diversified Bulgarian traditional cuisine in Sofia.
More about our 5 favorite places to taste a Bulgarian traditional cuisine in downtown Sofia : localization, quality of food and wine, prices, service, english menu, reactivity, and atmosphere are all the criteria we tested many times before to say « Ok it’s fine ! »
Garden-Restaurant “Hotel Niky”
From the street, « Niki » seems to be a familiarly Bulgarian hotel but here also takes place a very nice and atypical Bulgarian restaurant open to the public. Restaurant-Garden Niky proposed an authentic Bulgarian style and a traditional Bulgarian cuisine. We use to take a lunch there regularly and we are never disappointed. The wood burning in the fireplace, the animals who live here (fish, perroquets, canaries), the basin of water, the fresh greenery (flowers, trees), the rich menu, the great selection of beer and wine, make this place one of our favorite traditional restaurants in Sofia. Then the staff is helpful and friendly. More : 16 Neofit Rilski St., Sofia /hotel-niky.com / office@hotel-niky.com / +359 2 952 3058 / Facebook page / Hours opening : everyday, 10:00am-1:00am / Wifi / Cash, CB
Hadjidraganov’s Cellars (Hadjidraganovite Izbi)
It was the first traditional restaurant we tasted when we came the first time in Sofia in 2012. Located in the heart of the capital, 100 meters to Vitosha Street, on the entrance of the restaurant you can find yourself surrounded by the atmosphere established by the stone walls and the barrels, woodcarvings, traditional Bulgarian garbs and items from the 18-th century. This Bulgarian restaurant with impressive traditional village decor right offers a large menu of national dishes : if you’re in a group try the platters to share. Live folklore music makes for a lively and traditional atmosphere. You will remember it. My best memory : the plate of 10 kebapcheta just for me. More : 18, Hristo Belchev street, Sofia 1000 / www.izbite.com / For reservation : +359 2 981 81 48 / Facebook page / Hours opening : everyday, 11:30am-2:00am / Cash, CB
Moma, Bulgarian Food & Wine
Created in 2015, Moma Restaurant is housed in a building dating back to the 1930s, with 3 floors and a cosy back garden. The place is the new modern face of Bulgarian restaurants. Its concept combines a delightful culinary experience with authentic recipes. A modern interior blends the beauty and purity of the Bulgarian maidens of yore, represented by the designer through various visual symbols, photos, fabrics and decors. The interior design of each dining hall of Moma Restaurant conveys a message related to the culture and traditions of maidens and young women in Bulgaria. We love ! More : 28 Solunska Street, Sofia / moma-restaurant.com /moma_restaurant@mail.bg / +359 885 62 2020 / Facebook page / Menu / Hours opening : everyday, 11:00am-12:00pm
Manastirska Magernitsa
Created in 2002, this traditional mehana (tavern) is among the best Bulgarian traditional cuisine places in downtown Sofia. The restaurant offers of winter garden entirely in Bulgarian style, preserved trees, many authentic articles and a two-storey house with 6 halls. The enormous menu features recipes was collected from monasteries across the country, with dishes such as « drunken rabbit » stewed in wine, as well as salads, pork, fish, fresh grilled vegetables. Portions are generous and the service attentive. The garden is nice and welcome guests. It is a nicely decorated place, with live traditiona
Shtastliveca « Lucky Man »
The first restaurant « Lucky Man » was created in Veliko Tarnovo in 1997 and brings us back to the typical domestic urban style decoration in Europe since the 1930s of the last century. Located on the Vitosha Street in the heart of the Sofia, without knowing anything lets appear such a restaurant here. This place is not a typical traditional Bulgarian restaurant but it proposes a large menu of Bulgarian traditional cuisine, tasty, elaborate and well presented. Each menu is carefully crafted with typical seasonal products. The nod to vintage style in its floral decor gives it a calming feel and transports us immediately into another universe. More : Bul. « Vitosha » 27, 1000 Sofia / shtastliveca.com / For reservation : +359 2 441 1155 / Facebook page / Hours opening : everyday, 11:00am-1:00am / Others cities : Veliko Tarnovo and Stara Zegora.
