Pirin Mountains
This tavern has a lovely upper porch overlooking the main street down towards the end of the village. It's popular with locals and does the full run of…
Must-see restaurants in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
This family-run tavern is the place to visit for authentic Bulgarian cooking. Nothing fancy, just well-done classics like pork kavarma (cooked in a clay…
Bansko
A traditional Bulgarian restaurant just west of pl Vaptsarov, the Vodenitsata offers hearty portions and live music. Barbecue is a speciality, and the…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
On the left as you exit Rila Monastery's Samokov gate, this fine place has outdoor tables and a brook practically gushing beneath it. It's an atmospheric…
Varna
The best place in Varna for Turkish food, including spicy kebabs, grilled meats, stews and salads. There's a nice range of appetisers, including…
Black Sea Coast
Overlooking the sea on the southeastern end of the peninsula, the ‘Golden Fleece’ serves a varied menu, including roast lamb and rabbit, plus some…
Sofia
This charming pea-green restaurant provides an intimate setting for high-quality Italian cuisine, including some inventive pasta and risotto dishes and…
Sofia
Very good ice cream, on the main pedestrian thoroughfare. Try one (or more) of the dozens of flavours available; the pistachio is excellent. There are…
Plovdiv
The restaurant of the Hotel Renaissance cooks up grills, risottos and fresh fish. Kavarma (a stew of pork and veggies) is a speciality, and glides down…
Sozopol
This lively place has an open terrace with a fantastic view towards Sveti Ivan island. Fresh, locally caught fish is the mainstay of the menu. It's one of…
Sofia
Several outlets in the upstairs food court of this market hall sell cheap fast food, such as kebabs, pizzas and ice cream, as well as beer. There are tons…
Bulgaria
Adjoining Hotel Chinar, this classy mehana (tavern) spills into a tranquil garden where roses creeps up the wooden trellis. The menu ranges from Bulgarian…
Veliko Târnovo
This traditional-style mehana (tavern) at the Hotel Gurko is a cosy place with great views and tasty Bulgarian specialities. Portions are hearty and…
Plovdiv
American-style burgers, fries and coleslaw, as well as snacks like tortilla chips, plus specialty beers, all served in an informal, diner-like setting…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
Dark, polished wooden decor gives a cosy feel to the Alpin Hotel's restaurant. The menu spans nourishing soups and stews, barbecue, and classic skiing…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
This popular little bakery, in a stone building opposite Rila Monastery's Samokov gate, attracts queues for its banitsa (cheese pastry) and sheep’s-milk…
Bulgaria
This wood-framed traditional restaurant has big outdoor benches and also big portions. Try the skewered chicken with cooked red peppers, onions, tomatoes…
Varna
Set in the courtyard of a little church, 'At the Nuns' is a good choice for roast lamb, grilled pork and other meaty offerings. It also has an extensive…
Black Sea Coast
With tiers of seating offering gorgeous sea views, and a menu crammed with splendid seafood dishes, this is the go-to place for a dinner (or lunch) to…
Varna
This welcoming little place specialises in delicious takes on seafood and locally caught fish. This being the Balkans, grilled meats are also on the menu.
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
Within the Orpheus Spa & Resort, the Oriental serves Turkish kebabs and is decorated with the requisite couches, pillows and gauze.
Plovdiv
This bakery has a sociable twist, with places to perch while you tuck into oven-warm bread, fresh pastries and other goodies.
Bulgaria
On the main road, east of the main square, this is an inviting place with a big menu of pizzas and pasta dishes.
Black Sea Coast
Roast pork, lamb kebabs and steaks are served at this barn-like place near the Hotel Astoria.
Sofia
In an appealing old house, this restaurant is a good choice for traditional Bulgarian food. Dishes include wine-soaked kebab with mashed potatoes, a…
Sofia
This takeaway cafe and bakery offers a tempting range of sandwiches, baguettes, croissants and the like, and some of the best desserts in town. There are…
Sofia
Beside the imposing Ivan Vazov National Theatre, this summer-only pavement cafe is a pleasant spot for drinks and cakes.
Plovdiv
This reliable cafe is anchored in prime people-watching territory, near the foaming fountains at pl Stambolov where shoppers, lovers and gelato-lickers…
Philippopolis Restaurant & Café
Plovdiv
There's a swanky vibe to this old-town restaurant attached to an art gallery. Italian-inspired dishes such as rabbit and polenta, and expertly seasoned…
Sofia
All is not as it seems at K.E.V.A, a simple-looking place with a cheap menu: this restaurant offers five-star cuisine, lots of grilled meat dishes and…
Veliko Târnovo
With a menu branching far beyond pizza, this local chain serves hefty salads, risottos and sophisticated pan-European dishes such as chicken with figs and…
Plovdiv
This popular mini-chain of restaurants has a huge menu that's strong on meat, whether grilled, roasted or satch (sizzled with vegetables on a hotplate)…
Black Sea Coast
Grilled octopus, mackerel and other fishy dishes feature here; other options include stuffed peppers and goulash. There's outdoor seating in the shady…
Bulgaria
Pri Ivan is arguably the best of a tiny number of restaurants in town and offers a variety of traditional Bulgarian and Balkan dishes, including lots of…
Bulgaria
Sure, its location within Etâr's historic complex is touristy, but if you want sausages smoked in the open air or heaving platefuls of shopska salad …
Pirin Mountains
The vine-covered outdoor area and snug dining hall are equally inviting at this simple tavern within a 19th-century building. Nourishing salads and…
Varna
This small restaurant, with a shady pavement terrace, is conveniently located close to the Archaeological Museum and makes for a good lunch spot. Ask for…
Sozopol
Nothing special, but one of the better Harmanite beachfront restaurants, serving traditional grills, soups, fish and cheap three-course lunch deals from…
Bulgaria
Kazanlâk’s best breakfast nook is this tiny hole-in-the-wall place opposite the open market, serving a variety of flaky cheese (and other) pies from the…
Pirin Mountains
In fine weather, sit in the shady courtyard; if it's chilly, dine beneath medieval chandeliers inside. Either way, come with a hunger for plates heaving…
