Must-see restaurants in Romania

  • Sergiana

    Braşov

    Steaming soups in hollowed-out loaves of bread, paprika-laced meat stews, and the most generous ratio of cheese and sour cream we've ever seen in a…

  • Gargantua In The Park

    Bucharest

    The peaceful setting, at the tip of Icoanei Park, is the perfect perch from which to enjoy well done Italian and international dishes, including the…

  • Michael Pascale

    Maramureş

    This stylish but casual French-owned bistro has helped pull the Baia Mare dining scene into the 21st century. On the walls, fabulous prints from dynamic…

  • Pilvax

    Braşov

    Centrally located Pilvax offers an upscale fusion of Transylvanian and Hungarian food – think stuffed peppers or braised spare ribs with polenta – in a…

  • Times

    Moldavia & the Bucovina Monasteries

    The setting couldn't be prettier: a restored 19th-century mansion in a green area a block north of the main artery B-dul Decebal. The menu runs the gamut…

  • Taverna Sârbului

    Wallachia

    Located 5km west of Drobeta-Turnu Severin along the main highway in the direction of Orşova, this Serbian-themed restaurant boasts beautiful views of the…

  • Simbio

    Bucharest

    One of the best places for breakfast (served all day) and brunch in Bucharest is housed in a superb Italianate-style villa in Armenească neighbourhood…

  • Ceainăria Infinitea

    Bucharest

    The quintessential teahouse exuding Bucharest bohemia in Cotroceni, a tree-lined neighbourhood with an impressive array of 19th-century and early-20th…

  • Păstrăvăria Alex Happy Fish

    Maramureş

    This local institution just off Hwy 18 in the picturesque village of Mara serves fresher-than-fresh trout pulled straight out of the lake. It's spread…

  • Garden Pub

    Wallachia

    This deservedly popular restaurant and pub draws everyone from visiting business people to students on their lunch break for excellent soups, salads and…

  • Trofic

    Bucharest

    Perfectly located next to Cișmigiu Gardens in what has become Bucharest’s 'creative quarter', Trofic is one of the best breakfast and brunch spots in town…

  • Rosecas

    Romania

    This upbeat, now rather posh place serves excellent home-cooked Romanian and Hungarian fare, such as chicken paprika and duck, as well as delicious salads…

  • Picasso Restaurant

    Romania

    Overseen by a Roman and subtitled the 'Italian Food Academy', this hotel restaurant in a charming circular corner room with hard-wood floors and cheery…

  • Modelier

    Bucharest

    Artisanal burgers, some of the city's best French fries and homemade lemonade served in oversized carafes are a few of the main draws at this hipsterish,…

  • Max

    Sibiu

    Locals' favourite Italian food is served within a restored, wood-shuttered 14th-century house, on a quiet street north of the old town. The Italian owner…

  • Lumiere

    Maramureş

    This rather chichi Italian restaurant with the French name and lovely terrace with decked floors offers the finest dining directly on Piaţa Libertăţii…

  • Pizzico

    Constanţa

    Pizzico has greatly expanded its range in the past few years, moving beyond very good wood-fired pizza to excellent grilled meats, seafood and chops. The…

  • Shift Pub

    Bucharest

    Great choice for salads and burgers as well as numerous beef and pork dishes, often sporting novel Asian, Middle Eastern or Mexican taste touches. Try to…

  • On Plonge

    Constanţa

    This brawny portside eatery with an informal, everyman vibe specialises in fresh fish hauled in off the boat. Gets packed on summer nights and service…

  • Nora

    Timişoara

    Reservations are a must to nab a spot on the terrace at this popular, casual Romanian restaurant with a reputation for grilled meats. Nora is about 2km…

  • Ciorbărie

    Bucharest

    This small eatery runs on a brilliant, simple concept of serving only ciorbă, the trademark sour soup Romanian cuisine is known for. Expect seven or eight…

  • Casa Vlad Dracul

    Sighişoara

    The link between Dracula and tomato soups, or medallions with potato and chicken roulade, we'll never quite understand. But the house where Vlad was born…

  • Bistro Viena

    Cluj-Napoca

    Channelling Austria's sweet tooth and coffee culture, this cafe with outdoor seating has tempting desserts including Sachertorte, strudels and poppyseed…

  • Restaurant Mozaik

    Bucovina

    This upscale garden restaurant in the Hotel Sonnenhof, 3km south of the centre, perhaps tries a bit too hard with its Romanian, French, Norwegian, German,…

  • Hanul Greweln

    Transylvania

    Serving Romanian hunter's fare like boar and venison, this restaurant with vampy red curtains and lofty wooden beams is a relaxing detour between Mediaș…

  • Unglerus Medieval Restaurant

    Transylvania

    Steps away from the guesthouse of the same name, Unglerus Restaurant instantly evokes time-worn grandeur with its high-backed chairs, wood-beamed ceilings…

  • Vivo Fusion

    Iaşi

    Great burgers, fries and salads are dished up at this upscale burger bar just south of the Palace of Culture. The exposed-brick interior, the old bikes…

  • Social 1

    Bucharest

    Pair a visit to the Palace of Parliament with breakfast or lunch at this cheerful spot, conveniently situated just in front of Ceaușescu's behemoth. There…

  • Coroana de Aur Restaurant

    Transylvania

    Setting aside the decidedly retro feel to the Coroana de Aur hotel’s restaurant, it’s considered the finest place to eat in town. Indulgent game dishes…

  • Casa Veche

    Maramureş

    Probably the busiest joint in town, Casa Veche has a bubbly terrace in the evening, and an elegant, high-ceilinged interior dining room. Most punters come…

  • Sofia Bistro

    Wallachia

    This beloved bistro has two personalities: the interior dining room is quiet and refined, while the terrace outside pulsates with loud music. The same…

  • Popas Turistic Bucovina

    Bucovina

    The perfect spot to grab a well-prepared lunch of traditional Bucovinian cooking near the Suceviţa Monastery. Specialities include cabbage rolls with…

  • Hanu Igniş

    Maramureş

    As authentic a Romanian han (inn) as you’ll find, with colourful plates on the wall, embroidered covers on the tables and folk music in the air, this…

  • Curtea Veche

    Wallachia

    Nicely restored villa with a big rambling porch and a lower-level terrace with comfy pillow seating for lounging. The menu is textbook traditional…

  • Venezia

    Moldavia & the Bucovina Monasteries

    This pizzeria and grill house is the best of a meagre range of options in Târgu Neamţ. That said, the pizzas are excellent and the grilled pork and…

  • Pescăruș Orșova

    Wallachia

    The best choice along the Orșova port is this seafood restaurant that offers photo-op views from its riverside terrace. It's located at the end of a small…

  • Hotel-Restaurant Sighişoara

    Sighişoara

    The restaurant of grand Hotel Sighişoara prepares distinguished takes on beef goulash with dumplings and tarragon chicken, along with local beers and…

  • Café International

    Sighişoara

    This delightful family-run cafe dishes up pies, cookies, quiches and sandwiches. Inside is rustic chic, while outside chairs and tables spill onto the…

  • Altepost

    Sighişoara

    Within a venerable 1851 building, this guesthouse-restaurant prepares satisfying portions of Saxon and Romanian cuisine, including spicy soups, spätzle …

  • Cherhana

    Vama Veche

    This informal grill-and-picnic-tables beachfront place draws big crowds, particularly campers from the nearby wild campsites. The fresh fish is grilled on…

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