Must-see restaurants in Transylvania

  • Roata

    Cluj-Napoca

    Transylvanian cuisine just like Granny made it, in an untouristed part of Cluj. Settle in beneath the vine-covered trellis outdoors and agonise between…

  • Crama Veche

    Transylvania

    Feast like a medieval noble in this stone-floored restaurant, where walls are slung with guild regalia and lights twinkle beneath low-slung beams. Bring a…

  • Basa Fogadó

    Székely Land

    Driving the Gheorgheni–Sovata road, it's impossible to miss this folksy inn, marked with a giant roadside knife and fork. Fifteen kilometres west of…

  • Szentgyörgy Pince

    Székely Land

    Vaulted ceilings and brick walls adorned with crests of bygone nobles establish the tone of this restaurant within an old wine cellar. Plates are heavy…

  • Bistro de l'Arte

    Braşov

    Tucked down a charming side street, this bohemian joint can be spotted by the bike racks shaped like penny-farthings. There's an almost Parisian feel in…

  • Pub 13

    Transylvania

    If you want to face down a suit of armour while gnawing on steak, or swirl a fork through cheesy polenta beneath coats of arms slung across brick-lined…

  • Laci Csárda

    Târgu Mureş

    Shaped like a wooden church, this striking restaurant with an outdoor terrace prepares heaving platefuls of nourishing peasant fare such as koloszvari…

  • Crama Sibiul Vechi

    Sibiu

    Hidden in an old wine cellar, this is the most evocative restaurant in Sibiu. Explore Romanian fare such as cheese croquettes, minced meatballs and…

  • Keller Steak House

    Braşov

    Bloody steaks and smooth red wine, served decadently in Keller's cavernous interior… there's more than a hint of a vampire's lair about this upmarket…

  • Bujole

    Cluj-Napoca

    The excellent French-inspired Romanian cooking, with a few welcome atypical starters such as hummus, make this a must-visit. The convenient Piața Unirii…

  • Central Park

    Sighişoara

    Even if you're not staying at the hotel, plan a meal here. Sighişoara is short on good restaurants and this is one of the best. The food is a mix of…

  • 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…

  • Kulinarium

    Sibiu

    Fresh, well-presented Italy- and France-leaning cuisine using seasonal ingredients graces plates at Kulinarium. The restaurant has an intimate, casual…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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 …

  • Bricks – (M)eating Point Restaurant

    Cluj-Napoca

    Jazz flows right along with the cocktails at this chic steakhouse overhanging the river. Italian pasta dishes, burgers and barbecued meats dominate the…

  • Nuka Bistro

    Cluj-Napoca

    Choose from Vlad, Monroe or JFK burgers at this smart bistro (the count has chilli, while Marilyn is slathered with sweet caramelised onion). There's also…

  • Hotel-Restaurant Bucegi

    Sinaia

    With catfish fillet, frogs' legs and pastrami of bear, this restaurant with a hint of Alpine ambiance has Sinaia's most interesting menu. If venison or…

  • Pasaj

    Sibiu

    At the foot of Pasajul Scărilor, the stairs between Sibiu's upper and lower town, this intimate Italian diner serves perfect pizzas alongside Romanian…

  • Mátyás Étterem

    Cluj-Napoca

    Based at the Hotel Agape, rustically painted wooden walls and finely carved furniture complement a menu of Hungarian dishes with a twist, such as Marmite…

  • Samsara

    Cluj-Napoca

    Cluj’s hippie haven is this health-conscious veggie place with a convivial outdoor garden seating. Nibble brown-rice sushi and raw cakes with a few gulps…

  • Gavroche

    Transylvania

    Though it takes inspiration from French brasserie chic, Gavroche's satisfying menu spans burgers, curry and deep-fried cheese, alongside well-executed…

  • Prato

    Braşov

    The extensive menu of this elegant (and very popular) place spans pizzas, seafood and rocket risotto, cheese-stuffed ravioli and beautifully seared steaks…

  • Pardon Café & Bistro

    Sibiu

    This delightful hideaway by the old city walls is happily cluttered with antiques inside, while the outdoor seating looks towards medieval watchtowers and…

  • Crama Sibiană

    Sibiu

    Juicy seasoned ribs, meat-stuffed sarmale (cabbage rolls) topped with duck and sour cream, and outdoor tables looking right onto Piața Mică: this is a…

  • Casa Româneasca

    Braşov

    Unapologetically gut-busting Romanian peasant cuisine is served with aplomb at this brooding tavern crowned with a stag’s skull. Feast on salted chicken,…

  • Weinkeller

    Sibiu

    Mixing traditional Romanian mains such as stuffed cabbage leaves with Austro-Hungarian-influenced fare like tafelspitz (boiled beef) and goulash, this…

  • Emma

    Târgu Mureş

    Hearty schnitzels, paprika chicken and veggie chilli is on the menu at this local lunch favourite. The embroidered tablecloths and cosy interior matches…

  • Trattoria dei Fiori

    Transylvania

    This poky pizzeria is excellent value, serving puffy pies with a smile. Consider choosing the pizza named for your nationality: the English has ham and…

  • Novák

    Székely Land

    Creamy Black Forest gateau, Sachertorte (Viennese dark chocolate cake), macarons and coffee are all the more enjoyable when served to diverting views of…

  • Restaurant Matei Corvin

    Cluj-Napoca

    Sit down at one of the tables tumbling onto the stony pedestrian lane, and tuck in to Transylvanian cuisine such as paprika chicken with mămăligă …

  • Bella Muzica

    Braşov

    In a vaulted cellar that flickers with candlelight, this intimate dining spot offers paprika stew, goulash and other country favourites alongside a well…