The best restaurants in Bucharest according to me—a local.
One of the first things I realized after moving to Bucharest was that gosh—people here can cook!
Almost every restaurant we’ve tried has exceeded our expectations. The depth of flavor, the creativity, the seasoning—chefs across Bucharest clearly know what they’re doing.
Below I’ve included my list of the best restaurants in Bucharest. If you’re traveling through the “little Paris of the East,” be sure to give some of my recommendations a try.
Best Romanian Restaurants in Bucharest
If you’re looking to try some traditional Romanian food, Bucharest has plenty of memorable dining options. Whether you’re after some protein-packed mici or interested in trying cabbage-wrapped sarmale, each restaurant below has you covered!
Caru’ cu Bere – Traditional Romanian Restaurant
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If you visit one restaurant from my list, let it be Caru’ cu Bere. With over 56,000 Google reviews, Caru’ cu Bere is without a doubt the most famous restaurant in Bucharest.
Located in the historic Old Town, Caru cu Bere’s polished wood interiors, spiral staircases and glowing stained glass create an old-world ambiance for a unique dining experience.
Originally established in 1879, the restaurant often features live dancers and musical performances to celebrate its Romanian heritage.
Be sure to make a reservation on their website in advance. If you’re not sure where to sit at Caru’ cu Bere, I recommend booking in the most popular section: Salonul Clasicilor.
Alternatively, if this zone is full, consider one of the two main balconies (Balcon Bacchus or Balconul lui Mos Ghita).
NOUA Bar – Modern Romanian
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My husband and I love NOUA Bar for its modern spin on Romanian classics.
They offer delicious, somewhat smaller plates like goulash meatballs with polenta, mici sausages with pickles and grilled cabbage pie. Their dishes as well as their cocktails are fun and inventive.
NOUA Bar is very popular with trendy, cosmopolitan Bucuresteans, so I recommend calling ahead to book a table.
Restaurant Hanu’ lui Manuc
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Rated the 30th “Most Legendary Restaurant in the World” by Taste Atlas, Hanu’ lui Manuc was established in 1808. That’s over 200 years of operation!
Hanu’ lui Manuc is adjacent to Old Town Bucharest and therefore very easy to get to. This Romanian eatery has a massive, covered terrace in the summer. With traditional music and a friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect place for an afternoon lunch or elegant dinner.
I’ve tried the playfully-named “meat and spice and everything nice” platter, along with the grilled salmon. Both were excellent and I highly recommend you try one of their traditional specialties!
Vatra – Best Romanian Restaurant Bucharest
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If it’s your first time in Romania or you’re visiting Bucharest from out of town, Vatra is an excellent Romanian restaurant to try for lunch or dinner.
The impressive interiors feel like a cozy Transylvanian cabin, with dark wood furniture, lace tablecloths and richly-colored wall tapestries.
Vatra specializes in traditional cuisine. I highly recommend the sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mititei (skinless sausages) and the papanași (sweetened filled donuts covered in jam).
Healthy Breakfast + Brunch – Good Restaurants in Bucharest
Eating healthy when dining out can be a chore, but these next few places make it fun! Whether you’re interested in a full English breakfast, avocado toast or a vegetable-filled omelette, you won’t leave any of the below restaurants disappointed.
Bread & Spices
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Another American recommended this cute little café to me, and boy were they onto something! Everything we’ve tried from here (both for dine-in and takeout) has been excellent.
I specifically LOVE their full English breakfast. I lived in London for nearly 3 years, and I think it’s better than anything I ate there—haha.
They have excellent coffee and tea, as well as a large selection of house-made pastries. Highly recommend!
Avocadoo – Healthy Restaurants in Bucharest
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Avocadoo is Bucharest’s version of Sweetgreen or Flower Child if you’re visiting from the U.S. They offer fresh and healthy fast-casual style meals, where you order at a counter, pay, then receive your food. There’s no waiters or waitresses, so it’s a great place to grab a quick meal.
I personally love their brioche breakfast sandwiches with avocado and sweet potatoes, as well as their salmon, mango and quinoa poke bowls.
This restaurant in Bucharest is a popular delivery choice, too! We typically use the Bolt Food or Glovo delivery apps.
Nuba Cafe
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Nuba Cafe is one of the healthiest options on my list. With fresh juices, smoothies and plenty of avocado, you can feel good about what you’re eating! I recommend their keto breakfast with lots of veg, protein and healthy fats. The acai smoothie is a tasty way to wash it all down!
Fratellini Bistro – Brunch in Bucharest
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Fratellini Bistro is one of my favorite brunch spots. They have a charming French-themed interior and serve up tasty dishes like poached eggs with hollandaise, truffle omelets and Spanish omelets with vegetables.
If lunch or dinner out is more your thing, they also serve French classics like duck breast, beef tenderloin and lamp chops. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Fratellini Bistro likely has it!
Special Occasion Restaurants
Whether it’s an anniversary, a birthday or just a special get-together, Bucharest’s upscale restaurants will knock your socks off.
Vacamuuu Steakhouse
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This popular restaurant came highly recommended by Romanians on Threads! Once I gave it a try, I understood what the hype was all about.
Vacamuuu is a high-end steakhouse that’s the perfect place to celebrate any sort of special occasion. The staff here are incredibly friendly and the vibes are difficult to beat!
Nor Sky Restaurant
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There’s just something about a high-rise restaurant that screams elegance and sophistication. Nor Sky Restaurant is no exception. Take in the expansive city views as you sip your wine and dine on pan-seared sea bass, Argentinian steak and duck confit. It just doesn’t get any better!
KongHerastrau – Live Entertainment
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Kong Restaurant is an entertaining and immersive experience. Asian-focused cuisine is paired with talented on-stage (and in-air!) cabaret performances and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Definitely call to make a reservation and request to be seated close to the stage.
Seafood Restaurants in Bucharest
Mesogios
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Every time we eat here, we’re blown away at the flavor profiles. I don’t understand how they can pack so much flavor into their seafood and sauces. Even the bread they serve is warm, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside—perfect for soaking up anything left on your plate!
Mesogios can get a bit expensive depending on what you order. But it’s worth a little bit of a splurge to try their butter shrimp, green mussels in white wine, panko-topped scallops or my personal favorite—shrimp in a tomato and feta sauce.
Ivan Pescar & Scrumbia Bar
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Ivan Pescar (or Fisherman Ivan) prides itself on traditional Romanian fish and seafood from the Danube and Black Sea.
Their menu emphasizes seasonal ingredients and sustainability in their fishing. In addition to local fish and shellfish, the restaurant has a great selection of local wine to pair with your meal. The building itself is a wonderful balance of charm and modernity with a large terrace that’s open in warmer weather!
Best Sushi in Bucharest
NADASAN Floreasca – Best Restaurants in Bucharest
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Nadasan’s sushi is elite-level and truly an art form. It’s the most beautifully-presented sushi I’ve ever seen, and it tastes great to boot!
I recommend the Banzai Set and the spicy edamame for sharing. The miso soup is also worth a try on a chilly day!
ZenSushi
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I appreciate ZenSushi for it’s large menu and consistent service. Not only do they offer yummy sushi and sashimi, but they also have larger dishes like chicken yakisoba and beef teriyaki. With EIGHT locations in the city, there’s bound to be a ZenSushi somewhere convenient to you!
Diverse Menu – Good Places to Eat Bucharest
Maybe you’re dining with a group and not sure what everyone likes. This is where the below restaurants will come in handy!
These places offer a little bit of everything–some Romanian classics, some Asian dishes and plenty of American food options like hamburgers, too. These establishments are very agreeable!
Gram Bistro
You’ll feel like a local eating at Gram Bistro. Not only is this popular eatery an excellent value, but they also offer a wide range of menu options to suit almost anyone.
My go-to meal here is the pan-seared turkey breast with a creamy cheese sauce and pesto vegetables. My husband loves their salads, schnitzel and steaks. I also recommend their hot tea selection and warm mulled wine in the winter!
Gram Bistro is a bit small on the inside and it gets crowded, so you may want to book a table ahead of time. They also have a patio out front and offer heaters and pillows to stay warm and cozy in the winter.
DonCafe Brasserie
If I was to name a best-all-round restaurant in Bucharest, it very well may be DonCafe Brasserie.
We’ve ordered delivery from here and dined in countless times. I personally love the butter chicken, teriyaki salmon and fried cauliflower. The portions are generous and you’re very unlikely to be disappointed. Just quality food that’s fairly priced–an excellent value!
Global Cuisines – Top Restaurants in Bucharest
If you’re in the mood to try something a bit unique, I have been blown away by the quality of Bucharest’s ethnic restaurants. The chefs are highly trained and clearly quite skilled, because the food at the below establishments has me returning again and again!
Smokareala Texas Barbecue
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This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Bucharest. Smokareala offers Texas-style smoked barbecue, as well as some of the best sauces and sides you’ll ever taste. I’m from Texas and can honestly say this is some of the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten.
I typically order the sliced brisket (I prefer a leaner cut), one or two pork sausages and my husband and I share an order of the garlic green beans.
Portions are generous at Smokareala, so you’ll leave feeling very satisfied! This fun dinner spot also has a full bar and can whip up pretty much any cocktail you’d like.
MAT Restaurant – Mexican
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Though the name may not sound like it, MAT Restaurant actually offers what I consider to be the best Mexican tacos in the entire city. In fact, they’re some of the best tacos I’ve eaten in my entire life. And again—I’m from Texas where tacos are aplenty.
My favorite dish on the menu is the birria tacos with their salty dipping sauce. I also highly recommend the beef tacos that come with an adobo bean puree.
The aesthetic at MAT is also very fun. The restaurant has a cute interior space that reminds me of all the trendy restaurants in Tulum, Mexico—colorful and bright, with very friendly staff.
Le Bab Restaurant – Middle Eastern
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There’s a reason Le Bab draws crowds not only in Bucharest, but in London as well. Their modern Middle Eastern inspired food is out-of-this-world!
Le Bab’s butter chicken, honey halloumi, insanely crispy potatoes… I could go on and on, but every dish is exceptional.
In addition to amazing food, all three of Le Bab’s locations have a swanky interior vibe, perfect for a Friday or Saturday night.
MoMo Bucharest – Nepalese
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Who knew Nepalese food in Romania would be so good? MoMo Bucharest is serving up housemade dumplings and other regional cuisine in this cute but small dining spot.
I personally love their pork curry and butter chicken. The menu is a bit limited but what they do offer—they excel at.
A fun feature of this Bucharest restaurant is that half their seating is on the floor—traditional style. If you’d rather not sit cross-legged or you’re wearing a skirt, don’t worry—they have upright table seating, too.
Cheap Eats in Bucharest – Dining on a Budget
If you’re looking for a scrumptious meal without breaking the bank, look no further than the below best restaurants! These all offer belly-filling meals guaranteed to save you a few lei. The best part is–none of these skimp on quality.
Balls
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I first tried Balls after several people told me about it on Threads. This casual food joint is cooking up some of the cheapest and best grub in the city.
Balls serves—you guessed it—meatballs! All different kinds. They’ve got vegan balls, Italian balls and even Indian balls. The fun name and playful branding are echoed by the young staff and picnic-style interior décor.
In fact, writing about this best restaurant in Bucharest is making me want to pop by for dinner!
Coclinta Brasserie – Cheap + Filling Pies
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I recommend trying Coclinta Brasserie because their Romanian cheese pies are not only unique, but also affordable!
I’ve never seen pies quite like this anywhere I’ve lived or traveled. Coclinta Brasserie’s chefs skillfully stretch pie dough super thin to get an uber crispy crust around their delicious fillings.
Each classic pie serves one—they’re about the size of a personal pizza. I recommend the aged cheese pie and the sheep’s cheese pie topped with sour cream and green onion.
If you have a sweet tooth, try one of their dessert pies for an interesting twist!
Dristor Doner Kebap
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Dristor Kebab started as a small family-run shop in 1999 and has since expanded to 8 locations throughout Bucharest. Their menu is simple but varied, offering chicken and beef in dozens of shawarma, kebab, burger, tombik (pita flatbread sandwiches), schnitzel and other options.
The original Dristor location is on the southern side of Bucharest’s Old Town, near Piata Unirii. It’s perfect for grabbing an inexpensive yet filling meal while sightseeing!
Ciorbarie – Inexpensive Soups
Romanians LOVE soups and Ciorbarie is an excellent spot to stop in for a quick, casual, warming slurp!
This soup chain has 9 or so locations throughout the city, so you know it’s popular!
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try Ciorbrie’s Romanian-style sour chicken soup with a very punchy vinegar taste. Alternatively, their beef goulash makes a warm, inexpensive meal on-the-go!
Le Bab Fried Chicken
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I’m not afraid to admit we order from very affordable Le Bab Fried Chicken almost every week. Their marinated chicken tenders and crispy smash burgers never disappoint.
Their large tenders are extra thicky and meaty, and taste great with a side of Le Bab’s barbecue sauce or honey mustard.
The hamburgers are slathered with cheese and a delicious, sweet onion chutney that keeps the flavor profile interesting. I think this is one of the best cheap places to eat in Bucharest.
Popular Restaurants in Bucharest – Where to Eat
Take it from a local who dines out on a regular basis–the above restaurants are the best of the best.
I will continually update this list as I try new places and tweak my rankings.
Poftă bună or enjoy your meal!
Save this page to remember these restaurants for your next visit to Bucharest!
RELATED LINKS
Visiting Bucharest? Be sure to check out my complete guide to Therme Spa–a must-do when in the “little Paris of the East!”
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