The best food in Bucharest: 10 must-eat dishes to remember

The food in Bucharest reflects Romania’s rich history, blending Balkan flavors with influences from the Ottoman Empire, Hungary, and France. A visit to Romania’s capital, nicknamed “Little Paris,” offers a chance to explore a unique culinary landscape where traditional recipes meet modern interpretations against a backdrop of impressive architecture.

Whether you’re sampling mici meat rolls at a beer garden near the Palace of the Parliament or enjoying plăcintă (a traditional pie) in the charming Old Town, here are the 10 must-eat foods to try when visiting Bucharest and the neighborhoods where you’ll find them.

1. Sarmale

These beloved stuffed cabbage rolls are Romania’s national dish and a must-try if it’s your first time in Bucharest. Made with minced pork and rice wrapped in sauerkraut or grape leaves, sarmale is traditionally served with polenta, sour cream, and hot peppers. The dish gained popularity during the Ottoman rule and has become a staple of Romanian cuisine, especially during holidays.

How to eat the best sarmale in Bucharest?

Head to Bucharest Old Town to enjoy traditional Romanian dishes alongside local entertainment. Caru’ cu Bere is a stunning Neo-Gothic restaurant that has been serving traditional dishes since 1879.

2. Mici

These skinless grilled meat rolls are to Bucharest what hot dogs are to New York. Made from beef, lamb, and pork with garlic and spices, mici are best enjoyed with mustard and fresh bread. They were reportedly invented by accident at a famous Bucharest restaurant in the 19th century when they ran out of sausage casings.

How to eat the best mici in Bucharest?

Do as the locals do and enjoy them at breakfast, or try them on a Bucharest street food tour. The Obor Market is said to have some of the best mici in Bucharest.

3. Covrigi

Similar to pretzels but with a Romanian twist, covrigi are a popular street food found on almost every corner in Bucharest. These baked treats come with toppings like poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or salt and make the perfect snack while exploring the city’s attractions.

How to eat the best covrigi in Bucharest?

Grab fresh covrigi from the Luca bakery chain in University Square, just steps from the National Theater. Most people have covrigi for breakfast or as a quick snack during the day.

4. Bean soup

This hearty bean soup is a cornerstone of Romanian comfort food and comes with meat or in a meat-free variety that’s popular during Orthodox fasting periods. It’s made with white beans, root vegetables, and aromatic herbs and is often served with fresh onions and crusty bread. The soup gets its distinctive sour taste from borș (fermented wheat bran) or lemon juice. It’s what sets Romanian soups apart from other Eastern European cuisines.

How to eat the best bean soup in Bucharest?

This hearty and comforting classic is a great choice during winter in Bucharest. For an authentic experience in historic surroundings, head to Zahana Zexe in Sector 1, known for its traditional menu.

5. Fried cabbage

A beloved side dish that often steals the show, varză călită has been perfected by generations of Romanian cooking. Cabbage is slowly sautéed with onions, tomato paste, and bacon until it reaches a caramelized, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. It’s a favorite on holiday tables and prepared without meat during Orthodox fasting periods.

How to eat the best fried cabbage in Bucharest?

This hearty dish is most popular during winter. It’s best served with polenta and pork meat. You can find some great places to try it in King Michael I Park.

6. Zacuscă

This vegetable spread made primarily from roasted eggplant and red peppers is a beloved Romanian appetizer. The best zacuscă has a smooth but thick consistency and should have visible flecks of charred vegetables. It’s traditionally enjoyed spread on fresh bread, but modern Bucharest restaurants also serve it as a dip with crispy polenta squares or as a base for bruschetta.

How to eat the best zacuscă in Bucharest?

Visit the daily market near the Museum of the Romanian Peasant to enjoy homemade zacuscă made by local producers using recipes passed down through generations.

7. Eggplant salad

This smoky eggplant salad is Romania’s answer to baba ganoush, but with its own distinctive character. The eggplants are traditionally grilled over open flames until the skin is charred and the flesh becomes tender and infused with smoke. The flesh is then finely chopped (never blended — this is a point of pride in Romanian cooking) and mixed with finely diced onions, sunflower oil, and a touch of lemon juice or mayonnaise.

How to eat the best eggplant salad in Bucharest?

If you can’t get an invite to a local’s, the next best place to go is Terasa Obor near the historic Obor Market. Here, they serve it like Romanian grandmothers have for generations — with fresh bread, tomatoes, and spring onions.

8. Tochitură

This hearty pork stew represents the pinnacle of Romanian comfort food. Tender chunks of pork are slowly cooked with garlic and spices until they reach the perfect tenderness, then served with creamy polenta, fried eggs with crispy edges, and sheep’s milk cheese aged in pine bark. It’s the best dish to keep you full for a night of clubbing in Bucharest.

How to eat the best tochitură in Bucharest?

Head to Primăverii, one of Bucharest’s best neighborhoods, known for its communist-era villas and being home to some of the city’s best Romanian restaurants. You will find this dish almost everywhere.

9. Plăcintă

These beloved Romanian pastries represent centuries of culinary tradition, with roots tracing back to Turkish börek. The dough is a work of art — stretched paper-thin and layered multiple times to create a delicate, flaky, crispy, tender texture. It is filled with cheese, potatoes, sour cherries, or cabbage.

How to eat the best plăcintă in Bucharest?

You will find multiple types of plăcinte across Bucharest in bakeries throughout the city. For example, La Plăcinte, near Cișmigiu Gardens, Bucharest’s oldest public garden, offers an extensive variety of these pastries.

10. Cozonac

This festive sweet bread holds a special place in Romanian culture and Christmas and Easter celebrations. Similar to Italian panettone, it is filled with walnut paste, poppy seeds, or Turkish delight. During communist times, when ingredients were scarce, Romanian households saved eggs and butter for weeks to prepare cozonac for special occasions.

How to eat the best cozonac in Bucharest?

There’s no better time to enjoy this festive treat than Easter or Christmas in Bucharest. It’s traditionally served with coffee on Christmas morning or for dessert after Christmas lunch. While traditionally a holiday treat, this popular food is also available year-round in Bucharest’s bakeries.

FAQs

Generated with the help of AI.

What is the best time of the year for food lovers to visit Bucharest?

Summer in Bucharest (June to August) is ideal for outdoor dining and food festivals, while winter brings traditional holiday dishes and Christmas markets. The Bucharest Street Food Festival in September is a highlight for food enthusiasts.

Where can I find the best street food to eat in Bucharest?

Bucharest’s Old Town offers numerous street food options, including famous foods such as covrigi to mici. The Sunday farmers’ market at Piața Obor is perfect for sampling local specialties, and food trucks often gather near King Michael I Park.

What is a good budget for food in Bucharest

You can enjoy street food for 20-40 RON ($4-8). Mid-range restaurants cost around 60-100 RON ($12-20) per person, while high-end establishments charge 150-300 RON ($30-60).

Are there any vegetarian options readily available?

While Romania loves its meat, many Bucharest restaurants also offer modern vegetarian interpretations of classic Romanian dishes, including zacuscă and plăcintă cu cartofi (potato-filled pastries).

What is the dining etiquette in Bucharest?

Lunch is typically the main meal of the day in Bucharest, served between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Reservations are recommended for upscale restaurants, especially during weekends, and tipping 10-15% is customary.