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Best Local Foods to Try and Top Restaurant Recommendations in Bulgaria

If you’re planning a trip to Bulgaria, food is something you’ll definitely want to experience. Bulgarian cuisine is rich in flavors and packed with history. With influences from the Balkans, Greece, and Turkey, you’ll find a wide variety of dishes. Let’s explore some of the best local foods you have to try, as well as restaurant recommendations for the most authentic experiences.

Traditional Bulgarian Dishes You Must Try

Sarmi (Stuffed Cabbage or Grape Leaves)

Sarmi are stuffed cabbage or grape leaves filled with rice, minced meat, and spices. This is a common dish in Bulgaria, especially around the holidays. The flavors are savory with a mix of herbs and meat, making it a perfect comfort food. You can find sarmi at most Bulgarian restaurants.

Banitsa

Banitsa is a staple in Bulgaria. It’s a pastry made of filo dough, filled with egg, yogurt, and white cheese. Sometimes, people add spinach or pumpkin to the filling. Banitsa is commonly eaten for breakfast, but you can have it at any time of day. It’s often sold in local bakeries, so you’ll find it easily no matter where you are.

Tarator (Cold Yogurt Soup)

Perfect for hot summer days, tarator is a cold yogurt soup made with cucumbers, garlic, walnuts, and dill. It’s light, refreshing, and packed with flavors that will cool you down after a hot day of sightseeing. Tarator is usually served as a starter in most traditional restaurants.

Shopska Salad

Arguably the most famous Bulgarian dish, Shopska salad is a simple yet delicious combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers, topped with grated white cheese. It’s refreshing and pairs perfectly with Bulgarian rakia (a traditional fruit brandy). You’ll find Shopska salad on almost every restaurant menu in Bulgaria.

Kavarma

Kavarma is a type of stew made with pork or chicken, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices. It’s slow-cooked in a clay pot, which gives it a rich, hearty flavor. If you want to try a dish that showcases the essence of Bulgarian cooking, don’t miss this one.

Lyutenitsa

This is a popular spread made from roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and spices that goes on bread or as a side to meats. You can find lyutenitsa in most local grocery stores, but it’s also served in many restaurants as part of a snack platter. This spread is a must-try; it adds a fantastic layer of flavor to any meal.

Moussaka

Bulgarian-style moussaka differs from the Greek version. It’s mainly made with potatoes, minced meat, and topped with a creamy yogurt-egg mixture, then baked until golden. It’s hearty, filling, and comforting. You’ll find moussaka on many restaurant menus across the country.

Best Street Foods in Bulgaria

Kebapche

Kebapche is the Bulgarian version of a kebab; it’s made from minced pork, shaped into sausages, and grilled. It’s often served with fries and a simple salad. You’ll find kebapche at street food stalls, festivals, and markets. It’s a quick, tasty snack that will keep you going while you explore.

Meshana Skara (Mixed Grill)

If you’re really hungry, look for a place that sells meshana skara. It’s a mix of grilled meats, usually including lamb, pork, and beef. Street vendors and restaurants alike offer this meat feast. It’s often served with a side of Shopska salad and traditional Bulgarian bread known as pitka. It’s a meat lover’s dream!

Bulgarski Hot Dog

The Bulgarian hot dog isn’t like its American counterpart. It’s usually made from a high-quality thick sausage tucked inside a fluffy bun topped with mustard and ketchup. You’ll find these tasty treats at many street stands around the city centers.

Top Restaurants and Where to Find Authentic Cuisine in Bulgaria

Sobranie Restaurant (Sofia)

Sobranie is a popular restaurant in the capital, specializing in traditional Bulgarian dishes. It’s the perfect setting if you want to try multiple local specialties like kavarma and sarmi. The warm atmosphere and friendly staff make it a top choice for both locals and tourists.

Moma Bulgarian Food & Wine (Sofia)

Moma is another fantastic restaurant in Sofia. Its traditional interior, complete with folklore elements, enhances the overall dining experience. The menu focuses on Bulgarian classics using locally sourced ingredients. Their banitsa and tarator are not to be missed.

Pavaj (Plovdiv)

In the heart of Plovdiv, you’ll find Pavaj, an intimate restaurant located in the charming Kapana district. The menu blends traditional flavors with modern Bulgarian cuisine. The atmosphere is casual, yet the food is prepared with attention to detail. Their kebapche with homemade lyutenitsa is a must.

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Hadjidraganovite Kashti (Sofia)

If you are looking for an authentic, rustic Bulgarian dining experience, Hadjidraganovite Kashti is the place to go. Housed in a restored old building, the restaurant recreates the past with its wooden decor and antique furniture. You can feast on sarmi, moussaka, and traditional grilled meats here. Be sure to order a glass of rakia to go along with it.

Mehana Chuchura (Veliko Tarnovo)

Mehana Chuchura is a tavern-style restaurant located in the historic city of Veliko Tarnovo. With its traditional Bulgarian setting and excellent food, it’s one of the best places to experience hearty dishes like kavarma and Shopska salad. You’ll love the local vibe here, and it’s just a short walk from the city’s major attractions.

Where to Find Great Local Markets

Central Market Hall (Sofia)

If you want to try local snacks and ingredients, head to Central Market Hall in Sofia. This large market offers a range of Bulgarian cheeses, cured meats, fresh produce, and baked goods. It’s a great place to grab a quick bite or shop for picnic supplies.

Kapana District (Plovdiv)

The Kapana district in Plovdiv is a hub for foodies, and its markets offer street food, local wines, and hand-made pastries. Here, you can sample banitsa or grab a jar of lyutenitsa to take home. It’s also a great spot to grab something cheap and quick while exploring this artsy neighborhood.

Tips for Eating Out in Bulgaria

Look for “Mehana”

If you want to immerse yourself in the local food culture, visit a mehana—a traditional Bulgarian tavern. These places offer hearty Bulgarian meals, often with live music and folk dancing. It’s also common to see tables filled with groups enjoying shared plates of food and homemade rakia. Some good mehanas worth checking out are Izbata in Sofia and Malkiata Melnitsa in Plovdiv.

Don’t Skip the Yogurt

Bulgaria is famous for its yogurt. It’s made with a special strain of bacteria called Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, known for its health benefits. You’ll find yogurt used in many dishes, like tarator and moussaka, but it’s also served plain as a snack or dessert. Be sure to try it; you won’t regret it.

Pair Your Meal with Rakia

No traditional Bulgarian meal is complete without rakia. This fruit brandy is usually strong and served before or during the meal. Different types of rakia are made from different fruits, such as grapes, plums, or apricots. While potent, it pairs incredibly well with the rich flavors of Bulgarian cuisine.

Order Shopska Salad

Shopska salad is to Bulgarian dining what bread and butter are to many other countries. It’s the go-to starter, cool, and refreshing, helping to balance out some of the richer dishes like kavarma or kebapche. It also goes perfectly with a shot of rakia.

Keep an Eye Out for Daily Menus

Many restaurants and cafes in Bulgaria offer a “menu of the day” or “daily specials” during lunch hours. These menus are often affordable and include some of Bulgaria’s classic dishes. It’s a great way to try a variety of flavors for just a small price.

Final Thoughts

Bulgaria’s rich food culture is as diverse as its history. Whether you’re wandering a local market, seated in a cozy mehana, or grabbing a quick kebapche on the street, you’ll be treated to flavors that tell the story of the Balkans. Just remember, no meal is complete without a fresh Shopska salad and a glass of rakia to start the experience right!

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