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The best restaurants in Sofia, Bulgaria, offer creative and surprising interpretations of traditional Bulgarian cuisine.
Many traditional dishes are made from recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
At restaurants like Hadjidraganov’s House, you can experience not only the food but also the local culture from different regions of the country.
At the same time, there is a new wave of chefs reinterpreting Bulgaria’s classic dishes in modern and contemporary restaurants in Sofia.
No matter how long you are staying, use this Sofia restaurant guide to the 7 best restaurants in Bulgaria’s capital.
Map of the Best Restaurants in Sofia
Use this map to help you navigate to the best restaurants in Sofia. If you visit any of these traditional Bulgarian restaurants, please let them know Authentic Food Quest sent you.
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PS: If the dates don’t match your schedule, inquire about a private tour
Top 7 Sofia Restaurants
1. Hadjidraganov’s House – One of The Most Traditional Restaurants in Sofia
This traditional Bulgarian restaurant is located near the Lion’s Bridge and the bus terminal, just north of the city.
Hadjidraganov’s House was created from four rehabilitated houses from 1886. Each house is now a restaurant dining room, with decor representing four traditional towns in Bulgaria.
Each of the four rooms represents Bansko from the Pirin mountain, Koprivshtitsa in the Thracian Valley, Zheravna in the Rose Valley, and Melnik in the Struma Valley.
Unless you plan on visiting the different Bulgarian towns, take advantage of the unique restaurant setup and walk around the restaurant to each one.
Additionally, a Bulgarian band plays music from the different regions in each of the rooms.
Advance reservations are recommended, especially if you are traveling with a group.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: 7 Best Melnik Wineries to Visit for Amazing Bulgarian Wine Tasting
Traditional Bulgarian Food and Menu
The restaurant specializes in traditional Bulgarian food. One of the favorite dishes is the rack of lamb roasted the St. George way – in a wood-fired brick oven.
St. George is the patron of the shepherds and lamb is traditionally eaten his day celebrated on the 6th of May.
We also enjoyed Katino Meze, a traditional dish from Bansko. This was a hearty and filling pork dish cooked with mushrooms, onions, and hot peppers and served in a traditional copper pan.
For dessert, a tempting traditional banitsa pastry served with syrup made from fresh oranges was a delightful end to the meal.
Where to Eat in Sofia for a Traditional Bulgarian Experience
Address: ul. “Kozloduy” 75, 1202 Sofia Center, Sofia
Hours: Open daily, 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Price: Main dishes range from 12 BGN – 45 BGN (approx. $6.73 to $25.22 USD)
They also have a second restaurant called Hadjidraganov’s Tavern located in downtown Sofia.
The tavern has the style of an old cellar and offers authentic Bulgarian food and live folkloric music.
Address: ul. “Hristo Belchev” 18, 1000 Sofia Center, Sofia
Hours: Open daily,11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Price: Main dishes range from 12 BGN – 45 BGN (approx. $6.73 to $25.22 USD)
2. Cosmos – Gastronomy Bulgarian Cuisine with a Modern Twist
For an exceptional experience with a menu that pushes boundaries and reinterprets Bulgarian flavors, don’t miss Cosmos in Sofia.
Considered by many as one of the best restaurants in Sofia, it offers authentic Bulgarian cuisine with a creative twist.
The restaurant is located in the city center, behind the Sofia Court House. Chic, with exposed brick walls and minimalist designs, the airy atmosphere is welcoming.
A cosmic or space theme permeates the restaurant. From the angular lighting orbiting from the ceiling to all the food on the menu, Cosmos offers a unique experience.
Modern Bulgarian Cuisine
Ordering the tasting menu is a wonderful way to experience a culinary journey and sample everything Cosmos has to offer.
During our visit, we sampled a variety of meat, seafood, and fish dishes including reinterpretations of traditional Bulgarian dishes.
One of the most creative dishes was a Tetevan Salad. The ingredients on the plate were creatively organized to reflect the universe and the cosmos.
Interestingly, this was achieved using the ingredients found in a traditional Shopska salad.
Bulgaria is one of the largest producers of Rose Oil in the world, and Cosmos celebrates this status with an amazing dessert.
The Bulgarian Rose Dessert at Cosmos is a grand finale to the tasting menu.
The dessert arrives on fire and reveals a magnificent center of vanilla sponge cake, with yogurt, rose sorbet, ice cream, and strawberries. It is one unmissable delight!
RELATED: From Breakfast to Dinner: 10 Sofia Food Not To Miss
Where to Eat in Sofia for Gastronomic Bulgarian Cuisine
Address: 19 Lavele Street, Sofia
Hours: Mon-Fri,12:00 pm – 10:30 pm; Sat-Sun, 11:00 am – 10:30 pm. Advanced reservations recommended.
Prices: Tasting menu price per person – 122.22 BGN (approx. $68.38)
3. Bistro Lubimoto – A Bistro Restaurant
This hidden restaurant is tucked in between residential buildings, just a couple of blocks from Knyazheska Gardens, not far from Sofia University.
To find the hidden entrance, look for the beer sign above the restaurant’s name. A corridor leading to the restaurant features “love” paintings and pictures of old Sofia from the 40s and 50s.
The corridor opens into a small, tree-lined courtyard and the airy Bistro Lubimoto restaurant with its large, unobstructed windows.
The decor is inviting with rustic furniture and red brick walls. There is a small courtyard in the back for outdoor seating.
Traditional Bulgarian Food Bistro Style
The menu focuses mostly on Bulgarian traditional foods with a few international options.
To start, we shared a Rodopska salad, influenced by the cuisine from the Rhodopes Mountain region.
Nicely presented, it had sirene white cheese on top, with tomatoes, roasted peppers, eggplant, garlic dill, and onion with pesto.
This refreshing salad made with tasty ingredients was well-seasoned with garlic and dill.
A pork shank main meal was generous and flavorful. Loaded with sausages, mushrooms, onions, and parsley, the seasonal flavors were divine.
The service is friendly and attentive, and the prices are reasonable. This is a good restaurant in Sofia for Bulgarian food in a cozy atmosphere.
RELATED: 7 Authentic Bulgarian Restaurants Not To Miss in Plovdiv
Where to Eat in Sofia for Bulgarian Food Bistro Style
Address: ul. “General Parensov” 25, Sofia Center, Bulgaria
Hours: Open daily, 11:30 am -11:30 pm
Price: Main dishes range from 18 BGN – 45 BGN (approx. $10.09 to $25.22 USD)
4. The Little Things – A Homey Restaurant
This hidden gem is tucked at the back of a courtyard surrounded by other restaurants. Look for the sign carefully as it is easy to miss the courtyard entrance.
Stepping into The Little Things feels like walking into someone’s home. There are different rooms on every level.
Each room has a unique personality, and the decor is simple, colorful, and rustic.
The Little Things has a great lunch menu, and it’s perfect for a casual dinner.
Contemporary Bulgarian Food With A Mediterranean Focus
The Little Things menu is limited and draws on Bulgarian classics with a contemporary Mediterranean twist.
Their traditional Shopska Salad, for instance, is creatively prepared and presented, as well as fresh and well-seasoned.
In addition, we had a reinvented version of Mish Mash, which combined two classics, lutenitsa, and yogurt.
A traditional Bulgarian Mish Mash is a mix of eggs, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and sirene cheese, topped with parsley.
The Little Things version has three eggs served sunny side up with pita bread and a mix of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, Bulgarian yogurt, with baby spinach on top.
A delicious mouthful of flavors with an interesting combination of fresh yogurt, egg yolk, and tomatoes.
The plates are beautifully presented, and the atmosphere is intimate. A great option for a special occasion.
There is also outdoor seating available and be sure to make a terrace request at booking.
Where to Eat in Sofia for Contemporary Mediterranean-Bulgarian Food
Address: ul. “Tsar Ivan Shishman” 37, 1000 Sofia Center, Bulgaria
Hours: Open daily, 12:00 pm -10:30 pm
Price: Main dishes range from 7 BGN – 25 BGN (approx. $3.92 to $14 USD)
5. Ahora – Imaginative Cuisine in Sofia
For an exquisite dining experience in the center of Sofia Bulgaria, look no further than Ahora.
This fine dining restaurant has a comfortable, cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and creative dishes.
Ahora’s owner and head chef, Sevda Dimitrova, is the winner of the second season of MasterChef Bulgaria. She is known for the imagination and emotion she puts into her food.
She is also the only vegetarian to win the show worldwide. So while she offers plenty of meat-heavy dishes, her vegan and vegetarian options are excellent.
RELATED: Bulgarian Food Guide: 15+ Traditional Foods You’ll Fall in Love With
Plates That Are Works of Art
Dimitrova believes good food is an art and creates her seasonal menu by combining different styles while emphasizing Bulgarian products and manufacturers.
The dishes at Ahora are beautifully presented, colorful, and a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.
You can try their tasting menu to sample several options or choose a la carte. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options also presented with a modern twist.
If you are adventurous, try the “Black Box” option – a three-course dinner that they improvise on the spot for you. You don’t know what you’ll get, but it’s sure to be a delight.
Where to Eat in Sofia for a Creative, Adventurous Meal
Address: District Lozents, Bulevard Nikola Y. Vaptsarov 25a, Sofia, Bulgaria
Hours: Mon-Fri, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm; Sat-Sun, 11:30 am – 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Price: Main dishes range from 25 BGN – 45 BGN (approx. $14 to $24 USD). Tasting menu 139.90 BGN (approx. $77.29)
RELATED: 10 Surprising Facts You Need to Know About Bulgarian Restaurants
6. SkaraBar – A BBQ Restaurant
When it comes to grilled food, SkaraBar is the place of choice. This casual BBQ restaurant is located on a side street behind the National Art Gallery.
The relaxing atmosphere and large, open windows are inviting. That’s actually how we stumbled onto this restaurant in Sofia.
The local awards on the door and locals filling up the place did the rest.
The decor is simple and modern, with a large blackboard describing the daily menu specials. And, the Bulgarian wine bottles and the bar counter in the back give it a chic wine bar feel.
With their motto “high quality, local origin and respect for nature”, get ready for an exciting Bulgarian culinary journey.
RELATED: 10 Traditional Bulgarian Drinks to Sip Into Culture
Bulgarian Grilled Meat Focus
On the menu, the star dishes are the grilled meats. The restaurant specializes in minced meat with homemade kepache and kyufte and their sausages come from local suppliers.
We started with an appetizer of stuffed red peppers with sirene cheese, spiced with paprika. The seasoning was perfect, and the cheese was quite filling.
An order of lamb and cashew skewers and local Bulgarian sausage were our grilled choices.
The plates came with a serving of fried potatoes, cabbage salad, and lutenitsa, homemade Bulgarian ketchup.
The meat dishes were fresh and tasty and matched perfectly with the well-seasoned sides.
If you are not a meat eater, the menu also has a selection of fresh grilled fish and salads.
Besides the meats, SkaraBar pays particular attention to its wine. The selection of Bulgarian wine is vast, and they will happily pair a wine with your meat.
RELATED: 10 Best Restaurants in Bansko for Bulgarian Cuisine
Where to Eat in Sofia for Bulgarian Grilled Meat
Address: ul. “Georgi Benkovski” 12, 1000 Sofia Center, Bulgaria
Hours: Open daily,12:00 pm – 12:00 am, the kitchen closes at 10:30 pm
Price: Main dishes range from 14.90 BGN – 29.80 BGN (approx. $8.35 to $16.70 USD)
SkaraBar has two other locations in Sofia offering nice outdoor seating. Find the address on their website.
7. The Women’s Market – The Oldest Market in Sofia
Sometimes the best restaurants can be found in the most unsought places. One of them is the local farmer’s market.
The Zhenski Pazar Market in Sofia, better known as the Women’s Market, is the oldest market in Sofia, Bulgaria.
You’ll find many stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables extending out onto a large pedestrian street.
Along the street are dairy stores, local producers, restaurants, fast food counters, bars, souvenir stores, and more.
As we leisurely walked through the market, we noticed one local eatery was busier than the others, with people eating outside and locals on the inside lining up to order their lunch.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: One of the best ways to explore Sofia’s vibrant culinary scene is on a food tour with a local guide. This 10 tastings of Sofia with a private guide takes you on a 3-hour culinary adventure to sample some of the best local foods at unexpected places. More than a food tour, this is also a cultural tour where you will stop at key landmarks and learn about the country’s rich history and culture.
Bulgarian Buffet Comfort Food
Intrigued, we joined the crowd in this local restaurant in Sofia. All the hot dishes from the kitchen were presented on a buffet counter, with three ladies serving.
Unsure about what to order, we looked around the plates of locals for inspiration. Besides traditional dishes of grilled meat, we were tempted by stuffed meats and other enticing vegetables.
We ordered two grilled meats, karnache, a traditional grilled coiled sausage, and kyufte, a traditional Bulgarian meatball, stuffed with a boiled egg.
To go with the meat, we also had Bulgarian stuffed roasted peppers and cabbage stew.
The meat was fresh and tasty, the dishes were simple and flavorful. For a Sofia traditional restaurant experience, eat at the Women’s Market.
Alternatively, you can also take a tour of the market with a local guide who can help bridge the language barrier.
Where to Eat in Sofia for Comfort Bulgarian Food
The Women’s Market – Zhenski Pazar Market Гостилница “Женски пазар”/ Gostilnitza “Zhenski pazar”
While not having a specific name, this Sofia restaurant can be spotted with its large white umbrella outside. It is located midway, on the right end side as you walk toward the Lion’s Bridge from the market’s entrance.
Address: bul. “Stefan Stambolov” 36-38, Sofia Center, Bulgaria
Hours: Open daily, 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
Price: Main dishes range from 5 BGN – 8 BGN (approx. $2.80 to $4.50 USD)
In Summary
The restaurant scene in Sofia is evolving and ever-growing. As such, this list of 7 Sofia restaurants to experience authentic Bulgarian food is not conclusive but rather an introduction as you discover the city.
Each of these best restaurants in Sofia celebrates Bulgarian culinary culture in its own way.
From highlighting local and seasonal ingredients to getting creative with the techniques, it’s a great idea to try them all.
Allow yourself to be surprised as you experience the best Bulgarian restaurants in the capital city.
Have you been to Sofia? What do you recommend for the best restaurants in Sofia?
Please share your comments below.
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
Hello I’ll go to Sofia the next Saturday and I’m very interested to go here “Traditional Bulgarian Comfort Food
Intrigued, we joined the crowd in this local restaurant in Sofia. All the dishes hot from the kitchen were presented on a buffet counter, with three ladies serving.
Unsure about what to order, we looked around the plates of locals for inspiration.
Besides traditional grilled meat, we were tempted by stuffed meats, and other enticing vegetables dishes.” but I did not understand the name of the restaurant
Thanks
Andrea
Hi Andrea, that’s exciting. Sofia is a very intriguing capital city. The restaurant you are referring to is located in the Women’s Market. True the restaurant does not have a name, but we’ve done our best to describe how to find it. It’s in the middle alley heading towards the Lion Bridge. You’ll not miss it as it’s the only place serving buffet-style food. The white awnings will help too. Do let us know if you find it and what you end up eating. Safe travels. Cheers
After reading your several posts on Bulgarian cuisines, I am eagerly waiting to try these and this list of restaurants is perfect for the visitors. The Katino meze at Hadjidraganov’s House and Bulgarian meatball stuffed with a boiled egg looks extremely tempting and must try.
Do you have plans to visit Bulgaria soon? If so, this restaurant guide will be your perfect introduction. All the food is amazing and you’ll not go wrong with Katino meze or any of the meatballs 🙂 Cheers.
Wow some seriously good looking food in Bulgaria! The karnache looks especially tasty but I’m very intrigued by the kyufte, looks so delicious. I doubt there are Bulgarian restaurants in Malaysia, so I wonder if I could try making kyufte myself? I’m sure there’s more to it than just stuffing a boiled egg in a burger though. 😀
You might be surprised Vanessa to find Bulgarian restaurants in Malaysia. You never know. Best would be to go back to Bulgaria for the amazing food. Thanks for stopping by.
So glad my tummy was full before reading. Would love to try the BBQ and I was happy that you started with a traditional choice. I need to visit!
Glad the article whet your appetite. Bulgaria is a foodie paradise and the food is abundantly fresh. Thanks, Elaine.
I’ll admit, when I think of Bulgarian food, I imagine it being really meaty… and that seems to be the case! I love the sound of St George style lamb! Funny that one of the specialties is Bulgarian yoghurt and pickled cucumber – I make pickled cucumbers at home!
Great to read about the similarities between what you make at home and what you’ll find in Bulgaria. Yes, the food is meat-heavy but also very veggie-friendly. Thanks for stopping by, Hannah.
Just the set-up of Hadjidraganov’s House makes me intrigued — I love when you can combine an interesting history with authentic cuisine. The possibilities at The Women’s Market sound like something I wouldn’t want to miss. LOL! I’d probably spend all day there! But let’s face it, I’d probably want to try all of your recommendations — they all look so good!
Thanks, Patricia. You’ll not go wrong with any of these restaurants in Sofia. PS: one day will not be enough. Plan on at least one week in Sofia. Besides the food, there is much to see and do. Cheers!
Interesting that there are stylish places like Bagri in Sofia – we always have this old, sad behind-the-iron-curtain image of the south east European countries.
Anyway, it’s totally my kind of food – this mix of Balkan and oriental; many of the dishes’ names even sound very similar to their Turkish heritage.
Mmmmh – I can practically taste the grilled minced meat….
Love it 🙂 Bagri was quite a surprising find and one place we look forward to going back to. I think the country is emerging from its past and the food is evolving too. Thanks, Renata.
You always have such great suggestions for eating out. If we ever get to Bulgaria, we will definitely not go hungry! It might be great to start at Hadjidraganov’s House for a traditional meal. It would be great with music in the background. SkaraBar sounds like a great bbq spot for a more casual meal. The lamb and cashew skewer sounds perfect. So great that you learned about Bagri Restaurant on your food tour.
Thank you Linda, and so glad you enjoyed discovering Bulgarian restaurants in Sofia. Indeed, when you do make it to Bulgaria, travel slow and savor all the delicious flavors at every stop. Thanks for stopping by.
Taking a food tour through Sofia seems like a great idea with all of these options. The Kuyfte sounds a bit like a Scottish egg. Going to Hadjidraganov’s House seems like you can visit all of Bulgaria in a single evening.
You are right, the Hadjidraganov House is a great place to start in Sofia. We would love to try the Scottish egg 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I don’t think I ever eat authentic traditional Bulgarian food before, but from all I see it’s very similar to the Romanian food that I know all so well. That comes to no surprise, since these are neighboring countries. I’d love to try a bistro-style restaurant like Bistro Lubimoto. Their food looks so delicious!
We haven’t had Romanian food, Anda and we look forward to visiting the county and comparing. You can’t go wrong at either of these restaurants and Bistro Lubimoto was a favorite. Thanks for stopping by.
My biggest regret. I went to Razlog and Bansko and missed Sofia. And missed a lot of the interesting Bulgarian cuisine as I stuck to the daily buffets in the hotel.
There is always a reason to go back to Bulgaria, Carol. The food in the different cities is spectacular!. Cheers.
wonderful article, i went there and enjoyed food in few restaurants. I loved your blog, if i ever go i would go definitely.
Thanks for sharing the article.
Thank you so much, Palawat. What was your favorite restaurant or dish? Appreciate your kind words about our blog.