BULGARIA
Bulgarian food, relatively undiscovered, is making its way onto the culinary world map.
The food is Mediterranean influenced and rooted in local ingredients. Sharing similarities with its neighbors, you’ll find Turkish influence as well as similarities to Greek cuisine.
Many of the dishes are made from recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
And, at the same time, a new wave of chefs are reinterpreting Bulgaria’s classic dishes all over the country.
Taking an exciting culinary journey as you savor the articles below.
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10 Traditional Bulgarian Drinks to Sip Into Culture
Bulgarian drinks are an integral part of the local culinary culture. The drinks are diverse and reflect the country’s history and traditions. There is a rich history of wines dating back to the Thracians. Mineral water is abundant and a popular drink. And traditional drinks like yogurt-based Ayran and Rakia fruit brandy are also beloved…
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10 Best Restaurants in Bansko for Bulgarian Cuisine (2024)
Restaurants in Bansko, the popular ski resort town at the foot of the Pirin mountain, offer several local specialties. In this mountainous region in Southwest Bulgaria, the food is hearty, and many of the dishes are made from generation-old recipes. Slow-cooked dishes like Kapama, Katino Meze appetizers, and Kavarma hearty stews, are some of the…
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From Breakfast to Dinner: 10 Sofia Food Not To Miss
The Sofia food scene represents Bulgaria’s rich gastronomic tapestry in its flavors and culinary delights. Find flavorful Bulgarian cuisine made with seasonal locally grown produce—and good wines made from indigenous grape varieties. While exploring the local food specialties in Bulgaria, Sofia food surprised us with the breadth of offerings available. Our Sofia food guide highlights…
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Bulgarian Wineries Guide: 5 Wine Regions and Top Wineries You Should Visit
In one of the oldest winemaking countries in the world, Bulgarian wineries are drawing on their rich heritage to make amazing wines. Bulgarian wineries are reviving indigenous varieties like Mavrud, Rubin, Pamid, Ruen, Melnik, Gamza, and others to produce award-winning wines. While exploring the authentic food specialties in the country, we visited a handful of…
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10 Things to Do in Melnik With Restaurants and Hotels Recommendations
Nestled amidst Bulgaria’s picturesque landscape is the small town of Melnik. In fact, it is the smallest town in Bulgaria. Despite its status, you will still find plenty of wonderful things to do in Melnik. This little town beckons with its timeless charm. Visitors will find unique sandstone pyramids, a rich winemaking heritage, natural healing…
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7 Melnik Wineries Worth Visiting for Bulgarian Wine Tasting
Any journey to Melnik, Bulgaria, would not be complete without experiencing a Melnik winery. This quaint town boasts a winemaking tradition that traces back nearly 8,000 years. Wines from Melnik are held in high esteem. Legend holds that Sir Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, was a huge fan of Melnik wines and ordered two…
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Bulgarian Food Guide: 15+ Traditional Foods You’ll Fall in Love With
Bulgarian food, relatively undiscovered, is making its way onto the culinary world map. Bulgaria, nestled in the Balkan Peninsula of Eastern Europe, has a rich history, and culinary influences come alive through Bulgarian dishes. The food in Bulgaria has an Ottoman heritage and shares similarities with its neighbors. With the Black Sea to the east,…
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10 Surprising Facts You Need to Know About Eating at Bulgarian Restaurants
Bulgarian restaurants offer the opportunity to taste traditional foods and regional specialties and to learn more about Bulgarian culture. During our several months-long stay, we observed a few surprising things while eating at restaurants in Bulgaria. From the menu to eating in groups, as well as the payment mode, there are a few things you…
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7 Authentic Bulgarian Restaurants Not to Miss in Plovdiv
The food in Plovdiv is rich in traditions. In the second largest city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv restaurants focus on traditional Bulgarian cuisine and wines. An ancient city with a modern attitude, Plovdiv surprised us during our culinary explorations in Bulgaria. Hailed as the European Capital of Culture in 2019, it’s also one of the oldest…
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7 Top Authentic Restaurants in Sofia to Taste Bulgaria
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…
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25 Authentic Balkan Food and Drinks You’ll Want To Try
Balkan food, underrated and not well known, is rich in diversity and cultural influences. At the crossroads of cultures and people, the Balkans were once part of the Byzantine and Roman Empires and under Ottoman rule for centuries. As a result, traditional Balkan cuisine is a blend of Eastern and Western influences. The food is…
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Zornitza Family Estate Review: Your Luxury Relais & Chateaux in Bulgaria
Zornitza Family Estate is a boutique wine and culinary hotel located in the Struma Valley region near Melnik, Bulgaria. During our tour of Melnik wineries, we had the opportunity to spend two nights at Zornitza Family Estate Relais & Chateaux. Set in the vast natural surroundings, we immediately relaxed in the beauty and luxury of…
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Easy Lutenitsa Recipe: How To Make The Best Bulgarian Spread
This lutenitsa recipe is for a popular and traditional Bulgarian spread made with red peppers, tomatoes and eggplants. Bursting with flavors, it’s eaten alongside meat, sausages, cheeses or spread on bread. This delightful dip is a staple in most households, and while synonymous with Bulgaria, it is also popular in the Balkans. Get to know…