The best way to understand a city is by exploring its culture and traditions. In the case of Bucharest, that means diving into its gastronomic side. When it comes to food, Bucharest has this magical combination of old traditional recipes and new trends.
There are so many restaurants of this caliber in the city that you can go somewhere different every day of the week if you so choose. But which ones are worth your time and money? And where should you go for that special occasion?
In this article, we take you on a journey through some hidden restaurants in Bucharest where locals eat, not big tourist traps!
So if you want to experience the real local vibe of this amazing city, keep reading!
1. Kong
Located on the beautiful Herastrau Lake, KONG has a Restaurant and a terrace with sensational panoramic views. While enjoying this amazing ambiance, you can enjoy snacks from their kitchen, where you will have the surprise to see the most creative and tasty meals. The dining Lounge as well as the Bar Lounge are located under an enormous glass dome that recreates a perfect tropical oasis where patrons dine privately among the lush greenery of tropical rainforest plants in a very intimate setting. At dusk, the Bar Lounge becomes a very vibrant space, during which you can socialize and enjoy sensational tropical cocktails.
Kong is the place to enjoy fabulous cuisine, which serves food until late into the night.
📍 Address: Şoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff 32
2. Lugo
Another place where locals eat in Bucharest is Lugo. This cozy place has a really interesting concept and is amazing at the same time.
Each dish is freshly made and comes with a delicious handmade tortilla. Whether you want to try some traditional dishes or spice up your life, Lugo is the place to go.
If you are not convinced, go there and try, you will not regret it!
📍 Address: Strada George Enescu 23
3. Animaletto Pizza Bar
If you’re more of a pizza person than a Mexican, then you have to try the famous pizza place, Animaletto Pizza Bar. This is another one of those hidden gems that locals eat in Bucharest. Animaletto became famous for its creative and delicious pizzas. It has a super simple menu and a great selection of house cocktails.
It’s a place where you can go with friends, relax and enjoy great food, or even host a small birthday party.
📍Address: Strada I.C. Visarion 10 Parter
4. Balls
Do you want to be surprised by the taste of heaven? In this case, stop at Balls, because here you will find the most exquisite tastes for everyone. Even for the most demanding. So, if you are a fan of creative food, you have just found your home in Bucharest.
In addition, you can enjoy the wonderful surroundings while feasting.
📍Address: Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 26
5. Haute Pepper
Haute Pepper is not as cheap as the others on the list, but it’s one of the best restaurants in Bucharest. They have a great selection of cocktails and mocktails, as well as wine and beer. Another interesting thing about this place is the decor: it has a cool Asian aesthetic that makes you feel like you’re in a pagoda!
The best part is that there are different lunch and dinner menus, so you can go there at different times of the day and try a different selection.
📍Address: Bulevardul Unirii, nr. 2
6. Il Locale
If you’re wondering what is Il Locale, well, it’s a small but very nice Italian restaurant. Well, it’s so good that Il Locale has become a very popular place for tourists and locals. It’s a place with a retro design, located in a very central part of Bucharest. The food is very delicious. It has a very straightforward menu, with lots of options: you can go for a classic sandwich, a salad, a vegetarian dish, or even one of their Italian specials. The best part is that you can go there for lunch, dinner, or even a quick snack. So yummy!
📍Address: Șoseaua Nordului 7-9
7. Carnivale Food Market
If you want to try the most popular traditional Romanian dishes in one place, you have to go to the Carnivale Food Market. Here you’ll find a variety of stalls with different traditional Romanian dishes. This place also hosts a variety of bakeries, selling traditional cakes and some other desserts.
You can try all these dishes for a very good price, as everything is very affordable.
📍Address: Splaiul Unirii, 165
8. Beautyfood
If you want to try the most Instagrammable dishes in Bucharest, you have to go to Beautyfood. This is a café with a hipster vibe. It’s located in the heart of the city and is perfect for both work and rest, as you can either sit at a table or stay at the bar. They have a variety of delicious drinks, coffee, tea, and smoothies.
They also have some really interesting dishes, like the avocado toast, or the ‘beauty burger’ made with a toasted bun and lots of veggies!
📍Address: Str. Jean Louis Calderon 34
9. Beca’s Kitchen
This amazing place has a very welcoming atmosphere and is perfect to taste the best Romanian food and not only. The atmosphere of the place is amiable, the staff is prompt, and the service is impeccable, so you will feel in culinary heaven.
Don’t wait any longer, go see for yourself!
📍Address: Strada Mihai Eminescu 80
10. Wos – Fast Gourmet
If you want to enter the world of sandwiches, you must go to WOS. This place is the best place to try some delicious sandwiches. They have a very simple menu, but that’s part of their charm: they do one thing and they do it well. The atmosphere is impeccable and the staff is amicable.
Come on, Go Fast and get the right sandwich for you!
📍Address: Strada Piața Amzei, București 030167
11. Ever After
Ever After is a restaurant that you can find in the heart of Bucharest’s town. It’s a very charming place where you can enjoy delicious traditional Romanian dishes. The staff is amicable and the atmosphere is very authentic. It’s an excellent place to try traditional Romanian food.
Let’s say that you’ve just arrived in Bucharest and you’re looking for a place where locals eat. Where would you go? Ever After is a lovely restaurant with a good variety of menu items.
📍Address: Strada D. I. Mendeleev 5
12. Buoni E Bravi
This is an Italian restaurant located in the heart of Bucharest. It is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal with a beautiful view. It’s also a great place for brunch on weekends. Their menu is full of interesting and unique dishes.
When ordering the combination of their food, do not be surprised if you feel a sudden surge of emotions.
📍Address: Piața C. A. Rosetti 3
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13. Restaurant Beirut
Restaurant Beirut it’s a great place for lovers of Lebanese cuisine. The place is decorated in a very charming way. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family on a weekend.
So, if you’re looking for a place to eat in Bucharest where you can try Lebanese food, then this is the place to go. They also have a very good variety of drinks. I had their mango juice and it was delicious!
📍Address: Strada Nicolae Racotă 3A
14. Cucinetta
Cucinetta it’s a very charming place where you can try excellent desserts and coffee. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking to enjoy a quiet night out with just a few friends. It’s decorated in a very minimalist but cozy way.
There are a ton of great desserts that you can choose from, but also they have very tasty food. So go ahead!
📍Address: Intrarea Tudor Ștefan 32
15. Edo Sushi
Edo Sushi it’s a great place to go with friends if you’re craving Japanese food. It’s a great place if you’re traveling and want to try genuine Japanese food. They also have a special combo menu where you can try a variety of different sushi and sashimi dishes. Their price is reasonable and the quality of their food is excellent! If you love sushi and are planning on visiting Bucharest, then this is the place to go!
📍Address: Strada Știrbei Vodă 84A
16. Shift Pub
Shift Pub it’s a very charming place where you can enjoy some delicious drinks, play some board games, and even catch a local music show on the weekend. It’s a very fun place to go on a Friday or Saturday night.
Their menu is filled with unique and interesting drinks that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of people, but also they have very tasty food.
📍Address: Strada General Eremia Grigorescu 17
17. Zăganu Bistro and Romanian Craft Beer Bar
Zăganu Bistro and Romanian Craft Beer Bar is a very charming place where you can enjoy delicious Romanian food and craft beer from Romania. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for a place to relax with friends and family. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere where you will feel at home and enjoy a delicious meal. If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Bucharest, then this is a great place to go. They have a variety of menu items that are delicious and very affordable.
If you’re visiting Bucharest and looking for a place to eat, this is the place to go!
📍Address: Calea Victoriei 91-93
18. El Torito
El Torito is a Mexican restaurant very cozy and charming. It’s a great place to enjoy some delicious Mexican food. It’s a very charming place where you can sit outside and enjoy the warm weather. If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Bucharest, then El Torito is an excellent choice. They have a variety of different Mexican dishes that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of people. Their tacos are especially delicious!
📍Address: Strada Iancu Capitanu, nr 30
19. La Kostas Taverna
La Kostas Taverna it’s a cozy place where you can enjoy delicious Greek food. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere where you can sit with friends and family and enjoy a delicious meal.
If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Bucharest, then La Kostas Taverna is an excellent choice. They have a variety of different dishes that are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of people.
📍Address: Bulevardul Mircea Vodă 43
20. Tuya
Immerse yourself in the French Riviera dining experience with elegant sophisticated culinary recipes inspired by French cuisine, signature avant-garde cocktails, a wide range of premium wines, and a blend of cozy atmosphere with an elegant touch and a bit of magic.
Did I convince you to go to Tuya?
📍Address: Sos. Nordului, 1, Bucuresti-Sector 1
21. Emozia Coffee Manifesto
Manifesto Emozia Coffee Manifesto was created out of Bucharest’s love for coffee. If you’re coming to this city, you can’t miss out on the coffee houses and cafes that are on almost every street corner. You can find anything and everything here, from a simple espresso to very sophisticated and expensive coffee art. Emoji Coffee Manifesto is more on the sophisticated side, with a very cool ambiance. Also here you will find good food made with love and some tasty drinks.
📍Address: Str Halelor 17
22. Trattoria Pane e Vino
Trattoria Pane e Vino. The name roughly translates to “bread and wine”, so you can expect a high-quality menu that’s to die for! This place is a little pricier than most, but it’s worth it. The atmosphere is what it’s all about at Pane e Vino. It’s one of the best restaurants in Bucharest if you’re looking to go somewhere very special for a special occasion. This is the place to go if you want exquisite, genuine Italian food. You can also order to take away and enjoy the food at home.
📍Address: Strada Nerva Traian
23. Modelier
Modelier is a place that is a mixture of Asian and European food, so you can get all your favorites in one place, together with some new and exciting dishes. Modelier is a cool restaurant with a very modern, minimalist interior. You can enjoy the city vibe while being inside due to the large windows. If you’re looking for a place in the center of Bucharest, but you don’t want to deal with the noise of a busy street, then Modelier is the place for you.
📍Address: Strada Duzilor 12
24. Paninaro
Paninaro Paninaro is another restaurant that will delight your senses with its high-end, authentic Italian food. You can expect to find everything from fresh seafood to homemade pasta and bread. It’s a place where you can enjoy a delicious meal, with a view of the old city walls. This restaurant has something for everyone, so you can come here with a large group of friends or family.
They also have special meals for kids, so you can give your little ones a taste of what real Italian food is all about.
📍Address: Strada Luterană 3
25. Voilà, le Bistrot – Chef Radu Dumitrescu
Voilà, le Bistrot is a very casual type of restaurant with a very vibrant atmosphere. It’s a great place to go to catch up with friends or just enjoy a nice meal out with family. The menu is made up of classic dishes with a modern twist. You can expect to find everything from a salad to a steak or pasta dish.
Voilà, le Bistrot truly lives up to its name, it is a casual place where you can enjoy great food and an atmosphere with friends or family.
📍Address: Strada General Constantin Budișteanu 18
26. The Saint
The Saint is a very elegant place to go for a special occasion. It’s located in the heart of the city, but it feels like it’s hidden in a quiet corner. It has a very traditional vibe, with beautiful chandeliers, a piano, and large windows to let in the light. The Saint Restaurant is the perfect place to go to celebrate a birthday or get together with friends. Even if you’re on a date, you can enjoy the view and the ambiance of the place.
This is one of the best restaurants in Bucharest if you’re looking for a quiet, elegant place to go with your favorite person.
📍Address: Calea Victoriei 139
27. HiroBay
If you are looking for something completely different, then you can not miss HiroBay. This place is a mixture of Japanese, Korean and Chinese food. So, if you like Asian food, then you have come to the right place. Plus the atmosphere is humbling. You will be able to enjoy your favorite food in a special setting with an atmosphere of sensation.
If you do not know what to order, ask the waiter. They are very friendly and will gladly help you choose the perfect dish.
📍Address: Șoseaua Nordului 7-9
28. Biutiful By The Lake
Biutiful is a very popular, high-end restaurant found near Herastrau Lake. It has a very modern and sophisticated decor, with large windows facing the lake. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to enjoy a quiet, yet lively atmosphere. This is one of the best restaurants in Bucharest if you’re looking for a place to go for a special occasion. You can go for a romantic dinner with your significant other, or you can celebrate your birthday, graduation, or any other significant event with your family or friends.
Biutiful By The Lake is the perfect place to go to experience the best of Bucharest while having the most amazing food.
📍Address: 7-9 Nordului Street
29. Soro Lume
If you’re looking for a place that serves traditional Romanian dishes, then you have to visit Soro Lume. This restaurant is located in the old city, right next to the city walls. It’s a very small place, so you have to make reservations in advance. You can expect to find traditional dishes such as chicken with polenta, bean soup, and stuffed peppers. The dishes are very filling, so make sure you’re ready to take some home with you or share with someone.
If you want to experience traditional Romanian dining, then this is the place for you.
📍Address: Strada Fluierului 33
30. Mamizza
Mamizza is a great place for a casual dinner or lunch with friends or family. It’s a pizza place with a simple, but very delicious menu. You can choose from different types of pizzas or make your own. If you want to try real Italian pizza, then this is the place for you. It’s a very casual place where you can bring your kids to enjoy a nice meal. Mamizza it’s a great place to go if you’re on a budget.
📍Address: Bulevardul Corneliu Coposu 6 – 8
As you can see, many restaurants in Bucharest, Romania, offer something different. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood or want to try a twist on a classic, or traditional, Bucharest has something for everyone.
We hope you make it out to one of our recommendations or find another spot that is perfect for you, but first of all, enjoy your trips to locations around the World and make some instagrammable photos and upload them to your Framey App!
Download Framey (available on Google Play and Apple Store), and let’s explore the entire world together!
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