Why Bucharest is Europe’s next great food destination

Romania has long stood at the crossroads of East and West, absorbing influences from travelers and neighboring cultures — a bridge between European tradition and Eastern influences. Over time, Romanian chefs and home cooks have skillfully reinterpreted these diverse flavors, crafting dishes that honor local resources while enriching the deep culinary traditions that have flourished here for centuries.

Nicknamed “Little Paris” between the two World Wars for its elegant architecture and grand boulevards, Bucharest has an enduring admiration for French refinement. That same sensibility is now shaping Bucharest’s gastronomic scene. A new generation of chefs — many trained in top European kitchens — are returning home, eager to blend modern techniques with Romania’s rich culinary heritage. They join Romanian cooks and expat chefs who have made Bucharest home, to create a dynamic and diverse gastronomic landscape. 

Eat where the locals eat

With hundreds of restaurants catering to a city of two million people, choosing where to eat can be daunting. While guidebooks often lead tourists to iconic spots like Caru’ cu bere and Hanu’ lui Manuc, locals have their own best-kept secrets, tucked inside historical mansions or disguised as humble market stalls.

You’ll find Bǎcǎnia Veche in an old building just off the lively Piața Romană. With its exposed brick walls and wooden shelves lined with artisanal preserves and wildflower honey, it sets the stage for nostalgic dishes that bring back childhood memories and grandmother’s cooking. Its fork-tender pork roast lays on the fluffiest mashed potatoes and it is smothered in a silky, smoky plum sauce.

Arzu is a bright and bustling spot reminiscent of Yotam Ottolenghi’s London delis, prides itself with delivering “unapologetically excessive, bold flavors” to its faithful clientele: Smooth chicken pâté topped with boozy raisins soaked in wine, sweet potato wedges sprinkled with spicy peanuts, and quiche with five-spice roasted pumpkin, feta cheese, and hazelnuts. 

Hidden on a quiet residential street in a charming Art Nouveau villa, 15A transports diners to the early 1900s with its antique furnishings and soft candlelight. But the menu is thoroughly modern: Crisp-edged crêpes stuffed with feta and spinach, pork roulade wrapped in salty prosciutto, and perch au gratin with wild mushrooms and ham. On a warm summer evening, the enchanting outdoor patio is the perfect setting for a slow meal with a glass of Feteascǎ Neagrã wine.

For a quick bite, Senviș comes highly recommended by locals for premium ingredients and a creative flavor profile. This small but mighty sandwich shop is known for enticing fillings: Think creamy artichoke sauce, eggplant chunks sautéed in olive oil, and a generous serving of caprese salad, all wrapped in a pillowy, artisanal pita bread. 

If you want to eat like a true Bucureștean, head to Terasa Obor. This unassuming street food vendor located in the busy Obor Market is the place to sample the best mici in town: Juicy, char-grilled meat rolls sizzling over an open flame. The secret mix of ground beef and pork gives them a rich and smoky depth. A dash of baking soda makes them airy, and a hint of garlic seals their signature taste. Enjoy them hot off the grill, with a fluffy bread bun and a dollop of zesty mustard — they are the ultimate Romanian street food.

(Related: A guide to Bucharest, Romania's underrated capital)

Fine dining with a Romanian twist

While Bucharest’s backstreets hide cozy, traditional eateries, its fine dining scene is making waves, too, reimagining Romanian flavors with modern techniques.

“The food scene in Bucharest is evolving,” says Radu Ionescu-Feher, executive chef at KAIAMO restaurant. “It resembles an escargot, a snail. Slowly moving on its way, I want to believe in the right direction. Nonetheless, the good thing about a snail is that it carries its home with it, always, on its back.” Recognized by Gault & Millau Romania as one of the best restaurants in the country and included in the 50 Best Discovery guide, KAIAMO is at the forefront of the fine dining movement. Here, simple ingredients like beetroot, goat cheese, and shallot marmalade reinterpret Henri Matisse’s "La Blouse Roumaine," a delicate plate that tells a story of Romania’s past and future.

At NOUA, chef Alex Petricean takes diners on a journey across Romania’s regions.
"Romania On A Plate" is an experience that begins with a wooden puzzle map of the country, where each piece comes with a dish rooted in local traditions reinvented with modern precision. Imagine a Moldovan stuffed grape leaf reimagined with unexpected textures, or a surprising potato foam with fermented plums. 

Completing this elite trio is Kané, where chef Daniel Pǎlici emphasizes using seasonal and locally grown products in an imaginative and ever-changing menu. Mindful of sustainable and humane farming practices and drawing inspiration from a combination of memories and familiar flavors, chef Pǎlici brings an element of surprise and dynamism to the table. In his creative kitchen, eggplant that has been cured for several days takes on the creamy, earthy qualities of Camembert, while pigeon leftovers are masterfully turned into an umami-rich garum sauce.

Where to go for international cuisine

Bucharest’s appetite for international flavors is growing, with new cafes and restaurants opening at a dizzying speed. For exceptional sushi, go to Tobiko Sushi Fusion, where chef Alexandru Gușǎ creates a sweet and sour dragon maki roll — tempura shrimp is wrapped in avocado and kabayaki-style eel, then topped with fresh strawberries and mango sauce. Napoletinii serves wood-fired pizza crafted with love, using original recipes from Naples. Truffle and prosciutto crudo meet mozzarella di bufala and sundried tomatoes in a pie that makes an impression. IMZA is a fine dining Turkish spot in the heart of the busy Dorobanți area. They serve delicacies like pastrami-stuffed phyllo balls and juicy lamb kebabs seasoned with fragrant spices from Anatolia. Located in an upscale residential area near Piața Victoriei, Pata Negra is a beautifully designed restaurant (complete with a refined outdoor patio). The menu reads like a love letter to Spain: Crispy octopus croquettes, silky tuna tataki, and a delicate king crab mousse, each plate presented with an artist’s touch.