Sofia

This café is located just behind the Archaeological Museum. One of its main draws is the spacious, airy outdoor seating area. The cafe serves light snacks, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and some substantial foods. Alcoholic drinks and cocktails are on offer.

Happy, Bulgaria’s most beloved chain restaurant, stands out from typical chains. The menu is impressively diverse, featuring everything from burgers, grilled meats, and pizza to fish dishes and even sushi. Their drink menu offers options ranging from alcoholic beverages to refreshing non-alcoholic choices like lemonade pitchers. Card payments and reliable Wi-Fi are also available. Happy has multiple locations in Sofia. If you’re in the city centre, the branch located in front of the iconic Sveta-Nedelya Cathedral is the most convenient option.

As the name reveals, the restaurant specialises in local flavours and serves some of the best traditional food in town, all in a modern Bulgarian interior gesturing towards the country's rich cultural heritage. Start or finish off with a shot of rakia, a local variety of brandy.

Run by two chef brothers, one of whom used to be the head chef at the reputable Kempinski Panorama, Sage Bistro is a rustic restaurant that serves traditional Italian cuisine in an intimate setting. Pasta is freshly made in-house, and the restaurant is especially known for its superb seafood.

SkaraBar is an incredible find for meat-lovers. The menu features a dizzying assortment of grilled meats ranging from chicken to beef and lamb, and several fish varieties on offer as well. Ambiance is laid-back and portion size generous. There are three locations throughout Sofia.

Booking in advance is a must at this Sofia restaurant due to its high popularity with diners, but mostly among visitors to the city. The menu is dominated by Eastern European flavours interspersed with Turkish and Middle Eastern ones. Desserts are not to be missed.

Sushi comes in many delicious varieties at this small Japanese sushi bar located away from the city's busiest districts. The menu lists nigiri, futomaki, temaki and hosomaki rolls, as well as sashimi and mains such as Japanese yakitori and noodles.