Bucharest has plenty to offer when it comes to food. Alongside classic Romanian cuisine, you’ll find many restaurants in Bucharest with very different concepts and influences. Between the historic old town, old villas and tree-lined streets, there’s everything from traditional dishes to modern and international cuisine.
We’ve taken a closer look at the restaurants in Bucharest and picked out 15 places worth visiting. If you’re wondering where to eat in Bucharest, you’ll find a few ideas here for your next visit.
Tip #1: The Magic Table
A dinner where logic takes a break: The Magic Table is far more than a classic restaurant visit. In an exclusive atmosphere you experience world-class “close-up magic” right before your eyes. While you enjoy a first-class menu, a magician performs incredible feats just centimeters from your plate. It is the rare combination of culinary delight and genuine astonishment. There is no distance to a stage here. You are right in the middle of the action and become part of a magical journey that will keep your group talking long after the last course.
They are known from America’s Got Talent, where they enchanted the world with their spectacular mentalism and illusion shows. Now it comes to your table! Over a five-course menu you experience magic and wonder up close and interactively.
Dates mostly on weekends. Advance reservation required.
JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
Calea 13 Septembrie No 90 Sector 1 Bucharest Romania
Tip: #2 L'Atelier
L'Atelier is located in the Epoque Hotel, close to Cișmigiu Park. The restaurant combines French cuisine with ingredients from Romania. The menu mainly uses local products prepared with classic French techniques. There are also more modern elements, such as fermentation, which gives some of the dishes a different flavor.
The restaurant has an elegant interior but still feels quiet and relaxed. The bright winter garden is especially nice, as it offers a quieter spot away from the busy streets of the city. There is also a large selection of wines. If you’re looking for top restaurants in Bucharest, L'Atelier is worth considering for a special evening. It can also be a good choice for a quieter business lunch or dinner and is one of the best places to eat in Bucharest.
- Daily: Breakfast 7:00 AM–10:30 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Dinner 6:00 PM–10:00 PM - Intrarea Aurora 17C 010213 Bucharest
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Tip: #3 Soro.Lume
At Soro.Lume, much of the cooking is done over an open fire. The kitchen uses charcoal ovens, grills and clay pots instead of gas or electric stoves. This gives many of the dishes a smoky flavor. The menu includes Romanian recipes from different parts of the country, with some dishes given a more modern twist.
The restaurant is casual and lively, but not too loud. There is a green courtyard where you can sit outside and see the fire while the food is being prepared. If you want to try Romanian food with a different approach, Soro.Lume is a place to check out.
- Wednesday–Friday: 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM–3:00 PM & 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
Sunday–Tuesday: Closed
- Strada Fluierului 33, 021432 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #4 Caru' cu Bere
Caru' cu Bere is one of the best-known traditional restaurants in Bucharest and is located in the old town. The restaurant has been here since the late 19th century. The menu includes Romanian classics such as sarmale, stuffed cabbage rolls, mici from the grill and various meat dishes. The restaurant also serves its own beer.
The interior is hard to miss. There are wooden carvings, colorful windows and large paintings on the walls. In the evenings, traditional dance performances take place, which can make the restaurant quite lively. If you’re visiting Bucharest for the first time and want to try Romanian food in a historic setting, Caru' cu Bere is a good place to stop.
- Daily: 10:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Strada Stavropoleos 5, 030081 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #5 NOUA
NOUA focuses on Romanian cuisine with a modern approach. The restaurant serves a tasting menu based on different ingredients from across the country. These include wild herbs, local mushrooms and regional meat. Many of the ingredients come from the forests and mountains of Romania, while some dishes are inspired by the cuisine of the coastal region.
The restaurant is located in a renovated old villa and has a fairly simple interior. The Scandinavian influence can be seen in the clean lines and understated design. This keeps the focus on the food, which is sometimes presented in unusual ways. NOUA is a good option if you want to try Romanian cuisine beyond the usual classics.
- Wednesday–Saturday: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM
Sunday–Tuesday: Closed
- Str. Popa Nan 7, 030167 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #6 CAJU by Joseph Hadad
Joseph Hadad is one of the best-known chefs in Romania. At his restaurant, the menu brings together Mediterranean, French and Middle Eastern influences. The dishes use plenty of spices and high-quality ingredients and are presented in a modern way.
The restaurant has an elegant interior with warm colors and classic furniture. It has a calm atmosphere, and the service is attentive but not overly formal. CAJU works well for a business lunch, a special occasion or a relaxed dinner where you want to take your time.
- Daily: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Strada Nicolae Golescu 16, 030167 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #7 La Mama
La Mama has several locations in Bucharest. The menu includes many well-known Romanian dishes, such as ciorbă de burtă, mămăligă with cheese and sour cream, as well as different meat dishes and hearty side dishes. There is a good selection if you want to try several Romanian classics. It’s a good place to try some of the best food in Bucharest.
The restaurants are cozy and have a country-style interior. They feel more like a traditional Romanian restaurant than a modern one. The interior is cozy and has a traditional country-style feel. At lunchtime, many people come here for a quick meal. In the evening, it tends to be quieter and more relaxed.
- Daily: 9:30 AM–10:00 PM
- Splaiul Independenței, 060025 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #8 Pescăruș
Pescăruș is located right by the lake in Herăstrău Park and is one of the older restaurants in the city. The menu includes Romanian specialties, fish and different grilled dishes. The selection is not limited to Romanian food, and there are also some international dishes.
The restaurant has a large terrace right by the water. On warm days, you can sit outside with a view of the lake. In summer, the terrace gets busy quickly, especially in the evening. Depending on the day, there may also be live music or dance performances.
- Monday–Wednesday & Sunday: 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Thursday–Saturday: 9:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Bucharest, Bucharest Sector 1, parcul Herăstrău
Tip: #9 Mahala
Mahala takes the traditional Romanian tavern as its starting point, but the restaurant has a much more modern feel. The menu includes well-known dishes from Romania and the Balkans, some of them with a slightly different take. There are different types of meze, slow-cooked meat and other small dishes that are easy to mix and share.
The interior is also quite different. Bright colors, graffiti and traditional motifs come together and give the restaurant a lively look. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, making it a good place to spend a longer evening with friends.
- Daily: 11:00 AM–11:30 PM
- Bragadiru Palace, Calea Rahovei 147-153, 5, 050892 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #10 Artist Restaurant
Artist has been a well-known fine-dining restaurant in Bucharest for years. The kitchen uses seasonal ingredients and modern cooking techniques. The menu changes regularly, so the dishes can be different depending on the season. Many of them are carefully presented, and some are explained at the table.
The restaurant is located in a historic villa and is rather small and quiet. The courses are served one by one, with the staff also explaining some of the ingredients and how the dishes are prepared. Dinner here takes a little more time, making it a good option for a special evening.
- Tuesday & Thursday–Sunday: 10:30 AM–10:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:30 AM–11:30 PM
Monday: Closed
- Strada Straja 6h, 040864 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #11 Hanu' lui Manuc
Hanu' lui Manuc is one of the best-known historic buildings in Bucharest and is considered the oldest surviving caravanserai in the city. Today, there is a restaurant here serving Romanian and Eastern dishes. The menu mainly includes hearty dishes that fit the historic character of the building.
The large courtyard with its cobblestones and wooden verandas all around is particularly noticeable. In summer, many tables are set up here, so you can eat outside in the middle of the historic building. Hanu' lui Manuc is one of the best places to eat in Bucharest if you want to combine food with a bit of the city’s history. The old building and the large courtyard also make Hanu' lui Manuc worth a visit even if you are not there just for the food.
- Sunday–Thursday: 10:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Friday–Saturday: 10:00 AM–2:00 AM
- Str. Franceză 62-64, 030106 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #12 SIMBIO
SIMBIO in the Neamțu neighborhood is mainly known for its relaxed bistro food and brunch. The menu includes burgers, salads, shakshuka and homemade cakes. The restaurant uses local ingredients, and there are dishes for both breakfast and later in the day.
The restaurant is located in a restored villa. The garden in the backyard is especially nice and is a quiet spot in the neighborhood on warm days. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. Many guests come for breakfast or brunch, but you can also sit here in the evening with a glass of wine.
- Monday–Friday: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Strada Negustori 26, 023954 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #13 The Loft
The Loft combines a restaurant with nightlife. The menu includes dishes with Asian influences, such as different sushi creations and black cod, as well as steaks. You can also stay for a drink after dinner.
The restaurant has a modern and eye-catching interior. Lighting plays an important role and creates a different atmosphere in the evening. Later on, DJs regularly play, and the restaurant turns into a bar with more of a party atmosphere. So if you don't want to go home right after dinner, you can simply stay and continue the evening here.
- Friday–Saturday: 8:00 PM–5:00 AM
Sunday–Thursday: Closed
- Metropolis Center, Strada Grigore Alexandrescu 89-97, Corp A, 011736 Bucharest, Rumänien
Tip: #14 Zexe Zahana
Zexe looks at Romanian cuisine from the past. The menu includes recipes that are not seen very often anymore, including different types of offal, braised cheeks and game. Some dishes also come from the more refined cuisine of old Bucharest. The selection is a little different from what you usually find in Romanian restaurants.
The restaurant has wooden furniture and old photographs, which give the rooms the feel of an old townhouse. It fits the idea behind the restaurant quite well. If you are wondering where to eat in Bucharest and want to try some traditional recipes that you don't often see elsewhere, Zexe is a good option. If you are interested in older Romanian recipes, you can discover a different side of the country's cuisine here.
- Monday & Wednesday–Sunday: 12:00 PM–12:00 AM
- Tuesday: 2:00 PM–12:00 AM
- Bulevardul Aviatorilor 40, 011863 Bucharest, Rumänien
