Good to know
Good to Know
- Tipping around 10% is becoming standard when eating out in Bucharest; most POS terminals now allow direct tip addition via card payment.
- Street food like mici, covregi (Romanian pretzels), and scovergi are genuinely cheap (5–15 RON) and authentic, especially at markets like Obor.
- Traditional Romanian cuisine relies heavily on meat, but many restaurants can adapt dishes to be vegetarian or vegan upon request.
- Restaurant menus on delivery apps (Glovo, Wolt, Bolt) typically show higher prices and include additional delivery fees; eating in-restaurant is usually cheaper.
- Covregi (soft Romanian pretzel bread) sold in small bread shops across the city are accidentally vegan and very affordable street food.
- Budget set menus (meniu zilei) at casual restaurants often run 30–50 RON for a complete meal—genuinely filling and a local favorite for lunch.
- Avoid touristy Old Town establishments for better prices; neighborhoods like Cotroceni and areas beyond the center offer more authentic and affordable local dining.
- Plastic bag tax (0.52 RON / ~$0.11) applies at supermarkets; bring a reusable bag or pay the small fee.
- Many traditional dishes like sarmale, ciorbă, and papanași are hearty and filling; portion sizes are generous for the price.
Supermarkets
Lidl
- Locations
- Multiple locations across central and suburban Bucharest including Calea Floreasca, Lacul Tei, and Pantelimon areas
- Notes
- Budget-friendly supermarket chain with varied product assortment and competitive prices. Multiple central Bucharest locations.
Kaufland
- Locations
- Multiple Bucharest locations
- Notes
- Major supermarket chain with hot food services and grill facilities adjacent to stores.
Carrefour
- Locations
- Multiple Bucharest locations including hypermarkets and Express formats
- Notes
- Large hypermarket chain with hot food counters, salads, and desserts. Express stores have different hours than main hypermarkets.
Penny
- Locations
- Widespread throughout Bucharest
- Notes
- Discount supermarket with microwave meals and hot food counters in high-traffic locations.
Mega Image
- Locations
- Multiple locations across Bucharest
- Notes
- Small supermarket chain with strong neighborhood presence. Extensive coverage throughout city.
Auchan
- Locations
- Multiple large hypermarket locations in Bucharest
- Notes
- Large hypermarket with hot food areas, salads, and desserts.
Budget
La Cocoșatu'
- Price Range
- RON 45
- Neighborhood
- City outskirts (not central)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Mici (skinless sausages) and traditional urban tavern fare
Bodega La Mahala
- Price Range
- RON 40
- Neighborhood
- Old Town
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Romanian dishes on a budget
Super Falafel
- Price Range
- RON 35
- Neighborhood
- Various locations across city
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vegetarian falafel wraps and street food
Simbo
- Price Range
- RON 50
- Neighborhood
- Old Town area
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vegan and vegetarian burgers, sandwiches, fresh juices
High End
KAIAMO
- Price Range
- RON 450
- Neighborhood
- North of city center (Sector 1)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Romanian-Mediterranean-Asian fusion tasting menus (9-20 courses)
The ARTIST
- Price Range
- RON 350
- Neighborhood
- Old Town
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Modern Romanian fine dining with theatrical presentation
Le Bistrot Français
- Price Range
- RON 400
- Neighborhood
- Central (Relais & Châteaux location)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- French fine dining with Michelin-starred chef menu
Madame Pogany
- Price Range
- RON 320
- Neighborhood
- Center
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Modern fine dining with live music, chef Ionut Gagiu
Mid Range
Caru' Cu Bere
- Price Range
- RON 132
- Neighborhood
- Old Town
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Romanian cuisine (mici, sarmale) with folk dancing
Hanul Lui Manuc
- Price Range
- RON 115
- Neighborhood
- Old Town
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Romanian and Balkan-influenced dishes (sarmale, meatballs)
Restaurant Ceaun
- Price Range
- RON 85
- Neighborhood
- Sector 2 (Cotroceni/Calea Victoriei area)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Romanian slow-cooked meat dishes in cast-iron cauldrons
City Grill
- Price Range
- RON 95
- Neighborhood
- Old Town
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Transylvanian soups, stews, grilled dishes
Delivery Services
Glovo
- Notes
- Restaurant delivery app widely used in Bucharest. Menu prices on app typically higher than in-restaurant; includes delivery fees and potential bad-weather surcharges.
Wolt
- Notes
- Delivery service for restaurants and some retail. Similar pricing structure to Glovo with delivery fees.
Bolt Food (Uber Eats Equivalent)
- Notes
- Ride and food delivery app. Delivery fees and surge pricing apply.
Michelin Restaurants
Le Bistrot Français
- Type
- Fine dining with Michelin-starred chef collaboration
- Neighborhood
- Central
- Description
- Part of Relais & Châteaux with menu by Chef Tom Meyer (two Michelin stars). Focus on French tradition with modern innovation. Includes Le Wine Club concept.
KAIAMO
- Type
- Contemporary fine dining
- Neighborhood
- North of city center (Sector 1)
- Description
- Most acclaimed restaurant in Bucharest offering Romanian-Mediterranean-Asian fusion with tasting menus of 9-20 courses. Features open kitchen and contemporary presentation.
The ARTIST
- Type
- Modern Romanian fine dining
- Neighborhood
- Old Town
- Description
- Small, theatrical fine dining focused on seasonal Romanian products with modern presentation. Reservation essential.
Local Must Try Dishes
Sarmale
- Description
- Minced pork and rice wrapped in fermented cabbage leaves, slow-cooked for hours, served with mămăligă (polenta) and sour cream. Romania's national dish.
Mici (or Mititei)
- Description
- Skinless grilled sausages made from beef, lamb, and pork with garlic and thyme. Street food and barbecue staple, served with mustard and fresh bread.
Ciorbă De Burtă
- Description
- Tripe soup made with beef tripe, vegetables, sour cream, vinegar and mujdei (garlic paste). Pungent and sour, popular as a remedy for hangovers.
Mămăligă
- Description
- Polenta made from boiled cornmeal, often served with cheese, sour cream, or as a side to meat dishes. Can have a fried egg on top.
Papanași
- Description
- Fried doughnuts made with soft cheese, topped with jam and sour cream. Dense, sweet, and quintessentially Romanian.
Scovergi
- Description
- Fried dough with savory or sweet toppings (garlic, cheese, sour cream, or jam). Perfect cheap street food.
Salată De Icre
- Description
- Creamy fish roe dip, smooth and savory, served with fresh bread or raw onion slices.
Eggplant Dips (Salată De Vinete, Zacuscă, Fasole Bătută)
- Description
- Roasted eggplant salad, roasted vegetable spreads, and white bean dips—appetizer staples across Romania.
Vegan And Vegetarian Dining
- Overview
- While traditional Romanian cuisine is meat-heavy, Bucharest has a developing vegan and vegetarian scene with dedicated restaurants and plant-based options at mainstream venues. Many restaurants can adapt dishes upon request.
Venues
Arome
- Specialty
- Vegetarian menu with strong vegan options, including vegetarian versions of traditional Romanian dishes
- Neighborhood
- Central location
Sara Green
- Specialty
- Vegan restaurant and raw-vegan cake shop in historical center offering burgers, seitan wraps, Buddha bowls, noodle salads, soups, and 15+ desserts
- Neighborhood
- Old Town (Sfânta Vineri street)
Super Falafel
- Specialty
- Entirely vegetarian menu with crispy falafel wraps and varied toppings
- Neighborhood
- Various central locations
Verv Kitchen
- Specialty
- Vegan restaurant with monthly-changing menu using only local and organic ingredients; some gluten-free options
- Neighborhood
- Old Town area
Barca (Prietenii șI Hrana Vie)
- Specialty
- Vegetarian and raw vegan dishes including vegan renditions of Romanian classics (mushroom drob); known as 'the Christian restaurant'
- Neighborhood
- Primaverii district
Aubergine
- Specialty
- Mediterranean restaurant with extensive vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Mediterranean, Israeli, and Egyptian culinary elements
- Neighborhood
- Old Town
International Cuisine
- Overview
- Bucharest has developed a cosmopolitan dining scene with significant French, Italian, Turkish, Lebanese, Asian, and Mediterranean options alongside traditional Romanian fare.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.