10 Most Recommended Local Bucharest Restaurants

The number of local Bucharest restaurants and bars have grown in the past year, both in quantity and quality. Today, the traditional Romanian cuisine is influenced by international flavors, giving birth to very creative menus at good prices. Here’s our recommendation for the top 10 local Bucharest restaurants you can visit, after you finish the daily tour around the best museums in Bucharest. You can easily order a taxi online and get to any restaurant in no time.
 

Lente & Cafea

This restaurant is one of the rare places in Romania with a strict non-smoking policy, opening a way for escape from Bucharest’s smoke-filled venues. Their menu displays an experimental nature through its bold fusion of chicken and fish. The atmosphere here is certainly welcoming and comfortable, while on a sunny day, the place opens its own urban garden, making it the perfect spot to take in the sun and relax in the center of Bucharest. During the evenings, Lente & Cafea organizes jazz events and live gigs.
 

Caru' cu Bere

The classic Caru’ cu Bere local restaurant is one of the most photographed venues in town. Operating since 1879, the restaurant offers a feast for the eyes with its remarkable interior décor. The venue combines dark wood, vaulted ceilings and gilt elements, which serve as a memories collector of the city’s golden age. The venue is a true celebration of the local beer culture and one of the oldest breweries in Bucharest. The menu offers many traditional dishes, such as bean soup, mix grill and a Romanian cheese platter.
 

Energiea

Located right by the Cismigiu Gardens, the urban oasis named Energiea has a lively and colorful vibe with an interesting story. The venue is sitting in an old printing house, which throughout its turbulent history, printed academic books, magazines, and communist pamphlets. The lofty architecture makes one to evoke the smell of ink and paper, however today the venue is there to serve its visitors with local dishes, prepared simply and healthy, at a fine price. The menu offers freshly made soups and mouthwatering delightful salads, along with tasty smoothies prepared with seasonal fruit. The regular gigs attract positive crowds, making this venue a great spot to socialize with young locals.
 

Hanul Lui Manuc

Built in 1808 by the Armenian entrepreneur Manuc Bei, Hanul Lui Manuc first served as a hotel. The building was acquired later in 2006 by the current owner Constantin Şerban Cantacuzino. This restaurant is divided into two parts, one Lebanese, one Romanian. The menus in both halves, the Romanian and Lebanese, showcase diverse examples from the respective cuisines. Hanul Lui Manuc is in fact, the oldest hotel and restaurant in all of Bucharest.
 

Vacamuuu

If you are a vegetarian, you’ll resent this place. For everyone else, this is Bucharest’s famous meat eatery and most famous steakhouse. It offers a wide variety of steaks, making every other place’s menu seem poor. They have a variety of aged beef specials or steak sandwiches, making this the right spot for the true carnivores. In addition to the restaurant part, Vacamuuu is also a marketplace, where you can buy top quality salami and cheese.
 

Arcade Café

Arcade is located in the center of Bucharest and is an excellent, cozy Romanian restaurant with great food at low prices. The interior might seem small, but there is a beer garden at the back of the restaurant and an entire underground area at the bottom of the staircase. The atmosphere here is relaxed and laid-back, providing an authentic Bucharest experience. Since Arcade is famous for its karaoke nights, thus attracting hordes of aspiring singers, don’t come here if you don’t like singing.
 

Torna Fratre

Torna Fratre is the place to go for trying authentic Romanian dishes. Here you can taste some of the most typical Romanian dishes, like mamaliga (similar dish to polenta), sarmale (rice and meat rolled in cabbage leaves), vinete salata (eggplant salad) and spicy sausages with sour cream, however the restaurant is best known for its great, fresh seafood. From Wednesday until Sunday, you can enjoy some folklore and music performances, further enhancing the restaurant’s traditional character.
 

Hanul cu Tei

Sitting in the historic center of Lipscani, Hanul cu Tei radiates with history and eclecticism. Being one of the oldest bars in Bucharest, the place still retains its original structure. The venue was built by merchants in 1833, representing typically Romanian architecture and décor. Hanul cu Tei’s motto, ‘Beer is proof God loves us’, is an adequate description of the bar’s general view. Dishes here are paired with one of the many Romanian beers on the menu. As for the art lovers, this place hosts an art gallery, where valuable pieces of art are preserved across several exhibition rooms.
 

Simbio

Guests should come to Simbio for coffee or more, at least this is what their motto says. They serve all-day breakfast, tasty sandwiches and delicious smoothies, prepared with the freshest ingredients. You can also find burgers and fries on the menu, intended for those looking for something a bit heavier. Simbio is the kind of place you’ll fall in love with at the very first sight. It is tiny and cheerful, combining its eclectic décor with a true sense of intimacy.
 

Aubergine Restaurant

Offering an original experience of eating out by serving fusion dishes, which combine Mediterranean, Israeli and Egyptian elements of culinary traditions, Aubergine provides a stylish environment with a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere, suitable for friends and family gatherings. Chef Ronen’s dishes are delicious colorful combinations, made of fresh and specially selected products. The menu offers suitable items for both carnivores and vegetarians. This place is located in the Old City, perfect for all soul searchers who wish to go down the road of 300 enchanted doors. The restaurant also has one of the best collections of wine in the old city area. This is mainly due to Chef Ronen’s effort who has selected the vineyard in the country, in order to give his clients the best of both worlds.

These are the ten most recommended local Bucharest restaurants, all compiled in a list which we hope will give you a great gastronomical guidance in your urban exploring. So once you are done with your day-tour to Transylvania and Dracula’s Castle, indulge yourself at one of these places. After this experience, you can book your Bucharest airport shuttle service and depart with a heavy heart.