The best food to try in ancient Sofia, Bulgaria

The coolest soup for hot summer days. Image by chandlervid85 on freepik.com

Tarator, an essential part of Bulgarian cuisine, is a quick and refreshing soup, perfect for hot summer days. It's made with cucumbers, yogurt, walnuts, and herbs, and it only takes 10 minutes to prepare. You can enjoy it as a starter or a refreshing drink between meals. Some restaurants even serve it in a glass. Many people like to pair it with cold rakia or ouzo – an anise-flavored liquor produced from grape must.

The star ingredient in this soup is yogurt, known for its health benefits, especially for digestion. Here's an interesting tidbit: Bulgarians were the first to discover the bacteria responsible for the fermentation process and the distinct flavor. They named it Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, and it's the very bacterium that made local dairy products renowned worldwide.

Hadjidraganov's Cellars in Sofia is a popular restaurant that offers a deep dive into Bulgarian culture. Its interior is like a theater stage, meticulously designed in the style of a rustic village house, featuring walls adorned with massive wooden beams, old barrels, and traditional women's dresses. There are wide bedsteads covered with Kotlen rugs and soft cushions made from costume aprons. Yokes with buckets hang above the tables, and neatly stacked firewood is ready for the fireplace.

In this charming setting, you can explore Bulgarian national dishes in an immersive way. For lunch, savor tarator soup, as we recommended earlier, but the menu offers a wide variety of other traditional treats. Consider trying patatnik – baked potatoes with vegetables, a specialty from the Rhodope Mountains region in the heart of the country. Kachamak with cheese is an excellent choice for vegetarians – it's a Bulgarian classic made from cornmeal and cheese, somewhat similar to polenta.

For a large family, the two-kilogram Balkan grill for four with kebabs, meatballs, and pork neck steaks, served on an elaborately carved platter, is a great option. Don't forget to accompany your meal with a glass of their homemade wine, aged with 24 mountain herbs, grapes, quince, medlar, and apple. Finally, treat yourself to a unique and healthy dessert – Buffalo yogurt in a pot with apple jam, made with the famous bacteria for milk product fermentation.

No meat lover can resist it. Image by stockking on freepik.com

Mixed grill, or meshana skara, represents the essence of Bulgarian cuisine, a beloved dish that captures the warmth and diverse flavors of Balkan cooking. This culinary masterpiece features a tempting variety of grilled meats, including kebabs and kyufteta, which are seasoned meatballs bursting with spices and aroma. Complementing the dish is an array of grilled vegetables: sweet and smoky Bulgarian peppers, ripe tomatoes, caramelized onions, and crispy herb-seasoned potatoes, adding a comforting touch to the ensemble.

Typically reserved for grand celebrations such as weddings and christenings, mixed grill brings a festive flair to any event. By the way, locals almost always enjoy it with a few glasses of beer and rakia, so don't hesitate to accept some alcohol offered at the restaurant – it's the key to fully savoring the beauty and flavors of this hearty dish.

Skara Bar is the go-to spot for steak and grill lovers who prefer a straightforward menu without a plethora of other options. Here, the focus is entirely on grilling meat, and it's safe to say they excel at it in Sofia. With three branches conveniently located in the city center, Skara Bar is almost always bustling, and the tantalizing scent of grilled steaks and meatballs wafts through the air for blocks.

Undoubtedly, mixed grill is among the top choices, especially when dining with a group. It's a hearty meal that can be a challenge for one person, so if that's the case, consider ordering meatballs with a crispy golden crust, served with ljutenica, a savory vegetable condiment. Another delightful option includes pork ribs, beef kebabs, and grilled halloumi paired with juicy pink tomatoes and generously drizzled with pesto sauce. Notably, they prepare their own ground meat and mayonnaise, imparting a distinct homemade flavor to the dishes.

A meaty feast is best accompanied by a fine beverage, so don't miss their extensive selection of homemade wines from the Harmanli region. For those with more refined wine palates, Skara Bar on Benkovski street features a wine shop offering quality and limited imports from Austria and France.

Indulge in Bulgarian culinary traditions with a generous serving of moussaka. Image by timolina on freepik.com

Moussaka, a beloved dish often associated with Greece, holds a special place in Bulgarian cuisine, where it takes on its own unique and appetizing form. Bulgarian moussaka is distinct from the Greek version in that it features layers of thinly sliced potatoes instead of the traditional eggplant. At its core is a sautéed meat filling (beef or pork), bathed in a rich tomato sauce infused with herbs and spices.

What sets Bulgarian moussaka apart is the creamy mixture of eggs and yogurt, which adds a tangy contrast to the savory layers. The dish is crowned with grated cheese, similar to feta or sirene, which, when baked, forms a golden and crispy top layer. This hearty moussaka, cut into squares or rectangles, is a main course that captivates every diner with its layers of flavors and textures, offering a glimpse into Bulgaria's culinary heritage.

Spaghetti Kitchen & Bar, located in Sveta Nedelya Square amidst all of Sofia's iconic landmarks, is a must-visit, especially if you're a fan of Italian cuisine. You can watch the team preparing pizza dough right in front of you, and they even give you the option to choose from different types of flour, including gluten-free hemp. Besides the stylish dining room and cozy terrace, there's a secluded Prosciutto Bar where you can relax by the fireplace or at the long bar counter and select from various sorts of dry-cured ham hanging in the fridge while the bartenders prepare your cocktail.

However, they don't limit themselves to Italian cuisine. Instead, they offer a culinary journey with ethnic accents and signature dishes from around the world. You can try juicy moussaka, chicken tikka-masala skewers, black Angus beef carpaccio, and many other dishes, all described in a massive A3-sized menu.

The ambiance here exudes Mediterranean vibes, with soft music from hidden speakers, gleaming brass lights, bright textiles, and the aroma of freshly baked bread. To complement all of this, a bottle of Simeon the Great, a boutique white dry wine made from grapes grown near the old capital, Veliki Preslav – the pearl of the Bulgarian Golden Age, would be perfect.

A delicious slice of Bulgarian banitsa, a mouthwatering pastry. Image by Kätrin Maidla on flickr.com

Banitsa, a traditional Bulgarian dish with a long history, is like a distant cousin to strudel and burek. Here, banitsa is a staple for both special occasions and everyday meals. It's made with layers of delicate phyllo pastry and a mix of eggs and sirene cheese, though it can include ingredients like spinach, leeks, meat, or even pumpkin, especially in the winter. It is crafted by stacking the phyllo pastry on top of the filling, creating a delightful contrast between the crispy, golden-brown exterior and the soft, savory inside.

During holidays, a special version of banitsa is prepared and served either before or instead of dessert. In the New Year's banitsa tradition, small items are hidden inside to symbolize what the upcoming year may bring, like laurel leaves for love, coins for luck, branches for prosperity, and berries for happiness and well-being. Give this dish a try in Bulgarian restaurants, or even cook it at home (you can easily find pre-made phyllo pastry sheets in most supermarkets nowadays).

The cozy little bakery, Furna, right in the city center, is a morning magnet for young folks rushing to work or school without time for breakfast at home. From 8 a.m., you'll be greeted by the smell of freshly baked goods, including the famous Bulgarian banitsa, apple strudel, croissants, and sweet pastries, all enjoyed with a delightful cup of foamy cappuccino.

What makes this bakery stand out from the rest is the incredible variety of fillings available for banitsa. You can have it with porcini mushrooms, red lentils, spinach and eggs, or even a sweet version with apples, hazelnuts, and cinnamon. Locals love grabbing these pastries to take away and savoring the crispy crust on the bakery's open terrace or in the nearby park. Besides, Furna serves the best cheesecakes in town, along with layered trifles in cups, massive cream-filled profiteroles, chocolate-coated cookies, and a host of other desserts that'll give your serotonin levels a boost.

Cheers to the rich heritage and taste of Bulgaria! Image by Daniel Benitez on flickr.com

Rakia isn't the same as vodka, despite some people mistakenly referring to it as such. It shares the same strength but differs in terms of the raw materials used and the production process. It's more accurately described as a fruit brandy, made from grapes, plums, peaches, cherries, figs, and more. The taste of rakia is often enriched with various additives like honey, spices, berries, nuts, and herbs.

In Bulgaria, rakia holds a special place, and it's often enjoyed warm during the winter to provide a sense of comfort. For this purpose, a special copper vessel with a long handle was invented in the 19th century to safely heat the spirit over an open flame.

One type of rakia that's particularly popular in Bulgaria is known as grape brandy. Some well-known Bulgarian rakia brands include Tikves, Troyan, Black Sea Gold, Karnobat, Peshterska, and Rubaiyat.

There's a place near Zaimov Park that can brighten up even the moodiest person, and it's not just because they serve 170 types of fruit brandy. Raketa Rakia Bar’s lively and cheerful interior, decked out in stylish orange hues, is filled with nostalgic relics from the past that you can touch and reminisce about. You'll find a vintage Soviet fridge, stacks of vinyl records for a gramophone, old-fashioned rotary phones, tube TVs, and various other items that will trigger memories, especially for those from the CIS region.

But this place isn't just known for its nostalgic decor. Besides offering a wide variety of rakia crafted from different berries and fruits, they also serve top-notch food, featuring both traditional Bulgarian dishes and international cuisine. Don't miss out on iconic shopska salad made with fresh veggies and olive oil – a simple yet incredibly tasty starter that's popular all over the country. They also have an impressive selection of grilled meats, with a special recommendation for honey-glazed pork ribs and their signature homemade sudjuk, a great complement to your drinks.

If you're a vegetarian, you'll appreciate options like spinach hummus, courgettes stuffed with cheese mousse, and a bean stew served in crispy bread with fried porcini mushrooms. This place is always buzzing with activity, rakia flows freely, and when DJs start spinning tunes, neon lights create a trendy party atmosphere, making it a favorite hangout for both locals and tourists.

Bulgaria's capital city, Sofia, has a lot of delightful surprises in store for tourists. From its distinctive church architecture to its delectable cuisine, scenic natural beauty, and therapeutic mineral springs, there's something to captivate everyone. Be sure to explore some of the city's oldest landmarks, like the ancient Rotunda of Saint George the Victorious, the iconic Saint Sofia Church, and Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker. Don't overlook the elegant Banya Bashi Mosque, and take a moment to appreciate the grandeur of Sofia's charming fountains.

When you are tired, just hop on a vintage tram. Image by Anton Angelov on flickr.com

For a truly special experience, hop on board a vintage tram and soak in the city's scenic views through its windows. And make sure to reenergize yourself with Sofia's rare mineral water. The city boasts more than 40 thermal springs, renowned for their therapeutic properties dating back to ancient Roman times. You can even collect some of this revitalizing water from a designated spring near the central mineral bath as a unique souvenir to bring back home.