Experience Sofia: A Culinary Journey

Bulgaria’s capital usually brings to mind associations with hearty Balkan cuisine that is best washed down with an invigorating glass of rakia (local fruit brandy). However, Sofia’s food scene has undergone bold transformations in recent years. Blending imagination, tradition, and a laid-back spirit, the taste of Sofia is ever-evolving and waiting to be rediscovered.

Evolving Coffee Culture

When you think of specialty coffee, Bulgaria rarely comes to mind. Nevertheless, local tastes are changing: a number of hip coffee shops have sprung up to redefine local coffee culture. The daily cup of joe is no longer a mundane and bland necessity; it’s an experience – a passion for the perfect brew, savored slowly to enhance a relaxed conversation with a friend.

• For a next-gen coffee paired with reimagined local classics like mekitsi (deep-fried dough usually eaten with cheese and jam), head to one of the two locations of Fabrika Daga. The vibe is bohemian, and the menu is presented on a chalkboard, making it a popular social hub for local millennials.
• Black Label Coffee House and Bakery is another small but sleek spot. With a specialty selection of over 20 types of arabica, imaginative cold brew options, and exotic teas, it caters to even the pickiest coffee lovers.
• If you enjoy exquisite Italian gelato and homemade chocolates, Gelato & Latte is definitely worth a visit, even if it requires a little more travel effort.

Reinvented Bulgarian Cuisine

Bulgarian food is hearty and diverse, inspired by rural traditions and Balkan influences. Grilled meat, bread, yogurt, and cheese are the cornerstones of many dishes. Local favorites include banitsa (flaky cheese pastry), shopska salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and onions topped with crumbly cheese), katyk (fermented milk product), and lutenitsa (vegetable chutney made with tomatoes, paprika, and garlic).

Contemporary upscale restaurants like Cosmos successfully reinterpret local flavors with sophisticated techniques. Dishes are layered and original, such as meatballs made of horse meat paired with grilled pepper purée. Finish your evening with a delightful Bulgarian rose dessert, featuring vanilla sponge cake and rose sorbet.

• For budget-friendly but flavorful delights, visit Crazy Diamond for homemade dips and Provencal soups.
• Another trendy choice is Made in Blue, offering everything from roasted cauliflower steak to ‘grandma’s meatballs’.

Creative Vegan Options

While the traditional Bulgarian diet leans heavily on meat, there’s an exciting array of inventive vegetarian and vegan dishes emerging from Sofia’s contemporary eateries.

The team at Soul Kitchen is dedicated to fresh, unrefined ingredients with pure origins. Start with exquisite pink hummus or a chilled version of traditional tarator made with cashew yogurt. For the main course, their broccoli and shiitake pizza, covered in cashew garlic sauce, is sure to please.

With two locations, Sun & Moon offers nutritious vegetarian offerings and organic wholegrain breads baked fresh daily. Imaginative variations of banitsa can be found here, along with specialty coffee and Indian-spiced tea lattes.

Chilled-out Beer Hangouts

Bulgaria’s capital is known for its outrageously cheap beer, starting at around €1.50 for a pint. Consequently, after-work beer hangouts are deeply ingrained in local culture. More than a dozen beer houses in Sofia continue this tradition by serving a wide selection of beers alongside snacks like French fries and spicy sausages.

• Visit Halbite for an extensive array of local and imported beers, including craft varieties like Glarus pale ale and White Stork.
• For an interactive experience, Ale House allows you to pour your own ‘live beer’ and refill as desired. Snacks like homemade chips and local lutenitsa complement the experience.
• Other popular pubs famous for their beer choices and laid-back atmospheres include Luciano and The Egg Bar.