Sofia offers an exclusive variety of
snack-bars,
small restaurants,
pizzerias,
national cuisine diners,
foreign cuisine restaurants,
self-service restaurants,
fast food places, open-air
sandwich,
toaster,
burgers,
falafel stalls,
luxurious restaurants,
wine cellars and clubs. Economy travel tourists will be catered for no more than 20 Leva per day - one can have lunch in a
pizzeria or a
small restaurant, plus a glass of
wine. There are places of medium category for tourists of better means where some 60 Leva per day will be sufficient. Their price lists are translated into English as a rule, they have waiters and the atmosphere is very good. Food will cost about 90 Leva a-day in the
restaurants of higher category.
Gastronomes ordering
delicacies and
specialities, as well as
brand drinks will need more than 100 Leva daily.
There are
24-hour restaurants, small stalls for
local breakfasts (boza - millet-ale, yoghurt, buttermilk, cheese pasties, buns and patties, pretzels, etc.) open from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m.
The capital’s visitors will have no difficulty in
finding food, as there are lots of shops selling fare, fruits and vegetables,
delicacies and
drinks. Many 24-hour shops can be found in the city centre as well as in every quarter; tourists and visitors may thus be confident that their
dinner is available at any time.
Table reservation in restaurants of higher category is a guarantee of their clients’ enjoyment in a calm atmosphere and good mood.
A tip of 10% is generally expected by the
waiting staff in restaurants,
cafes and bars. Nonetheless, tipping is also recognized as a means of expressing one's satisfaction, so you are in no way obliged to tip if you feel the service did not merit it. Some restaurants automatically add a service charge, so check the bill before tipping.
Vegetarians have nothing to be afraid of in Bulgaria, especially in the warmer months.
Bulgarian vegetables are second to none and the
traditional cuisine features plenty of excellent
vegetarian dishes.
There is a wide selection of
restaurants in Sofia catering for every palette. As well as
Bulgarian food, you will find
Italian,
Chinese,
Indian, and
Mexican. Expect, in general to pay in the region of 5-7 Euro for a main course.
Bulgarian wine is a well kept secret, but we feel, not for long. Quality of the red and white is very good.
Expect to pay 7-10 Euro for a bottle in a restaurant.
Cafe society is alive and well in Sofia with a
coffee shop on every street. The locals like nothing better than to sit and chat over a
coffee or beer.
There are maybe 6
Irish Pubs in Sofia and are some of the most expensive bars in the city, but, still cheap by UK and Ireland standards. However, you will never miss you Premier League Football or International Rugby match, as all are shown live - try our favorite
JJ Murphy's.