80+ Fresh Places to Enjoy a Great Time and Awesome Cooking in Bucharest [2019]

80+ Fresh Places to Enjoy a Great Time and Awesome Cooking in Bucharest [2019]

What are the most refreshing places to grab an energising bite, enjoy a full course dinner or a scrumptious dessert in the Romanian capital?

This guide takes you on a journey into some of Bucharest’s most interesting restaurants, dessert shops and bakeries in Bucharest. Old and new, small and big, these places are usually the result of steady commitment, relentless work, care, proper hospitality and a vision for the future.
It can also be a useful list to bookmark and remind you of the best alternative options when you are planning a memorable (and delicious) day with friends or family.

We stand by our mission to inform you and recommend fresh places, coffee shops, bookstores, swimming pools, dinner places, rehabilitated heritage buildings, cinemas, theatres, while the success (pageviews) of such endeavours is a good indicator of your trust or, at least, curiosity about feeder.ro’s selections. If you are visiting Brașov, we recommend an immersive list of cool places compiled by our colleague who is a resident of the picturesque, lively little city.

Scroll all the way down to see all these places on the Un-hidden Bucharest street art map, which you can easily load on your google maps phone app and start exploring the city through a coloured, optimistic lens.

We’re open to your suggestions, just leave a comment or drop an e-mail.

UPDATE: The first edition of the Un-hidden Street Art in Romania book is here to help you discover independent art in public spaces.

FRESH PLACES WITH AWESOME FOOD & DESSERTS 2019

Jump to Confectioneries & Bakeries

Ai Sushi

Str. Paris 71
Open: Mon-Sun: 08:00-01:30

Sushi made with love for all of you who want to enjoy the Japanese cuisine in a modern concept. “Ai” means love in Japanese.

Photography © Cristian Vasile “IGU” for LAMA Arhitectura

Alt Shift

Str. Constantin Mille 4
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00-03:00; Tue-Thu: 12:00-05:00; Fri-Sat: 12:00-06:00

Alt Shift is a place where you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes: starters and main courses, soups and salads, tasty desserts, sandwiches and homemade pasta. Every midnight they activate the NightShift menu serving delicious pizza and soups for the partygoers. At the ground floor of Alt Shift you can find one of the most important nightclubs and concert venues in Bucharest, Control Club.

Alt Shift is designed by LAMA Arhitectura.

Animaletto Pizza Bar

Str. Visarion 10
Open:

“Animaletto is a new place that doesn’t settle for the classic. It reinvents things so people can have a truly unique experience. The best traditional Italian Pizza in a fresh, modern designed place.”

Aria Gourmet Burger

Str. Slănic 2
Open: Mon-Sun: 10:00-22:00

“Situated in a historical monument building, Aria Burger brings in the urban landscape the recipes of a chef trained in Paris, experienced in 2-star Michelin restaurants, Chef Manuela Paraschivescu. Original recipes, healthy, homemade, specially designed sauces for each type of burger. Besides the selection of tasty burgers, you can also try delicious salads, wraps and desserts carefully prepared by Chef Paraschivescu.”

Arome

Str. Luigi Cazzavillan 250
Open: Tue-Sun: 10:00-22:00

Arome is a fresh urban place in the heart of the city. Here you will find a wide variety of coffee, tea, fresh drinks and smoothies. They also serve homemade sweets and organic local dishes. Their single origin coffee comes from Amsterdam’s Bocca – Artisanal Coffee Roaster.

*Vegan and vegetarian-friendly.

BEAUTYFOOD

str. Jean Louis Calderon 34
Open: Mon–Thu: 09:00-23:00; Fri: 09:00-00:00; Sat: 10:00-00:00

“The story begins with Elena’s dream of having a bistro (just after watching Chocolat, with Juliet Binoche) and continues with a series of less common and coincidental experiences and confirmed with an email, in early 2013, that contained the name and the beginning of what you can now see, feel, taste and drink under the name of Beautyfood.”

Beca’s Kitchen – Homemade Food

str. Mihai Eminescu 80
Open: Mon–Fri: 17:30–22:30

Andreea Beca’s kitchen is a small, intimate place where you can taste scrumptious homemade food. She is the author of a culinary blog, through which she shares the idea of a healthy diet with specially adapted recipes that attract through taste, appearance and nutritional qualities.

Bistro Carusel

Str. Lipscani 55
Open: Mon-Wed: 10:00-22:00; Thu & Sun: 10:00-22:30; Fri & Sat: 10:00–00:00

Cărturești Carusel is a bookstore on Lipscani 55 Street in the old town of Bucharest, Romania. The building that currently houses the bookstore was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the Chrissoveloni bankers family. and during the communist era, it was confiscated and turned into the Familia store. After 1990, the real estate was recovered and rehabilitated by the current owner, Mr. Jean Chrissoveloni, and is now living through an innovative, but a careful look at the historic substance, signed by the Square One Architecture Office.

Cărturești Carusel is an experimental cultural dwelling of the old centre, providing space for reading, socializing and artistic exploration of the heart of the city. With a top-floor bistro, a media space in the basement and a gallery dedicated to contemporary art on the first floor, the bookstore is preparing to tell a new story on a street with a vibrant commercial tradition.

Bistro GUXT

Str. Dimitrie Racoviță 37
Open: Tue-Sat: 17:00-22:00

“Bistro GUXT is a cosy family-owned restaurant, offering a delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of Asian influences. Every dish is prepared with fresh ingredients while our desserts are made in-house. We offer an excellent selection of Romanian wines and international and Romanian craft beers, designed to be paired with our food.”
https://www.facebook.com/BistroGUXT

Bite

str. Matasari 53
Open: Mon–Thu: 12:00-23:00; Fri, Sat: 12:00-00:00; Sun: 12:00-23:00

“We opened Bite. In a cosy house in the heart of Bucharest, reimagined so that the whole northern imagination can fit in it. Bite now bites the town: it’s the first sip of coffee when you have not woken up properly and the first mouthful of your favourite dish. Anytime you stop by. 
Nordic influences, oriental spices and ingredients from local producers. The selection of Romanian wines knocks out any long day and changes the mood of any weekend. Along with cocktails from all over the world. As for the menu, Bite is a restaurant from everywhere, but it can be found on Mătăsari 53.”

Borsalino

Bd. Ion C. Brătianu 44
Open: Mon-Sun: 11:00-23:00

“Located in the Unirii area, Borsalino has a pleasant and warm design. Here you can taste the original Italian cuisine, as the chef, Mr. Piero prepares the menu following authentic recipes from Italy. You can enjoy pizza, piadina, panini, antipasto, bruschetta, crostini, focaccia, in-house made pasta, Italian-style burgers and croissants, all made with respect to the Italian tradition.”

Burger Van Bistro

Str George Vraca 4
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00-22:00

Burger Van Bistro is the wheel-free analogue of the restaurant with burgers, chips, salads, cookies and soft drinks. The place is comfortable and the kitchen is opened and spotted with black and white accents. The menu includes a selection of burgers, sandwiches, ribs & steaks, prepared with fresh ingredients. The meat is never frozen and there are options for vegetarians as well.

Burger Van Home

Str. Speranței 6
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00-22:00

Burger Van Home is the newest project from the Burger Van team, a place for burgers and culinary experiments. The new menu reinvents the concept of street-food and uses fresh local products.

buoni e bravi

Piața Rosetti 3
Open: Mon-Fri: 08:00-20:00

buoni e bravi are cooking some of the best pizza 🍕 recipes in Bucharest. Their music selection also adds a fresh touch to the urban bustling energy of the place, deepening the flavours while tapping into the new local electronic music scene.

CAFÉ VERONA

str. Pictor Arthur Verona 13-15 @ Cărturești
Open: Mon-Sun: 10:00-22:00

“Opened in 2009, one year after the Cărturești bookstore was opened, the Verona Garden is a short walk to the same street at 15. This green haven in the city centre is also home to many events, the most famous being Street Delivery. In summer, it is the perfect place to cool yourself with lemonade or a good beer, in the shade of abundant vegetation. In the cold season, you can attend gourmet fairs, savouring a tea or a cup of mulled wine. The menu is diversified, offering options for vegetarians at all times. In the kitchen, we emphasize the quality of the ingredients and their preparation. Bread is produced right here, according to your own recipes. And we’re proud of our desserts!
In the Verona Garden, (friendly) pets are allowed. If you want to contribute to cleaner air and more civilized traffic coming by bicycle, it is good to know that there is a special place where you can park it. A wi-fi network is available if you want to move your office here.
*Arthur Verona is the name of a naturalized painter, descendant from a noble family. Pictor Arthur Verona Street is home to a number of monument buildings: Ion Mincu House (OAR), Dimitrie Sturdza House (Cărtureşti), Aro Building (Cinema Patria).”

CAJU by Joseph Hadad

Str. Nicolae Golescu 16
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00–00:00

The concept of CAJU by Joseph Hadad brasserie is casual dining, with affordable price dishes, which caters to different levels of customers. It’s the place where Joseph proposed to bring to the table the tastes of his childhood, with strong North African influences.
The restaurant is located downtown, on a picturesque street, behind the Romanian Athenaeum, a symbol that represents one of the main attractions of the city.
The space has three areas, the centre that brings together 14 tables and is dominated by a curved wooden ceiling, each table featuring a chandelier above, made of a mix of ceramic and metal.

CASA M60

str. Domnița Ruxandra 7
Open: Mon–Fri: 12:00-00:00; Sat-Sun: 11:00-00:00

Cișmigiu Bistro la etaj

Hotel Cișmigiu, Bd. Elisabeta 38, 6th floor
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00–00:00

“We wished for a one-century old address to recreate the atmosphere from times when Bucharest was known as Little Paris. Cismigiu Restaurant is sheltered on the upper floor of the Cismigiu Hotel. It appears as a good taste oasis placed on the border between the historical centre and one of the city’s most beautiful gardens. The design makes you smile while thinking about the carriages strolling down Queen Elisabeta Boulevard. Still, there are enough contemporary clues to make you feel within a comfortable present.”
The terrace opens towards unique views of The People’s House (now hosting the Parliament) while the menu has the power to delight tourists and locals alike.

Cooperativa FRUFRU

Piața Presei Libere 3-5, City Gate, South Tower, ground floor
Open: Mon-Fri: 08:00-17:30

“Cooperativa FRUFRU is an invitation to eat, drink and play along. we like to co-create with like minded people who love what they craft, bake, squeeze, cook, draw or imagine.”
Cooperativa FRUFRU is designed by LAMA Arhitectura and hosts a mural by KITRA.

DESCHIS Gastrobar

Splaiul Unirii 160
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00-01:00

Located on the rooftop of the old cotton factory on Dambovita’s river bank during summer and inside during autumn and winter, Deschis Gastrobar aims to use its space for the benefit of active and creative people by hosting exhibitions, workshops, debates and other cultural events. You can enjoy all that while serving delicious dishes or cold lemonade.

Dianei 4

Str. Dianei 4
Open: Mon-Sun: 10:00-00:00

Located in a classic house build in the 19th century, Dianei 4 offers a menu that includes specialty coffee and tea, breakfast, main courses, soups and salads and has a brunch menu for the weekend. At night you can enjoy the bar or light dishes as the atmosphere fades into parties with electronic and contemporary music.

Photography © Radu Malasincu for LAMA Arhitectura

Edo Garden

Str. Știrbei Vodă 84A
Open: Mon-Sun: 13:00–23:00

“Edo Garden is a place where tradition and innovation are reinforcing each other, creating exquisite culinary experiences. A refined and intimate atmosphere, attention to detail, Japanese cuisine, fresh & healthy cooking, are complemented by a collection of wines and Japanese drinks.
The RESTAURANT design uses mainly natural finishes and can accommodate around 50 people: a private salon with 10 seats and other two with 18 and 20 seats.
Our cool and quiet garden in the heart of the noisy city has an impressive design using the Shou Sugi Ban technique (an ancient Japanese exterior siding technique, that preserves wood by charring it with fire), in an ambience of rare charm, hidden in plain sight of the Cismigiu Area, can accommodate up to 100 people (standing) and 80 people seated.
Our chefs outdid themselves again, as they introduced a cool menu, based on an exquisite sushi menu, tempura and many side dishes inspired by Japanese cuisine.”

Edo Garden is designed by LAMA Arhitectura and has been awarded the Bucharest Architecture Annual 2018 Award.

El Torito

str. Iancu Capitanu 30
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00-00:00

Spicy, flavourful, colourful dishes in a continuous fiesta atmosphere.

emte

Calea Floreasca 77
Open: Mon-Sat: 12:00-23:00; Sun: 12:00-22:30

Go off the beaten track with emte’s experimental burgers, in a posh industrial atmosphere.

FROG

str. Vasile Lascăr 24B
Open: Mon-Fri: 09:00–23:00; Sat: 10:00-23:00; Sun: 11:00-23:00

Visit FROG to sample almost everything they selected as best in recent years of catering to numerous events. They state their food is neither ultra healthy nor ultra vegan, nor raw, but the goal is to be a pamper. The “official” menu on the site and the one you find in Vasile Lascăr is generic. For every product category, they vary recipes every few days. Aside from delicious dishes and selected drinks, you can take away FROG’s passion for flowers in the form of the small bouquets of flowers to go.
FROG’s new place opened with the help of architects Ioana and Dan Cioclu, while all that is iron was cut, welded, and raised by Alexander (FROG), and the cement countertop is made by Atelier Vast. Feel cosy in the ’70s chairs or try the three-legged chairs designed by architect Serban Sturdza, a temporary gift for FROG, until you buy them. The ceramics are made especially for FROG by Poemi Ceramics and the menus are printed on natural paper, with petals and blades of grass, from the Comana paper mill.

Galli, rôtisserie Française

Str. G-ral Christian Tell 6
Open: Mo-Fri: 12:00-20:00; Sat-Sun: 11:30-19:00

“We are the first traditional French rotisserie in Bucharest! Our happy crew is delighted to share with you the very best of traditional French food & wines through authentic ingredients and diverse recipes mostly around our tasty chicken. In order to meet our customers’ expectations, we propose a fast service in our restaurant room as well as take away and deliveries.”

Gram Bistro

Bd. Nicolae Titulescu 4-8
Open: Mon-Fri: 08:30-01:00; Sat-Sun: 10:00-01:00

Gram Bistro is an invitation to discovery, a place made special by its energy, team and most of all, by the people who come here every day. It is the place where the day starts early morning with a good coffee and ends late at night over a glass of wine with your friends.

With an original and simple design, we have managed to create one of the boldest urban experiments for indulging, exploring and connecting. Casual but with a twist, confident in what it has to offer, Gram Bistro brings an original alternative to simply “going out”.

GRĂDINA FLOREASCA

Bd. Mircea Eliade 16
Open: Mon–Sun: 10:00-00:00

A garden, restaurant and pool a charming green pocket in Bucharest. Grădina Floreasca hosts live music and outdoor movie nights.

Ivan Pescar & Scrumbia Bar

str. Uranus 150, ground floor, The Ark Building
Open: Mon-Sun: 11:00-23:00

Do you like Black Sea snails and roe salad only from 5 components? Do you like the storceag (n.e. sturgeon soup)? Do you crave a malasolca a la Mila 23? Would you like kids to savour and devour fish food? Have you visited the Danube Delta but have not recently returned? Does your love for it and for local culture haunt you? In Bucharest there is no place to eat the culinary specifics of the Danube Delta and the Black Sea. No place to connect the local catch, cooking and the plate of consumers.
Fishery tastes from the Danube Delta. NO fusion. Specialties cooked by Lipovan women. Wines from Dobrogea. Restaurant & fish bar.

J’ai Bistrot

Calea Griviței 55
Open: Mon-Wed: 10:00-01:00; Thu-Sat: 10:00-03:00; Sun: 10:00-01:00

J’ai Bistrot is a modern and friendly place where during daytime you can serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and during the night you can get lost in the rhythm of the music, as well-known DJs take over and set up a mood for dancing and good times.

Japanos

Bd. Aviatorilor 8
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00 – 22:30

“Japanos is about eating well, healthy and… Japanese!
First Ramen bar in Romania with a selection of sushi, Japanese salad and sandwich. Every day new rotating menu with Japanese wok, curry rice, yakisoba, gyoza, noodles, tonkatsu, Katsu don etc. Take San, our Japanese chef waiting for you in a cosy atmosphere! Arigato”

Journey Pub

Str. George Enescu 25
Open: Sun-Thu: 10:00-01:00; Fri-Sat: 10:00-03:00

“Journey Pub is a place full of international aromas that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks. There’s a library full of books and travel guides available and a set of boards games for those who want to spend time with friends. Workshops, live concerts and private events are being held weekly so if you’re looking for an adventure when going out, start your journey here.”

Κaiamo

Str. Ermil Pangratti 30A
Open: Tue-Sat: 09:00-15:00 & 18:00-23:00

Κaiamo A symbol of change. A concept of contrast. A story that underlines the fear of mediocrity and the tendency to exploit the peak of potential and constantly strive for the absolute. ΚΛΙΛΜO is all about Seasonality and Terroir. A symbiosis between the nature that surrounds us and the passing of age.
Κaiamo is located on the iconic Ermil Pangratti Street, next to the TVR headquarters and just 3 minutes walking distance from Aviatorilor Underground Station at Charles De Gaulle Square, while Herăstrău Park is just around the corner.

Kane – Seasonal Bistro

Str. Tunari 60
Open:

At Kane, the spotlight falls on delicious ingredients bought from local farmers and therefore the seasonal menu evolves almost every week, depending on what is available at the farms they work with. Chef Alexandru Iacob and his team use contemporary methods of cooking to reveal the essence of each ingredient in well-balanced and tasty dishes.

Kanpai

Str. George Călinescu 49
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:30-23:00

The first Izakaya in Romania. Kanpai is a pub / bistro with food cooked by a Japanese chef, for all budgets! Accessible sushi bar / friendly atmosphere and good mood!

Kunnai

Str. Copilului 6-12
Open: Mon-Sun: 12:00-00:00

“Since 2012, Kunnai is a Thai contemporary cuisine retreat in the heart of Bucharest, facing a quiet and beautiful children’s park. A hidden piece of modern Thailand in the midst of Eastern Europe, Kunnai offers you an intricate variety of Thai dishes, carefully designed and crafted by Anne Ampawan and her team.
Kunnai means “Modern Madame”, a dynamic designation for today’s world. And this is the essence behind Anne Ampawan’s concept: a unique content of simple yet stunning decoration to accompany your culinary experience and bring you to a Thai journey that you will never forget.
Kunnai was designed with the creative support of renowned painter and artist, Aran Chankasem, and the team of StudioQube Bangkok. Together with a fine and carefully selected wine list and a wide selection of tropical drinks, Kunnai embraces traditional Thai cooking and creates a contemporary menu, which allows both Thai food connoisseurs and novices to enjoy an exquisite culinary experience.”

Lente

Str. Dionisie Lupu 78
Open: Sun-Thu: 11:30-00:00; Fri, Sat: 11:30-01:00

“Lente Lupu is the youngest member of the Lente family and, also, the most creative and unconventional one. The place where the architecture of a historical house in Bucharest meets urban art. Here, you can play board games with your friends and you can enjoy a well-deserved break in a colorful atmosphere, without rude waiters or dull menus.”

Lente is a colourful space where you eat, play and make friends. Located in a classic yet imposing and elegant old house, Lente wants to bring imagination and personality to the concept of going out in the city. Sorina Vazelina & Primitiv Print, Livia Fălcaru & Reg, Irlo, Pisica Pătrată, Praf de cretă, Saddo & Pren, Ada Muşat, Cutărică, Kitră and Aitch are some of the contemporary artists who left behind intriguing and beautiful artworks as a result of the Pictăm Pereți (Painting Walls) installation or Un-hidden Bucharest street art project.

Lente

str. Arcului 8
Open: Sun-Thu: 11:30-00:00; Fri, Sat: 11:30-01:00

“Lente Arcului welcomes you in a familiar and cosy place. Situated a stone throw away from the city centre, Lente Arcului is the place where you can enjoy a lovely afternoon, an evening with your friends or family, in a building that will transport you back in time, to the childhood stories and fantasies. Here, we gathered elements to offer you the well-being and comfort vibe you are looking for: over 100 books in our mini-library, a fireplace for the chilly evenings, good music, a playful attic and a greenery garden.
We welcome kids, pets, bikes and open-minded people.”

Linea / Closer to the Moon

Calea Victoriei 17 [entry on Str. Lipscani]
Open: Mon: 17:00–02:00; Tue-Thu: 18:00–02:00; Friday: 18:00–04:00; Sat: 16:30–04:00; Sun: 16:30–00:00

Linea / Closer to the Moon is a rooftop bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a beautiful open sky and views over Bucharest, designed by LAMA Arhitectura.

Lokal

Str. Mihai Eminescu 57
Open: Mon-Thu: 16:00–00:00; Fri-Sun: 14:00–01:00

“A red cherry plum tree between roses in front of an early 20th-century merchant house. A 1310 Dacia collapsed under a walnut, between a neo-vernacular annexe and a garage left to decay. Dreaming and experimenting. Because we feed the human spirit-one man, one beer, one at a time.”

M60

Str. Mendeleev 2
Open: Mon–Fri: 8:00-22:00; Sat, Sun: 9:00-22:00

M60 Cafe is a place to discover and enjoy the new and exciting specialty coffee movement, an establishment for restless seekers of genuine tastes and a careful host for food lovers. It takes hours for us to test coffee to make sure it’s perfectly balanced. You can have one in just a few minutes!

MÀ bistro

Str. Constantin D. Aricescu 50A
Open: Tue-Sun: 10:00-22:00

“The place when it comes to jazz, food & mood, bringing to date the neighbourhood spirit of a small local affair.
Probably the smallest bistro in town. With 20 seats & an impossibly small open kitchen, we offer 8AM breakfasts, comforting lunches & early jazzy dinners. The menu changes every week. From mood-changing crispy lasagna to perfect sushi bites, our approach is eclectic & playful.
MÀ Bistro is closed for reconfiguration & “brainstorming”. However, we are taking reservations for more than 10 people. Please contact us via email (contact@mabistro.ro) or by phone (0724 670 192) if you would like to gather in our “dining room”.”