SOFIA — where to go, what to eat, where to drink
Hi, I am Yusuf, an Erasmus student in Bulgaria. I am going write about my first and probably anyone’s only destination: Sofia. It has been a month I am in Bulgaria and to be honest the calmness and the chilling atmosphere in here is just amazing. People are so relax and -even though for me it feels like they are arguing when they speak Bulgarian- most of the people are actually trying to really help you. I live in Ruse, the north part of Bulgaria, but it is pretty easy to travel so I am trying to explore Bulgaria city by city.
Sofia is the capital and maybe the only city you can find whatever you want in Bulgaria. I am going to focus on food-drink experiences so if you want to learn about the history and the monuments, I would highly recommend you a tip based free walking tour by Free Sofia Tour. Our tour guide was Martin, and God it was full of history and jokes -highly recommended-.
I will give you approximately 3 days list that I experienced but in case of you need more, you can reach me from my Instagram as well.
BREAKFASSST — (It has to be Brunch in here, slow down you are in Bulgaria)
Rainbow Factory:
It was soo cutee. The atmosphere is a bit modern and the space is not that big but it is lovely. The cashier knows English (a huge +), and recommended us some traditional foods. I tried Banitsa and Mekitsa, which are traditional Bulgarian breakfast items but I ordered an americano with it -so I think I balanced it. Banitsa is from tiny doughs with some feta cheese and egg -if you tried any kind of burek in Balkans it is the same- and Mekitse was some fried dough with some jam and cheese. Liked it but like the atmosphere better. Coffee was good and sandwiches looks insane. They say they have a bigger and fancier place so check there as well. We spilt the bill with my friend so it was like 8 leva per each.
Boho:
Wow, you have to go and have a brunch in here. It was pretty crowded but I am sure they will find you a place. It is laptop friendly with free wi-fi so you can work here too. It is a bit more expensive than the Rainbow Factory. I ordered a croque madame with some orange juice and -absolutely- americano. I have never seen a such big croque madame, I check the tables next to me and seems like all their portions are quite generous. It was pretty good and inside of the restaurant is quite fresh too. I paid around 20 leva for a croque madame with some salad, an orange juice and some coffee. It was worth it…
LUNCH — FAST FOOD- SNACKS
There are plenty options for snacks and fast food around. You can grab a slice of pizza, a kebab or a burger from any corner but there is a couple of places that some locals recommended and I honestly enjoyed. Soo:
Street Chefs:
It was a grab and go burger place, there is no chairs to sit only some small tables. The van they made the burger looks like a spaceship and — well either we were too hungry or the burgers were really good- I would say they might bring the burger sauce from space. We tried Smashed Burger and Chef’s Burger; they are both great but Chef’s burger had those jalapenos — amazing-… We paid around 25 leva for 2 burgers.
Divaka:
A bit more traditional, much more meat, bon appétit… It is mix of a restaurant and a diner, the prices are quite low and the portions are quite big, I like the balance. The staff is very friendly and speaks English good enough. We tried fish, kebapcheta, risotto and chicken, they were good — compared what you’ve paid- but don’t expect that much the way they serve the food. The plate was literally telling you “Nothing to see just eat” but the food was delicious so we were totally okay. If you want t try some heavy traditional dishes give it a shot.
Skapto:
Well well well… I went there 2 times; the burger is GOOD. I MEAN IT IS GODD but the second time was a total disappointment when it comes to service — the owner texted me that it was because of language barrier and we misunderstood what they’ve said but I don’t feel so. The branch was empty but they forced to buy it as take away?? Anyway, it was the fault of the branch I think so I cannot blame the burger, try it but maybe in a different branch -not in the city center. I like the regular Skapto burger but when it comes to fries you must try chili fries and the fries with jalapeno- yes jalapeno is my sweet spot. A burger and the fries are almost 20 leva, well okay…
IT IS TIME TO HAVE A DINNER -and the bells enter-
Be ready, we are gonna spend some money — just kidding-, -or not-…
Carnivale:
Experience, I would say… Went there as group of 11 and had a wonderful time. Prices are quite affordable and you can find pretty much everything. Originally, it is a Greek restaurant but it has some traditional Bulgarian foods and drinks too. We kinda tried every food in the menu -pork, chicken, fish, veal- it was fine but at the end of the dinner they offered as two bottles of ouzo’s, it was even more fine :) They have also hookah in the menu :s For a glass of wine and a dish, I paid around 16–17 leva + free ouzo’s…
DaOrganic:
FANTASTIC!! The garden, the furniture, the entrance, the dishes… It was a whole experience of mainly vegetarian -with vegan options- dinner. I don’t think there will be any wrong decision when it comes to food in here. I love the babagannush, also the Herbal Amber and the pasta.. The staff is very friendly and help you to choose by telling you the ingredients and some traditional touches. It is like an art gallery inside -plenty of paintings- but I don’t know if they are for sale. If you do have some doubts about healthy foods -some does have, we won’t judge- this place might help you to warm things up. It is a bit more expensive -a dish is around 18 leva- but at least it is organic right?
Sense Rooftop Bar:
Dinner, lunch, breakfast, just for coffee or accidentally; GO THERE… The view is fabulous! Visit in the sunset for a dinner than maybe stay a bit longer for a cocktail. I am warning you; it is much more expensive compared to other places in Sofia but it is not that hard to guess I think. It was snowing when I went for a quick coffee break, I adored the view so I went there for a dinner too. A salad and a cocktail, I paid around 35 leva and the service was quite slow. You already know you are paying for being in there not eating in there so, yeah…
drink Drink DRINK and DANCE!
I have been more than that places but hese are my favorites for different tastes. Text me for more..
Bar “Bar”:
A nice pub to chill with some pub background music. It is small but not that crowded. Prices are okay I like Zagorka -Bulgarian beer- and it was quite cheap. You can easily meet people and have a little chitchat. The place is warm so you are going to feel like you are in a regular pub nearby your neighborhood. I really like ethnic touches to this kind of place too. Nice pre-place if you are going to party :)
Club Stroeja:
A nice shelter for a snowy night… an underground bar with some cheap beer and great alternative music. You can socialize, dance, play pool/pinball or just chill. If you are lucky, there might be some live performances too. I don’t think it is that well-known so if you are bored to be a tourist go local and go there…
Bar Friday:
Duck duck duck… They even have a disco duck. Your instagram followers need to see it. A bit more expensive place to dance and drink. It is easy to meet people with some entertainment equipment — yes pinball again but wait, they do have a dart too-. I had real fun time in there tbh but I don’t know whether it was tequila, British guys I met or the bar but overall what I’d say is VISIT…
Terminal 1:
If you want to dance all night like you are in your 20’s -yes, I am 22 and I do…-, this is your place. Prices are affordable and they have a huge dancefloor. It looks like the correct spot for college students and after a few drinks everyone is soo friendly, you’ll forget about how far you are from your friends — for a couple hours for sure :)… They do have some thematic parties too so check in advance!
Carrusel:
Fancy electroclub for your Instagram story. A bit crowded for 10 leva entrance fee and 5 leva per shot price but if you do like clubbing and parties, go for it. It is crowded and overpriced but once in a while, well it worth it. The decoration is charming and there is plenty of accessories you can try with your friends to have fun. We heard they give some privileges to tourists; I don’t know is it in good or bad way tho.
