Bulgarian cuisine.
Start with a taste.

WHAT TO EAT

Local dishes, explained.

These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Banitsa

Layered pastry usually filled with cheese and egg; best warm from the bakery.

Editorial planning estimate: 1.50–3.50 EUR

Where to look: Neighbourhood bakeries

Find Banitsa in Sofia ↗Find Banitsa in Varna ↗Find Banitsa in Plovdiv ↗Find Banitsa in Veliko Tarnovo ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Shopska salad

Tomato, cucumber, pepper and grated white cheese. A useful shared starter.

Editorial planning estimate: 5–9 EUR

Where to look: Bulgarian restaurants

Find Shopska salad in Sofia ↗Find Shopska salad in Varna ↗Find Shopska salad in Plovdiv ↗Find Shopska salad in Veliko Tarnovo ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Tarator

Cold yogurt-and-cucumber soup, often with dill, garlic and walnuts.

Editorial planning estimate: 3–6 EUR

Where to look: Traditional lunch menus

Find Tarator in Sofia ↗Find Tarator in Varna ↗Find Tarator in Plovdiv ↗Find Tarator in Veliko Tarnovo ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Kebapche

Grilled minced-meat rolls; ask about the meat blend and side dishes.

Editorial planning estimate: 5–10 EUR

Where to look: Bulgarian grills

Find Kebapche in Sofia ↗Find Kebapche in Plovdiv ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Mekitsi

Fried dough traditionally eaten with sugar, cheese or jam.

Editorial planning estimate: 2–5 EUR

Where to look: Breakfast cafés and bakeries

Find Mekitsi in Sofia ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Tsatsa

Small fried fish eaten with lemon; ask about bones and whether the portion is priced by weight.

Editorial planning estimate: 5–9 EUR

Where to look: Seafront fish restaurants

Find Tsatsa in Varna ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Black Sea mussels

Order only from a restaurant with a clear menu and ask about the day’s supply.

Editorial planning estimate: 8–15 EUR

Where to look: Port and seafront restaurants

Find Black Sea mussels in Varna ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Patatnik

Potato-based Rhodope dish; preparation and availability vary.

Planning estimate: €6–10

Where to look: Regional menus in Bulgarian restaurants

Find Patatnik in Plovdiv ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Kavarma

A slow-cooked meat-and-vegetable dish, often served in a clay pot.

Check the current menu; this is a dish suggestion, not a price quotation.

Where to look: Traditional and contemporary Bulgarian kitchens

Find Kavarma in Veliko Tarnovo ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Kiselo mlyako

Bulgarian yogurt, sometimes served with honey or fruit; compare plain and dessert versions.

Check the current menu; this is a dish suggestion, not a price quotation.

Where to look: Grocers or restaurant dessert menus

Find Kiselo mlyako in Veliko Tarnovo ↗

GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE

Find restaurants by city.

Different places. Different flavours.

Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.

Plan your food budget.

Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.