Factory Rainbow ‘Fabrica Daga’
The best place for a great start of the day – delicious coffee and traditional breakfast with an authentic taste (try mekitsi with cheese and jam or banitsa).
Address: 10 Veselec Str.
HleBar
At HleBar you can buy different kinds of homemade bread, as well as banitsa with a variety of fillings (traditional Bulgarian pastry), sandwiches and some sweet pastries (do not miss out on the single bite brownies!). You can also buy organic products like yogurt and Bulgarian cheese.
Address: 27 Tsar Shishman Str.
Peroto (the Feather)
The atmosphere is peaceful and friendly. You’ll find people reading or working and small groups of friends enjoying coffee together. There are comfy sofas and chairs and every wall is covered with book shelves full of books.
Address: National Palace of Culture, Bulgaria Blvd.
Tea House
The Tea house is a tea lounge (and a tea shop), a healthy food restaurant (vegan and vegetarian menu), as well as a place for live music performances and culture events. All of the desserts are homemade and include raw, non-sugary and whole wheat treats.
Address: 11 Georgi Benkovski Str.
Veda house
Veda is a teahouse and a vegetarian restaurant – their menu includes teas from all over the world, traditional Indian sweets and vegan balls, artisan ice-cream and delicious ayurvedic meals. The spirit of the East is everywhere: the teas, the food, the interior and two of the saloons, where shoes are not allowed.
Address: 2 Gladstone Str.
Corso
At Corso you will find a variety of healthy and tasty food and beverages.
10 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.
Jasmine
Jasmine Urban Gastro Bar adds a touch of urban flair to Sofia’s classic charm. The place combines a hip, lively ambiance with top class cuisine and fine wines.
114 G.S.Rakovski
Made in home
Made in Home is a great place with great food for every taste. They use mainly local seasonal products and offer a range of healthy food options. The menu includes dishes from the Middle East (eg hummus), Turkish items and the traditional Bulgarian cuisine.
Address: 30A Angel Kanchev Str.
Made in blue
Made in Blue is a conceptual restaurant – they use fresh & seasonal ingredients and prepare the food from scratch. It is situated in an old renovated house and you can find something extraordinary in every room. Even if you decide to sit in the garden, take a walk inside the house. The restaurant surprises with its innovative menu: hummus with veal and tripe, veal tongue with teriyaki and radishes, curry mussels with coconut, salad with cherries, sheep cheese and cornbread.
Address: 6 Yuri Venelin Str.
Mediterraneo
The garden of the restaurant is hidden among the old city houses and temps with the authentic taste of the Mediterranean cuisine. The best items from the menu include wine from Toscana, fresh pasta and seafood, and the typical Italian Tiramisu.
Address: 9b, Oborishte Str.
The Little Things
Located in a beautifully renovated house in the center, the restaurant is full of lovely rustic decor and a style type `It’s the little things that make a house a home`. The kitchen offers multi-cuisine and can surprise you with a special menu for the evening.
Address: 37 Shishman Str.
Smugglers
Smuggler’s is a traditional American diner with a modern twist situated in the heart of Sofia. The menu includes burgers, pancakes and all day breakfast as well as some great BBQ ribs, chicken wings, tacos and delicious milkshakes and cocktails. The interior has a 1950s New York vibe and during the warm months the diner has a beautiful summer garden hidden between the surrounding buildings.
Address: 29 Hristo Belchev Str.
Shtastliveca ‘The Lucky One’
The restaurant is located on Vitosha street (the main pedestrian street in the city center) and the decor is inspired by the urban home style, popular in the 1930’s. The menu offers authentic European cuisine, as well as interpretations of Bulgarian traditional dishes.
Address: 27 Vitosha Blvd.
Raketa Rakia Bar
The atmosphere of the place reminds people of the socialist regime in Bulgaria, as it is full of symbols of that era (like toys from our Soviet-influenced childhood). It is an interesting meeting with real-life history and the food is also very delicious. Make sure you try the meatballs, Snejanka salad and the marinated ribs. On top of that, there is a vast selection of more than 500 different local and Balkan rakias (Bulgarian brandy) to taste or buy.
17 Yanko Sakazov Blvd
Pod Lipite ‘Under the Linden Trees’
The Pod Lipite restaurant is a place, which has preserved its magic for almost a whole century. It is a favorite place for popular and ordinary people alike, all of whom are specialists in traditional Bulgarian cuisine.
1 Elin Pelin Str.
MOMA
Moma Restaurant is a traditional Bulgarian food&wine place, but because it is twisted with style and imagination,the restaurant is fully comparable with contemporary trendy restaurants. Its concept combines a delightful culinary experience with authentic recipes which remind us of times past and bring us back to our roots. Definitely the place to discover Bulgarian cuisine!
28 Solunska Str.
Pastorant
Charming and cozy restaurant that offers Italian cuisine, including some inventive pasta and risotto dishes and traditional favorites such as saltimbocca and pesto chicken. (Probably the best place for pasta in town!)
16 “Tsar Asen I” Str.
Ale House
One of the few places in Sofia with LIVE beer (that you can even serve by yourself!). The place looks like an English pub, thematically equipped with dark wood and leather furniture. Aside from a wide range of beers, AleHouse has a very delicious menu full of meals, perfectly fitting to an ice cold beer.
Address: 42 Hristo Belchev Str.
J.J. Murphy’s
If you like the Irish atmosphere and food, there is no need for you to travel all the way to Ireland. Here you can try the traditional Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash and Beef Steak and many more masterfully crafted dishes.
Address: 6 Karnigradska Str.
Sputnik
Sputnik is a great alternative bar, right next to Raketa Rakia (see in Restaurant Section). While most cocktail bars strive to get as close as possible to American/British models, the emphasis here is on Eastern Europe and Bulgaria. Here you can try out of space cocktails, prepared with lots of enthusiasm, creativity and attention to detail.
Address: 17 Yanko Sakazov Blvd.
Switch
Switch Bar is a special place, influenced by the extreme sports – it presents a unique atmosphere and interior design. Located in the center of Sofia, Switch stands on the line between the underground and the popular, picking up the best from each world.
Address: 2 Bulgaria Blvd.
One more bar
One More Bar is situated in an old family house from the 1930s’ and has a lush garden (open until 10 pm). Inside you will find an old-school fireplace, authentic old furniture and light funk and jazz soundtracks. The bar is famous for its hospitality and creatively curated cocktails (they are the first to serve organic and vegan cocktails in Bulgaria). If you are hungry, they have salads and sandwiches.
Address: 12 Tsar Ivan Shishman Str.
5L
5L is a modern Speakeasy bar. (They have a secret door and serve great drinks!). The bar is divided into 5 l’s (literally): library-at the entrance, the lavatory with a build-in bathtub (where the alcohol was hidden if the police came in), lounge with tables, local – the bar, where you can see medicine with whiskey (the only way to get legal alcohol) and the lab, which is the hidden bar downstairs.
Address: 15 Tsar Shishman Str.
65 fireflies
It is a classic aperitivo bar with a great cocktail selection and food for the soul. There is a garden, ideal for working during the day. (You should try Pink Gin cocktail with Bulgarian rose jam.)
Address: 65 Solunska Str.
Bar Friday
The bar is affordable and easy to find. It is one of the best places to go if you are looking for a good “Friday night” party, no matter what day of the week it is!
Address: 21 General Yosif V. Gurko
Historical Places
Below you will find a list of historical places and monuments in Sofia.
We recommend doing a free tour with Free Sofia Tour.
Public Transport
A ticket for the public transport costs 1.60 BGN.
The subway opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 11:30 PM. (we do not have 24h public transport).
Taxis
| “Yellow Taxi 333”
Prices:
Phone Number: 02/91119 *You can pay with a debit/credit card if you let them know in advance over the phone.
|
“Green Taxi”
Prices:
Phone Number: 02/810810 *There is Wi-Fi in all cars. *The only green colored taxi cabs. *You can pay with a debit/credit card. |
App
We recommend downloading the app “TaxiME”. It will be easier for you when ordering a cab.
Currency
The official currency in Bulgaria is Bulgarian Levs (BGN). Keep in mind that restaurants, bars, and retailers do not accept any other currencies. It is also good to always have cash, as some venues have a cash only policy.
You can exchange your money in any local currency exchange bureau.
1 EUR =1.95749 BGN