Are you planning to explore the realm of Dracula or spend a long weekend in Bucharest? Then you must try these Romanian dishes.
Traditional Romanian food consists of many hearty meat dishes, but you will also find delightful vegetarian options like cabbage rolls and warming soups.
Romania’s fascinating history, varied landscapes, and culture are reflected not only in its architecture and scenery but also in its food. In Bucharest, Brasov, and other major cities, you will find many excellent restaurants. In Bucharest, there are also many great Italian and French-inspired eateries.
Here, we have gathered some of the most famous dishes from Romanian cuisine, as well as some restaurant tips for Bucharest and one for Brasov.
Ciorba
Ciorba is a sour soup that comes in various versions. One of the most popular is Ciorba de Burta, which contains beef tripe. For those of us who prefer less challenging ingredients, it is also served with chicken (Ciorba Radauteana) or meatballs made of pork, ground beef, or both (Ciorba De Perisoare). The soup can also include rice, eggs, sauerkraut, vegetables, and various spices.
Mici
These small, spiced sausages are a grill classic and are often served with mustard.
Chiftele
Romanian meatballs made of minced meat, breadcrumbs, and spices. Fried to perfection and often served with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.
Sarmale
When I grew up in the 80s and 90s, cabbage rolls were a regular feature at the dinner table.
They are also popular in Romania, especially at weddings, parties, and holidays. The cabbage rolls contain a spiced mixture of rice, pork, bacon, onions, and tomato sauce, and are often served with sour cream.
This became one of our favorite dishes!
Mamaliga
Mamaliga is Romanian polenta and is served as a simple and filling porridge/mash. It is an important part of Romanian cuisine and is served as a side dish to many meat dishes.
We tried many variations of mamaliga. Some were quite bland and tasteless, while others had more spices and character.
Ardei Umpluti
From Greek dolmades to Albanian stuffed eggplants – we love stuffed vegetables!
In Romania, you get, among other things, bell peppers filled with a delicious mixture of meat, onions, herbs, spices, and rice, served in a sauce that adds an extra flavor dimension.
Cascaval and Branza
Cascaval and Branza are the most famous Romanian cheeses. Cascaval is a mild yellow cheese, and Branza resembles feta cheese. They are eaten as they are, as part of a cheese and ham appetizer, or used as ingredients in various dishes.
**Typical Romanian Food: Platter with Romanian Cheese and Ham**
Papanasi
Satisfy your sweet tooth with papanasi. These fried doughnut-shaped pastries are made from a soft cheese reminiscent of ricotta or cottage cheese. Topped with jam and sour cream, they make a very good dessert and a perfect ending to any meal.
Local Drinks in Romania
Romania also has a lot of good local drinks to offer.
Romanian Wine
Romania is one of the world’s oldest wine producers and the fifth-largest wine producer in Europe. They have a wide range of grapes, including local varieties like Feteasca, Kadarka, and Furmint.
Some popular Romanian wines are Babeasca, Feteasca Neagra (red wine), and Feteasca Alba (white wine).
Fun fact: 75% of local consumption is white wine.
Romanian Beer
Romanians are among Europe’s largest consumers of beer. Some well-known local breweries are URSUS, CIUC, STEJAR, and SKOL. URSUS, which means “bear,” is recognized as one of Romania’s best beer brands and has won several international awards. It comes in light, dark, lemon-flavored, and non-alcoholic versions.
Fun fact: Romania has one of Europe’s largest beer consumptions, but the beer culture is quite different from the Scandinavian one. It is more reminiscent of the Southern European wine culture, where alcohol is considered a natural part of everyday life. For a construction worker, for example, it is a daily right to have a couple of beers during the workday.
Other Drinks
Visinata
A sweet cherry brandy.
Țuică
Romania’s national drink. A strong brandy made from fermented plums.
Palinca
Țuică that has undergone a double distillation process and therefore has a higher alcohol content.
Some Restaurant Tips in Bucharest
Caru’ cu bere
Caru’ cu bere (“the beer wagon”) is a bar and restaurant in the old town (Lipscani) with a history dating back over 140 years. The restaurant is located in beautiful premises with stylish and dignified art nouveau interiors.
We went there once for lunch and once for dinner. The first time we were very satisfied with the food, while the second time was a bit mediocre.
You should still drop by for a snack or a drink to see the beautiful interior. This restaurant is very popular, so it’s a good idea to book a table for dinner.
Excalibur
Restaurant Excalibur is 100% committed to a medieval theme. The restaurant is inspired by King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Here you get traditional Romanian feast food served in large portions, and you get a bowl of water on the table so you can eat with your hands like in the Middle Ages. The food was very good, and the atmosphere was cozy, so this was perhaps our favorite restaurant in Bucharest.
Hanul Berarilor
Hanul Berarilor has several restaurants around Bucharest. We went to Casa Oprea Soare. Good local food with a French-inspired twist and fancy presentation.
Restaurant Dracula in Brasov
In Brasov, we had some great dishes at Restaurant Dracula. It is located in the square right by the Black Church.
Poftă bună!
