Eastern European Cuisine
July 22, 2019 • Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Bulgaria, Europe, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Sofia, Travel
Eastern Europe – it’s not on everyone’s radar as a travel destination, but if you take the time to visit you won’t be disappointed. I started in Budapest, then travelled with a group from there across the entire country of Romania to Bucharest, then flew to Sofia, Bulgaria, and ended in Belgrade, Serbia. I was too young during the Cold War to understand a lot of that history, and too busy working and raising a family to focus on the break up of Yugoslavia, so I spent a lot of time on this trip learning about that history. I also tried to eat as many traditional dishes as I could in each of these countries. The cities are all similar, but all very different. Budapest has a gorgeous old town on the river. Bucharest has an incredible park system and pretty tree lined street modeled after the Champs Elysees in Paris, complete with a large Arch in the center of a roundabout. Sofia has gorgeous architecture and well excavated and displayed Roman ruins running throughout the city. Belgrade has booming commerce and nightlife. The countryside around these cities is bucolic and impressive, and I loved my time spent there. Read on for the culinary wrap up, with details of restaurants below.
Budapest, Hungary
Romania
Cream of Mushroom SoupChef’s SaladRoast GooseGoulashRomanian Sausage on Mashed PotatoesEggplant Salad with Tomatoes and CheesePicklesSteak with Tarragon Sauce and Roasted PotatoesGoulash with Spaetzle and Cucumber and Tomato SaladEggplant Dip on Crostini with SalamiRomanian CheeseVegetable SoupRoasted Vegetables with PotatoesApricot TartChicken Noodle Sour SoupMeatball Sour SoupHigh Tea at Bran CastleManuc’s PlatterGrilled MeatsWhole FishDuck Breast Saladthe ARTIST – see blog post
Sofia, Bulgaria
Cold Cucumber Soup
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Shopska SaladMeatballs with Gravy and Mashed PotatoesGrilled Chicken with Fries
Sofia, Bulgaria
Este
BurrataOctopus SaladVeal Tartare
Belgrade, Serbia
Ambar Tasting Menu
Manufaktura
Lekovac MuckalicaFried Zucchini with Tzatziki
Durmitor
Mushroom Caps on RiceSliced LambBeef in Olive Oil and BalsamicShopska Salad
Saran
Cheese Spread with BreadTrout Stuffed with MushroomsPerchSalad with Pine Nuts and Parmesan
Dva Jelena
Garlic Bread with Spicy PaprikaBeef CevapsVeal Ribs with PotatoesBaklava
Karavan Street Food
Budapest, Hungary
Kazinczy u. 18, 1075
Macesz Bistro
Budapest, Hungary
Website
Restaurant Hanu’ Lui Manuc
Bucharest, Romania
Website
the ARTIST
Bucharest, Romania
Website
Cosmos
Sofia, Bulgaria
Website
Este Restaurant
Sofia, Bulgaria
Website
Ambar
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
Restoran Manufaktura
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
Saran
Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia
Website