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






















Sofia, Bulgaria














Plovdiv, Bulgaria



Sofia, Bulgaria
Este




Belgrade, Serbia
Ambar Tasting Menu






Manufaktura


Durmitor




Saran




Dva Jelena




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