Dining & Nightlife

Cuisine

Bulgaria has a delightful cuisine that encompasses many different products and ingredients. While it is similar to that of European cuisines, Bulgarian cuisine has some unique elements that sets it a part from any other type of cuisine.

Meat is a very big part of Bulgarian cuisine, and needles to say they are experts at making it taste absolutely delectable so it melts in your mouth.

Bread is also another key feature to the diet and it almost always served on table with dinner.

Some of the Bulgarian delicacies are:

• Kebapcheta (minced-meat rolls)
• Kyufteta (meatballs)
• Shish kebabs (grilled meat)
• Steaks
• Loukanka (salami)
• Tarator (cold summer soup)
• Banitsa (sheeted pastry with cheese)
• Paprika stuffed with eggs and cheese

There are many culinary delights to try in Bulgaria. Traditional foods include bread, pickled vegetables, salads, soups, stews, casseroles, stuffed vegetables, kebabs, spicy sausages and cheese dishes, many of which are inspired by Bulgaria’s neighbouring countries, Turkey and Greece. Popular desserts are pancakes, baklava, baked apples and fruit.

Traditional food

Traditional food includes a mix of bread, pickled vegetables, salads, soups, stews, casseroles, stuffed vegetables, kebabs, spicy sausages and cheese dishes. And there is always an abundance of garlic, onions, oil and spices.
Yoghurt is very popular in Bulgaria and eaten on most days.

Bulgarians eat lots of vegetables including aubergines, beans, cabbage, carrots, corn, courgettes, cucumbers, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and olives.

Some of the desserts that are very popular in Bulgaria are pancakes, baklava, baked apples and fruit: apricots, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, melons, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, pears, plums and quinces.

Typical dishes

Breakfast

Banitsa – this is a pastry delight served for breakfast, it typically comes with cheese and sometimes with spinach, leek or onion.

Bo'za - made from millet and tastes like puffed wheat cereal, in a brown liquid form. Looks like chocolate milk, so it's better to check what it is before buying it. According to veteran expatriates, it is best with a shot of vodka or whisky added to it!

Lunch

Salads are very popular for lunchtime.

Shopska salad- cucumbers, tomatoes, and white cheese.

Russian salad- potato salad with mayonnaise.

Kartofi salad- potato salad with vinegar.

Toasted sandwiches- bread and meat or cheese cooked in a sandwich press with a selection of salads.

Dinner

Shishche- shish kebab, pork or beef.

Kyufte- ground pork and spices in patty form.

Kebapche- same as kyufte but in sausage form.

Nightlife

Whether you are in Bulgaria’s coastal areas, mountain resorts or Sophia’s cosmopolitan city you’ll be ale to enjoy Bulgaria’s bustling nightlife. Whatever type of nightlife you prefer, a quiet drink at a bar or something a little more upbeat, you’ll have several choices when travelling to Bulgaria. There are plentiful amounts of bars and clubs offering different experiences including local folklore music and international music. Many of the places don’t get going until late, however if you prefer to get things rolling earlier on there are quieter establishments that can be found off the beaten track.

There are many family restaurants selling pizza, pasta and burgers in addition to the abundance of local restaurants, so whatever your fancy to tickle your taste buds there is an abundance of choices.

Alcoholic drinks

Alcohol is very much a part of Bulgarian cultures, and the nightlife is extremely bustling in Bulgaria. Alcohol is drunk all throughout the day and for every occasion.
Beer- preferred Bulgarian beers are Zagorka and Pleven. Make sure it is nice and "studena" (cold).

Wines

Bulgaria has some very fine wines. The wines are high in quality and low in price. Some of the very good wines area from Preslav, Novi Pazar, Suhin Dol, Melnik and Khan Krum (Shoumen Region) are considered to be the best. Sungularski Misket (dry white) is a very popular wine.

Rakia

Brandy is very popular in Bulgaria. Rakia is a fruit brandy which is often made of plumb or grapes. This national drink is particularly strong and it is even said to cure stomach pains, cancer and hangovers.