Sofia Restaurant Tips by mindcrime

central market: central market Tsentralni Hali Review

If you visit the central market you will notice that it’s not only a nice place to visit and do some shopping but also a place where you can drink coffee or have a cheap lunch.

On the upper floor there is a large seating area full of locals that eat from many fast food options.
We had a delicious soup (2leva), bread (1lev) and a dessert (2,6leva) there + some things we had bought from ground floor (some nice cheese and olives).

It's open daily from 7.00am until 22.00

Address: 25 Maria Luiza Boulevard

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Fast Food

costa café: costa café

In all Costa stores they have the same coffee which is blended and slowly roasted the italian way in Costa Roastery in London. The prices are higher than in other local cafes but we liked the atmosphere and it was very convinient for us to have a warm break while we were walking the city center.

There were many business people inside, obvisously they work on the near by “important” places like the presidential palace etc

We payed 4,10 leva (about 2 euro) for the biggest cappucino we ever tried :)

It’s open Mon-Tue 10.00-21.00, wed 8.00-12.00, 16.00-17.00, thu-fri 7.00-21.00, sat 14.00-20.00, Sun 10.00-20.00

Address: ulitsa Knyaz Aleksandar

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: city center, 1' away from National Gallery and the National Theater

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Coffeehouse

Pod Lipite: restaurant Pod Lipite

Restaurant Pod Lipite is an amazing traditional restaurant but a bit off the beaten path (you need a taxi, we went there with our local friends by car)

We were excited since the moment we opened the door and got inside this beautiful restaurant. Full of wood, fireplace, lovely atmosphere, great food, live music and friendly service, what else can we ask for?

They have a menu in english but we didnt see any other tourist except ourselfs, the place is very popular though and you better call in advance for reservation.

We started with some salads, cheese and beans, they were all very tasty, and we drunk local raki. Then we tried some mains, cant recall any names but definetely we tried the chicken with mushrooms in red sauce, they were boiled in a small clay pot and it was yummy, we also tried a vegan plate which was something like spinach croquette, we didnt get excited with this but it was nice enough.

From time to time there were local musicians playing traditional music which added some credits to the general atmosphere.

We ended up with a typical dessert, yogurt with honey...

The bill for 4 persons was 80 leva (about 40 euros)

Address: 1, Elin Pelin Str

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: At Lozenetz

Phone: 866 50 53

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local