Sofia is one of those places that truly surprised me. If you had a peek into my notes app from when we were planning our trip, you’d be shocked at how long my lists of things to do and places to eat in Sofia were.
There are so many traditional restaurants where you can try Bulgarian dishes, but as a speciality coffee lover myself, I was just as excited about the alternative coffee scene. There are so many cool coffee spots and creative pastry shops that I’d need at least one more trip just to get through all the ones I’d jotted down!
But I also know that if you don’t do enough research, Sofia can seem a little rough around the edges. You really have to look beneath the surface, and that’s where you’ll find so many unique concepts and great places to eat.
So, I figured Sofia deserved a separate guide covering where to eat, from the best places for breakfast to my favourite coffee spots, pastry shops, restaurants, and places for a drink. I’ll also include some of the places from my never-ending list that I didn’t get around to visiting.
If you’re planning a trip to Sofia, I promise this is the only Sofia food guide you’ll need to make the most of your time in the city!
If you want to check out my favourite food tour in Sofia, along with my round-up of the best things to do and day trip ideas, have a look at my other Sofia travel guide!
Best places for breakfast in Sofia
Mekitsa and Coffee
If someone told me I could only have breakfast at one place in Sofia, this would be the one I’d go for! You’ll likely find Mekitsa and Coffee in every Sofia food guide, and for good reason. Mekitsa is a traditional Bulgarian pastry – basically deep-fried dough, typically sprinkled with icing sugar and eaten hot.
As we learned during the free food tour we did, a lot of other countries have something similar. For example, in Poland, we have racuchy, which are traditionally served with icing sugar or made with chunks of apple in the batter.
Hungarian lángos is somewhat similar too, just larger and usually served with savoury toppings like sour cream, grated cheese, and garlic. Just goes to show that sometimes the simplest things are the best!
At Mekitsa and Coffee, you can get your mekitsa with just about any topping, both sweet and savoury. I tried one with cream cheese and green pesto, and another with pistachio spread, and both were absolutely divine. They’re super easy to grab to go, but if you head upstairs and luck out with a seat, you can enjoy yours while doing a bit of people watching. 😉
Plus, they start at around €2.50, so they’re an easy way to grab something on a budget. You could even have one as a sweet snack later in the day if you don’t fancy starting your morning with something fried.
Keep in mind that we visited Sofia 4 months before Bulgaria adopted the euro, so current prices may be slightly different, but I wouldn’t expect a drastic change.
Izzy’s Coffee and Brunch
This place was super close to where we were staying. Plus, if you like street art, a lot of the murals are around this area, so it’s a great way to tick off two things at the same time.
Izzy’s Coffee and Brunch is definitely very hip and has a strong backpacker vibe – which, if you know me, you’ll know isn’t really my kind of thing. 😉 However, I really liked the café itself, and it almost feels like you’re having breakfast at home, especially if you get a spot by the open balcony overlooking the courtyard.
The menu has both Bulgarian and international classics, and they use fresh, local ingredients. You can try traditional Bulgarian eggs Panagyurski, go for American-style French toast, or choose one of the many other breakfast and brunch options.
What’s cool is that they have an extras menu where each staff member has put together their favourite breakfast combo for you to order. They’re also happy to mix and match different options where possible or make vegan substitutions.
It does get pretty busy in the morning, but I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a more laid-back breakfast spot with plenty of choice.
Furna
This place was literally around the corner from where we were staying, so we decided to stop by for a more traditional breakfast of banitsa and coffee.
Banitsa is a traditional Bulgarian pastry made with layers of thin filo dough filled with eggs and salty white cheese called sirene, which is similar to feta.
At Furna, you can try it with different fillings too, like minced meat or sweet options with apples, walnuts, and cinnamon. They have a bunch of vegan options as well, with fillings like lentils, carrots, mushrooms, and other veggies.
They sell plenty of other pastries too, as well as sourdough bread. So, if you’re staying somewhere nearby, it’s a great place to grab a few pastries to go or pick up some bread to make your own breakfast.
Rainbow Factory
The last breakfast place we tried in Sofia was Rainbow Factory. When we visited, they had two different locations. Sadly, the one we went to has since closed, but the other one is still open. It’s a bit further from the centre on foot, but only 1-2 stops away on the metro. I believe the menu should be identical or at least very similar too.
I went for some egg-dipped toast, while Mac ordered eggs Benedict. I’ll be honest, the main reason I picked my dish was because it reminded me of the ultimate Polish comfort food.
Whenever there was a bit too much bread in the house, my mum would make it for us so it wouldn’t go stale. I was curious to see if it was any different here, and it really wasn’t, apart from the slightly different type of bread they used. I’d probably order something else next time, but it was still good!
The only downside was that we found the portions rather small. It didn’t bother us too much, since we did have a massive list of coffee places and pastry shops to hit afterwards, but it’s just something to keep in mind. 😉
Best places for coffee in Sofia
Bloom Specialty Coffee
This was the first coffee shop we visited in Sofia. We had some time to kill before check-in, and it was close to where we were staying. Plus, I won’t lie – the name immediately caught my eye. 😉
I really loved how bright and airy it was, and the fact that it was such an open space. I absolutely LOVE it when cafés have these foldable doors and windows that open everything up on hot days. It makes such a difference and instantly makes the whole place feel more inviting.
Now, I wouldn’t necessarily come here for the pastries, unless you’re happy with something simple, as they only had lemon loaf and banana bread when we visited. However, both the coffee and the matcha were good, so I’d definitely recommend it for the drinks.
Dabov Specialty Coffee 3 – Angel Kunchev
This next place on my list is a Bulgarian chain with coffee shops in several different countries, including Sweden, Greece, and the Czech Republic. But don’t let that fool you – it’s not your average international coffee chain with crappy coffee.
Quite the opposite – they work with beans that have been scored 86 or above by Q-graders, which, if you know anything about coffee, is a very impressive score!
So, if you have any coffee lovers in your life, it’s an excellent place to pick up some beans as a gift, which is exactly what we did! You can choose from simpler blends or splash out on award-winning coffees, including Geisha. I’d also recommend stopping by for a cuppa, as the coffee is really good and the prices are very reasonable for the quality you get.
Drekka
The final coffee shop we checked out in Sofia immediately caught my eye when I was doing my research. I LOVE a creative design, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a café quite like this before. It basically looks as if someone turned their home extension into a tiny coffee shop.
There are no doors or windows, and there’s just one communal table that everyone sits around. All the coffee equipment is right behind it, which only adds to the feeling that you’re having coffee at someone’s quirky home.
The only downside is that there are just a handful of seats available, which is why everyone who sits down has to order their own drink. On a nice day, you can of course grab your coffee to go, but I think sitting inside is part of the experience.
You can also grab some cookies or pick up tea, coffee beans, and coffee equipment while you’re there. The owner is more than happy to chat about coffee too or answer any questions you may have.
Best places for pastries in Sofia
&hlyab (&bread)
I was so sad that we discovered this café, and the area it’s in in general, so late in our trip! By the time we visited, most of the pastries had already sold out, and they only had some cookies and savoury options left. However, their sourdough looked absolutely amazing too, so I’d definitely consider going back earlier in the day.
I really loved the vibe there – my only complaint was that there wasn’t really any seating inside or outside, so we had to prop ourselves up against the window sill and have our coffees there. However, they get bonus points from me for having nitro coffee on the menu, which isn’t that easy to find.
If you don’t mind black coffee and have never tried nitro before, I highly recommend it during the summer months. It’s basically coffee infused with nitrogen, which gives it that creamy, Guinness-like feel and makes it super refreshing!
Right across from this place, you’ll also find FLOW Coffee and Pastry, which I’ve heard great things about. Next time we’re in Sofia, I definitely want to spend more time exploring this neighbourhood!
Zoya Shop
If you like healthy, organic food, you’ll LOVE this next place. We first stopped here during the free food tour I mentioned in my guide to the best things to do in Sofia to try one of their smoothies, and liked it enough to come back on our own.
Now, full disclosure, I’m not a major fan of healthy cakes myself, so I didn’t try any of the pastries. They did look good, though, and I really enjoyed the smoothie!
But, as the name suggests, Zoya is mostly a shop where you can buy everything from organic cosmetics to grains and plant-based milk. So, it’s also a great place to stock up on a few things for your stay or pick up some healthy treats and other goodies to take home.
Best restaurants in Sofia
Shtastlivetsa Restaurant – Vitoshka
We went to this restaurant on our first evening in Sofia, and it was the perfect start to our trip. They have two locations not too far from each other, but we went to the one just off Vitosha Boulevard.
The main reason I picked this location, though, was the stunning floral installation hanging from the ceiling that I’d seen online – and we somehow managed to get a table right underneath it without a reservation! I couldn’t stop looking up because it was absolutely gorgeous, and thankfully, the food lived up to expectations too.
They serve lots of Bulgarian and regional classics and have a decent variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes too. I tried their kebapcheta, Bulgarian grilled minced-meat sausages that are a bit like ćevapi, served with chips and homemade lyutenitsa, while Mac went for the oriental moussaka.
If you visit, you also have to get a traditional Bulgarian Shopska salad to share. Their version was super simple, with tomatoes, red peppers, and cucumbers under a generous portion of grated sirene cheese. But it was definitely my favourite Shopska salad of our entire Bulgaria trip, and we’ve been trying to recreate it at home ever since – and this is coming from someone who absolutely HATES peppers!
The atmosphere was so cosy and welcoming, and I could easily spend more time here just chilling with a cocktail. So, if I could only revisit one restaurant on our next trip, Shtastlivetsa would probably be my first choice!
Hadjidraganov’s Cellars
The next place we visited is named after Hadji Dragan, who was apparently a wealthy wool and silk merchant living in Sofia in the 19th century. According to the story, he kept wines from all over Bulgaria in his cellars.
And the restaurant has fully committed to the theme. When you enter, it feels like you’ve stepped inside a traditional Bulgarian cellar. There are stone walls, old wine barrels, traditional Bulgarian décor, and costumes hanging on the walls – apparently, all the decorations are handmade too! From Wednesday to Sunday, they also have live folk music in the evenings.
They also have a sister restaurant called Hadjidraganov’s Houses, based on another part of the same story. Hadji Dragan supposedly built four houses inspired by different parts of Bulgaria, and today you’ll find the restaurant in that same location.
I ordered patatnik, a traditional Bulgarian dish made with grated potatoes, cheese, and butter, a bit like a cheesy potato casserole. Mac got a huge grilled sausage served with potatoes, cabbage salad, pepper, and lyutenitsa. We washed it all down with some local beers, but they apparently have a great selection of Bulgarian wines too.
If you want a traditional Bulgarian dining experience, I’d confidently recommend this place. I’d also love to try Hadjidraganov’s Houses next time to see how the two compare.
Manastirska Magernitsa
The name Manastirska Magernitsa literally means “monastery kitchen”. The founders travelled around Bulgaria collecting old recipes from monasteries across the country – there are apparently more than 160 of them!
You can actually try some of these traditional recipes at the restaurant, and I loved that the menu even tells you which Bulgarian monastery some of them come from!
I had Mount Athos lentil stew, slowly cooked with garlic and mint, while Mac went for homemade klyopanitsa – pork knuckle cooked with onion, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, parsley, and white wine. We of course had some Shopska salad to go with it too.
My favourite part was that they also bring you some complimentary pogacha bread that they bake in-house. You’re supposed to rip off pieces and dip them into sharena sol, Bulgaria’s “colourful salt” spice mix. It looks so simple, but was sooo good, and we were even offered a second helping, which was so nice!
Our waiter was the loveliest too, and we ended up chatting about his love for Polish metal bands and all the concerts he’s been to, with me giving him some festival recommendations. 🙂
I also liked that the restaurant was big enough to have separate dining rooms with only a few tables in each. It made it feel much more private, even when the place was busy.
Happy Bar & Grill
Now, I always feel a bit weird mentioning chain restaurants in food guides, especially ones with pictures on the menu, as they can often be a mediocre tourist trap. I did genuinely enjoy this place, though, and we saw lots of locals eating there, so surely that’s got to be a good sign? I knew Happy Bar & Grill was a Bulgarian chain, so I was surprised to learn they have an award-winning restaurant in London too!
The whole place feels like the kind of restaurant you’d go to for a Sunday meal with your family when you’re in the mood for generous portions of comfort food. I got a Cuban sandwich with Black Angus beef, melted cheese, baked onions, and sauce, while Mac went for one of their burgers. Both were really good and reasonably priced at around €10–11 each.
They truly have something for everyone, from Wiener schnitzel and seafood to sushi and an entire protein menu, so it’s also a good option if you’re travelling in a group.
Their cocktail menu was great as well – you’ve got your classics, but also more fun and creative options, like the colour-changing gin and tonic I got! I was genuinely struggling to narrow down my choices, and I’ll definitely be back for more next time we’re in Bulgaria!
Skapto Iskar – Burgers, Beers & Buddies
The final place we went for lunch in Sofia was Skapto, as I’d heard they have some of the best burgers in Sofia. The one we went to was on Iskar Street, close to some of the murals I mentioned in my Sofia travel guide, so it’s a good way to combine both.
Most of the burgers are beef-based, but they have veggie options too. You can also save some money by ordering a combo, and they even have children’s sets, which makes it feel a bit like a Bulgarian McDonald’s, only better and more alternative. 😅
I also liked that you could try some Bulgarian craft beers – I got a lager from Sofia Electric Brewing and really enjoyed it! So, if you like your burgers and have already had your fix of traditional Bulgarian food, I’d definitely recommend Skapto!
Best places for a drink in Sofia
5L Speakeasy Bar
Now, on to the best places for a drink in Sofia… Once you arrive at the bar, there’s a bookcase by the entrance, and you have to solve a mini riddle to get the code to open the door, kind of like an escape room!
I’d never heard of anything like it, and it was such a fun concept – until some locals behind us got too impatient to enter and spoiled it for us.
So please, don’t ever be that person. 😅 I get wanting to come in without waiting, but they could’ve just asked us to close our eyes while they entered the code instead of saying it out loud, or asked if we wanted them to give us the answer. As a fan of escape rooms, solving the riddle was the whole point for me, so it did ruin that part of the experience.
The cocktails inside were really good, though, and I loved the quirky atmosphere. And I’ve just seen that they actually made it onto the list of the Top 500 Bars in the world in 2026, so that’s pretty cool!
It kind of reminded me of Flisak ’76, the cocktail bar I mentioned in my guide to the best places for a drink in Gdańsk, although here, it’s the bar itself rather than the cocktails that provides the creative element. So hopefully, you don’t run into any fun-ruiners on your trip and get to enjoy the full experience!
Wine Generator
This was the wine bar we discovered during the free food tour we did in Sofia, which included a free wine tasting. As I mentioned in my other Sofia travel guide, I find Bulgarian wine so underrated.
I don’t think most people really think of Bulgaria as a winemaking country, and personally, I mostly knew it for Kadarka, which is more of a cheap, nothing-special kind of wine. But there’s so much more to Bulgarian wine, and Wine Generator had a huge selection to choose from, with over 150 different kinds.
Sadly, their website doesn’t appear to be working at the moment (although definitely double-check when you’re reading this, as they may have relaunched it by then!). If you’re interested in doing a tasting, I’d just stop by and ask what they currently offer. It’s also a great place to pick up a few bottles as gifts or, obviously, for yourself. 😉
Raketa Rakia Bar
The final place we visited was Raketa Rakia Bar. As the name suggests, they have an absolutely massive menu of different rakia flavours to choose from. And if you’re not familiar with it, rakia is a strong fruit brandy that’s popular across the Balkans, usually made from grapes, plums, apricots, or other fruits.
You’ll also find Sputnik Cocktail Bar in the same building, so don’t worry if you don’t feel like having rakia or need something to wash it down with. 😉
I’ll admit that despite being Polish, I don’t really enjoy rakia or stronger liquors in general, but when in Rome, eh? 😉 We got four different flavours to try, but I only ended up liking one (I think it may have been the pear one, but don’t quote me on that!), and the other three were a bit too strong for me. Still, if you enjoy trying local spirits, I’d highly recommend stopping by for at least one shot.
And that brings us to the end of my Sofia food guide! As promised, here are some of the other places I had on my list but didn’t get around to visiting:
Restaurants: The Little Things, Q-ftetaria, Made in Blue, Supa Star, Vila Rosiche, Sandvichite, Under the Linden Trees (Pod Lipite)
Bars: Hambara, 65 Fireflies, One More Park Bar
Coffee spots and bakeries: Coffee Syndicate, Martines Specialty Coffee Shop & Roastery Sofia, 369 Specialty Coffee + Bakery, Memento Cafe, Gentoo Specialty Coffee, FLOW Coffee and Pastry, Story Cups Specialty Coffee, Jovan the Dutch Bakery
