A Foodie's Guide to Bucharest in 7 Days

  • Day 1: Explore the Old Town
    Located in the city center

    Begin your foodie adventure by exploring the historic Old Town of Bucharest. This charming area is filled with restaurants, cafes, and bars to discover, serving traditional Romanian dishes like grilled mititei sausages, sarmale, and tocana. Make sure to stop at Caru' cu Bere, one of the most famous restaurants in the city, to try their delicious pork knuckle and mici sausages.

  • Day 2: Visit the Piata Obor Market
    20-minute drive (3 miles) from Old Town Bucharest

    Take a trip to Piata Obor Market, a bustling marketplace filled with fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and traditional Romanian food stalls. Taste some of the local delicacies like brisket, caltabosi and langos, or enjoy some homemade crepes and strudels for dessert.

  • Day 3: Discover the Lipscani District
    5-minute walk from Old Town Bucharest

    Explore the vibrant Lipscani District which is centered around Strada Lipscani. Here, you'll find some of the best street food in Bucharest, from pretzels and langos to stuffed cabbage and goulash. Try out Energiea, a local favorite, for a mix of Romanian and Mediterranean cuisine alongside craft beers and cocktails.

  • Day 4: Tour the Bellu Cemetery and Herastrau Park
    25-minute drive (4 miles) from Lipscani District

    Start the day by visiting the Bellu Cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Romanians. Afterward, take a stroll around Herastrau Park and enjoy a picnic lunch. You can also enjoy a traditional Romanian meal at the nearby Clubul Pescarilor restaurant, which boasts an idyllic lake view.

  • Day 5: Enjoy the local gastronomy
    Located in the city center

    Spend the day indulging in the delicious gastronomy of Bucharest. Check out La Mama and experience the best of the local cuisine, including Romanian polenta and grilled cheese, alongside international favourites. For dessert, try the kurtoskalacs, a sweet chimney cake cooked over hot coals and coated in cinnamon sugar.

  • Day 6: Take a cooking class
    15-minute drive (3 miles) from the city center

    Learn how to make traditional Romanian food by participating in a cooking class at Chef's Experience. You'll get hands-on instruction on how to make popular dishes like mici, sarmale, and papanasi. Wrap up your lesson by sampling your creations, made with fresh and organic ingredients.

  • Day 7: Wine Tasting at Murfatlar Wine Cellar
    2-hour drive (114 miles) from the city center

    Make a day trip to Murfatlar Winery and experience wine tasting with a Romanian twist. You will have a guided tour in the prestigious Murfatlar Vineyard, you will hear stories about the local winemaking culture, and enjoy a selection of Murfatlar wines with bites of local cheese and bread.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Caru' cu Bere (1 hour, £10-£15)
  • Piata Obor Market (2-3 hours, £5-£10)
  • Energiea (1-2 hours, £10-£20)
  • Clubul Pescarilor (2-3 hours, £15-£25)
  • La Mama (1-2 hours, £10-£15)
  • Chef's Experience Cooking Class (3-4 hours, £50-£80)
  • Murfatlar Winery (6-7 hours, £100-£150)
  • Total Estimated Costs: £200-£300

Transportation

Travellers should consider public transport like the metro and buses, which are accessible and affordable. Taxis are widely available, but it is advised to use reputable taxi companies, especially for traveling longer distances. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt are also common, with prices being similar to taxis. A 7-day travel card for public transportation costs £12 and covers both bus and metro travel.

Useful Tips

If you are staying in Bucharest for more than 7 days, visit the nearby cities of Ploiesti, Brasov or Sinaia, which offer amazing local cuisine, castles and great scenery. For a shorter trip, consider visiting local food walks recommended by locals or, alternatively, check out the the local street food vendors or cafes located in the modern part of the city, housing a wide range of street food stalls and cafes.

Airports

Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) is the main airport serving Bucharest, located approximately 10 miles north of the city centre. Taxis cost around £10-£15 from the airport to the city centre, and buses and trains are also available.

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