Eating and Drinking My Way Around Bucharest

I have been writing so much about Bucharest at this point you must be sick of it. That or I have done such a good job describing my time here that you no longer feel the need to visit it. What a bummer, I am sure that the tourism office is not too happy with me, since I should be bringing tourists in, not keeping them out. Alas, for those not sick of me or Bucharest yet, here are the places to eat and drink in Bucharest.

1. Artichoke Social House

Photo by Clara Goilav

Artichoke, for short, is ground zero for me. If you cannot get a hold of me while I am in Bucharest, check out its terrace; I am most likely there. Until 18:00 (notice how I no longer say 6:00 pm? I am becoming Europeanised) they serve delicious coffees with your choice of regular milk or their made-in-house nut milk which has been certified as yummy by my resident vegan (shoutout Meg Friedli). They also have a wide range of homemade syrups and juices fit for any health kick needs. Beyond your average café offerings, they’ve also got a great selection of cocktails, microbrewery beers, and wines. My go-to is the Remedia Amoris, with gin, lemon, cinnamon and God knows what else.

2. Suta de Grame

Translating to one hundred grams, this focaccia sandwich shop is straight out of the London scene. You cannot say focaccia sandwich and not think of the Dusty Knuckle or Foccacia Mia. However, it does not have the queues that its London counterparts have. I was in and out in a matter of minutes. The same can be said about the sandwich…at least the ‘in’ part (sorry too graphic?). The bread is a bit questionable, not the same pillowy kind we might be used to, but the fillings, the fillings are otherworldly. I had mortadella, rocket, sundried tomatoes and stracciatella in mine and let me tell you there is not a thing I would change in it. Not even the sweltering heat could stop me from savouring every bite.

3. Forma

I cannot make a wrap-up of Bucharest spots without giving a shoutout to my tried and true: Forma. It was there long before my discovery of Artichoke and thus does not deserve to be betrayed. Forma is a waterhole for the young, alternative crowd in Bucharest. It has been described to me by the locals as the perfect place to gossip. Every morning on my way to work I would get to strut right past it, and every day after work I would get to partake in these gossip seshes with a delicious iced coffee at my fingertips. At night it is buzzing with young folks, cocktails are flying and, you guessed it, the ‘goss’ is hot.

3. I don't think it even has a name

My guilty pleasure. This mysterious and nameless joint serves the greatest burritos of all time. They operate under questionable food hygiene conditions but so far, touch wood, I have never been negatively affected. I have, however, been very positively affected by the deliciousness of their chicken avocado burrito which never fails to disappoint me or tame my hunger. Although this is no help to those who are now salivating at the thought of this Romanian burrito, since try as I might to find it, it has been wiped off the face of Google Maps, I just thought I needed to flex on you all that I got to experience it.

4. Bar Ton

Photo by Alexandra Popescu

The only place I ever got, and I think ever will be, ID-ed at in all of Bucharest. Hell, make that all of Romania. ID-ed is much said, since no ID ever actually got shown. It was more so they told me, “You know you have to be over 18” to which I said, “I know” and that was the extent of it. However, it is indicative of the older crowd this cocktail bar aims to draw. It is a bit more upscale with fancier liquors and a more tasteful decor. They have a range of records you can swap in on the turn tables and DJ on until 22:00. I am a fan of their vodka soda, however they probably should work on their consistency. The two vodka sodas were more like brothers rather than twins, taste-wise.

5. Latin Pizza

I have no words. Open nearly 24/7, you would expect this pizza shop to skimp on the quality and just pump out quantity. However, if you would make such an assumption, you would be deeply mistaken my friend. A buzzing pizza shop on the cusp of the evil old town (I harbour strong resentment for Bucharest’s old town) it moves at the speed of light. You select your pizza and they cut you however much you want. You then pay by weight. All of this happens in a matter of seconds. You blink and your pizza is in your hands. I adore their feta and zucchini pizza which tastes like what I think Greece would taste like on a pizza. You can eat in or take away but either option is about the same amount of casual. The eat-in option is more of a stand around their outside tables and scarf it down. But I do not mind. It is exactly what I need to fuel my Bucharestian escapades.

And with that, I conclude. If my other brain dumps were not enough to convince you to come and see for yourself all that Bucharest has to offer, I do hope this one has.

Edited by Matthew Pellow, Food and Drink Editor