Our Favorite Restaurants in Brasov

We spent three weeks in Brasov, exploring Romania, and enjoying as many of the restaurants as we could. Brasov hosts a number of great restaurants, and it’s unfortunately impossible to try them all in the time that we were there. But we still managed to pick a few of our favorite restaurants from those that we did try. This list is certainly not all inclusive, but hopefully it gives you a place to start! And if you’re looking for things to do in and around Brasov besides just eating, check out some of our articles here.

Traditional Romanian Food

La Ceaun

La Ceaun is one of those restaurants you’ll hear recommended by locals. There are two of them in Old Town, one right in the Council Square and one just a couple minutes away on Strada Michael Weiss. We actually ate at both of them.

Our first time we ate at the one in Council Square for dinner. You should definitely eat in the square at least once in the evening, because it’s pretty seeing it all lit up. We ordered their shepherd’s pie, beef goulash, and papanasi, a traditional fried cheese dumpling with sour cream and jam on top. We each enjoyed our meals, but the papanasi is an absolute must!

Our second time we ate at the one on Strada Michael Weiss. The menus were the same, but we tried something different. We each ordered bulz, a traditional oven baked polenta with matured cheese and smoked sausages. It was good, but very greasy and heavy. Definitely worth a try, but you’ll probably need some time to rest and digest a bit after because it’s very filling and sits in you like a brick!

Ograda

Ograda is another restaurant right in the main square that also came recommended and did not disappoint. It has a cool vibe with a wicker ceiling, hanging lanterns, exposed bulb string lights, a brick wall on one side, and a mural on the other. I had lamb tenderloin with a cabernet sauce, truffle mashed potatoes, and cauliflower, which was really good. You could definitely taste the truffles and the lamb was cooked perfectly.

I also tried two local wines, Issa Rose and Aurelia Visinescu, both good. The rose was very light and the red had a nice richer flavor.

Tony had the crispy pork knuckle in black beer with sauteed sauerkraut and horseradish sauce. The pork was salted and very tender. He also tried their Kozel dark draft and Mustata Pilsner. And again we had papanasi for dessert! Different restaurants have their own spin on traditional foods. So sometimes it’s fun trying the same things at different places, especially dessert!

Sergiana

Sergiana is a Romanian restaurant chain with several locations in Brasov, but don’t let that fool you. It’s just as good, if not better, than other local restaurants. We went to the one on the edge of Old Town near Parcul Nicolae Titulescu. The restaurant is shaped like an ‘L’, with a slightly different style on each side. One side has white walls and looks a little sleeker/more modern. And the other has brick walls and arches and looks more like a traditional underground Romanian tavern. We sat on the more traditional side.

Aside from the cool ambiance, the food there was really good! They gave us ‘jumări’ or ‘greaves’ as a complimentary appetizer, which is salted, smoked, and fried bacon or pork fat. I didn’t go for it, because it’s not really my thing, but Tony liked it and said it melted in his mouth. We also shared their Transilvanian sour soup with gammon, which was pretty tasty. For our main dishes, Tony had the sarmale (minced meat cabbage rolls) with polenta, and I had the Saxon stew made with angus beef, vegetables, and a delicious pie crust on top. Both dishes were very good. Highly recommend!

Interior of Sergiana Restaurant in Brasov

Coliba Haiducilor

Coliba Haiducilor is a traditionally decorated Romanian Restaurant tucked into the mountains in Poiana Brasov, a little ski town about a 2.5 hour hike from Brasov. It’s a large multi-building wood tavern with lots of character. The tables, chairs, and walls are lined with animal skins, handmade woven tablecloths, and traditional Romanian pottery. Waiters and waitresses dress in traditional Romanian clothing. As you can probably guess, they served traditional dishes, like sour soups, stews, sarmale, pork knuckle, polenta, and grilled meats. I had their beef, venison, mushroom stew with polenta, and Tony ordered bean and bacon soup for an appetizer and sausage with cabbage for his entree. I think his cabbage was actually my favorite part of the meal, very flavorful. My stew was decent, but not one of my favorites. That said, the atmosphere definitely makes it worth it. Also, if they ask whether you want bread, go for it! It’s an additional charge, but totally worth the extra $1.40. They bring out a giant fluffy loaf, probably the biggest loaf I’ve ever been served at a restaurant. And it’s pretty good, especially dipped in soup!

Coliba Haiducilor Food Restaurant Outside Brasov

Other traditional Romanian mountain taverns in Poiana Brasov:

Other Restaurants

Kashmir Brasov

If you’re ready for a break from Romanian food, head over to Kashmir Brasov Indian restaurant. Kashmir Brasov is located down a little alley off of Strada Republicii and has a bright green and yellow sign, making it easier to spot. The restaurant has more of a modern, neutral look than most Indian restaurants we’ve been to with green and gold hues and big cushy gold booths. We ate there for dinner on our first day and were pretty ravenous, so we tried quite a bit, including zucchini bhaji, garlic herb naan, vegetable korma, and chicken tikka masala, which was all very tasty. The waiter was also very friendly and kept checking on us to make sure everything was okay. I didn’t see lassis on the menu, so I asked if they had them and he made one for me on the house. He also gave us gulab jamun as a complimentary dessert.

Pickles

Pickles serves Romanian and other dishes, including seafood, burgers, and pasta. I had their chicken with creamy garlic sauce and polenta, which I thought was pretty good. And Tony had their bacon wrapped turkey stuffed with cheese and spinach and served with mashed potatoes. Unfortunately, Tony’s turkey was initially undercooked, and we had to send it back. It was good once it was properly cooked though. The potatoes were pretty good, as well, and were mixed with peas and seasonings for extra flavor.

Pizza Toscana

Pizza Toscana is on a side street, Strada Postavarului, off of the main strip. So it’s a little quieter than being on Council Square or Strada Republicii. We ordered pepperoni pizza and added pineapple (because we’re weird like that). It was decent, but not the best pizza. The crust and pepperoni were good, but for some reason they didn’t cook the pineapple on the pizza and the cheese didn’t hold together very well. That said, it’s great for a cheap bite. You can’t beat $7-$10 for a whole pizza!

Pizza at an outdoor restaurant in Brasov

Vitto Pizza

Vitto Pizza is obviously known for pizza, but they also serve breakfast, salad, soup, pasta, and meat dishes. It’s a little more expensive than Pizza Toscana, but still very reasonable and better quality. Plus, it’s right on the main Strada Republicii. So it’s great if you want to be in the heart of things on a busy afternoon and do some people watching.

*Or check out any of the cafes/bakeries for quick, affordable eats!

Fine Dining

Belvedere Hotel Restaurant

I can not say enough about the Belvedere Hotel Restaurant. We went there for a celebratory birthday dinner and were absolutely blown away. Their master chef, Ioan Florescu, has won numerous culinary awards. And it shows! The food was phenomenal!

This is one of the more expensive restaurants on our list, but if you compare it to similar restaurants in the US or Western Europe it’s relatively affordable for a quality fine dining experience, which we highly recommend putting on your list.

The restaurant sits on top of a hill to the west of Old Town. It’s shaped like a semicircle with windows overlooking Old Town and the Braov “Hollywood” sign. It’s further from Old Town than the other restaurants on our list, so if you’re staying in the historic district it’s probably best to take an Uber.

Here’s what it included:

Duck carpaccio with fried cheese
Turkey wrapped venison with mushroom ravioli and a spinach cream sauce
Bacon wrapped lamb with spring peas and polenta
Duck liver with a vegetable tart and crispy wonton
Sirloin with truffle pasta, carrot, asparagus, and fried cheese
Fresh fruit, lemon ice cream, and red currant cream cake

Sub Tampa

Sub Tampa is a cute little restaurant at the base of Tampa Mountain. They have an outdoor and indoor dining space, but I definitely recommend the inside if you’re able. The inside is lined with greenery and has warm wood paneling, modern light fixtures, velvetine booths and chairs, and large windows that open to the park.

Plus, all of our dishes there were quite tasty and pretty reasonably priced for a nicer restaurant. We had their meatball soup; duck breast served with mashed sweet potato, smoked raspberry sauce, apple fondant, and beetroot pie; chicken breast with creamy chive and cheese risotto, mushroom sauce, and mead honey dressing; and chocolate cake with lemon mascarpone cream and raspberries for dessert.

Sub Tampa Dessert at Restaurant in Brasov

Casa Hirscher

We didn’t eat at Casa Hirscher, but I thought I’d throw it on the list since it’s one we considered for a nicer date night. They’re an upscale Italian/Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of Old Town with a colorful tropical outdoor dining space, as well as indoor seating. It is one of the most expensive restaurants in Brasov though, even more than our six course meal at the Belvedere. So be sure to check out their menu and prices ahead of time.

Breakfast Places

La Birou Bistro

La Birou Bistro is located on Strada Sfantul Ioan off of Strada Republicii in Old Town and is an excellent spot for brunch. And the best part is it doesn’t even matter what time you roll out of bed in the morning, because breakfast is served all day!

Their menu is pretty extensive, with traditional breakfast plates, like eggs and bacon, omelets, and pancakes, as well as healthy, gluten-free, and vegetarian options.

I had the Fit Bitch breakfast (avocado paste, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, chia seeds, and spirulina powder on sourdough bread) with a spirulina smoothie (vegetal milk, spirulina, banana, kiwi puree), and Tony had the Mexican Breakfast (tortilla chips, 2 fried eggs, avocado spread, salsa, cheddar sauce, jalapeno peppers). Tony’s was exactly what it sounds like, nothing crazy, and my avocado toast was pretty good. But the smoothie was really good!

Bistro Albert

Bistro Albert is part of Casa Albert, a boutique hotel tucked into an alley off of Strada Republicii. So unless you’re specifically looking for it you’re likely to miss it. The vibe is super cool. It’s like an underground brick tunnel that they’ve decorated with art, which they shine light through, giving it an almost stained-glass appearance.

We had breakfast there, but they serve lunch and dinner, as well. They pretty much just make one breakfast dish and ask how you’d like your eggs prepared. So there’s not a lot of options. That being said, it was really good. Breakfast included eggs, cold cuts, various cheeses, a small salad with greens, red pepper, cucumber, and tomato, toast, and croissants with blueberry jam. We each got the Transylvanian omelet, which had ham, onion, red pepper, cheese, and Italian seasoning. It was very good and quite filling, we even took some home for leftovers. We also ordered coffee and green tea. It’s not the cheapest breakfast we’ve had in the area, but was still very reasonable for the quality. Just a little over $16 total for 2 meals and 2 drinks.

*You can also check out virtually any of the little cafes or bakeries for some fresh affordable pastries.

Wine Bars

Juno Wine Garden

Juno Wine Garden runs right along the old city wall on the southwest side of Old Town right next to the Black Tower. And since it’s a little off the beaten path, it’s not quite as busy as places on Council Square or Strada Republicii. It’s a perfect place to stop and relax after walking along the walls and exploring the towers on the west side.

The atmosphere is super cute. It’s right up against the old stone walls, is surrounded with greenery, and has booths that look like giant wine barrels, which are very spacious and can comfortably seat 8 people. They serve wine, beer, and cocktails, as well as some food and light snacks like bruschetta and charcuterie.

Tip: Make sure you bring a credit card, because they don’t accept cash. And don’t wait for a waiter to come to your table. Just go up to the bar, order your drinks, and take them back with you!

Pilvax Restaurant & Wine Bar

Pilvax is located on Strada Michael Weiss, right off the busy Strada Republicii in Old Town. You can dine inside or on their covered patio. It has a modern interior, with exposed brick, green velveteen half-booths, and wood paneled floors, and the outside is nice for fresh air and people watching.

Our waiter, who also happened to be the sommelier, was very friendly. He brought a couple different wines for us to try and made some dinner recommendations. Tony had the home smoked pork ribs with tarragon mayo potato salad, which he enjoyed. And I had the braised beef cheeks with tarragon mustard sauce and polenta, which was okay, but not my favorite compared to some of our other meals. I think if we went again I’d go for their pan fried duck breast with parsnip puree and blueberry sauce. We also enjoyed a couple glasses of wine, cappuccino, and dessert. Tony had their local dessert, which was an apricot walnut cookie dipped in chocolate. And I had the floating island dessert, which was like fluffy meringue floating in sweet cream with caramelized butterscotch on top, which was pretty good.

Other wine bars to check out:

Gelato

Gelato Mania

This little gelato shop is located in Brasov’s Schei Quarter, the old Romanian neighborhood, about a 10 minute walk from Council Square. Gelato Mania rated 4.8 on Google with over 2,500 reviews and there always seems to be a line of people waiting, sometimes up to 30 minutes. People go crazy over this stuff! One person said it was “one of the best scoops I’ve had in my life.” Another person even said it was better than gelato they had in Italy!

So obviously, we had to try it to see what the hype was about. They have lots of interesting rotating flavors, like dark chocolate with orange aroma, salty peanut, lemon mint, passion fruit, caprese, whisky cream, dark chocolate with pepperoncini, orange basil, apple cinnamon, and gorgonzola with nuts, as well as vegan options. I had blackberry and chocolate coconut and Tony had watermelon and banana, which were all really good and prices were reasonable.

It’s most busy on the weekend, as well as evenings when people are getting out of work. So we recommend going on a weekday afternoon to avoid longer lines. The good news is most people seem satisfied regardless of the wait!

Gelateria La Romana Dal 1947

Gelateria La Romana Dal 1947 is a gelateria chain with stores in Europe and the Middle East, but if you’ve never been to one I highly recommend it. The one in Brasov is located in the food court at AFI Mall and there’s a nice big terrace where you can enjoy your scoop while you look off at Tampa Mountain.

We grabbed gelato here a couple times. I tried crema dal 1947 (Italian cream custard with lemon zest), cioccolato fondente con monorigine Ecuador (Ecuadorian dark chocolate), and stracciatella alla mora e gelso negro (blackberry and black mulberry with dark chocolate). Tony tried biscotto della nonna (Italian biscuits and cocoa shortbread mixed in sweet cream gelato), caramello salato con noci pecan (caramel pecan), cremino al caffé (coffee and cream gelato with chocolate cream and hazelnuts), and stracciatella al pistachio, which were all really good and creamy.

Cream Tailors

For a place closer to the Old Town Historic District, try Cream Tailors. It doesn’t have as many reviews as Gelato Mania, but has also been described as “the best and creamiest ice cream in Brasov.” We tried banana kiwi, lemon cream, and mixed berries, which were all really good. I had never had banana kiwi ice cream before, so that was something new! Other flavors include: extra creamy vanilla, tiramisu, salted caramel, bronte pistachio, hazelnut, coffee, cheesecake, milk chocolate, strawberry sorbet, and mango sorbet.

Our Favorite Restaurants in Brasov