Guidebook for București
Food Scene
Great traditional Romanian food in a lively restaurant decorated in traditional Romanian style. They also have live music most nights.
11 locals recommend
Taverna Covaci
1 Strada CovaciGreat traditional Romanian food in a lively restaurant decorated in traditional Romanian style. They also have live music most nights.
Probably the best Romanian food in the city, but make sure to make a reservation because they are always busy!
18 locals recommend
Zexe
40 Strada IcoaneiProbably the best Romanian food in the city, but make sure to make a reservation because they are always busy!
Marin Seafood Grill
4 Strada GabroveniGreat seafood, located right in the center
Great traditional food (I recommend the "Fasole Batute" (bean dip) and the "Sarmale" (cabbage rolls), but really everything there is great. It's also decorated in a unique style and if you go check out the basement area or the private terrace in the back. They also have great local wines (house wines are good too).
100 locals recommend
Lacrimi și Sfinți
16 Strada ȘepcariGreat traditional food (I recommend the "Fasole Batute" (bean dip) and the "Sarmale" (cabbage rolls), but really everything there is great. It's also decorated in a unique style and if you go check out the basement area or the private terrace in the back. They also have great local wines (house wines are good too).
Great food in a stunning location. The restaurant is inside an old manor (worth going just to check out the building) and they also have a nice garden in the back where it's easy to relax and forget you are in the city!
85 locals recommend
Simbio
26 Strada NegustoriGreat food in a stunning location. The restaurant is inside an old manor (worth going just to check out the building) and they also have a nice garden in the back where it's easy to relax and forget you are in the city!
Great place to visit for a light traditional meal or great drinks. In the evenings they also have live music sometimes and during the weekends (daytime) there's an amazing traditional fair with great food and hand made traditional items right next to the restaurant. In the autumn and wintertime also try the mulled wine (vin fiert), they make it with fresh fruit and it's very tasty! Highly recommend this place!
15 locals recommend
Clubul Taranului
3 Şoseaua Pavel D. KiseleffGreat place to visit for a light traditional meal or great drinks. In the evenings they also have live music sometimes and during the weekends (daytime) there's an amazing traditional fair with great food and hand made traditional items right next to the restaurant. In the autumn and wintertime also try the mulled wine (vin fiert), they make it with fresh fruit and it's very tasty! Highly recommend this place!
Everybody visiting Bucharest ends up here at some point. Make reservations ahead of time as it is always busy, but the food is good and the building is a must-see. Order their house beer as it's made on site (the name of the restaurant translates to "Cart of Beer"), and there is usually traditional dancing (or salsa) every weekend night and sometimes during the week.
481 locals recommend
Caru' cu bere
5 Strada StavropoleosEverybody visiting Bucharest ends up here at some point. Make reservations ahead of time as it is always busy, but the food is good and the building is a must-see. Order their house beer as it's made on site (the name of the restaurant translates to "Cart of Beer"), and there is usually traditional dancing (or salsa) every weekend night and sometimes during the week.
Great restaurant with great atmosphere. Love the decorations, and the food is a twist on popular American cuisine (burgers, tacos, etc.).
10 locals recommend
Biutiful
8 Strada GabroveniGreat restaurant with great atmosphere. Love the decorations, and the food is a twist on popular American cuisine (burgers, tacos, etc.).
Great food, and great atmosphere (renovated historic mansion renovated with a retro/industrial vibe)
98 locals recommend
Energiea
4 Strada Ion BrezoianuGreat food, and great atmosphere (renovated historic mansion renovated with a retro/industrial vibe)
French Revolution Ateneul Român
1 Strada Constantin EsarcuVery yummy bakery, must visit!
Great restaurant right near one of Bucharest's more iconic tourist sites (Palace of Parliament). Great menu and great atmosphere.
14 locals recommend
Social 1
1 Bulevardul UniriiGreat restaurant right near one of Bucharest's more iconic tourist sites (Palace of Parliament). Great menu and great atmosphere.
Right above one of Bucharest's most popular clubs (Control Club, where they often have great concerts), this is a great restaurant that has everything. From great brunch options to a late night (after midnight) menu with proper food and not just bar snacks.
106 locals recommend
Alt Shift
4 Strada Constantin MilleRight above one of Bucharest's most popular clubs (Control Club, where they often have great concerts), this is a great restaurant that has everything. From great brunch options to a late night (after midnight) menu with proper food and not just bar snacks.
Shopping
Gorgeous bookstore (worth going just to check out the building) and a great place to pick out small, unique gifts. Also have books in English, French, Spanish, etc.
And make sure to check out their cafe on the top floor for the stunning views of the old town.
102 locals recommend
Cărturești Carusel
55 Strada LipscaniGorgeous bookstore (worth going just to check out the building) and a great place to pick out small, unique gifts. Also have books in English, French, Spanish, etc.
And make sure to check out their cafe on the top floor for the stunning views of the old town.
The bookstore is in a historic manor house and it's worth checking out just to walk around the mansion, it's gorgeous!
Amazing bookstore with an expansive selection of books in multiple languages, music & movies (also sell wine, jams, tea, and unique gifts). Make sure to check out the cellar, and the attic!
35 locals recommend
Cărturești Verona
13-15 Strada Pictor Arthur VeronaThe bookstore is in a historic manor house and it's worth checking out just to walk around the mansion, it's gorgeous!
Amazing bookstore with an expansive selection of books in multiple languages, music & movies (also sell wine, jams, tea, and unique gifts). Make sure to check out the cellar, and the attic!
Drinks & Nightlife
Cool outdoor bar in a massive garden, next to a historic manor house. Very cool place to spend an afternoon or evening. This place is perfect when it's extremely hot outside because the trees provide shade and a cool breeze.
129 locals recommend
Gradina EDEN
44-46 Calea DorobanțiCool outdoor bar in a massive garden, next to a historic manor house. Very cool place to spend an afternoon or evening. This place is perfect when it's extremely hot outside because the trees provide shade and a cool breeze.
Gorgeous rooftop terrace in the center of the city. The ceiling is constructed from glass and they open up the ceiling in the summer and it's the perfect spot on a hot summer night.
The decor is also very nice (Moroccan inspired), the drinks are good and the food is great. Highly recommend this place!
118 locals recommend
Nomad Skybar
30 Strada SmârdanGorgeous rooftop terrace in the center of the city. The ceiling is constructed from glass and they open up the ceiling in the summer and it's the perfect spot on a hot summer night.
The decor is also very nice (Moroccan inspired), the drinks are good and the food is great. Highly recommend this place!
Have great local wines (can buy a glass, bottle, or bottles for take-away), and have great snacks to accompany the wines. They also do wine tastings so pop in and find out what they are offering that day!
Dionysos Wine Bar
91-111 Calea FloreascaHave great local wines (can buy a glass, bottle, or bottles for take-away), and have great snacks to accompany the wines. They also do wine tastings so pop in and find out what they are offering that day!
Green Hours Jazz Cafe
120 Calea VictorieiMost popular Jazz club in Bucharest
This cool bar is located in a historic building, has a great garden in the back, and a really cool design throughout.
87 locals recommend
Shift Pub
17 Strada General Eremia GrigorescuThis cool bar is located in a historic building, has a great garden in the back, and a really cool design throughout.
Really cool bar in an old historic building. Often have live music and the food is also great (and they have a seasonal menu)! Go early because this place usually fills up. In the summer they also have seating in the front garden
37 locals recommend
Dianei 4
NR 4 Strada DianeiReally cool bar in an old historic building. Often have live music and the food is also great (and they have a seasonal menu)! Go early because this place usually fills up. In the summer they also have seating in the front garden
Amazing bar/restaurant right on Herastrau lake. This place is built more as a pier than a terrace, has gorgeous views, and great drinks and food. Definitely check it out in the summer months.
24 locals recommend
Biutiful By The Lake
3 Șoseaua NorduluiAmazing bar/restaurant right on Herastrau lake. This place is built more as a pier than a terrace, has gorgeous views, and great drinks and food. Definitely check it out in the summer months.
Really cool outdoor performance venue/bar. Great in the summer time as it's a big garden-type space.
7 locals recommend
The M60 Space
3 Strada C. A. RosettiReally cool outdoor performance venue/bar. Great in the summer time as it's a big garden-type space.
Rooftop bar/restaurant with amazing views (I believe it's on top of a 18 floor building) around Piata Victoriei. Good drinks and appies.
16 locals recommend
Upstairs Rooftop
24 Strada SevastopolRooftop bar/restaurant with amazing views (I believe it's on top of a 18 floor building) around Piata Victoriei. Good drinks and appies.
Copper's Pub
25 Bulevardul Hristo BotevCool outdoor music venue just around the corner from the apartment :)
Enjoy a beer while taking in a stunning view of the old town! This is a cute bar on the rooftop of one of the taller buildings in the old center, but be warned.... you'll have to walk up quite a few flights of stairs to get to this bar, but the view will make the climb worth your while! (and it's also very easy on the wallet)
14 locals recommend
Pura Vida Sky Bar & Hostel
Enjoy a beer while taking in a stunning view of the old town! This is a cute bar on the rooftop of one of the taller buildings in the old center, but be warned.... you'll have to walk up quite a few flights of stairs to get to this bar, but the view will make the climb worth your while! (and it's also very easy on the wallet)
Nice rooftop bar and music venue. Great when the weather is nice! It can be a little hard to find though (it's on the roof of a building that looks as if it used to be a factory, and it's not very well labelled)
Gastrobar "Deschis"
Nice rooftop bar and music venue. Great when the weather is nice! It can be a little hard to find though (it's on the roof of a building that looks as if it used to be a factory, and it's not very well labelled)
Arts & Culture
Gorgeous music hall. The philharmonic orchestra plays 2 times a week during its season, and often with amazing soloists. Tickets are also very budget friendly, and the building itself is also worth a visit.
333 locals recommend
Romanian Athenaeum
1-3 Strada Benjamin FranklinGorgeous music hall. The philharmonic orchestra plays 2 times a week during its season, and often with amazing soloists. Tickets are also very budget friendly, and the building itself is also worth a visit.
Really interesting museum with folk artifacts, clothing, and houses. And every Friday, Saturday and Sunday there is an outdoor artisanal fair with traditional handmade gifts and objects, and really tasty food! A definite must-visit!
234 locals recommend
Museum of the Romanian Peasant
3 Şoseaua Pavel D. KiseleffReally interesting museum with folk artifacts, clothing, and houses. And every Friday, Saturday and Sunday there is an outdoor artisanal fair with traditional handmade gifts and objects, and really tasty food! A definite must-visit!
A must-visit for every tourist passing through Bucharest. This is Ceausescu's last project (left unfinished at the time of his death), and it is the 2nd largest modern building in the world after the Pentagon in Washington, DC. All the materials used to build the palace are Romanian, as well as were all the workers and artists who contributed to building the palace.
Check online for tour times (can't wander around alone), and there is also a very nice (free) museum to the left of the museum entrance with traditional Romanian costumes (highly recommend), and a modern art museum on the other side that is an interesting visit as well.
699 locals recommend
Palace of Parliament
7 Bulevardul Nicolae BălcescuA must-visit for every tourist passing through Bucharest. This is Ceausescu's last project (left unfinished at the time of his death), and it is the 2nd largest modern building in the world after the Pentagon in Washington, DC. All the materials used to build the palace are Romanian, as well as were all the workers and artists who contributed to building the palace.
Check online for tour times (can't wander around alone), and there is also a very nice (free) museum to the left of the museum entrance with traditional Romanian costumes (highly recommend), and a modern art museum on the other side that is an interesting visit as well.
National Modern Art Museum. Interesting because they have some unique pieces (such as the original score for John Cage's 4'33). The cafe next to the restaurants also has nice views.
131 locals recommend
MNAC - Muzeul Național de Artă Contemporană al României
1-3 Calea 13 SeptembrieNational Modern Art Museum. Interesting because they have some unique pieces (such as the original score for John Cage's 4'33). The cafe next to the restaurants also has nice views.
Great art museum with a large European art collection (mostly medieval and renaissance) as well as medieval and modern Romanian art, and temporary exhibitions. If you like art, do not miss this museum!
51 locals recommend
The Art Collections Museum
111 Calea VictorieiGreat art museum with a large European art collection (mostly medieval and renaissance) as well as medieval and modern Romanian art, and temporary exhibitions. If you like art, do not miss this museum!
Beautiful palace 20 minutes outside of Bucharest (accessible by "Maxi Taxi" from I think outside metro station 1 Mai, but please check). Very beautiful rural palace with a gorgeous garden and stunning lake views. There are a few sites in the town it's located in, as well as a very large park that is perfect for families to relax and play in for a few hours.
56 locals recommend
Mogosoaia Palace
Strada Constantin BrâncoveanuBeautiful palace 20 minutes outside of Bucharest (accessible by "Maxi Taxi" from I think outside metro station 1 Mai, but please check). Very beautiful rural palace with a gorgeous garden and stunning lake views. There are a few sites in the town it's located in, as well as a very large park that is perfect for families to relax and play in for a few hours.
The National Bank of Romania museum (Museul Banca Nationala a Romaniei) is a free and very interesting museum right in the heart of the old town. The museum features art pieces, and you also visit various rooms and halls in the bank and the building itself is a historical monument.
To visit, email muzeul@bnro.ro the following information:
1. Time and date you want to visit
2. Full name, ID type and number
3. Telephone number
It takes 2 working days to process requests, so make the reservations ahead of time! Tours are free, and they include a guide (ask about English speaking guides in your request).
14 locals recommend
Museum of the National Bank of Romania
8 Strada DoamneiThe National Bank of Romania museum (Museul Banca Nationala a Romaniei) is a free and very interesting museum right in the heart of the old town. The museum features art pieces, and you also visit various rooms and halls in the bank and the building itself is a historical monument.
To visit, email muzeul@bnro.ro the following information:
1. Time and date you want to visit
2. Full name, ID type and number
3. Telephone number
It takes 2 working days to process requests, so make the reservations ahead of time! Tours are free, and they include a guide (ask about English speaking guides in your request).
Great exhibits, including part of the royal jewels collection and Dacian gold and jewelry. Also includes a full-sized replica of Trajan's column which details the battle between Trajan's forces and the Dacians (they have also made copies of each segment from the column and displayed it at eye level so you can see all the details). Great way to spend an hour or two.
256 locals recommend
Muzeul National de Istorie a Romaniei
12 Calea VictorieiGreat exhibits, including part of the royal jewels collection and Dacian gold and jewelry. Also includes a full-sized replica of Trajan's column which details the battle between Trajan's forces and the Dacians (they have also made copies of each segment from the column and displayed it at eye level so you can see all the details). Great way to spend an hour or two.
Essentials
Biggest food and flower (and everything else) market in Bucharest. They usually have the best produce and prices. If you want to cook while in town, this is the place to go!
6 locals recommend
Piața Obor
Biggest food and flower (and everything else) market in Bucharest. They usually have the best produce and prices. If you want to cook while in town, this is the place to go!
Parks & Nature
Biggest park in the city and a nice place to walk around. You can rent paddle boats as well and go around the lake. You can also rent bikes for free from several spots (just have to leave a piece of ID).
106 locals recommend
Herăstrău Lake
Biggest park in the city and a nice place to walk around. You can rent paddle boats as well and go around the lake. You can also rent bikes for free from several spots (just have to leave a piece of ID).
Nice park in the center of the city. It has a few little lakes and playgrounds for kids.
558 locals recommend
Cișmigiu Park
Bulevardul Regina ElisabetaNice park in the center of the city. It has a few little lakes and playgrounds for kids.
Gorgeous natural reserve in the center of the city. Great for local wildlife and they have tours for kids and groups in the summer. Also nice to bike around!
24 locals recommend
Lake Văcărești
Gorgeous natural reserve in the center of the city. Great for local wildlife and they have tours for kids and groups in the summer. Also nice to bike around!
Great to hike through or, better yet, bike through. The forest has lots of biking trails for various difficulty levels and of varying lengths.
Băneasa Forest
Great to hike through or, better yet, bike through. The forest has lots of biking trails for various difficulty levels and of varying lengths.
Highly recommended by botanists as a beautiful place with thousands of different plant specimens
38 locals recommend
Gradina Botanica station
Highly recommended by botanists as a beautiful place with thousands of different plant specimens
Sightseeing
Arcul de Triumf station
Bulevardul Mareșal Constantin PrezanBucharest's own Arc de Triumf :)