Plovdiv Food
Explore Plovdiv Food: Restaurants, Street Food & Markets
Plovdiv is a culinary paradise waiting to be explored. From traditional dishes to international flavors, this city offers a wide range of gastronomic delights that will satisfy every palate.
We spent a month in Plovdiv researching what local foods to eat and where to eat them. We’ve compiled a summary of the information we collected so you can start enjoying Plovdiv food as soon as you arrive!
This Plovdiv food guide includes a list of the top traditional dishes, best restaurants, food shops, and markets to visit. Additionally, it offers a great food tour and cooking class for an immersive experience.
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Traditional Food in Plovdiv
When it comes to local food in Plovdiv, you'll find a rich culinary heritage that reflects the city's history and cultural diversity. Traditional Bulgarian dishes take center stage, showcasing bold flavors and hearty ingredients.
Check out our Bulgaria Food page for more information about these foods.
Bulgaria Food
Traditional Bulgarian food is known for its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients. One must-try dish is the Banitsa, a delicious pastry made with layers of filo dough, eggs, and cheese. Another popular choice is the Shopska Salad, a refreshing mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and feta cheese.
Restaurants in Plovdiv
Plovdiv is home to a vibrant culinary scene, with a wide array of restaurants offering diverse flavors and cuisines. Whether you're in the mood for traditional Bulgarian dishes or international fare, Plovdiv has something for everyone.
Restaurant Hebros
Address: ul. "Konstantin Stoilov" 51, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Hebros Restaurant offers a modern take on Bulgarian cuisine, incorporating traditional influences. The restaurant's menu boasts an array of dishes created by Chef Dobromir Todorov, considered one of Bulgaria's best chefs. Hebros Restaurant was awarded the prestigious Restaurant of the Year Award by Bacchus Magazine in 2003 and 2016 and continues to be recognized as one of the top restaurants in the country.
Aylyakria Restaurant
Address: ul. "Kozhuharska" №3, 4000 Kapana, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Aylyakria Restaurant is housed in a 100-year-old building in Kapana, complete with authentic brick walls and wooden beams. It's time for a taste explosion with traditional Bulgarian dishes that are prepared and served with our own twist, or popular dishes from around the world that have been created using local craft products. Enjoy the gentle aroma of specially selected Bulgarian wines to complement your food.
Hemingway BBQ Bar & Grill
Address: ul. Gurko 10, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Hemingway BBQ Bar & Grill offers a perfect blend of atmosphere, food, and wine. The old bookshelves, small tables on the pavement in summer, and the aroma of freshly baked bread and delicious food create an intimate Parisian café-like setting. Additionally, they have a varied menu with a good selection of Bulgarian and imported wines.
Smokini
Address: ul. "Otets Paisiy" 12 Street, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Smokini Restaurant combines traditional Bulgarian recipes with inspiring dishes from around the world.
Memory Wine & Dine
Address: pl. "Saedinenie" 3, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Memory offers innovative and contemporary cuisine, but also serves home-made dishes, too. Additionally, they offer an exclusive wine selection. A rich assortment of well-selected wines is also available in the wine shop where you can purchase wines to take home.
Festival
Festival (Ресторант “Фестивал”)
Address: ul. "Pavel Kurtevich" 2, 4000 Kapana, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Rahat Tepe
Address: ul. "Doctor Stoyan Chomakov" 20, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Rahat Tepe has stood proudly atop the hill in Plovdiv's Old Town for decades, offering traditional Bulgarian cuisine, select wines, and more.
Antico Ristorante
Address: ul. "Saboma" 2, 4000 Stari Grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Tams House
Address: ul. Zagreb 4, 4000 Kapana, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Sofra
Address: ul. "Zhelezarska" 13, 4000 Kapana, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Sofra serves delicious Turkish cuisine, including high-quality salads, kebabs, and desserts at a very reasonable price.
Pavaj
Address: ul. "Zlatarska" 7, 4000 Kapana, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Street Food in Plovdiv
Street food in Plovdiv offers a wide range of choices. From grilled burgers to fried shrimp, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
Street Chefs
Address: ulitsa Zlatarska 3, Plovdiv, 4000 Bulgaria
Street Chefs has several locations where they serve fresh Bulgarian beef burgers ground by hand. The burgers are grilled and served on homemade brioche buns that are delivered twice a day. They also serve homemade sauces, cucumbers, and caramelized onions. And for cheese lovers, they offer genuine mature English cheddar without any added colorants or preservatives.
Coupon Street Food Art
Ul. hristo Dyukmedzhiev 25, Plovdiv 4000 Bulgaria
Coupon Street Food Art serves an assortment of food and wine.
Food Markets in Plovdiv
Plovdiv is not only known for its top-notch restaurants but also for its vibrant food markets. These markets offer a wide array of fresh produce, local delicacies, and culinary delights for both locals and tourists to explore.
Plovdiv Farmer’s Market
The Farmers’ Market is held every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm in the central atrium of the newly renovated Plovdiv Plaza Mall.
Thursday Market
Address: ul. "Tsoko Kableshkov" 2, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Thursday Market (Четвъртък пазар)
Monday Market
Address: ul. "Patriarh Evtimiy" 32, 4000 Tsentar, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Food Tours in Plovdiv
Food tours in Plovdiv offer a structured way to learn about the city’s culinary traditions, regional products, and the influence of Thracian, Ottoman, and Bulgarian cooking. These tours typically include tasting stops in the Old Town, Kapana, and central market areas, along with explanations of local preparation methods and everyday food culture.
Best Places To Stay In Plovdiv
Hotels in Plovdiv
If you are planning a trip to Plovdiv, there are plenty of excellent places to stay. However, for the best experience, we strongly recommend staying in Kapana. It's the trendy neighborhood between the Old Town and the City Center. The charm and ambiance of the Old Town are nice, but there are far more food and drink options in Kapana - and a pedestrian tunnel connects the two together! The castle marker on the map below is the heart of the Kapana District, with the best restaurants nearby. We suggest staying as close to it as possible, depending on your budget and preferences.
The below interactive map provides hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.
FAQs About Plovdiv Food
What is Plovdiv known for?
Plovdiv is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and architectural heritage. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with evidence of settlement dating back to the 6th millennium BCE. Plovdiv is often called the "City of the Seven Hills" due to its location on seven hills, which provide panoramic views of the city.
The city is also known for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the ancient Roman amphitheater, which is still used for performances today. Plovdiv has a thriving arts and cultural scene, with numerous art galleries, museums, and theaters. The Old Town of Plovdiv is a UNESCO World Heritage site and features beautifully preserved Ottoman-era houses and narrow cobblestone streets.
Additionally, Plovdiv was named the European Capital of Culture in 2019, further highlighting its significance as a cultural hub.
What kind of food do they have in Bulgaria?
Bulgarian cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors and influences from various regions. The country's culinary traditions draw inspiration from the Balkans, Mediterranean, and Middle East.
What is the most popular dish in Bulgaria?
The most popular dish in Bulgaria is arguably banitsa. Banitsa is a traditional Bulgarian pastry made with layers of filo dough and a filling typically consisting of eggs, cheese, and yogurt. It is often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack and can be found in bakeries and households throughout the country. Other popular dishes in Bulgaria include shopska salad, kebapche (grilled minced meat), and tarator (cold cucumber soup).
What is a traditional Bulgarian food?
Traditional Bulgarian food is known for its rich flavors and diverse ingredients. Some popular traditional dishes include:
1. Shopska Salad: A refreshing salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, and feta cheese.
2. Banitsa: A delicious pastry made with filo dough and filled with cheese, eggs, and sometimes spinach or meat.
3. Kebapche: Grilled minced meat seasoned with spices and shaped into small sausages.
4. Tarator: A cold soup made with yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, dill, and walnuts.
5. Moussaka: Layers of potatoes, ground meat (usually pork or beef), and eggplant, topped with a creamy sauce and baked until golden.
6. Sarmi: Stuffed cabbage leaves filled with a mixture of rice and ground meat (usually pork or beef).
7. Lyutenitsa: A thick spread made from roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spices.
These are just a few examples of the delicious traditional Bulgarian dishes you can enjoy. Bulgarian cuisine is a blend of influences from the Balkans, Mediterranean, and Middle East, resulting in a unique and flavorful culinary experience.
Is the food good in Bulgaria?
Bulgarian cuisine offers a variety of delicious dishes that are worth trying. Traditional Bulgarian food often includes fresh vegetables, dairy products, meats, and herbs. Some popular dishes include banitsa (a pastry filled with cheese or spinach), shopska salad (a refreshing mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and cheese), kebapche (grilled minced meat), and tarator (a cold yogurt soup). Bulgaria is also known for its yogurt, which is thick and creamy with a slightly tart flavor. Overall, the food in Bulgaria can be quite tasty and satisfying for those who enjoy exploring different culinary traditions.