Top
The Best Foods in Bulgaria

With a unique blend of Mediterranean and Middle-eastern influences, Bulgaria has some of the best dishes in Eastern Europe. The best foods in Bulgaria reflect how many times the country has “changed hands” between empires and world powers.

The Greek and Turkish influences are apparent – some dishes even have the same name, but it’s not exactly what you would find in Athens or Istanbul. With an emphasis on fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs, the people of Bulgaria have crafted flavors that are unique and delicious.

Bulgaria is also a premiere wine destination, so be sure to try some of the local wines with these dishes. If you want to visit a winery for a wine and food tasting, here are the Best Wineries in Bulgaria.

Let’s work up an appetite! Here are the best foods in Bulgaria!

page-divider-red

I can plan your trip!

Let me take care of the research and bookings so you can be stress-free!

My travel advisor service is FREE

I work with any budget

The Best Foods in Bulgaria

Tarator

Tarator is a cold cucumber soup, and it’s one of the most refreshing soups I’ve ever had! This dish isn’t generally served during the Winter, but the rest of the year, it’s a popular first-course substitute for a salad.

It’s a relatively simple recipe of cucumber, yogurt, garlic, walnuts, dill, salt, and oil, and it’s one of my favorite dishes of all time.

page-divider-red

Join the Newsletter

Get exclusive travel tips, freebies, giveaways, and more!

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Meshana Skara

    Meshana skara, also called a mixed grill, is a full meal consisting of a meat platter and sides. It includes one kyufte (minced meatball), one pork steak, one kebapche (minced sausage), one pork skewer, french fries, lyutenitsa (spicy vegetable relish), and a bean salad.

    You can easily split this meal between two or three people.

    Meshana Skara best foods in Bulgaria
    page-divider-red

    Banitsa

    Banitsa best foods in Bulgaria

    Banitsa is a baked filo pastry filled with feta cheese, yogurt, and eggs. These are most commonly eaten at breakfast, but there’s a sweet version with pumpkin added to the filling that could be a dessert.

    You’ll also see banitsa written as banica and banitza. You can eat a banitsa cold, but I think it’s better warm.

    page-divider-red

    Moussaka

    Most people think moussaka is a Greek dish, but it’s prevalent in Bulgaria. It’s an eggplant or potato-based dish, often including ground meat. This is a very hearty and filling dish that I always struggled to finish on my own.

    Bulgaria’s moussaka is unique because has more vegetables than meat, and the eggplant is generally fried.

    Moussaka best foods in Bulgaria
    page-divider-red

    Shopska Salata

    Shopska Salata best foods in Bulgaria

    Shopska salata is Bulgaria’s national salad and one of the most popular and commonly-served dishes in the country. This is the default salad to accompany any meal or dish.

    The ingredients were chosen to make the salad predominantly green, white, and red, which are the colors of the Bulgarian flag. Shopska salata’s dressing is usually a mixture of sunflower oil and vinegar. The vinegar was always too strong for me, but if you ask for the dressing on the side, they should bring you the sunflower oil and vinegar separately to make your own mixture.

    page-divider-red
    Baklava best foods in Bulgaria

    Baklava

    You might already be familiar with baklava – a rich, sweet pastry with layers of filo filled with nuts and syrup or honey. But Bulgaria’s signature “twist” on this dessert is that you’ll usually find the pastries filled with hazelnuts instead of the traditional pistachios or walnuts.

    page-divider-red

    Chushka Biurek

    Chushka biureks are stuffed peppers served with a side of mixed greens and olives. I saw a lot of variations of this dish. I ordered it once, and it looked like the picture above. Another time I ordered it, the meat was sandwiched between thin strips of peppers held together by fried batter.

    So, this is the one “wild card” dish on this list that might come out looking quite different from my picture. But both versions of this dish were delicious, so I highly recommend chushka biurek no matter how it’s presented on your plate.

    Chushka biurek best foods in Bulgaria
    page-divider-red

    Kebapche

    Kebapche best foods in Bulgaria

    Kebapche is minced meat. It’s part of the meshana skara meal I wrote about earlier in this article, but it can also be eaten on its own. You’ll often see it served on a stick from street vendors, so it makes for a perfect meal if you’re on-the-go.

    page-divider-red

    Palacinka

    Palacinka is a thin crêpe-like pancake that’s usually served with fruit and fruit syrups. But you can also find ones filled with chocolate and topped with powdered sugar.

    Palačinka best foods in Bulgaria
    page-divider-red

    Bean Salad

    Bean Salad best foods in Bulgaria

    This is another one of those light and refreshing dishes I couldn’t get enough of. Your Bulgarian bean salad could have anywhere from three to six bean varieties in it. It has onions and tomatoes and a sunflower or olive oil dressing.

    But unlike most salads, the Bulgarian bean salad is a warm salad.

    page-divider-red
    Rakia The Best Foods in Bulgaria

    Bonus: Rakia

    No trip to Bulgaria would be complete without trying rakia. Rakia is a sweet, fruity brandy that’s usually around 80% alcohol, though home-made versions can have an even higher alcohol content!

    page-divider-red
    Shop My Bulgaria Essentials
    page-divider-red

    What do you think are the best foods in Bulgaria or Eastern Europe? Tell us in the comments below!

    page-divider-red
    Recommended Tours in Bulgaria
    page-divider-red
    For Planning the Rest of Your Bulgaria Trip
    page-divider-red
    Frequently Asked Questions
    • What are the best foods to try in Bulgaria?

      The Best Foods in Bulgaria:

      1. Shopska Salata

      2. Rakia

      3. Tarator

      4. Meshana Skara

      5. Banitsa

      6. Moussaka

      7. Baklava

      8. Chushka Biurek

      9. Kebapche

      10. Palacinka

    • What is the famous food in Bulgaria?

      The most famous food and drinks in Bulgaria are baklava, moussaka, kebapche, and rakia. Bulgaria shares many dishes with neighboring countries, so these foods are also popular in Greece, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

    • What do Bulgarians eat in a day?

      Traditionally, Bulgarians will eat a hearty breakfast, a light lunch, and a large dinner (the evening meal is always the most important of the day).

    • Is Bulgarian food healthy?

      Yes, Bulgarian food is usually very healthy. Traditional Bulgarian dishes are heavy on vegetables and use fresh produce and herbs.

    • What is the local dish of Bulgaria?

      Shopska Salata is Bulgaria’s national salad and one of the country’s most popular and commonly-served dishes. This is the default salad to accompany any meal or dish.

      The ingredients were chosen to make the salad predominantly green, white, and red, which are the colors of the Bulgarian flag. Shopska Salata’s dressing is usually a mixture of sunflower oil and vinegar. The vinegar was always too strong for me, but if you ask for the dressing on the side, they should bring you the sunflower oil and vinegar separately to make your own mixture.

    • Can I use euros in Bulgaria?

      No. Only Bulgarian leva can be used in Bulgaria.

    • Can I drink the tap water in Bulgaria?

      Yes, tap water is safe to drink all over the country.

    • Is Bulgaria famous for anything?

      Bulgaria is one of the least expensive and least-visited destinations in Europe, which I find crazy because this country is stunning! It has vineyards, ancient ruins, modern cities, picturesque villages, great outdoor activities, and a stunning coastline along the Black Sea.

      Bulgaria is known for hiking, wine, Roman ruins, the Pirin Mountains, beaches, and the Belogradchik rock formations. This country is a fantastic blend of Western and Eastern European culture, history, food, and architecture.

    page-divider-red

    This article on the best foods in Bulgaria is not a sponsored post. And, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about best foods in Bulgaria are affiliate links. And, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

    Comments:

    • Annalisa

      March 31, 2020

      Bulgaria has been on my bucket list for two years… I tried the Shopska salad a few times in Bosnia, and I loved it! I can’t wait to try all the best Bulgarian food you suggested here 🙂

      reply...

    post a comment