National Classics

• Mămăligă (polenta): Moldova’s national staple, made from thick cornmeal porridge, served with cheese (brânză), sour cream, fried eggs, or pork cracklings—essential at rural family gatherings.
• Sarmale: Cabbage or grape leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked to rich flavor. Of Romanian origin, it’s a winter comfort food.
• Zeama: Chicken noodle sour soup with homemade tangy seasoning, regarded as the “healing soup” by locals—often the first choice after a hangover.
• Plăcinte: Flaky pastries filled with pumpkin, cheese, potatoes, or apples. Found everywhere from street stalls to home dinners, typically costing 15–30 lei each.
• Mititei (Grilled Mici): Skinless grilled sausages made of beef and lamb mix, seasoned with cumin and garlic. Served with mustard and bread, it’s a barbecue-season favorite nationwide.
• Eggplant mash (Vinete): Smoky eggplant blended with onions and sour cream—a classic appetizer.

Wines & Drinks

• Red wine: International varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) from wineries like Purcari and Crama Mircești have won numerous awards. Bottles in restaurants cost around 100–250 lei.
• White wine & local varieties: Fetească Albă and Rara Neagră are notable indigenous names to remember.
• Sparkling wine: Traditional-method sparkling wine from Cricova is a staple at celebratory meals.
• Divin (Moldovan brandy): Aged brandy distilled from white wine; available by vintage at cellar shops.

Price Range & Where to Eat

• Chain eateries like Vatra Neamului and La Plăcinte in central Chișinău offer satisfying meals for 150–250 lei per person.
• Small eateries near Central Market serve the most authentic local fare—soup with a main dish costs about 50–80 lei.
• Winery restaurants (e.g., Purcari, Castel Mimi) offer multi-course tasting menus for 400–700 lei per person, including wine pairings—worth a splurge.
• Vegetarian options are limited; try Zeama, cheese-filled pastries, or grilled vegetable platters.

Breakfast & Market Bites

Local breakfasts usually consist of Plăcinte with yogurt or coffee. At bakeries, a pastry with coffee costs around 25–40 lei. Central Market offers handmade cheeses, smoked meats, and fresh juices—vendors may speak little English, but pointing works. For a more special experience, book a traditional mămăligă-themed dinner at a winery restaurant, often paired with three local wines.