National Classics

• Sarmale: Cabbage or pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice, and spices, slow-cooked for hours. A festival essential, typically costing around 30–50 lei per serving.
• Mămăligă: Cornmeal porridge, the countryside’s version of “bread,” served with cheese and sour cream or made into fried corn pancakes (mămăligă cu brânză).
• Mici: Skinless grilled sausages made from a mix of beef and lamb, seasoned with cumin and garlic. Perfect with mustard and beer, these are a summer street-food favorite.
• Ciorbă (Sour Soup Family): Including Ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup) and Ciorbă de perișoare (meatball soup), these tangy broths are enlivened by borș (fermented wheat bran). A bowl costs about 20–35 lei.
• Papanași: Fried cheese doughnuts served with sour cream and jam—a beloved national dessert, best enjoyed one per person.
• Cozonac: A nut-filled sweet bread traditionally enjoyed at Easter and Christmas. The handmade versions from old bakeries are highly recommended.

Regional and Festival Specialties

• Transylvania: Influenced by Hungarian and Saxon traditions, known for hearty stews, foie gras, and smoked bacon. Try goulash-style meat stews.
• Danube Delta: Famous for fish soup (ciorbă de pește) and smoked carp, especially authentic in Tulcea and Danube Delta villages.
• Oltenia and Mountain Regions: Char-grilled trout, lamb, and wild mushroom stews.
• Țuică and Pálinka: Plum-distilled brandy. A small glass before meals is a common hospitality gesture—but it’s strong, so drink with caution.

Price Range and Where to Eat

• Bucharest’s Old Town offers a wide range: the historic brewery Caru cu Bere is great for a special dinner, averaging 80–150 lei per person; local chain eateries serving home-style dishes cost around 40–60 lei per person.
• In Sibiu and Brașov, restaurants near the old town squares offer great views and meals priced at 60–100 lei per person.
• Bakeries (Brutarie) and convenience stores are ideal for breakfast: pirozhki, puff pastries, and coffee can be had for 15–25 lei.
• Romanian wines offer good value; try Fetească Neagră (red) and Tămâioasă Românească (sweet white) by the bottle.
• Vegetarian and light options include zacusca (a roasted pepper and eggplant spread) on bread, grilled vegetables, and sour soups—more choices than you might expect.