This is a collaborative post.
A few years ago, I took a super-touristy package holiday in Sunny Beach – one of Bulgaria’s most popular tourism spots, sitting on the Black Sea Coast. Although Sunny Beach is perhaps best known for its wild nightlife and its long strip of golden sand, dotted with lobster-red Brits sprawled out on sun loungers – much to my amazement, there was actually a fairly decent food and drink scene in the area too; well, if you’re willing to ditch your all-inclusive resort in favour of hunting down the best restaurants in Sunny Beach, that is. In fact, Bulgarian food is widely regarded as one of the tastiest Balkan cuisines.
Now, as I’m considering returning to Bulgaria for a second visit (albeit not at Sunny Beach this time), I’ve been remembering all the delicious dishes I sampled the first time around, making mental notes of which Bulgarian foods I’m going to be ordering when I head back there again.
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The best of Bulgarian cuisine: most famous Bulgarian dishes
If you’ll be heading to Bulgaria, here are some of the best local foods to make a point of sampling during your time there. Many of these traditional Bulgarian foods are available from most reputable Bulgarian restaurants across the country, although some may be region-specific.
That said, with excellent transport links across the whole of Bulgaria, you shouldn’t find it hard travel throughout the country during your stay – you’ll probably be surprised at just how easy it is to book train tickets to get to where you need to be.
Shopska salata
The first Bulgarian dish that springs to mind when I reminisce on my stay in Sunny Beach, is a traditional Bulgarian salad known as shopska salata.
The national dish of Bulgaria, shopska is a refreshing combination of salted tomato, cucumber, onion, black olives, peppers and parsley, topped with grated Sirene cheese which is creamy and somewhat tangy, like a subtle take on Greek feta.
Pictured below is the Shopska salad I ordered at Djanny Restaurant at Bizarre Palma, Sunny Beach.
Banitsa
A traditional Bulgarian pastry dish, banitsa consists of layer-upon-layer of beaten egg, cheese and filo pastry, baked in the oven until crisp, with a soft centre.
Banitsa may be served as a sweet or savoury dish, and many Bulgarians enjoy eating banitsa for breakfast.
Bulgarian moussaka
While moussaka is traditionally a Greek dish consisting of egg plant and ground beef or lamb, the Bulgarian version uses potatoes, egg and minced pork.
Traditionally, this is served with a generous helping of Bulgarian yoghurt (more on that below).
Fresh fish and seafood
Sitting right next to the Black Sea, it’s only natural that Bulgaria is closely associated with fresh fish and seafood, with seafood restaurants dotted all along the seashore.
Some of the best seafood dishes I ate during my time there included these plump Black Sea mussels in an aromatic white wine and garlic broth – also from Djanny Restaurant – and this colourful seafood salad, from what was at the time said to be one of the best restaurants in Bulgaria, Khan’s Tent.
Sarmi
Popular thoughout the Balkans and the ressat of the Middle East, sarmi are otherwise known as stuffed vine or cabbage leaves.
The leaves are filled with seasoned rice and/or mince meat, and other ingredients, before being rolled up into a vine or cabbage leave, and fried until crispy.
Traditionally, sarmi are served with a dollop of Bulgarian yoghurt on the side.
Tarator
A popular Bulgarian chilled soup, tarator is made using cucumber, walnuts, garlic, Bulgarian yoghurt, dill, fresh herbs, and vinegar or lemon juice. Usually, it’s served as a starter, although it can also be ordered as a main course and many Bulgarian restaurants.
Shkembe Corba
Once you hear the English translation of this Bulgarian delicacy, you might not be so keen to try it.
Shkembe corba, or ‘tripe soup’, as it it’s known in English, is another Bulgarian soup that’s traditionally served cold. Made using the thick lining of a cow’s stomach, the soup is flavoured with milk, garlic, vinegar, chillies, and other spices.
Believe it or not, this is said to be a popular hangover cure; although in all honest, the thought of eating this at anytime – let alone after a big night-out – makes my stomach turn. However, as it’s such a popular local delicacy, you might wish to be brave and give it a try while dining out in Bulgaria.
Meshana Skara
Otherwise known as a typical English mixed grill, meshana skara is a classic Bulgarian dish of skewered meats, including ‘kebapche’ (grilled minced meat) and ‘kyufte’ (minced meat, onion and parsley meatballs), pork steaks and skewers of pork meat.
Photo by samer daboul
Kiselo Mlyako
Bulgarian yoghurt, or ‘kiselo mlyako’, is often served alongside meals in Bulgarian restaurants, although it can be eaten along, or paired with fruits.
It’s regarded as an excellent source of bacteria for improving gut health as it contains two kinds of probiotic bacteria, lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus.
Chushki burek
Chushki burek or stuffed peppers, are a much-loved Bulgarian main dish of stuffed red peppers filled with Bulgarian cheese, eggs and herbs. The peppers are coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until crispy.
This has to be one of the Bulgarian foods I’m most excited about trying!
Have you spent much time in Bulgaria, and do you have any favourite Bulgarian foods? Comment below to let me know.
This is a collaborative post.
I would really like to try the Shopska salad! I love ALL salads, and this looks fresh and delicious!
That was lovely, I think you could recreate it at home pretty easily too.
Mekitsa from the store Mekitsa and Coffee in Sofia. fried dough topped with jam or a savory version topped with ham and cheese. terrific
That sounds so good – you make me want to plan another trip to Bulgaria! YUM 😀
Great guide! I’ve tried several of these dishes during my travels through Bulgaria – shopska salad, banitsa, and Bulgarian moussaka are absolute musts. Thanks for sharing these Bulgarian food recommendations!
Glad to hear that you found my guide useful 🙂
Been to Bulgaria. The shopska salad is a must
I loved it too – it really is a must!
Is Bougas food good for vegetarians or vegans?
Burgas is generally very vegetarian-friendly, with plenty of salads, cheese-based dishes and grilled vegetables widely available. Vegan options are a bit more limited, but still manageable – just be mindful of ingredients like cheese, yoghurt and butter, and most places will happily adapt dishes if you ask.