- Bucharest
- (16)
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Romania
It's a tea house and bookshop all in one. Pleasant, hedonistic atmosphere. Nice music and helpful staff.
Right by Patria Cinema.
Libraria Carturesti, Str. Pictor Verona no. 13, Bucuresti; Tel: 212 19 22; email: info@carturesti.ro
walk around the recently pedestrianised historic centre of Bucharest before it is renovated and stumble on little gems of shops, bars, old-school tailors, fur shops etc.
between Universitate and Piata Unirii
One way to grasp the full scale of Ceausescu's grand scheme is to jump in a taxi and get the driver to take you round a full circuit of the palace. Only then can you come to terms with how big it really is - only the Pentagon is larger.
This the place to come and feed yourself up on good old Romanian cooking. The tochitura - a traditional stew - is a treat. There's four of them altogether in the city - God knows how Mama copes with all that cooking.
Even if you are not a lover of classical music, just to experience the rich decor and the ambience this is worthwhile.
I paid less for a good ticket to a symphony concert than I would have paid for a coffee in the interval at a western European concert.
This city has so much to offer. It’s a shame it is often given such bad publicity. It is cleaner and safer than many others and excellent value.
1 Franklin Street, by Piata Revolutiei (Revolutiei Square);
tel: 01 315 6875
a lovely park to stroll in, just beware of all the other people with the same idea and the rollerbladers. Stop off along the way for a beer and some mici at one of the lakeside bars.
north of the centre, various entrances including Piata Charles de Gaulle, Arcul de Triumf, Str. Scoala Herastrau
In the 19th century French architecture was very envogue. The city features a lot of large neoclassical buildings, parks and its own Arch de Triomphe.
It was built in 1922 to honour the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. In 1936 it was finished in granite. It’s 85 feet high and there is an interior staircase allowing you to climb upstairs and enjoy a phenomenal view of the city.
Piata Arcul de Triumf
Poeme is one of Bucharest's best restaurants, actually located in the Carol Parc Hotel.
International cuisine, excellent service, but moreover an excellent 'de luxe' atmosphere.
www.carolparchotel.ro
+40-21-3363377
This is the top club in Bucharest and if you like extravagance you will love it. Think Ibiza style club with magnificent chandeliers, hordes of beautiful women dressed to kill and not so cheap drinks.
www.bambooclub.ro/
Strada Tuzla 50, București 023832, Romania
+40 31 101 1931
Google map: bit.ly/WwYKAe
A rare nod to Romania's literary heratage that it seems shy to acknowledge, this restaurant is woefully under-used, and the owners struggle to market it. Spooky inside and out, with themed, good quality and inexpensive meals, along with friendly staff, Dracula restaurant is well worth a visit during any stay in Bucharest.
Splaiul Independenței, București, Romania
+40 21 312 1353
Google map: bit.ly/112Hs5D
because there is a huge but blistered and blemished and fading mural on the brick wall, crying out in its neglect to be documented but there's a nasty little man in a blue 'security' suit who'll jump out and shout at you if you do and tell you to wipe that smile and those photos off of your chip but he's stupid as well as small so just agree and pretend and look compliant and submissive and go away and when you ask the hotel manager are there any restrictions on taking photos in markets he'll say "No"..."that's funny 'cos i got shouted at in Obor market" "ah Obor market yes no photos allowed in Obor market".
Nearby there is a great warren of stalls selling plumbing bits and bobs and stuff. Very relaxing.
Sos Colentina.
Nearest metro - Obor
Google map: bit.ly/b46obu
Brîndusa is a fair way out of the centre, although not that far from the Civic Centre and 'House of the People', but it is worth seeking out if you are looking for a wholly authentic Bucharest culinary and drinking experience with no pretentious tourist frills or added kitsch. This is the real Bucharest, in the raw. A little further up the street, tucked away between Str. Vasile Topliceanu and Str. Motoc, you will find La Pietris, a rough and ready though highly picturesque beer garden and summertime hangout. Don't mind Rex the bar dog - he's very friendly.
Str. Elev Popovici Nicolae, on the corner with Str. Novaci, just off Str. Mihail Sebastian, the main road linking Calea Rahovei and Str. 13 Septembrie
Romanian railways make a nominal surcharge for excess baggage. Its hard to define when a bag becomes excessive but the fine is 10% of ticket. They call it 'baggage voluminous'
the only Thai restaurant in Bucharest with UK and Thai chefs, with a similarly expat pricetag to match. The food is truly delicious though, shame there's no Thai beer though ...
Str. Petre Cretu, near Arcul de Triumf
A small restaurant/bar hidden away in a lovely old villa, Shoni serves up amazing Transilvanian fare at wooden benches. Great atmosphere, good music, lacking in the "fitosi" variety of young Romanians. It closes for a couple of months during the summer when it moves to the seaside.
str. Sfintii Voievozi, just off Calea Grivitei
if you want good Lebanese/Turkish somewhere down-to-earth and without pretentious customers this will do the trick, and cheap too. Eat from formica tables, surrounded by the owners' friends and family, watching Al Jazeera.
just off Bd. Ion Mihalache (1. Mai), on a left-hand side street before Piata Domenii
Is this your business?Search Been there
