History

Tarator's roots are Persian via Ottoman Turkey, where the dish was originally a yoghurt sauce. Bulgaria's contribution was thinning it into a soup and folding in cucumber and walnut. Today it is one of the most recognisable Bulgarian dishes, served chilled to start summer meals from June through September across Plovdiv's tavernas and family tables.

Common allergens: Dairy, Tree nuts

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 15 minTotal 45 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 500g Bulgarian yoghurt (full fat)
  • 1 large cucumber, finely diced or grated
  • 50g walnuts, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 200ml cold water
  • Ice cubes, salt

Method

  1. Whisk yoghurt with cold water in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Stir in cucumber, garlic and dill. Season with salt.
  3. Add the sunflower oil; whisk gently to combine.
  4. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes for the flavours to settle.
  5. Ladle into bowls; top with chopped walnuts and an extra dill sprig.
  6. Add an ice cube to each bowl before serving.

Tip from the editors. Salt the cucumber and let it drain 10 minutes before adding to keep the soup thick rather than watery.

Where to eat tarator

Tarator in Plovdiv

Pavaj ★ 4.6

BrunchModern Bulgarian late brunch$$25-45 BGNkapanaTue-Sun 12:00-23:00, closed MondayRecommended

Pavaj opens at noon as Kapana's late-brunch stop. Farm-driven Bulgarian small plates with house bread; weekend afternoons settle into long tables and Mavrud.

Order: Farm vegetable plate with Mavrud glass

ul. Zlatarska 7, 4000 Plovdiv

Aylyakria ★ 4.4

BrunchModern Bulgarian and gluten-free brunch$$20-35 BGNkapanaMon-Sun 11:00-23:00Recommended

Aylyakria runs an early-Kapana brunch in a Revival-era room. Banitsa, shopska, mish-mash and gluten-free options listed, alongside Bulgarian wines.

Order: Banitsa with sirene, shopska salad, glass of Bulgarian wine

ul. Kozhuharska 3, 4000 Plovdiv

Hemingway ★ 4.0

BrunchRefined garden brunch$$30-55 BGNcentreMon-Sun 12:00-00:00Recommended

Hemingway's Gurko Street garden runs a slow Bulgarian brunch through summer. Refined room, seasonal salads and grilled plates, glass of Bulgarian wine.

Order: Bulgarian breakfast plate, glass of Mavrud

ul. Gen. Gurko 10, 4000 Plovdiv

Restaurant Alafrangite ★ 4.3

Traditional Bulgarian$$old-townMon-Sun 11:00-23:00

Restaurant Alafrangite occupies an 18th-century Revival house with a courtyard garden in Old Plovdiv. Bulgarian salads and meat dishes anchor the long menu.

Signature: Sarmi, Bulgarian salads

ul. Kiril Nektariev 13, 4000 Plovdiv

More cities are in research. Want tarator covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →