Lake-front residential north Bucharest, the natural extension of Dorobanți, with brunch bistros and the Floreasca lake terraces.
Berăria H opened in 2014 inside the former Heavy Industry Pavilion in Herastrau Park, billed as Southeast Europe's largest beer hall on a 5,000 sqm floor.
Signature: Mici platter, Roasted pork knuckle, House lagers
Order: Pork knuckle on bread; a meter of house lager.
Tip: Concerts most weekends; bookings essential for Friday and Saturday nights.
Biutiful by the Lake sits on Herastrau next to the Aerogării bridge, the daytime lake terrace and Saturday brunch big hitter for north Bucharest residents.
Signature: Grilled mains, Brunch plates, House cocktails
Order: Weekend brunch; the grilled bream main; signature spritz.
Tip: Outdoor terrace open May to October; winter service moves inside.
NOR Sky Bar takes the 36th floor of the Sky Tower on Barbu Văcărescu, the highest restaurant in Bucharest with a 360-degree view of the city.
Signature: Grilled mains, Sushi plates, Signature cocktails
Order: Daily fish; signature cocktail flight at sunset.
Tip: Bookings essential for sundown; smart-casual dress code Walk-ins usually OK.
Vlad Buda and Dan Ursan's Steam at Piața Charles de Gaulle is one of the cleanest specialty cafes in Bucharest, pouring beans roasted by Origo.
Signature drink: Origo-roasted espresso
Tip: The Steam group runs three Bucharest locations; this is the Aviatorilor flagship.
A R C Bakery on Bulevardul Mărăști is run by a 30-year French-trained chef, with imported French flour and bio butter for breads and pastries.
Tip: Set inside the Romanian Olympic Committee building; the bistro lunch runs 12:00-15:00.
Worth the queue: Pain au raisin
French Bakery on Avionului is the Aviatorilor neighborhood bakery doing levain breads and a pain aux raisins regulars rate as one of the best in the city.
Tip: Phone-order whole loaves for collection; the croissant supply runs out by 11:00.
Worth the queue: Pain aux raisins
Luca Bakery in Floreasca runs as a daily cozonac and pâine de casă counter, with the dense plum and walnut cozonac Bucharest workers buy on the commute.
Tip: Pre-order whole cozonac for Christmas and Easter weeks at the counter; ordinary days walk-in service works.
Worth the queue: Cozonac
Berăria H opened in 2014 inside the former Heavy Industry Pavilion in Herastrau Park, billed as Southeast Europe's largest beer hall on a 5,000 sq m floor.
Tip: Concert hall doubles as the dining room; book tables when there's a name on the bill.
Piața Floreasca in north Bucharest runs as a covered hall market with strong cheese and fish counters, daily produce stop for diplomatic neighborhoods.
Tip: The fish counter at the back receives Black Sea catch on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Biutiful by the Lake's weekend brunch sits on Herastrau lake in Bucharest, the daytime lakefront brunch for north Bucharest residents and travellers.
Order: Eggs your way; pancake stack; signature spritz.
Tip: Booking essential weekends April through October at this Bucharest lakeside terrace; the deck seats fill first.