Aubergine is a mediterranean restaurant in Lipscani, Bucharest.
Aubergine on Selari pulls Mediterranean and Egyptian plates into Old Town Bucharest: hummus three ways, ful medames, slow-cooked lamb shank, mezze trio.
Signature dishes: Koshary, Babaganoush, Mezze plate
Must order: Koshary; the mezze sampler.
Tip: Vegetarian-heavy menu; cash and card accepted.
Address: Strada Selari 9, 030072 București, Bucharest
La Mama on Lipscani is the Bucharest chain doing Romanian home cooking at scale: oversized sarmale, ciorbă bowls, big-portion papanași for dessert.
Signature: Sarmale, Ciorbă rădăuțeană, Papanași
Order: Ciorbă rădăuțeană; the cabbage sarmale; papanași.
Tip: Multi-branch chain; walk-in works on most weekdays.
Cartofisserie is the Bucharest potato-house chain: loaded baked potatoes, fried wedges, vegetarian and vegan options, the cheap reliable lunch.
Signature: Loaded baked potatoes, Potato wedges, Vegan options
Order: Loaded baked potato with bacon and brânză.
Tip: Counter service; take-away is the default.
The interwar-themed Hanu' Berarilor Interbelic Casa Soare runs the same Bucharest Poenaru Bordea inn as Casa Oprea Soare, darker beer-hall room.
Signature: Mici, Sarmale, Roast pork knuckle
Order: The one-meter sausage and pork knuckle platter for the table.
Tip: Same site as Casa Oprea Soare; ask for the Interbelic side at the host.
Buongiorno Italian Primăverii is the diplomatic-quarter branch of the Bucharest trattoria chain, with imported buffalo mozzarella and daily pasta.
Signature: Pizza Napoletana, Carbonara, Burrata starter
Order: Pizza Margherita; carbonara without cream.
Tip: Terrace closes at 23:00; bookings via the website.
La Mama on Lipscani is the Bucharest chain doing Romanian home cooking at scale: oversized sarmale, ciorbă bowls, big-portion papanași for dessert.
Signature: Sarmale, Ciorbă rădăuțeană, Papanași
Order: Ciorbă rădăuțeană; the cabbage sarmale; papanași.
Tip: Multi-branch chain; walk-in works on most weekdays.
Shift Eatery is the Bucharest all-day brunch room near Piața Victoriei, the kind of modern casual menu that arrived with the third-wave coffee scene.
Signature: Eggs benedict, Avocado toast, House granola bowl
Order: Eggs benedict; avocado toast; flat white.
Tip: Walk-in only on weekdays; weekend bookings via phone Walk-ins usually OK.
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.
