Romanian$oborMon-Sun 07:00-19:00
The Obor mici terrace inside the Piața Obor complex is the legendary Bucharest grill counter, mici plus mustard plus bread plus a Timișoreana lager.
Signature: Mici plate, Ciorbă de burtă, Bread and mustard
Order: Five mici, two slices bread, mustard pot, a Romanian lager.
Tip: Cash works fastest; the lunch counter peaks 12:00-14:00 Walk-ins usually OK.
Modern European, Rooftop$$$floreascaMon-Sun 12:00-01:00
NOR Sky Bar takes the 36th floor of the Sky Tower on Barbu Văcărescu, the highest restaurant in Bucharest with a 360-degree view of the city.
Signature: Grilled mains, Sushi plates, Signature cocktails
Order: Daily fish; signature cocktail flight at sunset.
Tip: Bookings essential for sundown; smart-casual dress code Walk-ins usually OK.
French Bistro$$lipscaniMon-Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-22:00
Bistro de l'Arte runs a French bistro a few doors from Caru' cu bere on Stavropoleos, in the small alleys between Lipscani and the Princely Court.
Signature: Steak frites, Onion soup, Daily plate
Order: Onion soup; steak frites; tarte tatin.
Tip: Lunch fixed menu around 45 RON; dinner walk-in is fine Walk-ins usually OK.
Romanian$$dorobantiMon-Sun 11:00-24:00
City Grill Primăverii is the Bucharest Romanian grill chain done well: mici, pork chops, sarmale, an all-purpose dining room for families and lunch.
Signature: Mici, Pork chop on bone, Cabbage rolls
Order: Mici and pork chop; ciorbă de burtă starter.
Tip: Multi-location chain; this is the Primăverii branch.
Seafood$$dorobantiTue-Sun 11:00-23:00; Mon closed
La Pescăria Dorobanților is the Bucharest market-style fish counter and restaurant, displaying the day's catch on ice and grilling whole on order.
Signature: Daily fish, Octopus salad, Seafood platter
Order: Daily fish grilled whole; the octopus.
Tip: Pick a fish from the case at the counter; lemon and olive oil only on the plate.
Romanian$$$lipscaniMon-Sun 13:00-24:00
Locanta Jaristea cooks Belle Epoque Romanian inside a 19th-century Bucharest townhouse south of Old Town, with live folk and costumed staff service.
Signature: Sarmale, Mămăligă cu brânză, Cozonac
Order: Sarmale platter; the live-music dinner with house țuică.
Tip: Set menu nights book solidly; the regular evenings are a la carte.