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.
Mediterranean$$lipscaniMon-Sun 12:00-23:00
Aubergine on Selari pulls Mediterranean and Egyptian plates into Old Town Bucharest: hummus three ways, ful medames, slow-cooked lamb shank, mezze trio.
Signature: Koshary, Babaganoush, Mezze plate
Order: Koshary; the mezze sampler.
Tip: Vegetarian-heavy menu; cash and card accepted.
Romanian$sector-4Mon-Sun 11:00-23:00
Cartofisserie is the Bucharest potato-house chain: loaded baked potatoes, fried wedges, vegetarian and vegan options, the cheap reliable lunch.
Signature: Loaded baked potatoes, Potato wedges, Vegan options
Order: Loaded baked potato with bacon and brânză.
Tip: Counter service; take-away is the default.
Romanian$$centru-civicSun-Thu 12:00-24:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00
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.
Italian Trattoria$$dorobantiMon-Sun 12:00-23:00
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.