Eastern European$$lipscaniTue-Sat 17:00-01:00; Sun-Mon closed
Abel's Wine Bar back room behind the Old Court on Tonitza in Bucharest is the city's most considered Romanian wine list, with eight tables on Saturdays.
Why locals love it: Set behind the Old Court on Tonitza, Abel's small back room is the city's most considered Romanian wine list, with tasting flights that rotate monthly.
Tip: Reservation-only Saturdays; the back room sees eight tables at most.
Modern European$$dorobantiTue-Sat 18:00-23:00; Sun-Mon closed
Kane Garden off Tunari behind a Dorobanti townhouse in Bucharest is one of the quietest fine-dining patios in the city, full tasting menu in summer.
Why locals love it: Tucked off Tunari behind a Dorobanți townhouse, the Kané garden is one of the quietest fine-dining patios in the city, with the kitchen's full tasting in summer.
Tip: Garden open May to October weather permitting; bookings via the website.
Cocktail bar$$cismigiuMon-Thu 12:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-02:00; Sun 12:00-24:00
Energiea on Brezoianu in Bucharest hides a courtyard behind the print-shop facade, the quietest cocktail spot in the centre through an arched entrance.
Why locals love it: Energiea's hidden courtyard behind the Brezoianu print-shop facade is the quietest cocktail spot in the centre, set back from the street through an arched entrance.
Tip: Ask for a courtyard table when booking; weekday afternoons are calmest.
Cocktail bar$$lipscaniWed-Sat 19:00-02:00; Sun-Tue closed
SIP Bucharest Vault is old town's speakeasy lives behind an unmarked door on covaci, inside a former-bank vault with the original steel doors still in place.
Why locals love it: Old Town's speakeasy lives behind an unmarked door on Covaci, inside a former-bank vault with the original steel doors still in place.
Tip: Reserve ahead by phone; the door is plain wood with a small SIP plate.
Cocktail bar$$cismigiuMon-Sun 16:00-02:00
Garden of Eden on Brezoianu in Bucharest is a leafy first-floor garden bar hidden three flights up inside the Universul building, heated through winter.
Why locals love it: A leafy first-floor garden bar hidden inside the Universul building on Brezoianu, three flights up via a courtyard locals walk past daily.
Tip: Heated through winter; access via the door marked 'Universul' next to Beans and Dots.