Hanu' Berarilor Casa Oprea Soare runs a neo-Romanesque manor as a brewery-restaurant near Bucharest's Piața Unirii, giant platters and house beer.
Signature dishes: Mici, Roasted duck leg, 1 meter mixed platter
Must order: The one-meter mici and grilled-meats platter; the oven-roasted duck leg.
Tip: Booking by phone is fastest; the courtyard runs to 24:00 in summer.
Address: Strada Poenaru Bordea 2, 050554 București, Bucharest
Energiea lives in a former print shop on Brezoianu just outside Old Town, a contemporary Bucharest pub-bistro with strong small plates and a courtyard.
Signature: Pulled pork sandwich, House cocktails, Brunch plates
Order: Pulled-pork sandwich; the signature gin and rosemary cocktail.
Tip: The cocktail program is the strongest in the area; brunch runs Sat-Sun 11:00-16:00.
Linea Closer to the Moon sits atop the Victoria Department Store on Lipscani 17, the fifth-floor rooftop with the widest Old Town view in Bucharest.
Signature: Rooftop tasting plates, Cocktails, Sunday brunch
Order: The chef's daily plate; a sundowner cocktail on the open terrace.
Tip: Igloos on the terrace in winter; bookings essential after 19:00.
Andreea Beca's Beca's Kitchen near Piața Romană in Bucharest runs a small homemade-food bistro, chalkboard daily menu, big mismatched plates of food.
Signature: Daily homemade plates, Tomato soup, Cheesecake
Order: Whatever's chalked up that day; the tomato soup is the standby.
Tip: Lunch fills first; reservations by phone only.
Trattoria Sale e Pepe near Foișorul de Foc in Bucharest cooks a no-frills Naples-leaning trattoria menu, wood-fired pizza and made-fresh daily pasta.
Signature: Pizza Napoletana, Tagliata, House tiramisu
Order: Pizza Diavola; the daily fresh pasta.
Tip: Bookings advisable on weekend evenings; mid-week walk-in is fine.
Buongiorno Italian on Lascăr Catargiu near Piața Victoriei is north-central Bucharest's dependable mid-priced Italian, with daily made pasta.
Signature: Spaghetti alle vongole, Tagliatelle al ragu, Burrata plate
Order: Spaghetti vongole when on; the burrata starter.
Tip: Three Bucharest locations; this is the Calea Victoriei branch.
Garden of Eden is a first-floor courtyard in the Universul building on Brezoianu, a Mediterranean kitchen and cocktail garden in central Bucharest.
Signature: Garden-grilled mains, Tapas plates, Cocktail menu
Order: Grilled octopus; the tapas trio; a Recaș rosé.
Tip: The courtyard is heated in winter; an enclosed nightlife-grade space.
