Bistro$$universitateMon-Sun 12:00-23:00
Andreea Beca's Beca's Kitchen near Piața Romană in Bucharest runs a small homemade-food bistro, chalkboard daily menu, big mismatched plates of food.
Signature: Daily homemade plates, Tomato soup, Cheesecake
Order: Whatever's chalked up that day; the tomato soup is the standby.
Tip: Lunch fills first; reservations by phone only.
Italian Trattoria$$sector-2Mon-Sun 12:00-23:00
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.
Italian Trattoria$$calea-victorieiMon-Sun 12:00-23:00
Buongiorno Italian on Lascăr Catargiu near Piața Victoriei is north-central Bucharest's dependable mid-priced Italian, with daily made pasta.
Signature: Spaghetti alle vongole, Tagliatelle al ragu, Burrata plate
Order: Spaghetti vongole when on; the burrata starter.
Tip: Three Bucharest locations; this is the Calea Victoriei branch.
Mediterranean$$cismigiuMon-Sun 16:00-02:00
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.
Romanian$$floreascaMon-Sun 12:00-01:00
Berăria H opened in 2014 inside the former Heavy Industry Pavilion in Herastrau Park, billed as Southeast Europe's largest beer hall on a 5,000 sqm floor.
Signature: Mici platter, Roasted pork knuckle, House lagers
Order: Pork knuckle on bread; a meter of house lager.
Tip: Concerts most weekends; bookings essential for Friday and Saturday nights.
Romanian$$$dorobantiTue-Sat 18:00-23:00; Sun-Mon closed
Kané on Tunari runs a Romanian-fusion kitchen in a converted Dorobanți house in Bucharest, with a courtyard garden and a strong modern wine list.
Signature: Tasting plates, House signatures, Romanian wine pairing
Order: The chef's tasting; the house Recaș pairing.
Tip: Sunday closed; the garden runs May through October.