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.
Traditional Romanian$$$lipscaniMon-Sun 10:00-24:00
The 1879 Caru' cu bere on Stavropoleos serves the soul of Bucharest dining, where mici were recorded in a 1920 chef's letter to the Academy.
Signature: Mici, Sarmale, Papanași
Order: Mici with mustard and ciorbă de burtă, then papanași for dessert.
Tip: Walk-up queues from 12:30 onward; the upstairs hall has the live folk band.
Traditional Romanian$$$lipscaniMon-Thu 10:00-24:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-02:00; Sun 10:00-24:00
The 1808 caravanserai-turned-restaurant Hanu' lui Manuc on Franceză serves classic Romanian plates around one of Europe's last remaining inn courtyards.
Signature: Mici, Sarmale, Lamb tochitură
Order: Mici and a lamb tochitură; the cabbage rolls feed two.
Tip: The courtyard fills first; ask for a balcony table inside the U-shaped inn.