Bucharest Food Lovers Tour: Markets, Tastings & Hidden Spots

4.9
(698 reviews)
Bucharest, Romania

5 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

From the heart of the city to the tastes of the country, this tour takes you on a historical, architectural, and culinary adventure through the many faces (and tastes) of Bucharest! Journey deep into the neighbourhoods of La Belle Époque Bucharest, while sampling the traditional peasant foods that define Romanian cuisine.

What's Included

Enjoy a mix of local cuisine and public transport on this Bucharest food tour
Sample local drinks, including Romanian beer, soft drinks, and coffee or tea
Taste traditional Romanian food on a guided culinary experience in Bucharest
Discover authentic Romanian flavors at Obor Market and local eateries
Experience Bucharest’s food scene through seasonal tastings and cultural stops
Explore Bucharest’s neighborhoods and markets on foot and by tram
Additional food and drinks
Tips/gratuities for your guide

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

"On the stairs of the National Theatre in front of the main entrance, Nicolae Bălcescu 2, Bucureşti. If you are using Uber, please use this address: Bd. Nicolae Bălcescu 2 instead of writing National Theatre.

End point

Saint George Square/ Unirea Square

What to expect

Your Bucharest tour begins in University Square. Absorb all that sociopolitical history before taking a short walk to Strada Batistei, formerly known as the 'St Germain' of Bucharest and the site of the old American embassy. Our first stop will be an exquisite turn-of-the-century townhouse, lovingly restored but with the sense of elegant decay so typical of Bucharest. Under trees and vines, with grapes dangling overhead, you’ll sample a selection of Romanian entrees (gustari), including goat cheese, cured meat, spring onions, homemade bread, and locally brewed craft beers, and you can relax and absorb the atmosphere of this recherché little hideaway.

To help us digest all those treats, we’ll then make our way to the Armenian quarter. The Armenians were a vibrant and successful merchant community in the 18th and 19th centuries, thanks to their valuable role as 'middlemen' for the Ottomans. Based around the Armenian church, their mahalla (neighbourhood) features a spectacular variety of architectural styles from all over Europe and the Ottoman empire: Classical, Belle Époque, Modernist, New-Romanian, Balkanic. Crossing into the old Jewish quarter, we’ll then stop for the most famous street-food, covrigi, before heading on to one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of the city: Mantuleasa.

After exploring 19th-century and inter-war Bucharest, we’ll stop for an ice-cold Romanian weissbier, in a space that can only be described as art-gallery-meets-bookstore-meets-summer garden, before experiencing the quintessential Bucharest public transport: a short ride on a tram. Rattling along the famous Mosilor Street, you’ll enter into Communist Bucharest, with its regimented blocks and housing projects, as you make your way to the famous Obor Market.

Stop for a drink of traditional Romanian palinca (brandy) to prepare the palate. Next, we’ll enter the indoor market to sample a range of Romanian cheeses: cow, sheep, and goat. After that, it’s on to the vegetable market, amid a riot of colours and textures, to taste and photograph the fresh local produce.

Probably the most famous and typical of Romanian foods — at least for Romanians — is called mici, which translates as 'little.'  A kind of skinless sausage, these are served with mustard and cold beer. And finally, because your gastronomic adventure would not be complete without a dessert, we’ll grab a sweet Wallachian doughnut before sending you happily on your way home.

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions? If you have any food allergies, sensitivities, or dietary needs—such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten intolerance—please notify us at least 24 hours in advance. We’ll do our best to accommodate your requirements, but options may be limited depending on availability.
  • What kind of food will we taste on the tour? We usually offer a generous selection of traditional Romanian foods, though exact items may vary depending on the season and daily availability. Expect to enjoy: A peasant platter with aubergine dip, zacusca, whipped beans, fish roe, telemea and burduf cheeses, sausages, smoked bacon, cracklings, red onions, tomatoes, and toast, a selection of Romanian cheeses: cow, sheep, and goat varieties; a seasonal produce tasting, which may include wild strawberries, wild garlic, spicy pickles, watermelon, or grapes; Romania’s beloved mici (grilled skinless sausages) served with mustard; a sweet Wallachian doughnut
  • What drinks are included on the tour? We typically offer a variety of traditional Romanian beverages, though exact options may vary depending on availability. You can usually expect drink samples: shot of tuica (Romanian brandy); up to 3 beers, or soft drinks and coffee/tea as non-alcoholic alternatives.
  • Can the route or food offerings change on the day of the tour? Yes, we reserve the right to adjust both the route and the places visited during the tour. Food inclusions are also subject to change depending on seasonal availability and what’s fresh and accessible on the day. We always aim to provide a rich and authentic experience, even if some elements vary.
Supplied by Intrepid Urban Adventures - Romania
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Tags

Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Cultural Tours
Walking Tours
City Tours
Small Group
Food & Drink
Excellent Quality
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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