Best Bulgarian Restaurants in Veliko Tarnovo & Nice Bars

There are many options for restaurants and bars in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, most of which serve Bulgarian cuisine. Some are modern, and others have a traditional vibe.

As a bonus, the city’s hilly terrain means some restaurants have a table with a view. We found it easy to find a table except for the busy May Day long weekend when the town was brimming with visitors.

Restaurants in Veliko Tarnovo

Some of the best places where we enjoyed a meal out while sightseeing in Veliko Tarnovo.

The Green Restaurant

We had a fantastic meal out at The Green Restaurant near the entrance of Tsarevets Fortress. They were rather quiet in the evening. However, during the daytime, I had noticed they were busy when the fortress was open. They have outside seating at the front, and inside they have a nice dining room. We opted for the tables by the window to enjoy the views of Trapezitsa Fortress.

For drinks, we drank local beer and some homemade lemonade. We tried a selection of dishes from their menu, including taramas for a starter with the nicest cheesy pitta we’ve ever had. The main course was a traditional pork stew served on a hot plate.

Restaurant Vladishki Bridge: A Country Pub

Restaurant Vladishki Bridge was a pleasant restaurant where I enjoyed a few beers and some burgers. It is near Saint George Church and the Vladishki Bridge, a wooden footbridge across the River Yantra. The owner was really friendly and upsold me to get food. The venue was fantastic, especially the views. Lunch was filling too and freshly made.

Restaurant & Bar Jardin

Restaurant & Bar Jardin is slightly out of the main town centre, near the Monument of Mother Bulgaria. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and we opted to enjoy the warm weather outside.

For drinks, they have a good range, including Kamenitsa. They also serve non-alcoholic cocktails, lemonade and a range of coffee. Their menu is eclectic and has lots of dishes. I enjoyed pork and sausages in a spicy sauce served on flatbread for the main course with a Shopska salad to start.

Rich: For Traditional Bulgarian Cuisine

A lovely restaurant to visit in Veliko Tarnovo is Rich, which serves traditional Bulgarian cuisine. They have an old-fashioned dining room and a balcony overlooking the river and the Assen monument. They are also a popular place to dine out at sunset. Sadly, their balcony tables were all taken when I visited, but I got to see the red skies through the window.

They serve a variety of beers, including some German and Bulgarian. I opted for Kamenitsa to accompany my meal. For the main course, I ate a mixed grill, which they served with fried potatoes.

Велико Търново

We fancied takeout pizza at our hotel but were lacking local choices until we found ПИЦАРИЯ ТЕМПО – Велико Търново. They are primarily a restaurant that specialises in pizza. I popped along to order, as the Glovo website has an aversion to being translated. I ordered a beer while I waited in their dining room.

Bars and Cafes in Veliko Tarnovo

Sammy’s Bar With a Grand View

Sammy’s Bar has a covered terrace with a view over the river and the epic monument to the Assens. Their bar is nicely decorated, and they provide at-the-table service. For drinks here, I had a Zagorka, a local beer.

Кафе Ясна

One of my favourite bars for just a beer was Кафе Ясна. You can find this on the main road through town near the Monkey House. They are a simple bar that serves beer and coffee. This includes bottles like Kemenitsa. Overall, Кафе Ясна was just my vibe, and I returned a few times.

Cafe Joy Happiness

If you like cool places to have a drink, then pop into 23. Cafe Joy Happiness. They have a colourful and comfy venue with a good choice of drinks.

I drank a few Kamenitsa beers on one of their comfy chairs. They provide at-the-table service, and overall it is a nice cafe to visit.

Café BIANCO at The Mall

No visit to the shopping mall is complete without refreshments. On the top floor of Veliko Tarnovo Mall, there is a choice of cafes. I opted for Cafe BIANCO, which has a balcony with sofa seats. They serve a variety of coffees or beers. Cafe BIANCO was a great way to finish a trip to the mall.