Food & Drink in Bansko
From hearty Bulgarian mountain cooking to wood-fired pizza and craft beer — Bansko punches well above its weight when it comes to eating and drinking well
Eating & Drinking in Bansko
Bansko has a food scene that surprises most visitors. The old town mehanas (traditional taverns) serve some of the best Bulgarian cooking you'll find anywhere — slow-cooked meats, rich bean soups, and local wines by the carafe. But there's also excellent pizza, great breakfast spots, Sunday roasts, and a craft beer bar that would hold its own in any European city.
As locals, we've eaten our way around this town for years. These are the places we actually go to — and the dishes we always order.
Our Picks
Places we actually go to — tried, tested, and genuinely recommended.
What to Drink
Rakia
Bulgaria's national spirit — fruit brandy, usually plum or grape. Served as a welcome drink in most mehanas. Sip it slowly with a shopska salad and you're doing it right.
Bulgarian Wine
Bulgaria has been making wine for over 3000 years and the quality has improved dramatically in recent decades. The local Melnik grape produces a rich, full-bodied red that pairs perfectly with mountain food. Ask for house wine in any mehana — it's usually excellent and very affordable.
Kamenitza
The local Bulgarian lager. Cold, crisp, and very refreshing after a day on the slopes or the trails. Widely available everywhere and very reasonably priced.
Ayran
A cold yoghurt drink that sounds odd but is genuinely refreshing in summer. Slightly salty, very cooling, and a staple of Bulgarian summer eating.
Ready to eat your way around Bansko?
Stay with us and we'll point you to the best table in town every night.
Stay With Us