This list will most likely be the guide for the most authentic and tasty Romanian food you will ever encounter. The best food in Romania to satisfy any true explorer. Disclaimer, the restaurant doesn’t have to be the best in all the foods, but the must try are done to perfection!
Pro tip: Use Google Maps to search for “Punct Gastronomic”
Recently in Romania we have this new concept, culinary spot – Punct Gastronomic, and it is a place where you can experience authentic Romanian food from local producers. It is usually small in size and in more rural areas, but for those of you who are proper foodies and want to experience authentic Romanian home cooking, this is the way.
You most likely will need to call in advance to eat there. Punct Gastronomic has its own special legal status as it needs to have local products only and homemade products ranging from good to homemade lemonades, fermented elderflower drinks or spirits.
Punct Gastronomic Maria Bidan – Bistrita County
Dracula loves hiking on Via Transilvanica and has encountered this Punct Gastronomic or culinary spot with amazing food. We had regional foods that were home cooked, 2 soups, two main courses, and a dessert. It was after a really long hike so we ate everything. It was all you can eat and drink. It is important to call in advance (we called in the morning) to tell them approximately what hour we will arrive from the hike, and we were a 10-person group.
Must try: whatever they put on your plate, there is no menu (if you call days in advance they might adapt a menu for anyone that is vegan or vegetarian)
Location: Google Maps
Hanul Păstrăvarului – Suceava County
I went to eat here and the ingredients are local, the fish is fished from their own ponds, the sour cream is locally sourced from producers nearby and the flavour tastes perfect. The best food from a restaurant that I have ever had is at this place. Currently, it is the number one restaurant in Romania in Dracula’s opinion.
Must try: The trout soup, trout in sour cream, grilled trout, smoker trout and papanasi (desert)
Location: Google Maps
Restaurant National – Suceava County
The owner of the restaurant, Cornelia Dumitrescu, is the creator of the Famous Ciorba Radauteana. The food they make is done in a tasteful Romanian way, with a particular focus on the quality of the ingredients. The Dracula team loves food and this place does a really good job.
Must try: The famous Ciorba Radauteana, Moldavian smoked meat borsch (bors moldovenesc cu afumatura)
Location: Google Maps
Terasa Obor – Bucharest
Dracula wrote an entire article on the topic of mici, currently the best mici in Romania are at this magic location. After exploring most of the places with good mici in Bucharest, I think the crown has to be given to the mici in Obor, but you can always find out for yourself:
Must try: Mici
Location: Google Maps
La Taifas – Bucharest
Dracula’s favorite place to eat in Bucharest is to experience home style cooked food. They have European food but they also have traditional food on the menu. The Ciorba de Perisoare is the best and Dracula has tried a lot of places.
Must try: Ciorba de Perisoare
Location: Google Maps
Bistro de l’arte – Brasov
Imagine grandma with some French skills in cooking, well this is what you get at this restaurant. Very traditional meals executed to new heights that feel less like reinterpreted meals and more like the love of cooking something that you care about. They change the menu seasonally, so the boiled papanasi might not be on the menu. The drink menu is authentic, so my pro tip is to ask directly: What authentic Romanian drinks do you recommend? Plenty of wines, spirits, teas, and cordials await.
Must try: local cordial drinks (if they have the spruce cordial, go for it), boiled papanasi (there is a fried version too)
Pro tip: order from the menu of the day the dishes that the staff recommends.
Location: Google Maps
List will develop in time, message us on facebook for suggestions or if the places are closed: https://www.facebook.com/DraculasGuidetoRomania
Also have a look here:
Dracula's Guide to Romania 
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