Restaurants
close to Old Town and very close to Cismigiu Park, expect big portions of tasty local dishes. Great ciorbas, terrific mici and a decent pint of beer to wash it all down with.QB-5, Str. Ion Brezoianu 19, MUniversitate, tel. (+4) 021 315 83 75/(+4) 0721 20 08 00, www.vatra.ro. Open 12:00 24:00. €€. PLSW
AMERICAN & BURGERS BUFFALO BAZ Seriously good burgers of a size just about unsurpassed anywhere else in the city. Not the biggest place in the world you might have to wait for a seat at busy times, but wait you should: the quality of the burgers is outstanding and while far from cheap, for what you get you are paying relatively little. Good choice of side dishes too (the fries are way above average) and the noodles are well worth trying. For dessert, the cheesecake awaits (if they have any left: it goes fast). Oh, and bring the kids: they will love the place.QC-3, Calea Floreasca 47, tel. (+4) 0736 36 83 35. Open 10:00 - 23:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. €€. PLSW CHAMPIONS Still serving one of the very best burgers in Bucharest (you can choose one or design your own from an endless choice of toppings), a fact undisputed by anyone we’ve ever met. It is also one of the biggest. In fact, now we think of it, the portions of everything here are enormous: even the children’s servings are very healthy indeed. Besides the burgers you will find a great selection of American pub food, as well as Tex Mex treats and even 18 Bucharest In Your Pocket
some more refined, slow food options. Famously good cocktails, and more televisions showing sport than you could ever hope for. Find it in the Marriott: up the stairs as you go in and to your right.QB-6, Calea 13 Septembrie 90 (JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel), tel. (+4) 021 403 19 17, www.championsrestaurant.ro. Open 12:00 24:00. €€€. PTLSW HARD ROCK CAFE One of the largest Hard Rocks in Europe, you can’t go wrong here, whatever time of day you visit. Come for lunch with the kids (who are always well looked after, and have their own menu), dinner with the crowd from work or late drinks and live music with your mates. All things to all people the burgers and ribs are a cut above the usual, desserts are as outsized and sweet as they should be, and the service comes from smiley waitresses and expert bar staff. We love it. Let’s rock.QA-2, Sos. Kiseleff 32, tel. (+4) 021 206 62 61, www.hardrock.com/ bucharest. Open 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 01:00. €€€. PTLESW NEW VIVO Burgers - big, tasty ones - and much more besides. We tried the Game of Dijons burger, a right monster packed with all sorts of treats, from parmesan and cheddar to truffle oil and a seriously good mustard sauce. You will do well to finish it. There are also fine ribs, chunky soups and even salads. Desserts as immense as everything else, and the only disappointment were the fries: not the best in the city. Worth going though, for the burgers alone, if you can bucharest.inyourpocket.com