Manastirska Magernitsa Restaurant

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. The food, service, atmosphere was AMAZING! 🥳 Bring your business deals here, your clients, your family, yourself alone and don't leave Sofia without coming here. I promise you. You won't be disappointed.

You’ll need a reservation here, as it’s usually quite busy. They couldn’t accommodate us right away, so we came back next day. The place serves traditional Bulgarian food, and the interior really takes you back in time. The homemade ice cream was delicious! They even have a TV displaying cultural information, which adds a nice touch to the experience.

You’ll feel like you stepped back in time a couple centuries ago in this historically preserved building whose insulation still has hay we were told. In addition to the ambiance the food also presents an authentic experience from monastic life, which evidently is modest on flavor and seasoning. You’ll want to correct this, unless you’re trying to keep your tongue celibate.

I was looking for a place to try traditional Bulgarian food, and this restaurant came up as one of the most recommended options. It is located in a restored old house, decorated with folk details and a pleasant garden area that feels quiet and relaxed. They also provide an English menu, which is very helpful. The complimentary bread was soft and fluffy, served with sharena sol (a traditional Bulgarian spice mix of salt, paprika, and herbs). The waiter kindly explained what it was and even showed me how to find it in local supermarkets, which added a personal touch. For lunch, I had the Thracian salad with yogurt and cucumbers, followed by the Beef Chomlek: a generous stew with tender beef, carrots, and potatoes, very well prepared and comforting. I paired it with a Draft Glarus unfiltered ale, which balanced the meal nicely. Prices felt fair considering the quality and generous portions. Overall, if you are visiting Sofia and want to experience a restaurant strongly focused on traditional Bulgarian recipes, this is a very good choice.

A lovely place to try traditional Bulgarian food. The restaurant itself is beautiful, decorated with plenty of cultural details. There’s seating both inside and outside, with lots of space indoors for large groups. We sat in the outdoor area, which was very pleasant. The waiter was very nice and spoke perfect English, which made ordering easy. We ordered two vegetarian dishes and a handmade strawberry lemonade. The food was tasty and of good quality, though the portions felt a bit small for the price. Still, it was an enjoyable experience overall.

I was looking for a place to try traditional Bulgarian food, and this restaurant came up as one of the most recommended options. It is located in a restored old house, decorated with folk details and a pleasant garden area that feels quiet and relaxed. They also provide an English menu, which is very helpful. The complimentary bread was soft and fluffy, served with sharena sol (a traditional Bulgarian spice mix of salt, paprika, and herbs). The waiter kindly explained what it was and even showed me how to find it in local supermarkets, which added a personal touch. For lunch, I had the Thracian salad with yogurt and cucumbers, followed by the Beef Chomlek: a generous stew with tender beef, carrots, and potatoes, very well prepared and comforting. I paired it with a Draft Glarus unfiltered ale, which balanced the meal nicely. Prices felt fair considering the quality and generous portions. Overall, if you are visiting Sofia and want to experience a restaurant strongly focused on traditional Bulgarian recipes, this is a very good choice.