Carnivale Funky Gastrotaverna

We had dinner tonight at Carnivale, and honestly, I can easily give the staff and the kitchen team a solid 10/10. The service was absolutely top-notch — the waiters were kind, attentive, and genuinely pleasant, while the chefs clearly know what they’re doing. Every single dish we tried was excellent, from the salads and appetizers to the mains and desserts. The Cretan (with different name here) salad was perfectly seasoned, full of flavor and fresh ingredients. The bouyourdi was outstanding — creamy, well-balanced, and full of that homemade touch. The kids’ burger was surprisingly delicious too, and the pulled pork fries appetizer was simply wonderful. My souvlaki tasted exactly like something you’d have in Greece — juicy, flavorful, and authentic. Desserts were another highlight. Both the baklava and the chocolate pie were so good that my wife and kids didn’t really let me have much of them — which probably says everything you need to know! The wine by the glass was excellent (even though there’s no big selection — they open one bottle at a time, as our very friendly waitress explained). The tsipouro, which she also recommended, was spot-on — smooth and perfectly matched to the food. If I have to mention one downside, it’s that quite a few items were unavailable that evening. To their credit, they told us about it right away, before we even sat down, but still — several of the most interesting appetizers, the gyro, the house tsipouro, and even a Greek beer I wanted to try weren’t available. It was just a bit too many “we don’t have that” moments for one visit. That said, everything else was so good that it’s hard to complain. The atmosphere, the food, and especially the people make Carnivale a place I’d gladly come back to. Hopefully next time, the full menu will be ready — because when everything is available, I’m sure it’s one of the best Greek-inspired restaurants around.

⭐️⭐️⭐️10/10 – A Must-Visit Gem in Sofia!⭐️⭐️ Carnivale is hands down one of the most impressive dining experiences I’ve had in Sofia! From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere completely draws you in — elegant yet lively, with a touch of modern charm that makes you feel like you’re somewhere truly special. The food is exceptional. Every dish looks like a work of art and tastes even better — perfectly balanced flavours, beautifully presented, and made with real attention to detail. Whether you go for the main dishes or starters, shisha or the incomparable wine variety you will be extremely satisfied — unique, well-balanced, and crafted with real flair. The service is top-notch. The staff are friendly, professional, and genuinely make you feel cared for. They’re knowledgeable about the menu and always ready with great recommendations, adding to the whole experience. Carnivale is the perfect spot for any occasion — a romantic dinner, a night out with friends, or simply to enjoy an unforgettable meal in the heart of Sofia. It’s stylish, welcoming, and absolutely worth visiting. If you’re in Sofia and want to experience one of the city’s finest restaurants, don’t miss Carnivale — it’s a place you’ll definitely want to come back to. Thank you for the amazing experience Carnivale!

Best Greek restaurant and a favorite overall in Sofia. Cozy, comfortable, romantic. Extensive wine selection with champagnes and a full bar.

This place has such a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with a special, fun vibe even though it’s not the most modern, it definitely has its own charm. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, especially a girl with light brown hair and glasses (I think I heard her name was Rose?) she was wonderful! The food was really nice, and they were super helpful with everything, and very kind and professional overall. One thing that really stood out is that they had an English menu and the staff could speak english, which made things so much easier, not many places offer that here, so it was really relieving. All in all, a great experience. I’d definitely come back. 😊

We had lunch at this charming tavern offering truly authentic Greek cuisine. The atmosphere is wonderful—warm, welcoming, and beautifully designed (I also liked the artwork, music and colourful fishes!). The staff is incredibly friendly, and the owner is genuinely kind and passionate about his work. You can tell that everyone here works with heart and dedication. The food selection is top-notch, with excellent options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Their wine list is equally impressive, featuring outstanding Greek wines. Service is on a high level—attentive, professional, yet relaxed and genuine. 🥰 They also offer a great selection of spirits and shisha. We’ll definitely be coming back! 😊 It’s definitely worth a visit for anyone seeking not only excellent Greek food (some say even better than in Greece 😉), but also a welcoming ambient for any occasion and number of people.

⭐️⭐️⭐️10/10 – A Must-Visit Gem in Sofia!⭐️⭐️ Carnivale is hands down one of the most impressive dining experiences I’ve had in Sofia! From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere completely draws you in — elegant yet lively, with a touch of modern charm that makes you feel like you’re somewhere truly special. The food is exceptional. Every dish looks like a work of art and tastes even better — perfectly balanced flavours, beautifully presented, and made with real attention to detail. Whether you go for the main dishes or starters, shisha or the incomparable wine variety you will be extremely satisfied — unique, well-balanced, and crafted with real flair. The service is top-notch. The staff are friendly, professional, and genuinely make you feel cared for. They’re knowledgeable about the menu and always ready with great recommendations, adding to the whole experience. Carnivale is the perfect spot for any occasion — a romantic dinner, a night out with friends, or simply to enjoy an unforgettable meal in the heart of Sofia. It’s stylish, welcoming, and absolutely worth visiting. If you’re in Sofia and want to experience one of the city’s finest restaurants, don’t miss Carnivale — it’s a place you’ll definitely want to come back to. Thank you for the amazing experience Carnivale!

We had lunch at this charming tavern offering truly authentic Greek cuisine. The atmosphere is wonderful—warm, welcoming, and beautifully designed (I also liked the artwork, music and colourful fishes!). The staff is incredibly friendly, and the owner is genuinely kind and passionate about his work. You can tell that everyone here works with heart and dedication. The food selection is top-notch, with excellent options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Their wine list is equally impressive, featuring outstanding Greek wines. Service is on a high level—attentive, professional, yet relaxed and genuine. 🥰 They also offer a great selection of spirits and shisha. We’ll definitely be coming back! 😊 It’s definitely worth a visit for anyone seeking not only excellent Greek food (some say even better than in Greece 😉), but also a welcoming ambient for any occasion and number of people.

Best Greek restaurant and a favorite overall in Sofia. Cozy, comfortable, romantic. Extensive wine selection with champagnes and a full bar.

This place has such a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with a special, fun vibe even though it’s not the most modern, it definitely has its own charm. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, especially a girl with light brown hair and glasses (I think I heard her name was Rose?) she was wonderful! The food was really nice, and they were super helpful with everything, and very kind and professional overall. One thing that really stood out is that they had an English menu and the staff could speak english, which made things so much easier, not many places offer that here, so it was really relieving. All in all, a great experience. I’d definitely come back. 😊

We had dinner tonight at Carnivale, and honestly, I can easily give the staff and the kitchen team a solid 10/10. The service was absolutely top-notch — the waiters were kind, attentive, and genuinely pleasant, while the chefs clearly know what they’re doing. Every single dish we tried was excellent, from the salads and appetizers to the mains and desserts. The Cretan (with different name here) salad was perfectly seasoned, full of flavor and fresh ingredients. The bouyourdi was outstanding — creamy, well-balanced, and full of that homemade touch. The kids’ burger was surprisingly delicious too, and the pulled pork fries appetizer was simply wonderful. My souvlaki tasted exactly like something you’d have in Greece — juicy, flavorful, and authentic. Desserts were another highlight. Both the baklava and the chocolate pie were so good that my wife and kids didn’t really let me have much of them — which probably says everything you need to know! The wine by the glass was excellent (even though there’s no big selection — they open one bottle at a time, as our very friendly waitress explained). The tsipouro, which she also recommended, was spot-on — smooth and perfectly matched to the food. If I have to mention one downside, it’s that quite a few items were unavailable that evening. To their credit, they told us about it right away, before we even sat down, but still — several of the most interesting appetizers, the gyro, the house tsipouro, and even a Greek beer I wanted to try weren’t available. It was just a bit too many “we don’t have that” moments for one visit. That said, everything else was so good that it’s hard to complain. The atmosphere, the food, and especially the people make Carnivale a place I’d gladly come back to. Hopefully next time, the full menu will be ready — because when everything is available, I’m sure it’s one of the best Greek-inspired restaurants around.