Autumn is my favourite season. I like the cozy vibes it brings and I’d like to feel them everywhere I go. Especially when enjoying a meal with friends. That is why I visited three additional top rated restaurants and here is my honest review of them.

1. Largo di Serdika Bar & Dinner

Google: 4,4 stars
Facebook: 5 stars
Tripadvisor: 4 stars

There is no other place that I would rather be than in the Largo! It is my top choice for about 3 years now and I just could not not include it in this list, considering it is one of the most famous places in Sofia at the moment.

It is situated right in the center of the city at the Largo (the name of which it bears), near the Serdica metro station, in the building of the Central Department Store. Almost every important sight in Sofia is near-by, not to mention that the Largo has an enormous outside part that is easy to spot and provides amazing views of the statue of Sofia and the building where the National Assembly is currently housed.

The atmosphere gains the visitor with comfort and luxury and the menu provides a good selection of high-end dishes. You can also see the calories of each of them in the menu, which I totally love.  If you are not hungry and just want a drink – no problem! They have a wide variety of delicious cocktails in just about any shape, size and color there is. Usually, the place is open until 2 a.m. and has people playing the violin or saxophone a few nights per week. They have a Latino night on Wednesdays and on Fridays and Saturdays they are open until 4 a.m. and turn into a club after 10 p.m.

If the above did not win your heart, this for sure will! They have the absolute best shisha in Sofia. This is what won me in the first place and the reason why I visit them at least twice a week. The variety of tobaccos is huge and the two guys that make the shishas are definitely professionals. They give great advice on the flavors and combinations you can mix and smoking their creations is a great experience to enjoy.

My rating: Definitely a GO!

2. Russian Restaurant Arbat

Google: 4,4 stars
Facebook: N/a
Tripadvisor: 4,5 stars

I liked everything about Arbat, except for the food.

The restaurant is located right across from the Russian church and has a gorgeous view of it. The inside is decorated with style and has multiple objects from Russia. I really loved the small car, filled with flowers that is located in the lobby. It is super Instagrammable and presents a great photo opportunity.

There is live Russian music in the evenings and dancers, as well! They are what made our visit there a truly unique experience.

But when it came to the main star, which was supposed to be the food, we were very, very disappointed. I wanted to visit Arbat because their chef was leading a masterclass on the Bulgarian MasterChef. What she showed there was how to make dumplings. So we thought that was what we should try. We ordered three different types to share – with beef, pork and fish. To me, all three kinds tasted absolutely the same. And I honestly did not like them at all. The rest of the dishes we ordered were also not that good and the portions were a bit small. I had much bigger expectations.

My rating: Would visit once for the experience, but will not go again.

3. Raketa Rakia Bar

Google: 4,6 stars
Facebook: 4,6 stars
Tripadvisor: 4,5 stars

Have you ever dreamed of trying 107 different types of rakia (the Bulgarian national drink)? Because if you have, Raketa Rakia Bar is the right place for you!

In addition to the amazing rakia collection, the restaurant offers unique atmosphere with its decor from the age of Communism – you can spot old-fashioned toys, TVs and a bright red fridge with the sickle and the hammer drawn on it. There are even old Coke bottles from the time! And with my coffee I received a little piece of paper with a quote from a movie that came out in 1975. I absolutely loved those little details.

In contrast with Arbat, the food in Raketa was my favorite thing. I enjoyed every single dish we tried, especially the chicken steak. My mouth still waters, when I think of it. I went there for the rakia and the place completely blew my mind. I would go again without a moment of hesitation!

My rating: There are not enough superlatives to describe the place!

If you liked this post, write me in the comments which other restaurants should I visit 🙂

For An Honest Review of Top Rated Restaurants: Part 1 click here.

Photos: Personal Archive