Best Places to Eat in Sibiu | Foodie Guide
One of the most charming cities in Romania, Sibiu is a lively city with adorable winding streets, vibrant buildings, and maybe the most important, an awesome food scene. With two major squares in lined with bustling restaurants and cafes, and inviting colorful streets that are a delight to get lost on, it’s no surprise Sibiu was honored as a European Capital of Culture in 2007. So, with all these options, where are the best places to eat in Sibiu?
It’s hard to choose! Sibiu’s foodie scene includes everything from lovely traditional and hip modern restaurants, delicious authentic bakeries, heavenly homemade ice cream, and an intimate wine shop to sample some of Romania’s locally sourced wine.
These are the best places to eat in Sibiu. Bonus look for recommendations on what to order.
Table of Contents
- Best Places to Eat in Sibiu | Traditional Restaurants
- The Most Authentic Bakery
- Sip on Wine with a View
- Best Places to Eat in Sibiu for Desserts
- Sibiu an Awesome Place to Explore Transylvania
- Final Thoughts | Best Places to Eat in Sibiu
Best Places to Eat in Sibiu | Traditional Restaurants
There are so many places to eat in Sibiu that offer up some hearty traditional Romanian fare. These three restaurants offer charm, big portions, and friendly servers.
The Golden Barrel (Butoiul de Aur Sibiu)
The Golden Barrel is located just next to the beautiful Stair’s Tower Passage. With its central and popular location, this establishment comes highly recommended as one of the best places to eat in Sibiu for traditional fare. I usually don’t like to eat near main tourist attractions, as I find that the food isn’t quite as authentic. Well, was I proven wrong.
The Golden Barrel is a spectacular place to eat in Sibiu. Not only is the interior of the building stunning, but there is an inviting outdoor terrace. The close proximity to the stairwell makes a perfect spot to do some serious people watching. The servers are attentive and friendly (they even tell jokes)! Most importantly, the food was authentic and delicious. Oh yeah, and the portions super hearty.
What To Order
The cabbage rolls or Sarmale. The cabbage rolls are stuffed with minced meat and sometimes rice and fresh dill. The sour cabbage (sauerkraut) can be inside or dumped on top. The Golden Barrel serves theirs with sauerkraut on top, a dollop of sour cream, a hefty piece of ham, and a side of polenta. Add the hot pepper to kick it up a notch.
Find it on this menu as: Sarmalute cu costita afumata si mamaliguta
Hunul din Tulghes at the Astra Folk Museum
Hunul din Tulghes is located next to the Gate 2 entrance of the Astra Folk Museum (near the wooden gate). Exploring the sprawling Astra Folk Museum is a must when visiting Sibiu. This interesting museum is one of Europe’s largest open air museums and boasts traditional homes, interactive workshops, and plenty of green space to relax.
Due to the sheer size of this place, a day trip to the Astra Folk Museum can take all day. Hunul din Tulghes is one of the best places to eat in Sibiu to sample traditional plates of food. This busy establishments serves up hearty places of typical Romanian dishes on a cute open air patio. If the weather isn’t so great, there are plenty of seats inside.
What to Order
Try the simple plate of Baked beans with sausage. There’s something so delicious about simple, comfort food. Romania does hearty food like this so well.
Find it on this menu as: iahnie de fasole cu carnat
Pasaj
Pasaj really adds a modern interpretation to classical Romanian dishes. A little more expensive than some of my other recommendations, but this was one of my favorite foodie places in Sibiu. The food is fresh and delicious. Pasaj focuses on local provisions and you can really taste it on the plate. The service was great, and this was one place that poured local Romanian wines from the glass. Pasaj is located near the Stair’s Tower Passage, but further down the street. There is a nice outdoor space which usually is always full when walking past.
What to Order
They have excellent lighter-fare, which is excellent to break up the heavy cuisine. Try the fresh salad with local trout. The polenta croutons are out of this world! The menu is always changing since it’s seasonal, but pizzas and burgers are offered daily. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced, so try something unusual!
Best Places to Eat in Sibiu to Try Something a Little Different
Sandwiched in between the streets “Piața Teatrului” and “Strada Radu Stanca” sit a bunch of little food stands. The closest landmark is the Radu Stanca National Theater and look for the Kombinat Gastro-Brewery. Next to the brewery are a handful of food-stands. The stands include: gourmet sandwiches, food stands, coffee shops, and make shift stands serving beer. Each little stall has their own outdoor seating section that looks out onto a large and spacious terrace that makes for an excellent spot to people watch.
The Most Authentic Bakery
One of the best places to eat in Sibiu is actually a tiny bakery. Seriously, this may have been the most authentic bakery in all my travels throughout Romania. Find it hidden near the main train station in Sibiu. The name is Creme de la Creme, but it is so off the radar, that it is not marked on any google maps.
This little bakery is such a hidden gem. Beware it’s so small that it’s easy to bypass!
Where is it?
From the Train or Bus Station, walk down the main street “Strada General Magheru.” It is the main large parkway that leads you into main city area of Sibiu. Walk down this street and stay on the left hand side. The best way to identify the bakery is by the small line of people that usually cue out in front of it. If there’s no line, you’re lucky. The little shop sits right before the street “Strada Pescarilor.” The bakery is simple and has a tiny sign in the window that reads Creme De La Creme.
Although it’s a simple walk-up bakery, there is a charm about it. All the women working here are dressed in white and when the window opens you can feel the heat from the fryers that have been running for hours. The display case shows-off what goodies are ready for purchase. Just point to what you want and enjoy!
What To Order
Everything! There’s a wide variety, so it’s possible to try something every time you pop-up. I think I visited three times in one day….. Yes, it’s that good. Try the Gogoașa (plural is Gogoși, which will come in handy) stuffed with sweet cheese and dill. These are a real treat, especially when it is fresh off the fryer. The cheese is so soft and the entire pastry melts in your mouth. It is comparable to a doughnut, but gogoși are much larger, almost resembling a massive empanada.
Find it on this menu as: Gogosa Urda & Marar
Creme de la Creme also served up everyone’s favorite Romanian Pretzels: Covrigi. The original is covered in poppy seeds, but they offered some unique varietals of Romania’s favorite snack.
Sip on Wine with a View
So need a break from all the best places to eat in Sibiu? Try sipping wine at an intimate wine shop that comes with some stellar views.
Wine Not?
Nestled in a small square just down from the Stair’s Passage, find the intimate wine shop called Wine Not? This cute place offers local Romanian wines and a super knowledgeable and helpful staff that can help you choose a wine suited just for you. They do offer a wine flight, but for solo travelers, it can be quite indulgent. In other words, the wine pours are more than generous so it may be best to share with a friend.
If you don’t want to try a flight, sample wine by the glass. The menu is extensive in Romanian varietals, so if unfamiliar with the grapes, the friendly employees can steer you in the right direction. Enjoy the wine at the few tables scattered out front of the shop. If they are full, sit at the beautiful Corona Square right in front of it. There are cozy benches, or do what locals do, and sit on the edge of fountain ledge.
This wine shop had the friendliest staff and the pours are generous and affordable. A large glass of wine will set you back as little as $3 and rises with the quality.
Hey! This was my favorite wine shop in Romania, a true hidden gem…. Enjoy!
What to Order
The wine flight! 4 large pours of the wine shop’s favorite rotating wines.
Like a crisp white wine? Try the Maria Fetească Albă
Best Places to Eat in Sibiu for Dessert
There is no way to leave Romania without trying Papanași. What are these enticing desserts? Papanasi are delicious doughnuts stuffed with a soft cheese, and smothered in sour cream and a tart berry sauce! YUMMY! Almost every restaurant in Sibiu has it on their menu, so don’t miss out on this indulging dessert.
GelatoMania
Confession. I ate an ice cream cone everyday from GelatoMania. This handmade ice cream shop is originally from Brașov, so it’s a real treat to stumbled upon this place in Sibiu. With the success of the shop in Brașov, like having to wait in line for over 30 minutes for a cone, they have opened up a tiny little ice cream stand in the middle of the road.
There are tons of little ice cream stands that line the street, so don’t mistake it for another. The best homemade ice cream comes from GelatoMania.
All the ice cream is based on Italian artisan quality. Not a fan of ice cream? They make delicious sorbets as well! The flavor combinations were certainly unique and delicious.
Since it is not on the map yet, find it here: Nicolae Bălcescu street, no. 43
Psst.. I have to admit this is one of my favorite ice cream shops in all of my travels throughout Europe. Yes, it’s that good!
What to Order
You’ll always want to order two scoops! Want to get your mind blown? Order the ricotta and fig. Dreaming about this flavor makes me want to hop on a plane pronto.
Find it on this menu as: ricotta cu fig
Sibiu an Awesome Place to Explore Transylvania
Now that you know some of the best places to eat in Sibiu, slow down and stay awhile. The city is so charming it makes for a great base to explore all the incredible highlights that Transylvania has to offer. Most travelers choose to stay in Brasov to explore Transylvania, but there are a few day trips that are much more convenient from Sibiu. After spending a few days in Sibiu, I wish I would have had more time here.
The city was recognized as a European Cultural Capital in 2007, which is an understatement. Sibiu feels so alive and boasts vivid and bright buildings, cobblestone streets, two interesting plazas, and a fortified wall, and houses that appear to have eyes. However, Sibiu feels like an authentic city. For example, many of the buildings have paint peeling or shutters missing, giving the city a very lived in feel, one of the main reasons it’s so charming.
Psst… Looking for a cheap, convenient, and just overall awesome place to sleep in Sibiu? Try CityStay Hostel Sibiu, which is located right in the center of Little Market Square. This clean hostel boasts amazing views of the city, super friendly and helpful staff, and is only a 10 minute walk to train and bus stations. Check availability here
There’s no denying that the city of Sibiu is romantic and it’s hard not to fall in love with it. Wander the streets, enjoy the main squares, people watch at one of the two main plazas, and eat all the food you can. Sibiu has a personality of its own, like no other place in the Balkans, or Europe.
Travel Deeper | Explore the Hidden Gem Salt Region of Romania
Final Thoughts | Best Places to Eat in Sibiu
In conclusion, Sibiu is such a charming city. Besides it being a picturesque walled city, there are a ton of awesome places to indulge in the food street. Wander through the streets, get lost, leave your heart here, and indulge at some of the best places to eat in Sibiu. The city does not disappoint, so slow down, and enjoy one of the most incredible cities in Romania. Oh yeah, and come hungry!
Have you been to Sibiu? Did you fall in love with this charming Romanian city? Did you eat at any of these best places to eat in Sibiu? Am I missing any place that you absolutely love? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.
