Beerhouses to try in Bucharest this summer

With summer settling in and temperatures on the rise, it’s time to rediscover the capital’s beerhouses and their offer. Some suggestions below.

Caru' cu Bere

This venue, whose Romanian name translates as ‘the beer cart’, is one of the capital’s most popular, with both locals and tourists. Also a restaurant serving traditional Romanian food, it is housed in a beautiful building in the city’s Old Town, built in a Neo-Gothic style and richly decorated with paintings, stained glass, mosaics and sculpted paneling. The story of the beerhouse goes back to 1879, a year when the establishment’s founder also brought the recipe for the beer served here from Germany. Even though the beer of the house was never produced in the building of Caru’ cu bere (it initially came from the Bragadiru beer factory), the recipe was and still is an original one, and guests can sample it on a visit to this Old Town location. Reservations here.

Gambrinus

This is another historical name among the capital’s beerhouses, and a former meeting place of writers, journalists and politicians. Its history goes back to the turn of the century, to 1901, when it was located across the street from the city’s first National Theater. The venue is now located on Regina Elisabeta Blvd, in the building of Hotel Cismigiu. It was refurbished and reopened in 2013, with an interior design reminiscent of the 1940s. You will also find here a variety of local dishes. Reservations here.

Hanu’ Berarilor

A brand of the local City Grill group, this ‘gastronomic beerhouse’ combines the beerhouse experience and atmosphere with the experience of tasting traditional Romanian food. It has several venues, all hosted in locations with a history: Hanu’ Berarilor – Casa Elena Lupescu (Elena Lupescu was the last wife of Romania’s King Carol II), Hanu' Berarilor Casa Soare, and the recently reopened Becker Brau, located inside the former artisanal brewery Becker Brau. A visit there is also an opportunity to see the capital’s historic Uranus neighborhood as the beerhouse is located on Calea Rahovei. Reservations