Summer vibe: Top terraces in Romania's capital city
With the mercury hitting 42, what better than a cool shady terrace to escape the heat and noise of Bucharest? We've searched out the best terraces in the city, which offer drinks and food in little oases of calm just moments away from the big busy boulevards. There are no entries for the Lipscani area, as pretty much every bar, restaurant and cafe has a terrace and they're all much of a muchness. Listed instead in no particular order are a range of spots picked by Romania-Insider.com editors. Some of these terraces are more hidden, but all are fairly centrally located.
The Carturesti bookstores chain is a local success story and the garden behind the bookshop close to Piata Romana has everything. Lots of space and big tables for larger groups, as well as quiet shady corners for more intimate drinking and dining.
Address: Str Arthur Verona, behind Carturesti bookshop
2. Lente
Beer prices RON 7 - RON 15, Coffee RON 6-9, Wine by the glass around RON 10 up
Address: 31 Str General David Praporgescu
3. Zafferano
Something of a Bucharest institution, this Italian restaurant in a large period house has offered a range of typical trattoria dishes for years. The interior is pleasant, but the star of the show is definitely the two level plant laden terrace. Look out for the regular special offers.
Address: 29 Str Popa Savu
4. Green Hours
Another oldie, but another goodie, as well as the subterranean music venue with science fiction décor, the Green Hours has a shady garden cafe, insulated from Calea Victoriei by a music shop. It all murmurs 'Be hip, be bohemian.'
Address: 120 Calea Victoriei
5. Gradina OAR
Just in case you were wondering, OAR comes from the Order of Architects in Romania.
Coffee prices: RON 6 to 12. Beer: RON 6 to 13.
Address: 19 Gradina Verona St. (in picture)
6. Cinci
This tea house called Cinci (the Romanian word for five) comes sixth in this list, but it may be the first in choice of place to spend summer afternoons. It is very hidden, and thus not very crowded, somewhere on a street behind Mitropolie, in a hostel yard. A canopy, a bar and an improvised stage in the middle of a yard create a less commercial, more authentic feel - the sense having tea in someone's garden.
Address: 13 Olimpului Street.
7. Infinitea
Address: 7 Grigore Romniceanu St.
8. Romanian Peasant Club
This is one of the artsiest places in Bucharest, from what we've seen so far: writers, journalists and musicians are almost part of the furniture. But it has a relaxed feel to it and it is closer to culture than any other terrace in Bucharest: it is located in the Romanian Peasant Museum. The terrace also hosts all sorts of cultural events. Folklore-themed, without overdoing the message, the terrace is usually crowded. They serve food - traditional dishes- as well as drinks.
Coffee prices - RON 5 to RON 10. Beer prices: RON 5 to RON 12.
Address: 3 Kiselleff Blvd.(Monetariei, in the back of the Romanian Peasant Museum)
9. Humanitas Kretzulescu reading terrace
Address: 45 Calea Victoriei
10. Livada cu visini
This is a restaurant, as well as a terrace, and its name reminds us of Chekhov's 'Cherry Orchard'- well...only its name. The service is not the best in town and we don't know that much about the food, but it is still a place to check out, at least for the feel of the garden.
Address: 77 Grigore Alexandrescu St.
editor@romania-insider.com