The 10 Best Restaurants In Chişinău, Moldova

Arc de Triomphe, Chişinău
Arc de Triomphe, Chişinău | © Tony Bowden/Flickr
By Virág Gulyás

The capital of the Republic of Moldova, Chişinău lies beside the river Bic. It’s the country’s political and cultural center and also one of Europe’s greenest cities. The city shares a rich history with Romania and Russia, giving Chişinău a cosmopolitan air, particularly when it comes to food. Here are ten outstanding restayrants where you can experience the culture and flavor of Moldova.

1. Creme de la Crème

Cafe, Patisserie, Restaurant, European, Coffee, Tea

Creme de la Crème cafe in Chisinau, Moldova
© G Travels/Flickr
This three storey culinary heaven boasts the city’s best desserts choices, however Creme de la Crème is also an ideal lunch and dinner venue. The restaurant owners set the scene for the patisserie in a authentic Parisian-style hall located on the ground floor, while the main restaurant gives its guests to a traditional Provençal feel. Besides Creme de la Crème’s lauded French croissants and Viennese coffees, the restaurant also offers great variants of salad, pasta and steak plates, leaving guests with an eclectic European menu at an affordable price. Creme de la Crème is an ideal place for weekend brunches and official dining for families and business people alike.

2. Popasul Dacilor

Restaurant, European, Romanian, Vegetarian

This rustic restaurant is set in an old manor house, and is one of Chişinău’s true gastronomic culinary delights. Popasul Dacilor is a gateway to the traditional Moldavian roots not only in culinary diversity but also in its authentic and unique decor. Popasul Dacilor takes its guests for a virtual journey back in time, with delicious dishes harking back to a by-gone era. Waitresses are dressed in old-fashioned costume while serving acclaimed local dishes that bring together diverse tastes. Though Popasul Dacilor is praised for its service and constant high quality food – halt gauls, the house’s main specialty is not to be missed. The indoor restaurant can seat up to 150 people, while two additional terraces expand its capacity, which, along with the picturesque set make it a perfect choice for all occasions.

3. Vatra Neamului

Restaurant, European, Vegetarian

Vatra Neamului has earned its name thanks to providing the best service in town. Owner and designer Mr. Nicolae Avram envisioned a venue where appetite for flavor and culture are both equally satisfied. Vatra Neamului offers Romanian-inspired fish, meat and soup dishes, accompanied by a large wine list. The wooden decor not only gives a luxurious atmosphere to the place, but also gives pride of place to Vatra Neamului’s portraits of some of Moldova’s greatest poets, writers and artists. This top-notch, truly authentic restaurant offers a number of quiet rooms for a more intimate dining or its terrace for a more flamboyant experience.

5. La Taifas

Restaurant, Romanian

La Taifas Musicians, Chisinau
© Guttorm Flatabø/Flickr
This acclaimed national restaurant is set in a Moldovan style peasant’s house, ensuring that you’ll get a real taste of Moldova here. Authentic scenery, Moldavian hospitality, accompanied with traditional dishes, all delivered in accordance with national customs, this is what La Taifas stands for. The restaurant offers an wide choice of specialties, so there’s something for everyone. La Taifas is a three-storey building, where the first floor serves as the main eatery, the second as a banquet hall, while the third floor was designed and structured for a romantic, more intimate dining experience. If you’re in the mood for chirba, mamalyga, platsinda or for excellent local Moldovan wines embraced by national live music, then La Taifas is the perfect venue.

6. Caravan

Restaurant, Vegetarian, Middle Eastern, European

Caravan, a real cultural gem in Chişinău, is the city’s chief Asian restaurant. Caravan is warm and welcoming, ideal for romantic dining. The interior displays organza curtains, rugs, carpets and handmade tableware. The attractive menu lines up a wide choice of veal, lamb, duck, chicken, fish and vegetarian specialties that are complemented by traditional Uzbek brew tea.

7. View Cafe & Restaurant

Cafe, Restaurant, European

View from Nobil Luxury Boutique Hotel, Chisinau
© Chris Radcliff/Flickr
A luxurious venue located on the 8th floor of the Nobil Luxury Boutique Hotel Moldova, View Cafe & Restaurant is Chişinău’s only panoramic restaurant that offers a truly scenic view of the city landscape. Besides the fantastic views and elegantly designed terrace seating, View Café & Restaurant makes sure the food delivers an upscale dining experience as well. Their kitchen emphasizes a fusion of French and Italian tastes, yet with a local twist; therefore, the menu lines up a great range of eclectic choices that change seasonally. Gentle, live piano music and impeccable service amplify the pleasant atmosphere further.

8. Tucano Coffee

Tucano Coffee

Thi is Chişinău’s best-loved hub for light meals, boasting its own high-quality 100% Arabica coffee brand. With its mission statement ‘Love, Peace and Coffee,’ Tucano Coffee aims to offer a platform where cultures can freely mingle together under one roof and differences are accepted and respected; this is augmented by their attentive personnel and the cosmopolitan, hippie-styled design. Guests can choose from a rich variety of coffee specialties, accompanied by delicious sweets and savories as well as light breakfast and lunch options. If you’re looking for the best cheesecakes in town then don’t miss Tucano, which offers several different flavors. The venue is also home to regular cultural events, from photo exhibitions to pantomimes shows, and painting events led by local artists.
Tucano Coffee, str. A.Puşkin, 15, Chişinău, Moldova, +373 211 444

9. Morimoto Sushi

Restaurant, Seafood, Sushi

Morimoto Sushi is a name to remember. Praised for its signature dishes, the restaurant presents an outstanding selection of Japanese and Thai plates at affordable prices. Besides the typical sushi and noodle specialties, Morimoto offers seafood, steak and grill tastes as well. The restaurant’s top-level quality both for its service and dishes have justly elevated it to sit among the best international cuisine venues in Chişinău. Their concept of serving only the freshest and healthiest tastes is warmly welcomed by guests, who can enjoy pleasant indoors or al fresco terrace dining.

10. El Paso

El Paso

El Paso is a Mexican, venue where tastes are rich and aromas are abundant. All ingredients are directly imported from Mexico to ensure complete authenticity, offering the best quesadilla and fajitas in the city. El Paso is a great venue for guests who are fond of hot and spicy dishes that can be washed down by an excellent Mexican Corona beer. Inside the decor is exuberantly Latin and original Mexican articles decorate the walls. As the warmer months arrive, El Paso opens its terrace for an enchanting al fresco dining experience.
El Paso, Strada Armenească 10, Chişinău, Moldova, +373 22 921 166

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