The 10 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Sofia, Bulgaria

If you haven’t tried the traditional Bulgarian mekitsa, your stay in Bulgaria simply isn’t complete. Mekitsa is a deep fried pastry, which is usually considered a homemade breakfast, but there’s a special place in Sofia to try it – Mekitsa & Coffee (Mekitsa i Kafe, Мекица и Кафе). Stick to the classics with sugar and jam, or experiment with ham, melon, and peanut butter. Try the homemade lemonade, too.

Cakey Bakey is a place where baking equals love. Every cake and muffin has its story here, and you can be sure that everything is made of the best quality products, as high-quality food is what the owners believe in. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly, and you will enjoy the company of both families and older people satisfying their sweet tooth here on weekends.

Villa Rosiche has a beautiful quiet yard in the center of Sofia, which itself is already a huge plus in a city notorious for its noise and dust. At Villa Rosiche, you’ll find a great variety of freshly baked muffins, cookies, and cakes to combine with excellent coffee.

This venue is first and foremost a cake shop with creative and quality-product cakes, but you will also find some cookies and other sweets. Enjoy your coffee or tea with a piece of cake in the sun – Karamel is situated on a small side street where a few small tables offer a quiet and peaceful environment.

Nedelya is one of the favorite cake companies in Bulgaria, with branches all over the country. You will find not only great cakes but fresh sandwiches and great coffee, too. They follow and actually create trends and offer new products on their menu every season, with a special emphasis recently on healthy food.

Pchela (meaning “bee”) is another favorite cake shop brand in Sofia. You will find it hard to choose from the huge variety of sweets and cakes on offer – chocolate, coconut, and blueberries are among their favorites. Take a cappuccino to join the sweet party.

Just a few feet away from the central Slaveykov Square you can find a cozy restaurant offering great quality food from breakfast to dinner. Drink your morning coffee with a view to one of the busy pedestrian streets, Graf Ignatiev St., in the sweet company of their specialty, a “Cookies” cake. There’s a selection of soups, salads, and main courses featuring Bulgarian cuisine every day on Cookies‘ lunch menu.

If you are craving some strong Italian coffee, a freshly baked croissant or, why not, a Sicilian cannolo, head for Ciccione Panini Bar. In the morning, Ciccione is a breakfast stop, while in the evenings you might want to come back for some great wine and Italian nibbles (cured meats and cheeses).

If you walk down Alabin Street in the morning, just follow the irresistible sweet smell, which will take you to this baker’s heaven – JoVan Bakery. Dozens of types of baked sweet and salty pastries are on offer, together with 25 varieties of bread. Although it’s a Dutch bakery, they make one of the best kozunak sweet cake in Sofia (the typical cake Bulgarians eat for Easter).

If you like to have ice cream for breakfast, this is your place. Or if you like Italian ice cream as a whole. Confetti is an Italian restaurant and gelateria offering real Italian gelato made of fresh ingredients and real fruit, nuts, and chocolate. Sandwiches and pancakes are on the menu, too, as well as pasta and salads if you need a hearty brunch.