The Best Things to See and Do in Dorobanți, Bucharest

Since the 19th century, when Dorobanți became a top choice for Bucharest’s aristocracy, the neighborhood has maintained its status as one of the city hotspots. Although many of the villas that were built by some of the city’s major architects—Paul Gottereau, Louis Blanc, and Albert Galeron—have since been replaced by tall communist blocks of flats, Dorobanți remains one of the best places to eat, drink, shop, and admire the stunning architecture that remains.

Calea Dorobanți, the backbone of the neighbourhood, is one of the best shopping areas in Bucharest. Lined with shops and boutiques, it rivals those on Calea Victoriei, but visitors will find more high-street brands than high-fashion labels. Whatever you’re looking for, the variety is amazing. Alongside the exclusive shops, such as Madison perfumery, you’ll find Semnele Satului, an embroidery shop that sells handcrafted Romanian goods, as well as shoe shops and interior design showrooms.

Dorobanți is home to some of the best and most exclusive restaurants, bistros, and cafés. For an early start, opt for a rich breakfast or brunch at Frudisiac, a cozy café hidden inside a Scandinavian hut. In a hurry, grab a quick French bite at Nicolai. Try the traditional Romanian soup, or ciorba, at experts’ Ciorbarie. If fresh fish cooked on the spot is your thing, go to Raionul de Pește, a fish bar so popular you might have to queue for a table at the bar. For dinner, the options are endless, but for Romanian cuisine at a fine-dining restaurant, Maize might just be your best choice.

Pick one of the radial streets that start nearby Piaţa Dorobanţilor, and set aside a few hours to take in the stunning architecture that will unfold before your eyes. The streets are named after world capitals,—Strada Paris, Strada Londra, or Strada Teheran—and they’re lined with imposing villas with unique features and details. Many host embassies and are surrounded by gardens, which offer a double thrill in spring and early summer: large honeysuckle bushes cascade over the high fences and among the majestic magnolia trees.

Romanians changed the course of history forever when they took to the streets in December 1989 and ousted the Communist regime. During the revolt, the headquarters of Romanian television, the TVR Tower near Piața Aviatorilor, was the scene of shootings that claimed many lives. As you pass the iconic tower, reflect on the city’s troubled history, which overlaps with that of Romania itself.