If you feel like you need to escape the noisy and busy Chisinau city center, then Marlene is the perfect escape. It is a hidden terrace right in the heart of the city, on Bucuresti Street. Marlene was opened by a young Moldovan that lived in Denmark and it definitely has the allure of a European venue. The terrace is surrounded by vineyards and it has a very cozy atmosphere. They even have a baby cat! Marlene is CoVid 19-safe: the tables are set far apart, the waiters are careful and they respect all the norms.

The speciality of Marlene is cocktails. They have signature cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, lemonades, ice-teas as well as a small selection of wines and locally-produced beer. They don’t serve food except for snacks (walnuts). The place allows smoking in some areas of the terrace. The music you can expect to hear is bossanova, light jazz, Spanish guitar and such.

The staff is very friendly and every single time I was there they were helpful. They also speak English. I’m not certain they have the best cocktails in town, but the atmosphere alone is worth a visit. It is easily one of my favourite places to have an after-work cocktail.

If you are there, ask the staff to see the inside of the venue as well. It is an old Moldovan city-house that has been beautifully refurbished. Marlene was probably Parisian. Enjoy!