If you are a beer lover, unfortunately you might find Bulgaria a little bit disappointing, considering here the craft beers different in taste from the common Czech lager count no more than the fingers on your hands. However, recently this niche has been quickly filling up with newer and newer brands emerging on the market, which is only making the summer crowds in the parks happier.
If you are to blend with Sofia’s seasonal obsession of drinking in open air, you will inevitably need to find the right shop, which has the right amount of fridges to always offer cold beverages. Sometimes this might be a tricky business, so I usually find the need to change my preferences from what I want to drink to what is actually cold enough to drink. This changed when I recently found a small oasis, called The Beer Shop.
No one likes warm beer in summer (or ever), so The Beer Shop’s vast choice of tap and bottled chilled brands is bliss in the burning hot nights. Here you can find most of the Bulgarian craft labels, such as Glarus, Ah!, Ailyak, Divo Pivo, Peti Okean, Shipka and more.
The shop is small, but offers a great variety of world beers, beer glasses and accessories. Many of its customers drink the beer on the street in front of the shop while enjoying a sweet chat, so if you want to truly experience Bulgarian beer culture – feel free to join in.
Explore Sofia like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Sofia guide.
It's been the same spot for 13 years now. Palace of Justice, next to the lion on the corner. Rain or shine, tour guides are there, you just have to show up.
By
"Made in Blue" is a popular, unique restaurant for meetings and good food in Sofia. You can't miss it - the whole house is painted in blue...
By
A Belgian bakery with an Italian name in the heart of the Bulgarian capital. Yet another example of how Sofia is getting more and more cosmopolitan.
By
Honestly, the shop looks more like a lab. Clean, minimalist, and luxurious. You can order whole cakes for special occasions or choose a treat from the beautifully-arranged showcase.
By
"Skaptoburger" is located in the heart of Sofia and won the King of Burgers award for 2016. This restaurant, its monthly offers, some ale... what more?
By
"Antep Baklava" in Sofia is a small pastry shop that makes the best baklava and other Turkish desserts in the city! You have to try the Shobiet...
By
"Gifted" in Sofia is a shop that aims to bring together artists and offer unique souvenirs and gifts that go beyond the ordinary. It keeps surprising me!
By
"Boyana Church" in Sofia is one of my favorite temples in the city. It's a UNESCO heritage gem of a site from the 11th century, next to giant sequoias...
By
"The Little Things" in Sofia hits the spot for me: this homey restaurant with delicious food really pays attention to the details in every small element...
By
"Chucky's" is the place for you if you know the differences between your macchiato, flat white and chemex. I like their two 'gossip chairs'...
By
"PhotoSynthesis" has grown into one of the biggest photography hubs in Sofia. They have a great gallery and I love their glass-roof bar and the quiet cafe.
By
"65 Svetulki" in central Sofia is a bar rapidly becoming a favorite destination for locals. What I love is its terrace and alternative bohemian design...
By
124 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 124 Insider Tips from our local Spotters