Gevrek Sofia

Bagel's Bulgarian cousin

Yana from Sofia

"The "Gevrek" is a simple kind of food, just a bready circle with a whole in the middle. This old place sells the best of them right in the city centre..."

I recently rediscovered a forgotten treat, which I have systematically underestimated in my childhood - the gevrek. It is a truly simple food - a doughy, bready circle with a big hole in the middle, or should I say - a big round hole with a little bread around it? Either way, gevrek is probably the closest one can get to a bagel in Sofia - taste-wise as well as price-wise.

When I was little, there were plenty of gevrek sellers around the centre of the city, strategically positioned at bus stops and crossroads of big boulevards, selling out of big paper bags to keep the gevretzi (plural in Bulgarian) warm. Most of them have disappeared, but some are still selling them at the same spot for decades. If you look out for them, you might be lucky enough to come across one of the most characteristic snacks of old Sofia.

If you prefer not to rely on chance, one place that has been selling gevretzi for ages is right on the side of Halite. The minuscule booth looks extremely low-profile, but, believe me, they sell the best gevretzi around - hot and crispy on the outside and chewy and dense on the inside. Better get there before 13:00 to catch the best batch. Pop into Halite to get some olives to accompany your gevrek, sit in front of the old bath (now the History Museum of Sofia) and enjoy a cheap lunch in one of the nicest parts of the city.

Snacks

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

Sofia Spotter Yana

Hi, I’m Yana! … and what I really enjoy in life are the details, those small things that make us smile and fill up with genuine happiness! Noticing those moments every day is an art which I aspire to master, and I believe I am getting better and better every day! Film, literature and arts in general make the moments of joy in my life more frequent, that’s why I have chosen to professionally engage in them. Discovering new cultures, learning new languages and exploring the things I think I already know well (but I usually don’t) such as my city – wonderful Sofia, my fa...

About this spot

ulitsa Ekzarh Yosif 21

1 gevrek:

BGN

0.70

Dec 11, 2025

Our Sofia City Guide

Find your way with 130 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Sofia guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Sofia

Skaptoburger

King of burgers

"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?

Snacks

Simo

Stefanov

Dec 11, 2025

Antep Baklava

Bites of heaven!

"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...

Snacks

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

Boyana church

A UNESCO world heritage site

"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...

Art & culture

Relaxing

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

The Little Things

As tasty as homemade

"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...

Restaurants

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

Beer Shop

in the world of beers

"Beer Shop" in Sofia is a place to enjoy Bulgarian craft beers and related items. I like going there in summer and having my beer in the street in front!

Bars

Shopping

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

65 Svetulki

Trendy place for a drink

"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...

Bars

Coffee & tea

Restaurants

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

Daflorn probiotics

Space technology

"Daflorn probiotics" Sofia is one of the few companies in the world that sell probiotic-functioning food directly, not in capsules. This shop can help...

Shopping

Bogomil

Alexandrov

Dec 11, 2025

Franco's Pizza

The best pizza in Sofia!

"Franco's Pizza" has definitely the best pizza I have tasted in Sofia so far. The menu here is short and consists of authentic Italian pizzas...

Restaurants

Snacks

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

PhotoSynthesis

A place for ideas... and coffee

"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.

Art & culture

Coffee & tea

Shopping

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

Parlenka Gourmet BBQ Bar

Tasty Bulgarian grill

"Parlenka Gourmet BBQ Bar" is a grill restaurant in Sofia you should seriously stay clear from if you're vegetarian or vegan. But it's good for lunch...

Restaurants

Snacks

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

Ashurbanipal

The taste of Iraqi cuisine

"Ashurbanipal" in Sofia is a restaurant that often looks as if it might be closed, but it's owned and run by the best, friendliest Iraqi man, Freddy...

Restaurants

Yana

Alexieva

Dec 11, 2025

Pchela

Sweets for every taste

"Pchela": one of the oldest and most popular confectioneries in Sofia. It's the place I go to if I feel like eating a piece of cake, triguna or saher cake!

Coffee & tea