Manastirska Magernitsa is truly special because it is unlike any restaurant you will visit in Sofia. This traditional Bulgarian restaurant offers an experience as authentic as possible because it is located in the courtyard of a 19th century town house. Its walls are jam-packed with traditional objects that wouldn’t be out of place in a museum. It seems like one has actually walked into a local kitchen to be treated to a Bulgarian granny’s cooking. The restaurant offers respite from the hustle bustle of Sofia’s city centre. Make sure you opt for a table in the garden during summer months.

Ambience is all well and good but it’s the food that is the pièce de résistance at Manastirska Magernitsa. The vast menu is a treasure trove of local delicacies, several of which are based on old recipes collected from local monasteries. These recipes have been passed down to generations, so this is as Bulgarian as it gets. Try the traditional Banitsa or the rabbit stewed in Bulgarian wine. The menu is rather meat heavy, so there isn’t much choice for vegetarians. Be wary of ordering too much food as the portions can be extremely generous.