Bucharest’s food is better than its reputation, and this tour is the quickest way to understand it. It is a small-group walking experience of about five hours, limited to twelve travellers, that begins at the National Theatre on Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu and ends at Piața Sfântu Gheorghe, at the edge of the Old Town. The centrepiece is Obor Market, one of the biggest and most local of the city’s markets, where the route takes in the indoor cheese vendors, the grill stalls and the vegetable market. Along the way you taste a welcome glass of țuică, the plum brandy that Romanians pour for guests, a peasant platter with local beer, cow, sheep and goat cheeses, seasonal produce, mici, the grilled skinless sausages eaten with mustard and beer, and a Wallachian doughnut for dessert. The group also uses a short tram ride, so you travel the way locals do. With a score of 4.9 from more than seven hundred reviews, it is one of the best-rated activities in the city, and it works as an introduction to Romanian food culture as well as a meal in itself.
How to visit
The tour runs in English, with a maximum of twelve in the group, and the meeting point is outside the National Theatre. The price covers the food tastings, drinks, a guided walk and the public transport used on the route, and it lists up to three beers and one țuică shot as drink samples.
Tips for the guide and any extra food or drinks are not included. You can cancel for a full refund up to twenty-four hours before the start. Tell the operator at least a day ahead about allergies or diets such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten free, because options at some stops may be limited.
What to expect
About six kilometres on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and arrive hungry. The route can change on the day, depending on the market and the guide’s plans. Obor is a working market, so expect crowds, strong smells and plenty of locals, and be ready to try things you may not have eaten before.
Some reviewers say the amount of food is lighter than they expected, while others call it generous, so treat it as a long tasting and plan a light dinner afterwards rather than a replacement for every meal. The tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Making the most of it
Book it early in your stay, since it gives you a list of dishes and places to return to for the rest of the trip. Ask the guide for recommendations on restaurants and bakeries, and for how to order mici and sweets like a local. It suits curious eaters, couples and solo travellers, who tend to enjoy the shared table, and the indoor market halls give some shelter if the weather turns.
Pair it with a quiet afternoon in the Old Town, where the tour ends, and leave the evening free for a proper meal. If you have a favourite dish from the tour, write it down before you forget the name, and look for it on menus afterwards. Wear layers, since markets can be cold in winter and warm inside.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group walk with food and drink tastings, centred on Obor Market, with a short tram ride.
Best time
Early in your trip, ideally on a day you have not planned a heavy lunch.
How long
About five hours, covering around six kilometres on foot.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes, report dietary needs at least a day ahead, and treat the tastings as a long snack rather than a full dinner.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious eaters who want to understand Romanian food and see a real market.
- Families
- Better for older children and teenagers, since it is long and involves a lot of walking and beer-based tastings for adults.
- Couples
- A relaxed, sociable way to spend an afternoon together.
- Pair with
- A quiet afternoon in the Old Town, where the tour ends.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Where does the food tour start?+
Outside the National Theatre on Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu, and it finishes at Piața Sfântu Gheorghe near the Old Town.
What do you taste?+
Țuică plum brandy, a peasant platter with local beer, cow, sheep and goat cheeses, seasonal produce, mici with mustard and beer, and a Wallachian doughnut.
Are dietary needs covered?+
Report allergies and diets such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten free at least twenty-four hours ahead; options may be limited at some stops.
How big is the group?+
A maximum of twelve travellers, with the tour run in English.
Can I cancel?+
Yes, for a full refund up to twenty-four hours before the start time.
