With so many restaurants to choose from in Cluj, and especially with many of them closing soon after opening, you might be wondering which are the absolute best in the city. Well, today I’m here to answer that question!
While there are surely lots of amazing restaurants in Cluj Napoca, but also plenty of not-so-great ones. So, to make sure that you don’t waste your time and money in a place that doesn’t deserve either, let’s find out where to eat in Cluj!
Top Restaurants in Cluj for Traditional Food
I want to start by sharing the best restaurants that serve traditional Romanian food. If you are a tourist (or just love Romanian food), this is what you need to try first. But worry not – I have various other options down below.
Cluj-Napoca is actually famous for the special way they prepare cabbage, using a unique recipe that originated here, in the heart of Transylvania.
That dish is called “varza a la Cluj”, so if you are in town make sure you don’t miss it!
It’s one of the best Romanian foods, a kind of “sarmale” (another traditional food) but instead of rolling minced meat into the cabbage, you layer them together, bake the dish, and serve it with a dollop of sour cream.
Zama Restaurant
We should start with Zama because I don’t think there’s any better, tastier or more impressive recipe for “varza a la Cluj” anywhere else in the country.
If you are trying this dish for the first time, pick Zama. There’s no way you will be disappointed.
Besides, they might have the most unique way of presenting their menu I’ve ever seen in a traditional local.
If you are feeling extremely confused by the names they used for the ingredients and dishes they created, no worry!
Romanian people feel the same confusion, because most of the words are regionalisms or archaisms, words that were used in the past or in specific Transylvanian areas.
But, as strange as they sound, they are all extremely delicious explosions of flavors once you give them a chance and taste them.
Given the really modest prices and big portions, to which we can add the quality and great taste of each dish, this is one of the best places to eat traditional food in Cluj-Napoca.
If you’re not really into cabbage, I strongly recommend that you try their beans soup with smoked marrow bone, their traditional recipe for rustic potatoes and the steak accompanied by sweet & sour beet sauce.
I guarantee the impressive taste and generous portion sizes from my own experience, you won’t be disappointed!
For easy access, I have marked the restaurant on Google Maps here, but you can also check out their Facebook page for more info.
As you can see, it’s located in the old town area, which is one of the best areas to live in Cluj Napoca.
Roata Restaurant
While I prefer Zama for traditional Romanian food, it’s fortunately not the only place where you can enjoy the amazing national cuisine. Roata (The Wheel) is one of the alternatives.
It offers a huge variety of traditional dishes that you can find on their menu, and they are also cooked to perfection – and with portion sizes big enough to feed two people.
From the most diverse traditional ways of preparing cabbage with local recipes, to delicious steaks and Romanian traditional soups, you will find dishes for all tastes and preferences in Roata Restaurant.
If you want to take my recommendation on a tasty dish to try at Roata, I would say go for the polenta with cheese and greaves and any of the soups. Traditional, authentic Romanian flavors and textures.
Lastly, I have to give them some bonus points for the rustical decors inside the restaurant. It’s extremely minimalist and simple, yet very authentic and connected to the Romanian traditional homes and popular motifs.
From the wooden chairs to the tablecloth, wall decors and pots, the entire ambient is rustic and authentic.
As a bonus, they are just some 10 minutes of walking away from Zama, so you can walk from one place to another, lie to yourself that you’ve burned all the calories from the previous meal and keep eating.
For easy access, I have marked the restaurant on Google Maps here, but you can also check out their Facebook page for more info.
Hanul Dacilor (aka Casa Dacilor)
If, just like me, you want to know the local cuisine and taste as many new traditional dishes as possible at once, a little bit of every flavor and texture, you should try the platters available at Hanul Dacilor Restaurant – also known as Casa Dacilor.
There are over ten different traditional platters including all kinds of authentic Romanian and Transylvanian food, so you can choose whatever you want to try for the best prices.
That’s even better if you’re coming with some friends, because most of the platters are quite big, created to be shared with 2-3 or even 5-6 people.
And, just like the atmosphere in Roata Restaurant, Hanul Dacilor also has a very rustic design, creating an impressively authentic traditional Romanian experience.
The difference is that this place is not as minimalistic as the previous one, as the walls can actually be a life-size museum of popular traditional objects, pots, wooden furniture, motifs and decors. Bonus points for Instagram photos!
For easy access, I have marked the restaurant on Google Maps here, but you can also check out their Facebook page for more info.
Note: There’s also one available in the Iulius Mall, but for the true, authentic Romanian experience, choose the one I marked on Google Maps.
Best restaurants in Cluj Napoca for International flavors
Moving on from one extreme to another, if you want something completely different from the traditional foods recommended above, here are the best choices.
All the restaurants below are among the best in Cluj Napoca and mix well with the Romanian culture – including the food culture – that I am sure you will fall in love with, if you haven’t done so already.
Indigo
All foods are vibrant in this restaurant, and not just because of the beautiful colors and arrangements, but because of the variety and intensity of the spices used to make every dish a special experience.
If you want an authentic Indian experience, Indigo is definitely one of your best options in Cluj-Napoca.
I recommend that you try the Biryani Chicken if you have resistance to very spicy flavors, because it’s amazing, or order a full platter containing the most diverse sauces, chutneys and naans in order to try as many new recipes as possible.
It’s definitely one of the most creative, delicious and interesting restaurants, with the potential to offer you an experience as close as possible to the Indian culture.
You can find its location here on Google Maps or check out the restaurant’s official Facebook Page for more.
Samsara FoodHouse – Best Vegan Restaurant in Cluj
Not as exotic as the previous one, but definitely equally or even more unique, Samsara FoodHouse is another place where you can try the most amazing and creative new flavors and recipes.
The specific of the house is raw-vegan. More exactly, most of the dishes are vegan at samsara, some are cooked and others are raw. But I, along with the hundreds of happy clients, can guarantee that they are all delicious.
Besides the cream soups and stunning appetizers, there are also some amazing exotic recipes with Indian inspirations, spiced with curry or tandoori and accompanied by rice, lentils, coconut, lime and plenty of other deliciously cooked vegetables.
Check this place out on Google Maps or find out more on their Facebook page.
London Brothers
Despite its name, this isn’t a restaurant focusing on British food. What it delivers is a wide variety of food that you will love. Tasty, hearty and good looking. And a relatively new place in Cluj.
All their dishes stand out, no matter if you pick a traditional burger and fries, their chicken Bao or the strangely delicious (and quite unique) Vegan Spinach & Rasberry cake. And yes, they also have vegan options to keep everybody happy.
With food that offers an explosion of color and big attention paid to details, London Brothers is one of the most refreshing and pleasant experiences you’ll have in a long time.
Best part? Prices are decent – not low, but not high either. You pay little money for lots of great food. Perfect deal!
I marked their location on Google Maps here, but you can also check out their Facebook Page for even more photos of their delicious dishes.
/FORM Café
This one will envelope you in a warm vibe even during a cold winter. Both literally and figuratively.
You will be welcomed by friendly staff, blankets available on every chair to warm you up, and dim lights or personal touches such as colorful candles or flowers. Plus your own personal heated bubble if you want to stay outside. Pretty cool!
An amazing ambient, in a restaurant located right in the Unirii Square. And that’s just the beginning.
Besides the great atmosphere for socialization and relaxation, FORM Café is also a great choice for your pocket.
Most of the dishes are budget-friendly, prices are really low and portions are generous.
If you want to try the best, go for the Schnitzel Chalupa or Classical Mac and Cheese. They are both flavorful, nourishing and highly aesthetical.
And, if you’re not hungry, this place is also one of the best pubs you can find in Cluj-Napoca.
They serve creamy, foamy, strong coffee, and even some creative combinations of cold-brew coffee and alcohol which you can try if you feel adventurous.
Overall, a place with great location, awesome food, amazing staff and good vibes that you should definitely check out!
You can do so on their Facebook page or by going to their exact location marked here on Google Maps.
Enigma
I have already mentioned it in my article sharing the top things to do in Cluj-Napoca, but it definitely needs to be detailed here as well, as it’s one truly unique place – and a delight, especially if you’re into steampunk.
They are proud to be the first kinetic steampunk restaurant in the world, meaning that the decor is “alive” and truly impressive. The only thing missing is the waiters wearing steampunk clothes…
But still, we’re here for the food, and that is amazing, no matter if you’re getting one of their huge burgers or some traditional Romanian food (or anything in between, really).
As for my recommendation with Enigma, come here in the evening, when the entire place seems to be more alive than ever. And definitely book a table inside – that’s where the steampunk magic happens!
You can check this place out on Google Maps for the exact location, or take a look at their Facebook Page.
Conclusion
You have above what I consider to be the absolute best restaurants in Cluj Napoca. I am sure you will enjoy the flavors, dishes and service at any of the places recommended above and you’ll definitely want to come back.
There are a lot of great places in Cluj when it comes to eating, for sure, so if somehow this list isn’t enough, you will still have plenty of other options to choose from.
And if you go there and stumble upon an amazing restaurant, don’t hesitate to share it with us so we can all give it a try!
Or just consider taking a day trip to Timisoara and test the best restaurants there too. Why not?
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I am a journalist and local expert who has been documenting life in Romania since 2013. Based in Constanta (after living in Bucharest and Drobeta Turnu Severin), I provide up-to-date, on-the-ground advice for expats and travelers. My articles are based on real life experiences and plenty of research – from paying Romanian bills to exploring the wild “Rawmania” countryside.