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What to eat in Romania? Top 86 Romanian Foods

Introduction written by Irina Georgescu

Last update: Mon Apr 28 2025
Top 86 Romanian Foods

Romanian cuisine is as diverse as its landscape and its people. The varied geographic regions and traditions are reflected in how people eat, with some dishes becoming national staples served throughout the country. One of them is sarmale, stuffed sauerkraut leaves encasing a filling with minced pork, rice and dill, slow-cooked in tomato sauce or chicken stock.

The imposing Carpathian mountains determine a hearty cuisine, slow-cooked dishes prepared with meat, especially mutton and pork, pulses, and cornmeal. The herbs and spices are tarragon, paprika, and caraway seeds. In the softer landscapes of hills and plains and in the heat of summers, the dishes are made more quickly, using plenty of sun-kissed vegetables, dill, and lovage. Dairies, fresh or fermented, such as cheese, sour cream, and creme fraiche, flavor many Romanian dishes and add softness to cakes, dumplings, and fritters.

Along the lands of the Danube River in the south and in the Danube Delta, the cuisine turns to fish, served fried, baked or in soups. Ciorbă ... Read more

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Romanian Foods

01

Ground Meat Dish

ROMANIA and  9 more regions
4.4
Sarmale
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One of the staples of traditional Turkish cuisine, sarma consists of a filling that is snugly surrounded by leaves or leafy vegetables. There are numerous versions of this dish but the mixture typically combines ingredients such as minced meat, rice or bulgur, various herbs, seasonings, red pepper, paprika, ground sumac, or tomato sauce, while the typical wrapping usually includes vine, cabbage, or sauerkraut leaves, or a variety of leafy vegetables such as collard greens and swiss chard.


Having its roots in the Ottoman Empire, sarma is also traditionally consumed in the Balkans, the countries of Central Europe, the South Caucasus, and the Middle East. Although it is commonly enjoyed as a filling lunch or dinner (typically during the winter season), sarma is often prepared on special occasions and holidays. 

MOST ICONIC Sarmale

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02
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Bulz is a traditional dish created with cooked polenta that is shaped into balls and filled with a creamy stuffing. Subsequently, polenta balls are grilled, pan-fried, or baked until a crunchy, slightly charred crust forms on the outside. The most common filling is the combination of butter and soft sheep's cheese known as brânză de burduf.


Chunks of bacon or ham are often incorporated into the filling to create a more balanced meal. The grilling process allows the cheese to melt and transforms bulz into an incredibly satisfying dish. It is believed that bulz was initially prepared by the Romanian shepherds, who were the first to use an open fire in order to grill these flavorful balls. 
Serve with

MOST ICONIC Bulz

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03

Chicken Soup

RĂDĂUȚI, Romania
4.4
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Ciorba Radauteana is a traditional soup. It's made with a combination of chicken, onions, sweet red pepper, celery, carrots, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and sour cream. The ingredients are simmered over medium heat until the meat and the vegetables become tender.


The soup is quite sour due to the addition of lemon juice. In Romania, ciorba Radauteana is especially prized for being a hangover cure and having healing properties - it's often used as a remedy for common cold symptoms.

MOST ICONIC Ciorba Radauteana

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04

Sausage

BUZĂU COUNTY, Romania
4.4
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Babic is a traditional salami, a raw-dried sausage hailing from Buzău County. Although some versions contain mutton, this salami is typically made with a mixture of pork and beef that is seasoned with salt, sweet paprika, and hot paprika, then stuffed into thin beef casings, pressed, smoked, and dried during the cold winter months.


With a spiciness that ranges from mild to intense, depending on the amount of hot paprika used in the preparation, this traditional salami is usually consumed as an appetizer, and it is typically washed down with Romanian plum brandy, red wine, or cold beer. 
05
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Cascaval afumat is a Romanian cheese made from cow's milk. It's shaped into wheels and blocks, but cascaval afumat can also be braided. The name of this cheese means smoked cascaval. The texture is semi-soft and rubbery, while the flavors are smoky and slightly bitter.


It's recommended to serve it with garlic sausages on crusty bread.

06
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Papanași is a traditional donut-shaped pastry with a small sphere on top. It can be fried or boiled, and it's made by adding unsalted cheese such as brânză de vaci (cow's milk cheese) or urdă to a regular flour and egg dough. The fried papanași are usually donut-shaped and can be served with fruit jams, a dollop of sour cream, or powdered sugar.


The boiled ones are smaller, nugget-shaped, and typically coated with a mix of breadcrumbs and sugar. This dessert can be found in most Romanian traditional restaurants or it can be prepared at home.

MOST ICONIC Papanași

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07

Salami

SIBIU COUNTY, Romania
4.3
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Made in accordance with a recipe more than a 100 years old, salam de Sibiu is a type of cured, smoked pork sausage produced in the Romanian province of Sibiu. It is made with coarsely ground bacon and carefully selected pork cuts such as fillet and haunch, flavored with a traditional selection of spices, including salt, pepper, and garlic.


Sibiu salami must be matured for at least 90 days, until it reaches the desired flavor qualities and develops a distinctive white covering from the Penicillium Nalgiovensis noble mold. The salami exudes a unique aroma of smokiness with delicate garlicky notes. 
08
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Rich and smoky, this white bean soup with smoked meat is a staple in most Romanian households. It consists of boiled dry white beans enriched with chunks of smoked meat such as pork knuckles or ribs, ham, or bacon, as well as root vegetables. Typical vegetables include celery root, onions, parsley roots, carrots, and bell peppers.


The soup is traditionally seasoned with either celery leaves and parsley, lovage, or tarragon. Warm and filling, the soup is perfect for the winter season. It is typically consumed with a salad of red onions, pickled chilis, and slices of fresh bread or thick polenta.

09

Stew

ROMANIA
4.3
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Stufat is a Romanian meat stew, typically made with lamb, chopped scallions, fresh green garlic, tomato paste, oil, and seasonings. This traditional dish is connected with the arrival of spring, the time when new plants and herbs are starting to grow.


It is typically prepared around Easter festivities in Romania and in the Balkan region. Stufat is usually garnished with scallions and fresh green garlic and accompanied by roasted potatoes, a bowl of fresh salad, and a glass of wine.

10
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Taci şi înghite is an interesting variation on the traditional Romanian polenta dish, which is a staple throughout the country. This variation consists of soft mămăligă combined with a mixture of salty cheese and sour cream in alternating layers.


Hearty and filling, the dish is usually topped with grated cheese and eggs, and then baked in the oven. Although the original, layered cheese polenta includes only polenta, cheese, butter, and eggs, it is often prepared with the addition of fried meat, such as bacon and sausages. 
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Casserole
CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania
4.2
20
Stew
WESTERN MOLDAVIA, Romania
4.2
21
22
Stew
ROMANIA
4.2
23
Cheese
NĂSAL, Romania
4.2
24
25
Sweet Bread
ROMANIA  and  one more region
4.1
26
Cured Meat
ROMANIA  and  one more region
4.1
27
28
29
Cheese Dish
ROMANIA  and  one more region
4.1
30
Dessert
ROMANIA  and  7 more regions
4.1
31
Stew
ROMANIA
4.1
32
33
34
35
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37
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39
Cheese
ROMANIA
4.0
40
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Soup
ROMANIA
3.9
50
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53
54
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56
Pork Rinds
ROMANIA  and  10 more regions
3.8
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
Cheese
ROMANIA
3.7
65
66
67
Dessert
CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania
3.6
68
69
70
71
Chocolate Cake
BUCHAREST, Romania
3.5
72
73
74
Bread
TRANSYLVANIA, Romania
n/a
75
Cheese
BUCHAREST, Romania
n/a
76
77
Pancake
TRANSYLVANIA, Romania
n/a
78
Vegetable Dish
DOBROGEA, Romania
n/a
79
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Romanian Food Producers

01

Meat Product

CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania
4.7
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Carmangeria Moldovan is a renowned Romanian butcher and producer of cured meat products. Founded in 1994, the company has grown into one of the leading regional producers and retail chains specializing in meat delicacies. Carmangeria Moldovan stands out for its commitment to the quality of its products, using only meat from local producers and traditional processing methods.


The company also owns a livestock farm, which allows it to have control over the entire production process, from breeding to the final product. In addition to excelling in the production of cured meat products such as sausages, salamis, and hams, Carmangeria Moldovan places a strong emphasis on innovation, offering a variety of products such as fresh meat, dairy products, and ready-to-eat meals that fully reflect the authentic Romanian taste and tradition. 
BEST Moldovan Carmangerie Meat Products
02

Spirit

JIDVEI, Romania
4.5
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Jidvei is the largest wine producer in Romania, located in the Târnave region of Transylvania, an area renowned for its winemaking tradition. With vineyards spanning over 2,500 hectares, Jidvei produces a wide range of high-quality wines, including still, sparkling, and semi-sparkling wines, as well as vinars, a brandy distilled exclusively from wine.


The company operates four state-of-the-art wineries in Jidvei, Tăuni, Blaj, and Bălcaciu, with a storage capacity exceeding 35 million liters. Known for its commitment to quality, Jidvei uses modern technology while preserving traditional winemaking techniques. 
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold

2024

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold

2019

03

Spirit

OTOPENI, Romania
4.4
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Brâncoveanu Vinars is a premium brandy produced by Alexandrion Group, the largest producer and distributor of alcoholic beverages in Romania. Named after Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, this brandy pays tribute to his 25-year reign over Wallachia, symbolizing nobility and Romania's cultural heritage.


The production of Brâncoveanu Vinars takes place at Alexandrion Saber Distilleries 1789, a state-of-the-art distillery located in Prahova County, one of the largest bottling facilities in Southeastern Europe. This brandy is crafted using traditional methods, employing wine distillates aged in oak barrels for various periods, resulting in a rich and complex flavor profile. 
AWARDS

The Brandy Masters - Gold

2022

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Silver

2024

London Spirits Competition - Gold

2024

BEST Brâncoveanu Spirits
04

Cheese

GHEORGHENI, Romania
4.4
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

BEST Caritas Cheeses
05

Cheese

HOREZU, Romania
4.4
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AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold

2024

BEST Five Continent Cheeses
06
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Carpathian Single Malt is the first Romanian single malt whisky, meticulously crafted by the Alexandrion Group at their state-of-the-art Alexandrion Saber 1789 Distillery, situated near the Carpathian Mountains. This exceptional whisky is produced using 100% malted barley sourced exclusively from Romania, combined with pure Sub-Carpathian water.


The distillation process follows traditional Scottish methods, employing double distillation in custom-made copper pot stills. The spirit is initially matured in first-fill Kentucky bourbon barrels and then finished in a variety of wine and cognac casks, imparting a unique character to each expression.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

The Luxury Masters - Gold

2023

The World Whiskey Masters - Gold

2023

BEST Carpathian Single Malt Whisky Spirits
07

Wine

COTNARI, Romania
4.3
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The COTNARI company is the heart of the Cotnari vineyard since 1948. The love of locals for the growth and fruit of the vine has taught us to cherish every sun-carrying bean and to share with others the joy of life. The wine road is long but full of rewards.


We take care of the over 1,700 hectares of vineyards through high-performance agricultural work. Our specialists work in the laboratory of the compound or in the vineyard to obtain new varieties of vines and new wine varieties.
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2022, 2020, 2018

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2021, 2019, 2018, 2017

Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2020, 2019

08

Wine

TIMIȘ COUNTY, Romania
4.3
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2023

09

Wine

TIMIȘOARA, Romania
4.3
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AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum

2017

BEST Il Passo Wines
10

Beer

BUCHAREST, Romania
4.3
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AWARDS

Barcelona Beer Challenge - Gold

2020

BEST Oriel Beer Beers
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Wine
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
4.2
14
Wine
BUCHAREST, Romania
4.2
15
Wine
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
4.2
16
Wine
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
4.2
17
Wine
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
4.2
18
Wine
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
4.2
19
20
21
22
Spirit
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
3.9
23
Wine
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
3.9
24
Spirit
BUCHAREST, Romania
3.8
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Romanian Food Products

01
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The Coffee Whisky White Chocolate Caramel by Maria Magdalena Bizgan is a luxurious chocolate confection that combines the smooth sweetness of white chocolate with a rich, velvety caramel filling. The caramel is infused with coffee and whisky, offering a sophisticated flavor profile.


This treat balances the bitterness of the coffee and the warmth of the whisky, making it a unique and indulgent experience. It has been recognized for its exceptional flavor and craftsmanship, having won awards for its exquisite taste​
AWARDS

International Chocolate Awards - Gold

2022

02
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Vinoteca Grasa de Cotnari is a premium Romanian white wine made from the indigenous Grasă de Cotnari grape variety, which is native to the Cotnari region in Moldova. This wine is highly regarded for its rich history, exceptional quality, and complex flavor profile.
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2019

03
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AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold

2024

04
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AWARDS

The Luxury Masters - Master

2023

05
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

06
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

07
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AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2022

08
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AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

09
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Jidvei Extrabrut is a premium sparkling wine produced by SC Jidvei SRL Filiala Alba, a renowned winery from the Târnave wine region in Romania, known for its long-standing tradition of crafting high-quality wines. This Extrabrut sparkling wine is characterized by an exceptionally low sugar content, making it dry and refreshing, perfect for those who appreciate refined and sophisticated beverages.


Made from carefully selected grape varieties such as Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, it boasts a delicate balance of flavors and elegance. It features a pale yellow color with golden reflections, fine and persistent bubbles, and a fresh, well-balanced taste with fruity notes of green apple, citrus, and subtle floral hints. 
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

10
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AWARDS

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or

2019

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Wine
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
4.5
30
Spirit
ROMANIA, Southeastern Europe
4.5
31
32
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34
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36
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47
Spirit
JIDVEI, Romania
4.3
48
49
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51
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59

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 86 Romanian Foods” list until April 28, 2025, 8,609 ratings were recorded, of which 4,518 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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