Food & Drink

Food is an important part of Romanian culture, with influences coming from its Eastern European neighbours and invaders. The national food of Romania comes in the form of sarmale, which are cabbage rolls stuffed with pork and rice. Vegetarians might have a harder time finding traditional meals, as many dishes revolve around meat, specifically pork.

Prepare for your first meal in Romania by having a glass of tuica, a strong brandy made from fermented plums. While this is the country's national drink, Romania has recently become one of Europe's largest wine producers. Popular beers include Ursus, Timisoreana, Silva, and Bersonbeer.

Most Romanian meals start with a warm bowl of soup. Ciorba de burta, a tripe and garlic soup with a delightfully creamy texture, is very popular. Ciorba de perisoare, a sour meatball soup, can also be found throughout the country. When the main dish is served, it often comes with mamaliga, a simple mashed cornmeal that is similar to polenta.