Bansko has a lively food scene, and there's more to do in the evenings than most people expect from a town of around 8,000. There are traditional taverns, modern restaurants, festivals all summer, and a nightlife that peaks in ski season.
Eating in Bansko
The mehana (механа) experience. Bansko has 40 or more mehanas, the traditional Bulgarian taverns, and most of the town's food culture revolves around them. Expect stone walls, wood fires, live folk music on some evenings, and generous portions made for sharing. The old town is the best place to start. Dishes to look out for:
- Kapama: a slow-cooked casserole of meats and cabbage
- Chomlek: a rich stew cooked in a clay pot
- Banski starets: a local speciality of peppers, tomatoes, eggs and cheese
- Sache: mixed meats and vegetables sizzling on a hot clay plate
- Banitsa: flaky filo pastry with egg and white cheese, ideal for breakfast from a bakery
- Shopska salad, sirene and pitka: tomatoes, cucumber and grated white cheese, with local cheese and fresh bread
Bulgarian food leans towards meat, but salads, cheese dishes, grilled vegetables and egg dishes make vegetarian options easy enough, and menus are increasingly accommodating. Round the meal off with local red wine or a glass of rakia.
Beyond Bulgarian
The town also has good Italian, pizza and European restaurants, crêperies, brunch spots and cafés built for laptops and long lunches. It's easy to eat out several times a week without repeating yourself.
What it costs
A meal at a traditional mehana usually runs to about €15-20 per person including drinks. A coffee is €1-2, and a banitsa from a bakery is around €2. Eating on the mountain is much dearer than in town. Many mehanas still prefer cash, so carry some euros.