**Updated on October 22nd 2023 for NY & Christmas in Bansko 2024. Very few restaurants have released their menus yet, but when they do, I’ll add my favourites below! I’ve started to mark them “Updated for 2024” so you can see what’s new.**
Heading to Bulgaria and hoping to enjoying a Bansko Christmas and New Year? Then you’re in luck! Whilst New Years is definitely bigger in Bansko than Christmas Day, there are some great options for both.
We spent the Christmas holidays in Bansko Bulgaria and had the best time. Expect lots of good food and drink and, especially on New Year, a lot of fireworks!
Throw in the fact that a Bansko Christmas inevitably includes great snow cover, giving you the option of skiing in Bansko all over the Christmas period, and you’ve got an incredible way to see out the year.
To help you decide (and book your space early!), I have picked out some of my favourite spots to enjoy your Bansko Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Best Places for a Bansko Christmas Dinner
Starting with the big day itself, I have picked out some of my favorite places for a Bansko Christmas dinner.
Whether you’re dining as a family, a big group of friends or a couple, there are some great restaurants in Bansko for Christmas Day.
Equally, Christmas Eve is a big deal in Bansko, so there will be some great options for a traditional, Bulgarian meal on Christmas Eve.
Le Retro for Bansko Christmas Eve
In Bulgaria, Christmas Eve is usually more of a celebration than Christmas day, and so why not embrace that at Le Retro.
Le Retro is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Bansko and so the perfect place to celebrate your Bansko Christmas if you do not eat meat.
This year, the celebrations kick off at 1.30pm on Christmas Eve with a vegan fest in a traditional Bulgarian style.
There will be 7 different courses and a welcome drink for 35BGN (£15/€18) per person. Under 16s will cost 20BGN (£8.85/€10) per person.
Le Retro is located in the heart of the Old Town in a traditionally cobbled street. Inside, it’s cosy and modern with some excellent food and the perfect setting to kick off your Bansko Christmas.
The food is really tasty, and the atmosphere is very cosy, with the restaurant based off a side road in the Old Town.
For more information and to book your place, head to their Facebook page.
Smokey Mountain for Christmas Day
*Updated for 2024*
Smokey’s does some of the best food in Bansko, specialising in barbecued meats (and epic brunches during the winter season!). Their Christmas menu follows what their best at, a traditional christmas dinner with a smokey twist! They’ve changed their location from last year, basing themselves by the gondola in the X hotel. While personally, I think the vibe isn’t as good as it was previously (it’s more of a hotel restuarnat rather than a mehana), on Christmas it’ll be packed, and the food is guaranteed to be excellent.
They’ve already had a lot of pre-bookings, so you’ll need to be quick if you want a table (the restaurant isn’t huge!).
Here is the menu:
To book PM on Facebook, or give Keira a WhatsApp.
Victoria Restaurant
We spent our last Bansko Christmas at Victoria Restaurant. It was a great experience with lots of tables, festive cheer and a great menu.
Victoria Restaurant is part of the hotel with the same name, and so it’s a large dining area to accommodate bigger groups and families. There is an open fire and festive decorations all around.
The menu is a bit of a hybrid. They offer a traditional Bulgarian Christmas dinner, which is a sharing plate for 4 people. It consists of various meats, vegetables and potatoes. It’s good value and, for me, a Bulgarian version of a British Christmas dinner.
If you don’t fancy that, then the full restaurant menu is also available. As with many Bulgarian restaurants in Bansko, that means a huge amount of choice! You can find anything from salads and soups to steaks, burgers, pizzas, fish and local Bulgarian dishes.
There will be something for everyone on the menu. Victoria is located close to the gondola and so at the ski resort end of town, which is a good place to be.
It’s a large space, but it’s popular, so book early via their Facebook page. They also have a New Year’s Eve party, which I talk about below.
Five M
Five M are not having a specific Christmas Eve or Day meal, but they do have a special winter menu for the festive period.
They make the list because they are one of my favourite restaurants in Bansko. It’s a beautiful, modern restaurant with an international menu and excellent food.
There are a good number of tables inside the restaurant, but I would book early to avoid disappointment.
They are serving food all day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and the fire will be roaring to make it a special place to have your Christmas meal.
Get in touch with them on Facebook or email them at [email protected].
Vezyuva House
If you want to have your Christmas meal in a traditionally Bulgarian setting, then head to one of my favourite mehanas (taverns), Vezyuva House.
It’s located towards the top of Pirin Street, so not far from the bars and restaurants near the gondola.
It doesn’t have a specific Christmas menu, but it has a good winter menu with lots of Bulgarian delicacies. From steaks and grilled meats to hearty soups, broths and vegetarian stews, the extensive hearty menu will have something for everyone.
It’s a traditional setting inside, so you’ll be warmed by an open fire and traditional music playing. They have big tables, so it’s perfect for larger groups and families.
Vezuvya House is a popular local restaurant, so make sure to book ahead and enjoy your Christmas meal in a great atmosphere and with friendly people.
Head to their Facebook page to get in touch or call them on
+359 88 754 2399.
They also have a New Year’s event and menu which is on their Facebook page.
Want to know more about Bansko? Check out my other articles:
- My Complete Guide to Skiing in Bansko
- My Guide to Bansko Nightlife
- My Favourite Restaurants in Bansko
- Bansko Lift Pass Prices 2022-23
- The Best Bansko Hotels
Best Places for New Year in Bansko
New Year is a much bigger party in Bansko than Christmas, and so there will be a lot of options to bring in the New Year in style.
From 5-course meals, to live music and DJs, there will be something for everyone.
Fireworks are also very popular in Bankso at Christmas, and so I have picked out a couple of my favourite spots to watch the fireworks at midnight.
Victoria Restaurant
As well as Christmas Day, Victoria Restaurant are hosting their own New Year’s Eve party with a good blend of traditional Bulgarian flair.
The party consists of a 3-course meal and drinks, which is then followed by traditional folk dancing and then a DJ and music all through the night.
The party kicks off at 8pm and the food consists of a choice of starters, a rib eye steak for main and then desserts.
Tickets are 200BGN (£88/€100) per adult and 100BGN (£44/€50) for children. This includes the 3-course meal, your drinks and the entertainment into the evening.
It’s a great spot for families and groups as there are large tables and plenty of space. You’ll also be located close to the ski road, which is one of the best spots to see the fireworks at midnight.
Find out more and book your spot on their Facebook page.
Amigos Pub
Amigos is one of the best bars in Bansko and so it’s no surprise that their New Year’s Eve party is one of the most popular.
Most nights, you can wander into this Bansko pub and enjoy cheap drinks and their incredible in-house band, Step by Step.
However, on New Year’s it’s ticket only, and they offer a sit down meal before the party gets started.
This year, there is a 5 course offering with drinks for 159BGN per person (£70, €81). This includes the meal, drinks and then access to one of the wildest parties in town.
Step by Step will be playing a range of rock and pop classics. There will be a bartender show and their own fireworks display.
You’ll also be close to the Bansko ski road if you wanted to head out to watch the fireworks.
For more information, and to book your tickets, visit their Facebook page.
George & Mary’s Restaurant
This is one of my favourite restaurants in Bankso, so I’m excited to see that they are doing a full menu and entertainment for New Year’s Eve.
George & Mary’s is a family-run Bulgarian restaurant which has developed a great reputation for its local and international cuisine.
It’s also a large restaurant, over two levels, so there will be a great atmosphere in here on New Years.
They are offering a 4-course menu including a salad, appetizer, main and dessert. A drink is included together with an orchestra playing during dinner and then a local performer afterwards.
It’s 180BGN per person (£80, €92) and I anticipate this one will be popular, so book your table to avoid disappointment. The food is excellent, and the atmosphere will be a lot of fun.
Message then on Facebook to book your place, or call them on +359 898 430 692.
Le Retro Restaurant
As well as hosting their Bansko Christmas Eve, Le Retro have a great New Year’s Eve package available.
From 8pm on Christmas Eve, Le Retro will be hosting DJ Rapture, who will be playing tunes from the 60s to the modern day to see in the New Year.
There will also be a buffet throughout the night. Tickets for the buffet and entry are 50BGN per person (£22, €25).
Drinks are available from the bar and are very reasonably priced. A pint of local lager will cost you 4BGN (£1.80, €2) and a litre of house wine is 10BGN (£4.50, €5).
The DJ continues till midnight and then music is played into the small hours. You’ll be down in Old Town, so it’s a great spot to pop to the local square to watch the fireworks.
Five M Restaurant
If you want some fine dining on New Year’s Eve, then look no further than Five M.
As I mention above, they have a beautiful, modern restaurant with an open fire and plenty of Christmas decorations, so it’ll be the perfect setting.
Five M have put together a special New Year’s Eve menu with 5 delicious sounding courses. These include salmon tartare and beef rib-eye steak.
Prices are 160BGN per person (£70, €81). This includes a DJ after the food is finished to see you through to the New Year.
Get in touch with them on Facebook to book your space.
Smokey Mountain
Smokey Mountain is one of my favourite restaurants in Bansko, and they have just announced their New Year’s Eve offering.
They have a huge 4-course menu with drinks for New Year’s Eve. You’ll be met with a glass of sparkling wine and then a delicious menu to follow. There are vegetarian options at every course, which is less common in Bansko.
There will be a drink during the meal and more fizz at midnight. They’ll also host live music throughout the evening to get the party going.
Smokey’s have just moved into a new and improved restaurant and this promises to be an amazing night. They’re famous for their BBQ food, and so it’s great to see some BBQ options on the menu for New Year’s Eve.
You’ll enjoy varied dishes from smoked trout soup and pork belly fritters, or sweet potato soup with pistachio and sweetcorn fritters.
The full New Year’s menu costs 175BGN per adult (£77, €90) and 125BGN for children (£55, €64)
Check out their Facebook page for more details and to book your spot.
Five Points Restaurant
Five Points is located up near the Gondola on the other side of the river. It’s a delicious local restaurant which has a good reputation for excellent food.
So if you want a top quality menu for dinner on New Year’s Eve, then Five Points has something special for you.
They have a monster 5-course menu, with an additional pastry/appetizer option and a drink. There is a choice of main courses on the menu which is unusual for New Year menus in Bansko and so offers great choice.
The full menu, a drink and entertainment is 140BGN per person (£62, €72) which is good value for money on New Year’s Eve.
You’re also just over the river from the ski road, so you can head over for the fireworks at midnight. Check them out on Facebook to book a space.
The Station
It may be usual to see a Greek takeaway and fast food restaurant appear on the list. But that would be to underestimate the Station!
The Station is an icon in Bansko and one of the most popular places in town. As well as delicious Greek wraps (and many other dishes) they have a bar and serve beers and other alcoholic drinks through the night.
If you’re after a low-key, low-effort destination for New Years, then the Station could be perfect for you.
As you’ll see from the list, most places are ticketed and include large meals. If you just want to turn up and have a few drinks before heading to the ski road to watch the fireworks, then the Station is the perfect spot.
You’ll be able to get in with little trouble, and the drinks are good and very cheap. The atmosphere will be great, there will be music playing and plenty of people in to celebrate the New Year.
It’s also located just across from the gondola, and so it’s only a short walk to join the crowds on the ski road at midnight to watch the fireworks.
The Station has just moved, so follow this link to see the new location. Check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
Fireworks on New Years Eve
The locals love fireworks and so you won’t be able to miss them at New Years. It seems that everyone in town has a box ready to let off at midnight!
Here are a couple of great spots to watch the fireworks in Bansko on New Year’s Eve.
The Ski Road
If you head to the bottom of the ski road, just behind the Gondola, then you’ll get an incredible view of the fireworks over Bansko.
You won’t be alone. It’s a very popular spot for locals and visitors alike. You can take a drink with you and meet with the masses on the bottom of the ski road.
It’s close to Amigos, Victoria, George and Mary’s and Five Points so if you’re in any of these for New Year, head the short distance to the ski road to enjoy the show.
Here’s a pin to the approximate location, behind the Gondola. Just follow the crowds!
The Main Square in Old Town
If you’re in Old Town, for example if you’re enjoying New Year’s at Le Retro or one of the mehanas, then join the locals in the main square to watch the fireworks.
There will be a big crowd with music and plenty of noise as the fireworks start at midnight.
You’ll get a great 360 degree view of the fireworks in town, and you’ll be able to celebrate the start of the New Year with some new friends!
Here’s a pin for the Main Square.
FAQs about Bansko Christmas
The Ultimate Bansko Christmas and New Year
I hope this blog has given you some ideas and inspiration for your Bansko Christmas and New Year celebrations during your ski holiday.
Wherever you end up, you’ll have a lot of fun celebrating over the festive period.
New Year is certainly more popular than Christmas, so definitely get booked in as early as you can to make sure you can get a table.
Have the best time and if you have any questions, feel free to message me on here or on my social media!
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