The Best Restaurants in Bansko 2023-2024

**Updated October 2023**

If you’re skiing in Bansko Bulgaria, you’re going to want to refuel after a long day skiing. Luckily, there is a huge variety of restaurants in Bansko that are not only incredible quality, but are so affordable.

There are so many restaurants in Bansko that the choice can be overwhelming. So, ahead of your trip to Bansko, I’ve put together this blog of my favourite restaurants in Bansko.

I recently spent 2 months in Bansko, and there have been a few changes since I visited in 2022. I will continue to update this blog with new restaurants Bansko as I discover them.

If you are heading out to ski in Bansko then check out my other blogs on Bansko below:

Best Restaurants in Bansko for Fine Dining

There are some great restaurants in Bansko for a treat meal, which is definitely deserved after a day skiing in Bansko!  Fortunately, Bansko has you covered with some great options for finer dining options without needing to break the bank!

Five M Bansko

Location: Five M

For a fine dining restaurant in Bansko without the over-inflated price tag, then Five M is an excellent choice. It’s my favourite place to eat in Bansko.

Every single time I’ve been, both the service and the food have been incredible.

It is located halfway down Pirin Street and looks stunning from the outside.  Inside is impressive too with a lot of light wood and cosy lighting, completed by a fireplace as you enter.

The menu backs up the ambience with a huge range of delicious and good-quality dishes.  If you are after something light and healthy then the salads are impressive, fresh and very tasty. I can definitely vouch for the steak salad and the pear and gorgonzola options.

If a salad isn’t going to cut it then the grilled options are very good.  The steaks are delicious as are the accompanying fries and sides. 

I recently discovered a new favourite dish – the pork chunks with crispy onions and bone gravy. The best pork I have ever tasted!

Wash down your main courses with the delicious house wine, served by the glass or the carafe for sharing and if you still have space after, the desserts are not to be overlooked. 

The Bansko favourite lava cake/soufflé in Bansko makes an appearance at Five M as well as is one of the best (if not the best!) that I have tasted in Bansko so far.  The cheesecake is not far behind!

When you ski in Bansko you need plenty of carbs to refuel and that is a good thing at Five M as the food is so good it is hard to narrow it down to just one dish!

Castello Restaurant

Location: Castello

Another very impressive-looking restaurant in Bansko, both inside and out, is Castello just off Nayden Gerov Road. 

Castello is a beautifully decorated restaurant offering a modern and cosy atmosphere complemented with some really helpful waiting staff.

Castello’s Greek-inspired menu offers a nice change and as a result, the dishes are rich in Mediterranean influence.  The seafood here is very good and there are a number of vegetarian dishes on the menu.  Again, and it is a theme at restaurants in Bansko, the house wine is delicious.

The prices are very reasonable and offer a lovely place for a treat meal whilst you ski in Bansko.   

Best Restaurants in Bansko for International Cuisine

A lot of restaurants in Bansko offer a wide and varied international menu which is ideal for those travelling with families or in large groups where you want a restaurant that will cater to everyone.

Equally, after you ski in Bansko, you may simply want some home comfort food rather than a more extravagant meal and again Bansko has plenty of options for you.  I have narrowed this down to three of my favourite restaurants which offer large, international menus.

George & Mary Family Restaurant

Location: George & Mary

This is a great family-run place and one of the best restaurants in Bansko for those looking for a varied, but very well-done, menu and offers.

The interior is very cosy but also modern and refurbished to a high standard.  The menu matches the surrounding with food for everyone from salads and soups to pizzas and burgers, from pasta and vegetarian dishes to BBQ and grilled meat options. 

This is a great place to bring the whole family as the menu will have something for everyone and the restaurant itself has plenty of space inside for larger groups.

Add in some local beers or a carafe or two of local wine and you have yourself one of those restaurants that you would be happy to return to time and time again, particularly given the prices!

Ginger Bar and Diner

Location: Ginger

When you head out to ski in Bansko, chances are Ginger Bar and Diner is one of the first places you see!

It holds an enviable position right on the crossroads at the top of Pirin Street, within easy reach of the gondola, the ski shops and the best nightlife in Bansko.

Ginger is one of the most popular restaurants in Bansko for this reason but it backs it up with a great venue, a very extensive but good quality menu and all at a competitive price for Bansko.

There is plenty of seating outside or up on the sun terrace if the weather is warm, or head inside where the glass walls create a light and airy atmosphere inside.

Expect to find the usual international offerings on the extensive menu including some great soups, delicious homemade pizzas and delicious burgers offered all day.

It is a great restaurant to head to after a full day of skiing in Bansko and is a great choice for families, groups and couples.  If you stay late enough, you will get to enjoy some live music with a singer performing most nights from around 9.30 pm. 

If you are looking for a large restaurant with an extensive menu to suit everyone then Ginger is a great option, as well as being impossible to miss!

Victoria Restaurant Bansko

Location: Victoria Restaurant

The Victoria Restaurant is located within the same building as the Uniqato Boutique Hotel Bansko and offers a varied international menu in a beautiful cosy and modern restaurant.

The burrata salad is so tasty, as are the pizzas which are delicious (although make sure you get one each as they’re not huge…or I’m just greedy!).

The menu is vast (as is the case in a lot of restaurants in Bansko!), so expect a lot of choice. It’s a great place for a family or a group, as it has plenty of space.

It is located close to the gondola, has a great atmosphere with attentive staff and is reasonably priced given its location. Overall, the Victoria Bansko is a good option if you are looking for a varied menu and good food.

Want to know more about Bansko? Check out my other blogs:

• My Guide to Bansko Nightlife
• The Best Bansko Hotels
• My top 5 Bansko Hot Springs
• The Best Bansko Christmas and New Year Hot Spots

Best Restaurants in Bansko for Bulgarian food

You can’t come to Bansko and not experience some traditional Bulgarian food!  The majority of traditional Bulgarian restaurants in Bansko (known as Mehanas) are located in the old town and at the far end of Pirin Street.

However, if you are short on time and want to stay closer to the touristy end of Pirin Street, then I have a few fabulous options for you.

The Log House

Location: The Log House

The Log House is just by the Gondola Car Park – you can’t miss it, it’s a house made of logs!

I love it in Log House because everyone that works there are so friendly and welcoming, it’s really cosy and the food is so fresh!

I’ve eaten in the Log House so many times and I’ve tried and tested a lot of the menu and I’ve never been disapppointed. The olive bread here is so delicious too!

Hot Grill

Location: Hot Grill

Possibly my new favourite local restaurant in Bansko is Hot Grill. As you might guess, it specialised in grilled meats, and wow, it’s amazing. Not only that, but they staff are super friendly, the service is fast, and the prices are some of the best in Bansko.

Everything is great, seriously, check out their reviews. The meat is great quality (try the mixed grill!) and it’s probably my favourite place for a burger and fries.

Vegans & vegetarians, don’t be put off. Despite being a grill house, they also do some fabulous meat-free and vegan options. Highly recommend this lovely little place which is a bit of a hidden gem.

Valevitsata Mehana

Location: Valevitsata

This is the mehana which is opposite steakhouse Lazur and George & Mary. They usually have someone outside trying to get new customers in. While sometimes this is off-putting, you should absolutely go in!

While I visited in Summer, the inside is so nice and I imagine very cosy during winter. The food I’d say was high-end mehana. It was a little more pricey than some of the other mehanas further down Pirin Street but still great value.

I had the slow cooked lamb which was excellent. Our friends, who are vegetarian were also super impressed by the menu.

The only “downside” is that a traditional band comes to play at your table and asks for tips. They don’t hassle you or anything, but they will play for you regardless! If you like that kind of thing then great, but if not, I thought I’d point it out.

Vezyuva House Mehana

Location: Vezyuva House

If you want to experience one of the many traditional restaurants in Bansko without venturing too far down Pirin Street then Vezyuva House Mehana Bansko is an excellent option.

Tucked just off the main Pirin Street near Pirin 75 bar, the authentic and traditional nature of this mehana, or tavern, is evident as soon as you set foot inside.  Dark wood and warm colours combine to create a cosy and homely atmosphere.

The staff are very friendly and the menu is translated into English (not always a given in the mehanas in town). 

You can expect to find a lot of traditional Bulgarian meals from tripe soup (which I am not rushing to try!) to slightly safer options such as BBQ meat dishes and plenty of potatoes.

I can certainly recommend the vine leaves to start and the mixed grill is a good sharing option if you fancy trying various elements of the BBQ menu.  Add some sides to complete a delicious sharing main course and don’t overlook the dessert menu. 

Lava cake/souffle of course makes an appearance and the crème brûlée, whilst not entirely native to Bulgaria, is torched in front of you and tastes spectacular.

Despite being at the touristy end of Pirin Street, the prices are very reasonable and lower than you would expect in the neighbouring restaurants in Bansko offering more international cuisine.

Best Restaurant in Bansko for Steak

Grilled meat is a speciality in Bulgaria and you will find the majority of restaurants in Bansko will offer a BBQ menu alongside the rest of the menu and plenty of steak options.

However, if you are craving a fantastic and perfectly cooked steak then you are in luck as Bansko has a fine steak restaurant in Steak Hause Lazur!

Five M is also a good place for steak, but Lazur would be my first choice.

Steak House Lazur

Location: Lazur

Many of the restaurants in Bansko offer a BBQ element to their menu and steaks feature often but if you are craving a good steak to fuel you to ski in Bansko then Steak House Lazur is the place to go.

Whilst the menu does also offer pasta and salads, the steaks are the stand-out offering on this menu and certainly worth a trip to this very popular restaurant in Bansko.

Lazur Steak House Bansko has a huge range of steaks and cuts on its menu and the house wine by the carafe is the perfect accompaniment to any meal here.  Try your best to leave room for dessert as these are also amazing.

Best Restaurants in Bansko for Fast Food

If you decide to ski in Bansko and head down to the main town for lunch, then chances are you are going to want something quick and easy to eat before heading back up the gondola ready for the afternoon!

Fortunately, there are so many restaurants in Bansko that cater for fast food.  You can head to any of the small hatches located around the gondola and Pirin Street which all serve pizza slices and gyros/kebabs but if you are looking for something a bit different then I have a couple of my favourite fast-food restaurants in Bansko for you to check out.

Station Bansko

Location: Station

Station Bansko is a superb Greek-run fast food restaurant in Bansko perfectly located just below the gondola on Nayden Gerov Street. 

This great eatery has something for everyone from traditional pork and chicken gyros made in seconds in front of you to a wider menu including souvlaki and burgers, falafel and other vegetarian offerings.

If you arrive early enough – some traditional Greek pies such as spinach and feta which are freshly baked that day.

As well as a great menu of fast (but well cooked!) food, this great restaurant in Bansko also makes delicious coffee and has a bar serving local beers or a wide variety of spirits.

There are loads of tables inside for you to enjoy your food and, if the weather is warm enough, outside tables to enjoy your lunch/dinner in the sun.

Station Bansko also takes card (which is not a given in restaurants in Bansko) and so this is the perfect place for a quick stop at lunch or after a long day on the slopes!

75’s Tasty

Location: 75’s Tasty

Tasty’s opened in 2023, and is opposite Pirin 75, one of my favourite bars in Bansko.

It’s a tiny place which is great for takeout (or delivery) but you can also order food from there and eat it in Pirin 75 while you’re having a few drinks.

The menu is extensive but not too big! I can recommend the veggie chili wrap or the pots and the burgers which are amazing. This is fast becoming one of my favourite restaurants in Bansko.

It’s run by the loveliest couple too – delicious food at a super reasonable price.

Best Restaurants in Bansko for Lunch

All of the restaurants that I have mentioned in this blog are open for lunch as well as dinner and the fast food restaurants above are perfect for a quick bite at lunch before you ski in Bansko for the afternoon. 

However, if you are after something smaller but equally delicious for lunch then I definitely recommend these places.

Le Petit Nicolas Bansko

Location: Le Petit Nicholas

Le Petit Nicolas is located at the bottom end of Pirin Street and for me is one of the cutest restaurants in Bansko. It is, as the name suggests, describes itself as a small French restaurant which to me has all the hallmarks of a Parisian café.

The style is unmistakeably French and so you can expect delicious pastries and cakes made fresh that day and served with great coffee.

In addition, le Petit Nicolas offers a great continental breakfast of pastries and coffee.  At lunchtime, I would definitely recommend a homemade sandwich (even the bread is homemade!) or the delicious salad options.

Come for lunch but stay for the cakes, these are some of the very best in Bansko. A fantastic little bakery that offers so much and le Petit Nicolas is well worth the trip down Pirin Street.

Their opening days can be somewhat sporadic, so I’d recommend checking on Facebook or Instagram before you walk down – they’ll usually post if they’re not opening that day.

El Tacos

Location: El Tacos

Just a short walk down Pirin Street is this little unassuming restaurant in Bansko. It serves epic burritos, as well as other mexican goodies and burgers.

I’ve been a few times and was so impressed by the quality and the quantity. It’s really tasty and filling food at a really reasonable price.

If you want a quick lunch (especially if you’re working at AltSpace Coworking as its right around the corner) this is a great option.

Best Restaurants in Bansko for Brunch

If you are here to ski in Bansko then fuelling before you hit the mountains is vital, particularly if you have enjoyed plenty of après-ski the evening before!

Luckily, the brunch scene in Bansko has improved significantly in recent years and I have a couple of good options for you here!

Smokey Mountain Bansko

Location: Smokey Mountain

For one of the best brunch restaurants in Bansko at the weekend, head to Smokey Mountain which is up by the gondola, past Amigo’s and Four Directions.

Whether you are craving a full English breakfast (with Lincolnshire sausages for added authenticity!) or something sweeter then Smokey Mountain Bansko has you covered. 

They have a full breakfast menu from the aforementioned full English, a vegetarian breakfast, scrambled eggs, breakfast baps or pancake stacks for those with a sweet tooth!

Wash it all down with a mimosa or bloody Mary, or freshly squeezed orange juice if you are still nursing a sore head from the night before!

If your trip to ski in Bansko has left you with a calorie deficit then perhaps take on the bottomless brunch offering!  From 11 am to 4 pm on weekends, 20BGN (around £8) has your choice of breakfast together with all you can drink on mimosas and bloody Marys!

Breakfasts are offered Saturdays and Sundays only but check out their Facebook page as they usually announce when they are doing brunch.

The Lions Pub

Location: Lions Pub

If you need a classic full English breakfast to fuel you to ski in Bansko then look no further than the home from home that is the Lions Pub.  This may be the closest thing to an ‘English boozer’ in Bansko and is well located a short distance down Pirin Street.

They offer a full English breakfast with a choice of tea (Tetley tea, no less!) or coffee for around 12BGN (around £5).  The staff are friendly and the pub itself is cosy.

The Lions Pub does also offer a full lunch and dinner menu where you can expect to find your usual ‘pub grub’ offerings.  They show football amongst other sports on the various TVs around the bar and have a wide range of drinks on offer, as you would expect from a pub!

Breakfasts are served all week – best for a hangover cure.

The French Guy Bakery

Location: The French Guy Bakery

Down towards town, past Five M, is the newest bakery on the block, The French Guy. It opened in the Summer of 2023, and serves artisan bread all made with quality Bulgarian ingredients.

There mantra is all about quality over quantity so expect it to be a little pricier than you’d expect to pay in Bansko, but also be prepared for some DELICIOUS breads.

They offer ‘Breadfast’ which is, as you may have guessed, a bread based, french-style breakfast. I had sourdough with a range of different cheeses, and also the cacao bread with Jam whch was incredible!

The menu changes so check out their socials (Instagram and Facebook) to see what’s on the menu.

It’s something a bit different, and a great addition because breakfast options are fairly limited in Bansko.

Best Restaurants on the Slopes

Often on a skiing holiday, food and drinks can feel like a luxury.  However, when you come to ski in Bansko you can treat yourself on the mountain every day!

That isn’t to say that the food and drinks on the slopes are not more expensive than down in town, but they are still very reasonable compared to prices in more famous ski resorts and even at home.

There are a number of restaurants and bars on the slopes for you to choose from and nearly all of them offer hot and alcoholic drinks without huge variations in price.

However, if you are looking for a restaurant on the slopes for lunch then my favourites are 180 degrees or The Goat.

180 Degrees

Location: 180 Degrees

180 degrees is located on the Kolarski blue run and is a hugely popular destination whether you are after a drink or a full meal.

Located midway down a popular blue run, you have the choice of sitting outside on the veranda with a view over the slopes, with the benefit of outdoor heaters or heading inside to the cosy and often busy restaurant area.

The restaurant is Italian so expect delicious pizzas and hearty pasta dishes; perfect for refuelling whilst you ski in Bansko!

The desserts are incredible and the standard of food overall is highly rated; even more impressive when you consider the location of this great restaurant in Bansko!

Given its very convenient location and the good quality of its menu, I can guarantee you will find yourself in 180 degrees on more than one occasion during the week if you come to ski in Bansko!

The Goat

Location: The Goat

If you are looking for one of the best views on the slopes as you ski in Bansko, then a stop at the Goat is a perfect choice!

Located near the very top of the mountain, at the top of the Shiligarnick chairlift, the Goat has an enviable position overlooking the town of Bansko and the rest of the ski resort.

There are plenty of tables outside for lunch on a sunny day but if you need to warm up then head inside to a large restaurant and a roaring open fire.

The food is canteen style, so grab a tray and choose what you want to eat.  I will admit the food is more functional than high end but then what do you expect at the top of a mountain? 

Expect cooked meats and plenty of French fries.  It is perfect refuelling food as you ski in Bansko rather than the higher end offering at 180 degrees further down the mountain.

That said, if you want a quick meal in a cosy environment then the Goat is a great option with some incredible views!

Let’s Eat!

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the number of restaurants in Bansko and the variety on offer. 

From very cheap (but delicious) fast food offerings to high-end dining experiences at a knockdown price I have really enjoyed working my way through the restaurants in Bansko…for research purposes obviously!

If you have been out to ski in Bansko and think I have missed anywhere, do let me know in the comments below and I will definitely check it out.

There are always new Bansko restaurants opening and I will try and keep this blog up to date during my trip here and I am always happy to be pointed towards somewhere new!

If you are planning to come and ski in Bansko then check out my blog, Skiing in Bansko which gives lots of information on how to get here and what to do when you arrive.

If you have any questions for me, get in touch in the comments below or on social media and I would be happy to help!

Disclaimer:  My blog contains affiliate links.  If you buy something through these, I get a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Thank you x