Bansko - Food

A favorite ours, Lubanitza serves vegan banitsa (a traditional Bulgarian pastry) with chickpea, zucchini, sundried tomato, and vegan pesto. They'll also usually have a few raw vegan cakes, and a bunch of plant-based milk options.

Just a short work from Nestwork, Chalet Yanitza usually has a few vegan options on offer. We recommend their chickpea curry with rice, and their vegan spinach patties. If you're lucky, there's sometimes a vegan moussaka on the menu too.

This small bakery is a local gem, famous for its fresh sourdough loaves. While not a full vegan café, most of the breads are vegan, and you can order some slices with jam or hummus. We recommend their vegan cacao loaf.

A restaurant with a homely feel, Zehtindjieva Kashta serves classic Bulgarian bean and porcini soup, grilled vegetables, and vegetable sach. We especially love their homemade lutenitsa (a Bulgarian red pepper dip).

An Italian restaurant with a stunning interior, Casa di Papi is a good pick when you’re craving comfort food in a gorgeous setting. They can make vegan pizza on request, loaded with fresh vegetables and olives, alongside simple pasta dishes with tomato or olive oil bases.

Known for its grilled meats, The Log House also offers excellent sautéed porcini mushrooms (you can ask for olive oil instead of butter), and a vegan burger. It’s a good mixed-group option if you’re looking for something simple and plant-based in a cabin setting.

An atmospheric mehana, Dedo Tase offers a great vegetable sach packed with pepper, potato, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, and topped with fresh herbs.

A lively, traditional spot often filled with music and dancing, Baryakova Tavern offers a vegetable sach and grilled wild mushrooms (ask for olive oil instead of butter if you're vegan).

Skabrin emphasizes presentation and local ingredients. We enjoyed their açaí bowl, which is the only smoothie bowl we found in town.

Another traditional spot that often has live Bulgarian music and dancing, Mehana Bardareva does a nice vegetable sach.

A community highlight, Avalon’s curry night serves up a range of curries, half of which are usually vegan. They're cooked by the owner James, who lived in India in a past life and has a strong appreciation for its cuisine. These nights are usually announced in Bansko's WhatsApp group.

In summer, Bansko feels like a Garden of Eden. Fruit trees line the paths, heavy with plums, apricots, cherries, and more. Bring a basket on your walk and you’ll likely return with a fresh, foraged haul.