Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Grand Cafe Van Gogh
( 031-107 6371;
www.vangogh.ro
; Str Smârdan 9; 8.30am-midnight Mon-Fri,
10am- midnight Sat & Sun; )
This well-positioned and lively cafe stands at the entrance
to the Old Town. Very good coffee and other drinks. They also prepare light meals includ-
ing breakfasts (20 lei) and burgers as well as daily luncheon specials. The 1st floor is
nonsmoking.
CAFE
Fire Club
( 021-312 7019;
www.fire.ro
; Str Gabroveni 12; 10am-5am; )
A crowded,
smoky, student -oriented bar and rock club that's much less flash and more relaxed than
some of the other venues around the Old Town.
BAR
BEYOND THE OLD TOWN
CAFE
Grădina Verona
( 031-425 1480; Str Pictor Verona 13-15; 9am-1am; )
A garden oasis hidden be-
hind the Cărtureşti bookshop, serving standard-issue but excellent espresso drinks and
some of the wackiest iced-tea infusions ever concocted in Romania, such as peony flower,
mango and lime (it's not bad). One drawback that we try to ignore on our visits: the ser-
vice here is arguably the slowest and most inept in all of Bucharest.
PUB
Cafeneaua Actorilor
( 0721-900 842;
www.cafeneauaactorilor.ro
;
B-dul Nicolae Bălcescu 2; 9am-3am;
)
Located on the ground floor of the National Theatre (the entrance is just behind the
Inter-Continental Hotel), this is an oasis of good drink and good pizza in the middle of the
centre. Drink (and breathe) on the open-air terrace in summer; in winter, the action shifts
to the labyrinthine (and admittedly claustrophobic) rooms inside.
Grand Cafe Galleron
CAFE