What to Eat in Craiova at Christmas

Let us be honest: half the charm of the holidays is the food! And Craiova feeds you very well, from the stalls at the Christmas market to the shaorma on the corner, the one we locals eat all year round.

Come hungry, because the list is long.

Stroll along the Christmas market stalls

The first stop is the Christmas market in the centre. Take it slowly, do the whole round and look around before you buy anything, because every stall has something different. Here is what you must not miss:

Lángos

Hot fried dough, crispy at the edges and soft in the middle, topped with sour cream, cheese and garlic. It is the kind of food that warms you up from the first bite. Get it fresh, straight out of the oil!

Kürtőskalács

Also known as the chimney cake, it is a roll of dough baked over embers and rolled in sugar and cinnamon. You can smell it from dozens of metres away, and it is eaten hot, pulled apart in a spiral. A perfect dessert to take on a walk.

Barbecue and mulled wine

For the savoury side, you have barbecue: mici (grilled minced-meat rolls), sausages and grilled meat, made on the spot. And, of course, hot mulled wine, with cinnamon and orange, ideal for cold December evenings.

Local rakia and spirits

If you want to taste something authentic, try the local țuică and other rakia-style spirits. They are served in small measures, as they are quite strong, but they are exactly what you need to warm up. Enjoy responsibly, especially if you still have a walk back to your accommodation!

Fast food close to the centre

If you want something quick between two rounds of the market, there is a McDonald’s and a KFC close to the centre, both very good and always at hand, especially when you have hungry kids.

Shaorma: do not leave Craiova without it

We are not joking here. All the shaorma shops in the city are very good, but we have our favourites. Our personal top:

1. Shukran — our favourite, no discussion.
2. Shaorma Amicii
3. German Kebab
4. Doner House

Each one better than the last! Pick the one closest to you and you cannot go wrong.

Restaurants in the centre

If you fancy a proper sit-down meal, the centre is full of restaurants that are all worth trying. There are many, they are all equally impressive and, over the holidays, they also have special menus. Book ahead if you are a big group.

Eating at Promenada Mall

Promenada is just a 10-minute taxi ride from the centre and has plenty of options:

• Burger King drive-in and KFC drive-in, for when you do not feel like getting out of the car.
• In the food area, where a whole floor is dedicated to eating, you will find shaorma, pizza, McDonald’s, FryBurger, Asian food and much more. You can stuff your belly full at Christmas!

Where to stay to have it all within reach

If you want to rest after all that good food, in a quiet area, with all the amenities close by and less than a 10-minute taxi ride from the hustle and bustle of the centre, you can stay at Promenada Boboci Apartments. See our guide to what to do in Craiova at Christmas to plan your whole visit.

We are waiting for you! Write to us and we will tell you which dates are still free.