The 13 Food and Drink Tours in Sofia to Book First

1.Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 545 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Meet Kalin at Tempus Vini in central Sofia for a one-hour tasting of five Bulgarian grape varieties: Misket, Melnik, Mavrud, Gumza, and Rubin. He explains wine regions, local history, and modern producers while serving Bulgarian cheeses and bread. Some sessions include six wines or bottles made by Kalin himself.

“It was a great experience learning about different wine regions in Bulgaria. Our host was very knowledgeable and well-informed about wine, and he was also very helpful with our questions and any additional information.”

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2.Sofia Food & Tasting Tour with Communist-Era Tram Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $91

Join Peter for a three-hour small-group tour through central Sofia, pairing five Bulgarian food stops with major sights, Roman Serdica, local markets, and a communist-era tram ride. Expect sausages, cheese, salad, dessert, beer or wine, and practical stories about Bulgaria’s past. Groups are limited to 11.

“Peter was such a wonderful guide. I was the only person on the tour so he adjusted itinerary due to the fact I had already visited several items on the itinerary. He had a great understanding and knowledge of history including the communist period. Our last stop was a bar/restaurant right out of the communist sixties. Beer was great and so was the fried cheese. You had a choice of wine or beer. I would highly recommend his tour”

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3.Wine and Tapas Boutique Bulgarian Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33Best value

At Vineria Wine Bar & Shop on Sofia’s quiet Tsar Asen Street, hosts Lyubomir and Maria introduce you to five or six Bulgarian boutique wines, local meats, cheeses, bread, and olive oil. Expect stories about Bulgaria’s wine past, unusual grape varieties, and a small group capped at eight people. Extra wine after the tasting costs more.

“Lots of great information about both Bulgarian wines and wine industry! Great meat, cheese and bread as well as wine!”

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4.Market Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $55

Walk central Sofia with a local guide such as Dani, Christina, Minna, or Yoan, stopping at the Antique and Artisan Fair, Central Market Hall, and Zhenski Pazar. You’ll sample Bulgarian food at several venues, learn how history shaped the cuisine, and finish with lunch at Hadjidraganov’s Houses Restaurant. Vegetarian options are available.

“We had a wonderful few hours with Dara. She was so knowledgeable and friendly, and taught us a lot about the city and the cuisine. We ate at four different places and the food was excellent at all of them. Highly recommend this tour!”

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5.Bulgarian Food tasting, cullinary-historical tour, Cooking class

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $138

Spend about six hours with Mariela exploring Sofia’s Women’s Market, learning Bulgarian cooking techniques, and preparing three dishes suited to your skills and tastes. The private class includes kitchen equipment and a full meal, with possible dishes such as burek, dolmas, gyuvetche, kavarma, and mekitzi. Pickup from Luvov Most metro station is available.

“I had a wonderful day with Mariela and we cooked and shared a delicious meal ! I highly recommend :)”

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6.Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $174

Leave Sofia at 9:00 am for a guided visit to Plovdiv Old Town, then continue to Villa Yustina in the Thracia Valley for wine tasting. Your English-speaking guide may be Nicky, Nely, Stoyan, Maria, or another member of the P Group team. Expect about 10 hours, a small group of up to 15 people, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

“I loved this tour and would highly encourage taking this particular tour if you have an extra day in Sofia. I had a private guide who was spectacular. I would go back to Plovdiv on another day to do some shopping as there were many shops that had unique gifts.”

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7.3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $104

Spend three hours tasting Bulgarian soups, breads, sarma, banitsa, lyutenitsa, and local wine while walking through Sofia with a private guide. Your route includes the Women’s Market and several food stops. Guides such as Rali, Ivo, Nesi, Ivaylo, Daniella, and Dara have led this experience. Vegetarian tastings are available with advance notice.

“This tour was an amazing introduction to Bulgarian food and history. The places we visited were diverse and excellent. Daniella, our tour guide, was full of information and fun. It was a great evening. Be sure to wear your walking shoes and come hungry.”

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8.Authentic Homemade Bulgarian Dessert Tasting in Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $56

Meet near Sofia’s central Serdika area for a one-hour tasting of four homemade Bulgarian desserts, farmer’s honey, medicinal tea, and boza. Your English-speaking host explains the sweets, drinks, and Bulgarian traditions in an aristocratic, vintage-style setting. It suits food lovers, small groups, and team-building outings.

“Really enjoyable experience! The desserts were amazing and so was the tea. I really recommend this to anyone interested in food.”

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9.Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $203

Spend about eight hours with a private guide exploring Rila Monastery and its remarkable wall paintings, then taste five wines at Medi Valley Winery. Pickup and drop-off in Sofia, an air-conditioned minivan, and guiding are included. Guides such as Georgi and Victor have added useful history and personal stories along the way.

“If you're looking for a perfect blend of history, culture, and wine, this day trip to Rila Monastery and Medi Valley Winery is an absolute must! Our guide, Georgi, made the experience truly exceptional with his deep knowledge, professionalism, and warm personality.”

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10.Enchanting Honey and Healing Tea Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $56

Meet host Rado near Sofia’s Serdika metro station for a one-hour tasting in an aristocratic, vintage-style room. You’ll sample five Bulgarian honeys, warm Ceylon tea blended with local healing herbs, and mekitsa, a traditional fried pastry. Choose tea flavors to suit your taste, and hear stories about honey, tea, and Sofia.

“The experience was amazing! My son and I were visiting from the states and wanted a traditional local experience!! We tasted 5 different honeys with the traditional Bulgarian pastry, mekitsi. My favorite was the echinacea honey. My son’s was the local insect gathered honey. The tea with honey was also amazing!! We got several travel experience trip tips! All in all, we loved it!”

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11.Plovdiv and Perushtitsa Day Trip with Wine Tasting from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $172

Leave Sofia at 9:00 a.m. for a nine-hour guided outing to Plovdiv’s Old Town, Perushtitsa’s Early Christian Red Church, and Villa Yustina winery. You get hotel pickup, transport, a wine tasting, and time with guides such as Filip, Maris, or Demetri. The group can reach 15 people, though some departures may feel more personal.

“The tour was informative thanks to the tour guide, Maris is an encyclopedia of information concerning Bulgaria and other countries nearby”

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12.Plovdiv-History and Craft beer Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $104

Travel from Sofia to Plovdiv in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide. Walk through the Old Town and Roman ruins, visit Kamenitsa Brewery, taste six Bulgarian craft beers, and enjoy free time in Kapana. Lunch is at your own cost, and groups are limited to 18 people.

“The tour was so much fun and I really enjoyed trying local food and beer. I learned a lot too on the drive there and and back and had great company. I would highly recommend this to anyone!”

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13.Private Sofia Tour with Unique Local Food & Drinks Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $92

Meet your private local guide at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 12:30 pm for a walking tour through central Sofia. See Roman ruins, the Presidency, the Basilica, and other landmarks while tasting banitsa, ayran, Shopska salad, homemade bread, local beer, salami, and sweets. The tour ends on Vitosha Boulevard and welcomes groups of up to 15.

“Simona, una guía de las que quedan pocas, estupenda, maravillosa, atenta, correcta y sobre todo profesional.”

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