The main meal is eaten in the middle of the day. Dinner is a social occasion, with dancing in many restaurants. Food is spicy, hearty and good. A lot of meals include meat, potatoes and cheese. Fruit is particularly good and cheap throughout the year. There is a wide variety of national dishes, as well as Western European standard dishes, which can be chosen on the spot at any restaurant. All good hotels have restaurants and there are many attractive folk-style restaurants and cafes throughout the country.
National specialities:
• Tarator (cold soup made from cucumber, walnuts and yoghurt.).
• Kavarma (individual casseroles of pork or veal, onions and mushrooms).
• Shishkebab (stuffed vine or cabbage leaves and moussaka).
• Kebapcheta (small, strongly spiced, minced meat rolls).
• Banitsa (pastry stuffed with fruit or cheese).
National drinks:
• Coffee, heavily sweetened, is particularly popular.
• Drinks made from infusions of mountain herbs and dried leaves, particularly lime.
• White wines include Evksinograde, Karlouski Misket and Tamianka.
• Heavy red wines include Mavroud and Trakia.
• Liquors include mastika and rakia.
Tipping: Until recently not applicable but some restaurants now include a 10 to 12 per cent service charge.

Some restaurants have folk dancing and music. Opera is performed at the State Opera House in Sofia; other classical concerts include the National Folk Ensemble. There are nightclubs with floor shows and dancing in Sofia and in Bourgas, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Varna, etc; other classical concerts include the National Folk Ensemble. There are nightclubs with floor shows and dancing in Sofia, as well as in most major towns and all the resorts.

The main shopping area of Sofia is the Vitosha Boulevard. Bulgarian products, handicrafts, wines, spirits and confectionery can all be purchased. Shopping hours: Shops and stores are generally open Mon-Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1400.