Moma and Hadjidraganov’s Houses offer two different takes on Bulgarian food: one contemporary and urban, the other set among historic houses with folk music.

Where can you eat Bulgarian food after visiting Sofia’s cathedral?

St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral stands in a broad square north of central Sofia; construction took place between 1904 and 1912, and the church was consecrated in 1924. From there, the city shifts from the solemnity of its golden domes to shopping streets, markets and restaurants where national cooking appears in very different forms. Two stops can shape the afternoon: one near Vitosha Boulevard and another north of Lion’s Bridge, where the architecture itself becomes part of dinner.

Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine, at 28 Solunska Street, gives Bulgarian recipes a contemporary presentation. Its menu includes regional specialities such as patatnik, alongside banitsa, meat dishes, salads and local wines. Customer accounts often praise the themed rooms, food selection and wine list; other reviews warn that service can vary and that the restaurant costs more than a simple meal. Online booking is useful at weekends and makes it easier to plan an unhurried pause after exploring the centre.

Hadjidraganov’s Houses turns its dining room into four restored houses associated with Bulgarian towns such as Koprivshtitsa and Bansko. The website lists traditional recipes, wines, rakia, a summer courtyard and live folk music. Reviews often value the setting and music alongside a very extensive menu; some express mixed views about particular dishes or extras on the bill. Ask about portion sizes and read the menu before ordering to avoid a longer or more expensive dinner than expected.

From the cathedral, Moma lies towards the Vitosha and National Palace of Culture corridor; Hadjidraganov’s Houses is farther north on Kozloduy Street and can be paired with the central market area. The distances invite a walk, although tram or metro can save time at the end of the day. For dinner at either place, booking and checking posted hours are sensible. Moma offers the more contemporary central table; Hadjidraganov’s adds an evening cultural element, particularly on live-music nights.

For a first Bulgarian dinner, the choice is not between authenticity and spectacle, but between two ways of presenting tradition. Moma suits visitors interested in regional recipes in a current setting; Hadjidraganov’s is more memorable for a group that enjoys music and decor. Check the current menu, mention dietary restrictions and plan your return before the evening ends.

Bottom line

Choose Moma for a contemporary meal near Vitosha Boulevard, or Hadjidraganov’s for a more theatrical dinner with live folk music.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

01

Contemporary Bulgarian restaurant

Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine

Solunska Street 28, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

4.2 /5 5,537 reviews

In central Sofia, Solunska Street links the Vitosha shopping corridor with quieter inner streets where restaurants serve residents as well as visitors. Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine presents Bulgarian cooking through a contemporary lens and themed interiors: the restaurant says each dining room draws

Why it made the selection

Traditional and regional Bulgarian cooking in central Sofia

Hours: Daily, 12:30–23:30, according to the restaurant listing. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

02

Traditional Bulgarian restaurant

Hadjidraganov’s Houses Restaurant

75 Kozloduy Street, 1202 Sofia, Bulgaria

4.5 /5 8,499 reviews

A few streets north of the main shopping area, Hadjidraganov’s Houses turns dinner into a visit to four Bulgarian period houses, restored and arranged around a courtyard. The restaurant says the buildings evoke National Revival homes from 1866 associated with Koprivshtitsa, Zheravna, Melnik and Bans

Why it made the selection

Bulgarian dishes, recreated historic houses and live folk music

Hours: Daily, 11:30–23:30. Live folk music daily except Tuesday, 20:00–23:00, according to the official website. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

Official website of Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine ↗ Primary source Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine ↗ Primary source Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine ↗ Primary source Discover Sofia · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Hadjidraganov’s Houses Restaurant ↗ Primary source Hadjidraganov’s Houses Restaurant · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Hadjidraganov’s Houses Restaurant ↗ Primary source Discover Sofia · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Municipality of Sofia · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Discover Sofia · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Valoración y opiniones ↗ Secondary source Restaurant Guru · Accessed October 11, 2026
Google 4.2/5 en 5537 opiniones de Moma, Solunska Street 28; consultado 11/10/2026.
Valoración y opiniones ↗ Secondary source Restaurant Guru · Accessed October 11, 2026
Google 4.5/5 en 8499 opiniones asociadas a Kozloduy Street 75, sede de Hadjidraganov’s Houses; consultado 11/10/2026.