One of the genuine pleasures of visiting Sveti Vlas is the food. For a relatively small resort town, the dining scene punches well above its weight. From traditional Bulgarian taverns serving recipes passed down through generations to modern restaurants with creative menus and stunning sea views, there's something for every palate and budget. We've eaten at every restaurant in town (multiple times) and here are our honest top 10 picks.
Quick price guide:
💰 Budget: Under €10 per person
💰💰 Mid-range: €10–20 per person
💰💰💰 Upscale: €20+ per person
All prices include a main course and a drink.
1. Mehana Starata Kushta (The Old House)
Traditional Bulgarian · Grill · 💰💰
If you only eat at one restaurant in Sveti Vlas, make it this one. Mehana Starata Kushta is a traditional Bulgarian tavern that delivers authentic flavors in a warm, rustic setting. The interior is decorated with dark wood, embroidered tablecloths, and old farming tools — exactly the kind of atmosphere you'd hope for from a Bulgarian mehana.
The menu is a greatest hits of Bulgarian cuisine. Start with a shopska salad (the national salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and grated white cheese) and a pot of traditional bean soup (bob chorba). For mains, the mixed grill platter is legendary — kebapche (grilled minced meat rolls), kyufte (spiced meat patties), and chicken skewers, all served with golden fries and ljutenitsa (roasted pepper and tomato relish).
Average meal: €13–18 per person · Must try: Mixed grill, shopska salad · Atmosphere: Traditional, cozy, family-friendly
📍 Central Sveti Vlas, near the old village square · Google Maps →
2. Restaurant Marina Dinevi
Seafood · Mediterranean · 💰💰💰
Located right on the Dinevi Marina promenade, this is Sveti Vlas's premier seafood restaurant. The terrace seating offers gorgeous views of the yacht-filled marina and the Black Sea beyond. It's the kind of place where you want to linger over a long dinner as the sun sets.
The menu focuses on fresh Black Sea seafood — grilled sea bass, pan-fried Black Sea turbot, mussels in white wine sauce, and a spectacular seafood platter for two. The fish is delivered fresh daily from local fishermen, and you can taste the difference. The wine list features excellent Bulgarian labels alongside international selections.
Average meal: €23–36 per person · Must try: Seafood platter, grilled sea bass · Atmosphere: Elegant, romantic, sea views
📍 Dinevi Marina, Sveti Vlas waterfront promenade · Google Maps →
3. Djanny
Bulgarian · International · 💰💰
Djanny is a beloved local favorite that has been serving Sveti Vlas visitors for years. The restaurant sits on a main street with a pleasant outdoor terrace shaded by grapevines — very typical of the Bulgarian coastal dining experience. The menu blends Bulgarian classics with international dishes, making it a safe bet when your group can't agree on what to eat.
The Bulgarian specialties are excellent: try the kavarma (a slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew served in a clay pot), or the pork neck steak with mushroom sauce. They also do a great pizza and pasta selection for those craving something familiar. Portions are generous, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
Average meal: €11–18 per person · Must try: Kavarma, pork neck steak · Atmosphere: Casual, welcoming, vine-covered terrace
📍 Main street, central Sveti Vlas · Google Maps →
4. Pri Yafata
Seafood · Bulgarian · 💰💰
This charming restaurant is known for its excellent fish and seafood dishes at fair prices. "Pri Yafata" roughly translates to "At the Fishing Boat," and the nautical theme runs throughout the decor. Located near the beach, it's a perfect spot for a long lunch after a morning of swimming.
The fried sprats (tsatsa) are a Black Sea classic and served perfectly here — crispy, hot, and addictive. The grilled mackerel and oven-baked mussels with cheese are also standouts. For non-seafood eaters, they offer solid grilled meats and salads.
Average meal: €10–18 per person · Must try: Fried tsatsa, baked mussels · Atmosphere: Maritime, relaxed, near beach
📍 Near the central beach, Sveti Vlas · Google Maps →
5. Panorama Restaurant
International · Bulgarian · 💰💰💰
True to its name, Panorama offers sweeping views of the bay from its hillside location. The restaurant is part of a hotel complex above Sveti Vlas, and the terrace is one of the most scenic dining spots on the entire Bulgarian coast. On a clear evening, you can see the lights of Nessebar twinkling across the bay.
The menu is more ambitious than most local restaurants, featuring dishes like duck breast with berry sauce, lamb rack with herbs, and creative salads. The presentation is elegant, and the service is polished. It's the place for a special occasion dinner or a romantic evening out.
Average meal: €23–33 per person · Must try: Duck breast, lamb rack · Atmosphere: Panoramic views, upscale, romantic
📍 Hillside above Sveti Vlas, part of hotel complex · Google Maps →
6. Bai Pesho
Bulgarian · Grill · Budget · 💰
Don't let the modest appearance fool you — Bai Pesho serves some of the best grilled meat in town at incredibly low prices. This is where locals eat when they want honest, no-frills Bulgarian food. The grilled kebapche and kyufte are perfect, the bread comes fresh from a traditional oven, and a full meal with a beer costs less than a cocktail at a marina restaurant.
The outdoor seating is basic — plastic chairs and simple tables — but the food quality is anything but. Come here for lunch, order a mixed grill with a shopska salad, and you'll understand why this place has loyal regulars who eat here multiple times a week.
Average meal: €6–10 per person · Must try: Kebapche, fresh bread · Atmosphere: No-frills, authentic, local hangout
📍 Side street near the market, central Sveti Vlas · Google Maps →
7. Uno Italian Restaurant
Italian · Pizza · Pasta · 💰💰
When you're craving Italian, Uno delivers. This cozy restaurant specializes in wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta, and Italian-inspired dishes. The pizza dough is made fresh daily and baked in a proper wood-fired oven — you can see (and smell) it from the terrace.
Popular picks include the Quattro Formaggi pizza, the seafood linguine, and the tiramisu for dessert. The wine list includes both Bulgarian and Italian wines. It's a great choice for families — kids love pizza everywhere in the world, and the quality here won't disappoint the adults either.
Average meal: €10–18 per person · Must try: Wood-fired pizza, tiramisu · Atmosphere: Cozy Italian, family-friendly
📍 Main pedestrian street, Sveti Vlas · Google Maps →
8. The Captain's Table
Seafood · International · 💰💰💰
Another excellent choice on the marina strip, The Captain's Table combines premium seafood with a nautical-chic atmosphere. The outdoor terrace literally sits over the water, with yachts bobbing just meters away. It's the closest you'll get to dining on a boat without actually being on one.
The menu changes with the catch of the day, but staples include whole grilled dorada, Black Sea lobster (when available), shrimp risotto, and an impressive raw bar. The cocktail menu is creative and well-executed — try the Bulgarian rose gin and tonic for something uniquely local.
Average meal: €20–30 per person · Must try: Catch of the day, shrimp risotto · Atmosphere: Maritime chic, upscale marina views
📍 Dinevi Marina waterfront, Sveti Vlas · Google Maps →
9. Mehana Neptun
Bulgarian · Seafood · 💰💰
Neptun is another solid traditional mehana with a focus on both Bulgarian meat dishes and Black Sea seafood. The garden setting with mature trees and string lights creates a lovely atmosphere for evening dining. The staff speaks good English and is happy to explain dishes to first-time visitors.
The standout here is the "sach" — a traditional Bulgarian hot plate dish where meat, vegetables, and spices are cooked together on a heated clay plate and brought sizzling to your table. Choose between pork, chicken, or mixed. Pair it with a bottle of Mavrud red wine for the full Bulgarian experience.
Average meal: €13–20 per person · Must try: Sach (hot plate), Mavrud wine · Atmosphere: Garden setting, traditional, charming
📍 Garden area, upper Sveti Vlas near residential zone · Google Maps →
10. Beach Bar & Grill Oasis
Beach Food · Cocktails · Grill · 💰💰
For those days when you don't want to leave the beach, Oasis is perfect. This beach bar and grill sits right on the sand, offering everything from fresh salads and grilled chicken to burgers, wraps, and excellent cocktails. The vibe is relaxed and casual — flip-flops and swimsuits are the dress code.
The mojitos are excellent, the grilled chicken sandwich is surprisingly good, and the sunset views from the beach chairs are free. It's not fine dining, but it's exactly what you want when you've spent the day in the sun and can't be bothered to get dressed for dinner.
Average meal: €10–15 per person · Must try: Mojito, grilled chicken sandwich · Atmosphere: Beach casual, sunset views, laid-back
📍 Central beach, Sveti Vlas beachfront · Google Maps →
Dining Tips for Sveti Vlas
- Make reservations for marina restaurants during July–August, especially for weekend dinners. Other restaurants are usually fine without a booking.
- Tipping: 10% is standard and appreciated. Some restaurants include a service charge — check the bill.
- Fresh fish prices at seafood restaurants are often listed per 100 grams. A whole grilled fish can range from €8–20 depending on the type. Ask the waiter for the total price before ordering.
- Bulgarian wine is excellent and cheap. Don't miss trying local varieties — Mavrud, Melnik, Gamza (reds) and Dimyat, Misket (whites). A bottle of good Bulgarian wine at a restaurant costs €9–18.
- Rakia is Bulgaria's national spirit — a fruit brandy (usually grape or plum). Many restaurants offer homemade rakia. It's strong (40%+), so pace yourself.
- Breakfast is usually not a strength of Bulgarian restaurants. Consider buying fresh pastries from a local bakery (banitsa — a flakey cheese pastry — is the classic Bulgarian breakfast) or cooking in your apartment.
- Lunch specials: Some restaurants offer lunch menus (obedna menyuta) with a soup, main, and salad for €6–9 — excellent value.
Cooking at Home: Where to Shop
If you're staying in an apartment (which we highly recommend), you'll want to know where to buy groceries:
- Grand Market Mercury — The largest supermarket near Sveti Vlas. Great selection of fresh produce, meat, dairy, and pantry staples at reasonable prices.
- Local fruit and vegetable stands — You'll find small stalls along the main streets selling tomatoes, peppers, watermelons, and peaches in season. Bulgarian tomatoes in summer are legendary.
- Bakeries — Fresh bread and pastries daily. Pick up banitsa for breakfast and you'll feel like a local.
Stay in Sveti Vlas — Eat Like a Local
Our apartments in Sorrento Sole Mare come with fully equipped kitchens. Cook breakfast, dine out for lunch and dinner — or the other way around. Your vacation, your rules.
Book Our Apartment →