Staying in an apartment in Sveti Vlas? Smart move. Having your own kitchen means you can enjoy fresh Bulgarian produce at a fraction of restaurant prices — and the quality of local fruits, vegetables, and dairy will genuinely surprise you. Bulgarian tomatoes, white cheese, and yogurt are famous for a reason. Here's your complete guide to grocery shopping in and around Sveti Vlas.
Quick tip: Bulgarian currency is the Lev (BGN). €1 ≈ 1.95 BGN. Most supermarkets accept credit cards, but smaller shops and market stalls often prefer cash. ATMs are available in central Sveti Vlas.
Supermarkets in & Near Sveti Vlas
1. Grand Market Mercury
Large Supermarket · Best Selection · Open Daily
This is the go-to supermarket for most visitors staying in Sveti Vlas. Grand Market Mercury is a full-size supermarket with a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, dairy, bread, canned goods, household items, and a decent wine and spirits section. The produce quality is good, prices are fair, and the store is well-organized.
You'll find everything you need here — from breakfast basics (eggs, cheese, bread, yogurt) to ingredients for a full dinner. The meat counter has fresh chicken, pork, and beef, and the dairy section stocks excellent Bulgarian yogurt and white cheese (sirene). There's also a small deli section with ready-made salads and cold cuts.
Best for: Full weekly shops, fresh meat and dairy · Payment: Cash & cards
📍 Near the entrance to Sveti Vlas, on the main road · Google Maps →
2. Lidl (Sunny Beach / Nessebar)
Discount Supermarket · Lowest Prices · European Chain
If you're familiar with Lidl from elsewhere in Europe, the Bulgarian version won't surprise you — same format, same quality, excellent prices. The nearest Lidl is located between Sunny Beach and Nessebar, about a 10-minute drive from Sveti Vlas. If you have a car, it's absolutely worth the trip.
Lidl offers the best prices on staples: milk, bread, pasta, canned goods, cleaning supplies, and snacks. Their fresh bakery section is great for morning pastries. The weekly special offers often include seasonal Bulgarian produce at rock-bottom prices. Stock up here and supplement with local shops in Sveti Vlas.
Best for: Bulk buying, best prices on staples · Payment: Cash & cards
📍 Nessebar / Sunny Beach area, ~10 min drive · Google Maps →
3. T-Market
Mid-Size Supermarket · Convenient · Good Basics
T-Market is a popular Bulgarian supermarket chain with locations near Sveti Vlas. It's smaller than Grand Market Mercury but well-stocked for daily essentials. The store has a clean layout, reliable produce, and competitive prices — especially for Bulgarian-made products.
This is a good option for quick top-up shops when you don't want to drive to Lidl. Dairy products, bread, drinks, snacks, and basic fruits and vegetables are always available. They also stock sunscreen, beach supplies, and other vacation essentials.
Best for: Quick daily shops, basics · Payment: Cash & cards
📍 Near Sveti Vlas on the main road toward Sunny Beach · Google Maps →
4. Billa (Nessebar)
Full Supermarket · Good Quality · European Chain
Billa is an Austrian supermarket chain with a strong presence in Bulgaria. The Nessebar location is about a 10–15 minute drive from Sveti Vlas and offers a premium shopping experience — clean, well-organized, with a good selection of international and local products.
Billa tends to be slightly pricier than Lidl or T-Market, but the quality is consistently high. Their fresh bakery is excellent, the meat section is well-maintained, and they stock a broader range of international products — useful if you're craving something specific from home. Good wine selection too.
Best for: Quality produce, international products · Payment: Cash & cards
📍 Nessebar, ~10–15 min drive · Google Maps →
5. Kaufland (Burgas)
Hypermarket · Biggest Selection · Worth a Trip
If you're doing a big initial shop for a week-long stay, the Kaufland hypermarket in Burgas (about 30 minutes away) is worth considering. This is a massive store with everything — groceries, electronics, clothing, home goods, and a huge fresh produce section.
Many visitors combine a Kaufland run with exploring Burgas itself — the Sea Garden, the pedestrian center, and the local market. Prices are very competitive, and the selection dwarfs anything available in Sveti Vlas. There's also a Lidl nearby if you want to comparison shop.
Best for: Big weekly shops, one-stop-everything · Payment: Cash & cards
📍 Burgas, ~30 min drive · Google Maps →
Local Shops & Markets
6. Small Grocery Shops (Magazini)
Convenience Stores · Walking Distance · Open Late
Scattered throughout Sveti Vlas you'll find small corner shops (called "magazini" in Bulgarian). These are your closest, most convenient option for everyday needs — cold drinks, water, bread, snacks, beer, wine, basic produce, and sundries. Most are within 5 minutes' walk of any apartment complex.
Prices are slightly higher than supermarkets (10–20%), but the convenience factor is unbeatable. Many stay open until late evening — very useful when you realize you're out of milk at 9 PM. Some also sell fresh sandwiches, ice cream, and simple prepared foods.
Best for: Quick grabs, cold drinks, convenience · Payment: Mostly cash, some accept cards
7. Fruit & Vegetable Stands
Fresh Produce · Seasonal · Best Quality
These open-air stalls are one of the highlights of shopping in Bulgaria. Local vendors sell seasonal fruits and vegetables — often grown in the region or picked that morning. In summer, the tomatoes, peppers, watermelons, peaches, and cherries are extraordinary. If you've only ever had Dutch-greenhouse tomatoes, a Bulgarian summer tomato will be a revelation.
Prices are usually displayed per kilogram. Just point at what you want, the vendor will weigh it and tell you the price. Most stands are cash-only. Found along the main walking streets and near the central part of town.
Best for: Fresh seasonal produce, local flavors · Tip: Buy tomatoes, cucumbers, and sirene cheese — make your own shopska salad!
8. Bakeries (Furni)
Fresh Bread & Pastries · Daily · Budget-Friendly
Bulgarian bakeries are a daily ritual for locals, and they should be for you too. Fresh bread, banitsa (the legendary flakey pastry filled with white cheese and eggs), kifli (sweet rolls), and various savory pastries are baked throughout the day.
A typical bakery breakfast: a warm banitsa (€0.70–1.20) and a cup of ayran (a cold yogurt drink, €0.50). That's a delicious, authentic Bulgarian breakfast for under €2. Some bakeries also sell pizza slices, stuffed breads, and simple sandwiches — perfect for a quick beach lunch.
Best for: Breakfast, snacks, fresh bread · Must try: Banitsa, tutmanik (cheese bread)
What to Buy: Bulgarian Food Essentials
These are the products that are genuinely better (and cheaper) in Bulgaria than back home:
- Bulgarian yogurt (kiselo mlyako) — The original probiotic food. Thick, tangy, and incomparably good. Try different brands — each has a slightly different flavor. €0.60–1.00 per 400g.
- White cheese (sirene) — Similar to feta but creamier and less salty. Essential for shopska salad. €2–4 per 400g.
- Kashkaval — Bulgarian yellow cheese, perfect for sandwiches and melting. Rich, slightly nutty flavor. €3–5 per 400g.
- Tomatoes — Summer Bulgarian tomatoes are world-class. Sweet, juicy, and fragrant. €1–2 per kg in season.
- Watermelons — Enormous, sweet, and incredibly cheap in summer. €0.30–0.50 per kg.
- Bulgarian wine — Excellent quality at absurdly low prices. A good bottle of Mavrud or Melnik starts at €3–5 at the supermarket.
- Rakia — Fruit brandy, Bulgaria's national spirit. Homemade versions (sold at markets) are the best. €5–10 for a bottle.
- Lyutenitsa — Roasted red pepper and tomato relish. Spread it on bread, serve with grilled meats. Every Bulgarian household has jars of this. €1–2 per jar.
- Lukanka — A traditional flat cured sausage with a complex, spiced flavor. Amazing with cheese and wine. €3–5.
- Honey — Bulgarian mountain honey is superb. Look for "manов мед" (mountain honey) or "акациев мед" (acacia honey) at local markets.
Shopping Tips
- Bring your own bags. Plastic bags cost 0.05–0.15 BGN each. Reusable bags are sold at every supermarket for ~1 BGN.
- Check produce by weight. Fruits and vegetables are sold per kilogram. At supermarkets, you usually weigh them yourself at the produce scale and print a price sticker before going to checkout.
- Shop early for the best produce. Fruit stands and bakeries have the freshest selection in the morning. By evening, popular items may be sold out.
- Water is cheap. Tap water in Sveti Vlas is safe but doesn't taste great. A 5-liter bottle of mineral water costs €0.50–0.80 at the supermarket. Don't pay beach-bar prices.
- Bulgarian labels. Most products have Bulgarian-only labels. Use Google Translate's camera feature on your phone — point it at a label and get instant translation.
- Sunday hours. Supermarkets are usually open 7 days a week, but smaller shops may close early on Sundays (or not open at all). Stock up on Saturday if in doubt.
- Market day in Nessebar. If you're in the area on a market day, the open-air market in Nessebar has great deals on clothes, souvenirs, and fresh produce.
Budget Comparison: Eating Out vs Cooking
Sample weekly grocery budget for 2 people:
🛒 Breakfasts (bakery pastries + yogurt + coffee): ~€15
🛒 Lunches (sandwiches, salads, snacks): ~€20
🛒 Dinners (cook 4 nights, eat out 3): ~€30 groceries + €60–90 dining
🛒 Drinks & snacks (water, wine, fruit, ice cream): ~€15
Total: ~€80–140 per week for two (mix of cooking and dining out)
Compare this to eating every meal at restaurants: €200–350+ per week for two.
Cook Like a Local in Sveti Vlas
Our apartments in Sorrento Sole Mare come with fully equipped kitchens — fridge, stove, microwave, cookware, and everything you need. Buy fresh ingredients, cook a Bulgarian feast, enjoy dinner on your balcony with a sea view. That's the real vacation life.
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