Culinary Guide: 3 restaurants in Timișoara

Anyone traveling to Romania might first think of breathtaking landscapes or historic cities. But I promise: Foodies will also get their money’s worth here! I tried various restaurants in Timișoara.

Here are three completely different, yet absolutely fantastic restaurants that you shouldn’t miss!

Pepper – Steak & Shake: The Urban Hotspot for Meat Lovers

Located right on the bustling Piața Unirii (Cathedral Square), Pepper was my very first culinary stop on Romanian soil, and the bar was immediately set extremely high.

The large outdoor terrace is the perfect place in summer to watch the hustle and bustle on the square. Of course, I also took a look inside the restaurant. Several tables were already set for the evening, and it looked like a place where you can dine in true style.

Since our group had pre-ordered the food, the appetizer arrived at the table pleasingly fast. We were served four different spreads on a large plate. There was a classic hummus (with olive oil and a little paprika), a green guacamole, a reddish spread called Zacusca (a traditional Romanian bell pepper and eggplant paste), and a Romanian eggplant salad (Salată de vinete). In the middle of the plate were crispy potato chips. Along with this, they brought us a spectacular, dome-shaped baked bread. It was a thin pizza bread, fresh from the oven, that had puffed up like a balloon from the heat and was sprinkled with coarse sea salt. It wasn’t just incredibly fun to scoop up the dips with it; it also tasted outstanding.

Unfortunately, I made the typical beginner’s mistake and almost filled up on the appetizers. Had I known what was coming for the main course, I definitely would have saved some room! The staff served us a meal that would make any meat lover’s heart skip a beat:

• Finely sliced beef steak, perfectly seared pink (medium/medium-rare) and partially garnished with fresh herbs.
• Juicy grilled chicken pieces with crispy, golden-brown skin.
• Pork ribs (spareribs) glazed with barbecue sauce.
• Pork belly slices.
• A small salad of fresh baby spinach in the middle of the platter.

As if that weren’t enough, a rustic metal pan with a tender meat and mushroom ragout in a creamy sauce was brought to the table. My secret highlight among the side dishes, however, was the baked potato wedges buried under a mountain of crumbled Telemea (a traditional Romanian brined cheese). A dream!

Address

Piața Unirii 13,
Timișoara 300085

Casa del Sole: Italian Elegance & Wine Art in the Courtyard

A true culinary institution in Timișoara is the restaurant Casa del Sole. This established restaurant is located slightly away from the center.

The absolute highlight is the beautiful courtyard, entwined with grapevines and plants. To me, it is one of the most romantic terraces in the entire city. Normally, Casa del Sole is known for authentic, upscale Italian cuisine. However, for special occasions, the kitchen team deviates from its usual concept, and I was incredibly lucky to experience exactly such an event evening.

A local winemaker presented selected wines to match the menu. Although the evening was mostly conducted in Romanian, it didn’t dampen the mood at all. It just felt wonderfully authentic, and we even received a few explanations in German.

My Menu Highlights

To kick off the menu, there was a Tenuta Mosconi Prestige Rosé sparkling wine. The bubbly wine was light and paired perfectly with the summer temperatures.

The first course was a smoked eggplant, served alongside a Sole 2025 Fetească Regală. The smoked eggplant was artfully arranged with a bright red roasted bell pepper tartare. The whole dish was garnished with fresh lovage and delicate sprouts, surrounded by a robust oil that provided colorful and flavorful accents.

The first course was a smoked eggplant, served alongside a Sole 2025 Fetească Regală. The smoked eggplant was artfully arranged with a bright red roasted bell pepper tartare. The whole dish was garnished with fresh lovage and delicate sprouts, surrounded by a robust oil that provided colorful and flavorful accents.

The main course consisted of a slice of duck breast encased in a corn crust. A bulgur risotto served as the side dish, which had taken on a reddish color from beetroot and was garnished with fresh greens. I particularly liked the dark cherry sauce, which gave the dish a very fruity note. A great flavor composition, rounded off by a Selene Fetească Neagră 2024.

As with almost every meal, I was particularly excited about the dessert, and I was not disappointed. On a bed of soy crumble rested a generous quenelle of cream made from Urdă (a Romanian cheese specialty) and vanilla. Threads of miso caramel were drizzled over it. The visual highlight was a piece of crispy dalgona, decorated with delicate, white, edible flowers. I thought it was simply amazing.

Address

Strada Romulus 12,
Timișoara 300203

Berăria 700: Brewery Culture and the Soul of the Banat

If you want to experience hearty Romania and authentic Banat brewery culture, there is no way around Berăria 700. Here, conviviality and, above all, large portions take center stage.

The expansive historic brick vaults and the huge beer garden in summer exude a cozy tavern atmosphere where I instantly felt right at home. There was even traditional live music during our visit.

The culinary focus is on hearty Romanian and Eastern European home cooking. Meat is definitely the center of attention here.

Mici with dill potatoes is the undisputed classic of Romanian cuisine. The heavily seared and then grilled minced meat rolls are served with golden-brown baked potatoes.

Additionally, they placed an impressively large portion of deep-fried chicken wings (Aripioare prăjite) on our table. French fries were hidden beneath the mountain of chicken wings. This came with a small bowl of typical Romanian garlic dip (Mujdei).

Address

Piața 700 (Strada Coriolan Brediceanu 2),
Timișoara 300089

A Quick Tip for Planning

When visiting restaurants in Timișoara, you should definitely keep in mind: At Pepper (especially on the terrace on weekends) and at Casa del Sole, it is usually worth reserving a table in advance. At Berăria 700, you can often still find a seat due to its size, but it can also get very crowded there during live music events.

Disclaimer: The visits to the restaurants took place as part of a press trip with Consiliul Judeţean Timiş, Visit Timiș, HORETIM, WIZZ Air, and Banat – Regiune Gastronomică Europeană.

Published 24 June 2026