Bulgaria is stuffed full of vegetable plots and orchards, fresh fruit and vegetables are half the secret of Bulgarian food. In the villages almost all of the food comes straight from the land and is organic or free range.
With around 40 Mehanas, hotel restaurants and street cafés, there are a wide range of places to eat within a few minutes walking distance of the apartment. All Mehanas serve traditional Bulgarian cuisine and a selection of house wines. Many of the wines are made in the Mehana, and will come straight from the barrel.
Some of our favourites are the Italian restaurant situated behind the five star Kempinski hotel opposite the gondola station, the Bansko Mehana on the main street (Pirin) heading down towards the square and Café Blonde near the apartment for breakfast. Probably representing the best value for money when it comes to eating out in Bansko. A 3 course meal with wine in any of the Mehanas can cost as little as £6.
Bars
Throughout the town you will find lots of street kiosks serving coffees, soft drinks and basic snack food. 10 minutes walk from the apartment is the town square, a popular meeting place for both locals and tourists. The square is lined with street café’s serving both imported beers as well as the high quality local brews. There is always a wide selection of wines and spirits available. On a Sunday, the square comes to life as the street market attracts hundreds of locals and tourists to the square to socialise, have a drink and soak up the atmosphere.
Evening drinking tends to take place in the Mehanas where you are not expected to dine, but are more than welcome to stay the night, drink and enjoy the entertainment. Most menus offer light snacks, cheese boards and a selection of cured meats. We have been told that most Mehanas will remain open until the last person leaves. Although we haven't tested this (yet!).
The Happy end bar opposite the gondola station and 5 minutes from the apartment is usually the first stop for skiers and snowboarders when they come off the slopes. All Mehanas and restaurants serve the usual European beers, as well as the local brews. The most popular (and personally recommended) is Kamenitza or Zagorka. A pint bottle of Zagorka in one of the traditional Mehanas will cost you around 1.5 Leva (about 50p)
Bulgaria has for a long time been a supplier of full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines to Europe. Inside Bulgaria, there is an even wider variety of wines on offer. Some of the most popular reds are the mellow Melnik and Gumza; rich, dark Mavrud; and the smooth strawberry-flavoured Haskovski Merlot. There are also plenty of white and rose wines available, although I have not yet tried them. But if the reds are anything to go by, then you won’t be disappointed. A reasonable bottle of red wine will cost around 10 Leva (about £3.50)
The usual spirits can be found in every bar and Mehana. Here, you will find everything from local and imported Russian vodkas to Irish whiskey. You could always try the local spirit called Rakiya. A very potent spirit, usually taken neat, or with a glass of juice to one side to put out the fire. One point to note is that the normal Bulgarian measure is 5cl (roughly equivalent to a British double).
Clubs
At the end of the day, for a truly happy ending, the Happy End restaurant by the Gondola base station turns into a night club whose lively atmosphere is only rivalled by the Amnesia club in the centre of town. Other clubs, such as the Night Club in hotel Pirin, the Karaoke Bar in hotel Bansko, the Buddha Bar club and Club No Name, add up a modern flavour to this town. Club no name on the Tsar Simeon costs 3 Leva entrance fee (about £1) and opens from 10pm right through to 4am in the morning.
Casino
Bansko has two Casinos, both within 5 minutes walk of the apartment. Here you can play all of the usual one-arm bandits, roulette, blackjack, poker etc. The Gold club is on your right hand side as you head down Pirin towards the town square. The other is beside the Strazhite hotel and ten-pin bowling.
Ten-pin bowling
The ten pin bowling complex also provides various arcade machines, pool tables, a café and bar. Ideal for families and those still suffering from the night before. It is situated next to the Strazhite hotel on the main road (Glazne) coming into Bansko and about 5 minutes walk from the apartment.
Late night shopping
For those not content with shopping during the day, you can continue late into the evening, with most shops staying open until around 8pm. You may find that some of the shops close for siesta between 12pm and 3pm. Heading from the apartment down Pirin street, you will pass a varied mix of street cafés, Mehanas, restaurants and many small family run shops selling everything from clothes to furniture, ornaments, souvenirs and of course ski and snow boarding shops, including an official Burton outlet. We found that most of them offer discounts on multiple purchases and sales of up to 50% on boards, skis and equipment are common out of the ski season.
Evening entertainment
During the last World Cup, many tourists and locals gathered in the town square to sit back and relax with a beer while watching the matches on a large screen erected in the town square. The square is also host to various concerts and entertainment through-out the year, including the annual Bansko Jazz festival in August and the Easter Sunday celebrations.
Nightly entertainment can be found in many of the Mehanas and usually consists of live traditional Bulgarian music and dance creating a real party atmosphere. Don’t worry, participation isn’t compulsory, but after a few rakiyas, you will find it hard to resist.
