Destination: Sofia

Encircled by mountains and steeped in centuries of history, Sofia Province reveals a side of Bulgaria where nature and culture meet in harmony. From the city’s Roman ruins and gold-domed cathedrals to the quiet charm of valley villages, every corner tells a story of resilience and renewal. It’s a region where fertile soil and mountain air shape both the landscape and the plate, offering a journey through tradition, creativity, and timeless hospitality.

Savor the Spirit and Flavors of Sofia

Sofia’s cuisine is as diverse as its terrain — a blend of Thracian roots, Ottoman heritage, and modern imagination. In the capital’s vibrant markets and restaurants, local cheeses, breads, and wines celebrate the country’s deep connection to craft and seasonality.

At Restaurant Cosmos, Chef Vladislav Penov reimagines Bulgarian classics through artful innovation, bridging the past and future of national cuisine. Nearby, at Restaurant Unica, chef Nikolay Popov embraces simplicity and precision, highlighting organic produce, fine local meats, and native wines with quiet elegance. Together, they capture the essence of Sofia Province: grounded in nature, inspired by history, and always reaching for the extraordinary.

Interview

Meet JRE chef Filip Zahariev, the creative force behind ONÀ, a fine-dining restaurant hidden in the remote village of Stakevtsi, in Bulgaria’s northwest. After two decades cooking across Europe — from the fjords of Norway to the Arctic Circle — Filip returned home to create something truly personal: a place where food, people, and nature meet in quiet harmony.

Filip Zahariev: Cooking on the Edge of the World

At ONÀ, Filip Zahariev redefines fine dining through simplicity and sincerity. Guests share one long table by candlelight, dining on ingredients gathered from the surrounding forests and gardens. His dishes — like roasted pumpkin with miso, walnuts, and truffle — reflect a deep respect for nature and a belief that nothing should go to waste.

For Filip, taste comes before technique. He values honesty over perfection, crafting food that speaks of place and feeling. In Stakevtsi’s solitude, he has created more than a restaurant: he has built a reminder of how food connects us to what truly matters.

Recipe

Chef Veselin Kalev transforms a humble ingredient into something extraordinary with his Saffron-Infused Eggplant Ice Cream with Parsley Crisp. His approach blends curiosity with balance, revealing how creativity and restraint can turn simplicity into sophistication.

Flavors of Sweet Discovery

This delicate dessert pairs saffron-poached eggplant rolls with silky eggplant ice cream, uniting sweet and savory in perfect harmony. A hint of saffron adds warmth and perfume, while a crisp touch of sugared parsley brings freshness and color. Elegant, unexpected, and beautifully composed, the dish captures Chef Kalev’s artistry.