In a country that doesn’t have a Michelin-star restaurant yet, Bulgaria’s capital offers a remarkably good selection of fine-dining places to choose from.

A real culinary gem in Sofia is Secret by Chef Petrov, who is one of Bulgaria’s well known celebrity chefs. Chef Boris Petrov has more than 34 years’ experience in the best establishments, including 12 years working abroad with 6 of them in Spain. The restaurant is relatively new and not very popular among locals yet, but once there, it will capture your heart with fantastic gastronomic experience.

While there we started with terrine of smoked cheese and remoulade with smoked salmon, continued with boneless stuffed quails (Birds of Love) and beef bon fillet and foie gras (Beef Mille-Feuille). All the dishes were beautifully presented, intricate and delicious. In the end we absolutely fell in love with desserts – a very creative cheese cake, smoked chocolate and absolutely delicious “Star Wars”.

The restaurant is one of the few in the area to offer a tasting menu of 15 courses. We did not try it, but guests’ reviews are more than excellent. Whether you’ll decide to go with the tasting menu there or order something à la carte, be sure that the staff will have a delightful surprise for you – beautifully presented, innovative and richly satisfying.

While the restaurant is already recognized for its masterpieces by city’s food-experts and gourmands, the décor of the place is unpretentious – it is pleasantly simple and functional. The service, on the other hand, is expectedly outstanding.

Secret by Chef Petrov boasts an excellent location in the heart of Sofia. Until recently it was situated within a few-minute walk from the House of Parliament and all the other landmarks of Sofia. But the restaurant has a new address: 12 Makedonia Blvd, Sofia, Bulgaria, also centrally located. Needless to say, reservations are a must.

You can challenge your five sense by being a guest at the ‘Chef’s Table’ – a mesmerising journey into the deep Bulgarian traditions of preparing food, and a truly inspiring culinary show.

The restaurant was nominated by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards™ that inspires excellence and fosters healthy competition in the Luxury Restaurant Industry in the following category: Fine Dining Cuisine; Bulgarian Cuisine; Gourmet Vegan Cuisine.

Check out more dining options in Sofia by visiting our ‘Restaurants’ section.