We are two Google Moderators who really love food crawls, and today we want to share with you some of the best bakeries to enjoy delicious coffee and brunch in Sofia, Bulgaria. Vasi (@VasT) is from Greece and Ina (@InaS) is from Albania.
Sometimes we wish we could have brunch the whole day. Breadsticks, tarts, pastries, cookies, cakes—it makes little difference. In Albania and Greece alike, we like to spend a lot of time enjoying a cup of coffee and brunch with friends and family. Generally, we have the same preferences, but while Vasi likes the smell of chocolate and hazelnut, Ina prefers cheese buns and savory muffins.
Last Sunday, we paid a visit to three bakeries in Sofia. Here’s what we tried and liked best about them.
This was just the place to be. The interior of the bakery was quaint and welcoming, there were tables resembling chess boards, and chandeliers decorated with heart-shaped cookies. The whole atmosphere was enchanting and lovable.
From various cakes and pies on display, to shelves full of bread, and canisters filled with croissants and Vienna buns, this bakery offers a great assortment of tasty temptations to choose from. The staff were friendly and willing to help anyone with their choice.
Ina: This Sunday we chose to try the savory croissants, mozzarella buns, and olive bread. I could taste the fresh ingredients the moment I took a bite. We also had a cup of cappuccino, which went nicely with the savory snacks.
Vasi: I enjoyed the mozzarella buns, even though they wouldn’t be my first choice. Ina encouraged me to try them, and I was pleasantly surprised by the softness of the dough.
Is variety the most important thing to you when it comes to choosing a bakery? Do you want to try something new every time? If your answer is yes, then JoVan The Dutch Bakery is just for you! Variety is important to us, too, and we like to put our taste buds to the test.
The first time we found this bakery was while wandering around the city center. There were so many people gathered outside and inside. This Sunday as well, the place was crowded, but the service was very quick. The staff didn’t speak much English, but they were welcoming, polite, and with a great sense of humor.
Ina: The smell of freshly baked bread invited me to go in. I had my favorite thing—sunflower seeds covered grissini. They were crunchy, tasty and I needed just one to satisfy my appetite.
Vasi: The Danish puff topped with fresh plums made my day. The crust was crispy, while the cream had soft texture and light flavor.
We both agreed the only drawback to this bakery was that there were no tables and we couldn’t sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with our snacks.
3. Cakey Bakey
Cakey Bakey lured us in with the promise of a flavorful breadstick and a piece of nice chocolate cake.
At first glance, this place looked like any other bakery, but it was more than that. The decorations inside made it so different. There were all those small details, like fresh rose flowers on the tables, and black and white photos on the walls, which made us feel like we were in a small café in Paris. It was cozy, with seats to lounge inside and outside if the weather allowed it.
Vasi: I was firmly determined not to eat chocolate that day, but one glance at the display counter changed my mind immediately. I ordered a cup of espresso with a slice of Lindt cake.
Ina: There wasn’t a big variety of savory baked goods. The arrangement of all their products, however, was very compelling.
Vasi: Cakey Bakey was more appealing to me as I have a sweet tooth. All those cookies, brownies, and muffins were mouthwatering.
Ina: Even though this place is famous for its cakes, I could also choose to have a fresh salad, sandwich, or a warm soup. Their spelt bread was tasty, too! Cakey Bakey, wait for me, I’m coming back pretty soon!
Which is your favorite bakery? Tell us what you like most about it in the comments below!