"In Cluj, try the sarmale at Roata restaurant and you’ll have an authentic experience, feeling like you’re in a Romanian’s house, eating a dish made by grandma."

"This small eatery runs on a brilliant, simple concept of serving only ciorbă, the trademark sour soup Romanian cuisine is known for. Expect seven or eight different kinds of fresh soup each day, served in generous bowls with quality homemade bread and a spicy green pepper (the way locals eat it)."

"If you make it to the Transylvanian city of Cluj-Napoca, don’t miss “varza a la Cluj,” a remixed version shaped like a lasagna. Order it at Vărzărie, a local restaurant with a classic community ambiance."

"The recently opened Hanu Berarilor Interbelic offers great Romanian home cooking — including dishes like mititei (grilled links of mixed ground meat seasoned with garlic, thyme and anise)."