Plovdiv, Bulgaria is becoming known as a very cheap place to visit. By Bulgarian standards, that is also very true, which means you can really save some money! Like any other city though, if you can’t find where to eat at budget prices, then you are going to find yourself overspending. So, to save you some time (and money) I have put together my list of where to eat in Plovdiv on a budget!
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I put this list together when I was staying in Plovdiv for a month catching up on my blogging. One of the reasons I was there was particularly to save money, and I sought these places out in my very first few days in town. The good news is that most of them are very close to each other, and nearly all are located right in the center of town.
I also have not included places that are not considered budget eats. So many lists like this get a few “favorites” thrown in that are NOT budget, and are only there because the writer personally likes them. I will stick to just budget places to eat.
So let’s take a look my list of where to eat in Plovdiv. Especially to save money!
Alex Foods
Alex Foods is hard to miss if you are walking down the main pedestrian strip. Not only does the shop stand out, but there is also usually a good line up of people out front.
This is for good reason. Alex Foods is one of the local favorites in Plovdiv, and has been around for many years. They started out just selling Doner Kebabs, but have grown with popularity so much that they have broadened their range considerably. They are STILL one of the best places to get a kebab though!
If you are looking for where to eat in Plovdiv on a Budget, then Alex Foods has to be at the top of your list of places to try. You can find them at THIS google maps location.
Where to eat in Plovdiv tip – Alex Foods also takes Mastercard/Visa card, as you can order at an automatic machine and then collect at the window. A bit like MacDonald’s does now. This is one of the only “budget” places in town that will take cards.
Yogi Fast Foods
I will let you in on a secret. I LOVE Yogi Fast Foods. It has to be my personal favorite on this list of where to eat in Plovdiv.
There are actually TWO Yogi Fast Foods places, and both are located only a few doors down from Alex Foods. The first shop sells mostly kebabs, and they are, in my opinion, the best kebabs I have ever eaten. Going by the line up that they get during lunch time, I don’t think I am alone in my opinions.
The Kebabs are a good price too, depending on what size you want. I often would get the big kebab because I was really hungry, and would struggle to finish it all. They really load it up with heaps of meat, fries, salad and yogurt.
Just a few doors down you will come across the second Yogi Fast Foods. This place specializes in Gozleme and pizza. I love Gozleme, and this place does the best that I have ever tasted. That says a lot when I just came from Turkey! They offer 5 or 6 different variations too, for very cheap prices.
Pasa Restaurant
Pasa Restaurant is the place to go in Plovdiv if you are looking for traditional Turkish food. And not just if you are looking for where to eat in Plovdiv on a budget. Pasa Restaurant is actually well known as the BEST Turkish Restaurant in town!
You only have to turn up and look through the front window to see the wonderful food on offer. We went to many restaurants like this in Istanbul, and loved them all.
The service at Pasa is just as good as the food, and they also offer take out as well as home delivery. Pasa can be located right near Alex Foods at THIS location.
One thing to note though – Be careful at lunch time as the line ups can be long!
Pizza Lab
Pizza Lab offers budget pizza with a twist. You get to create your own pizza from scratch!
Basically, it works just like Subway. You choose the base, and then the ingredients. They cook it up for you and Voila! You are good to go!
Pizza Lab is the fastest growing brand of Pizza in Bulgaria, and with good reason. The pizza is delicious, but also the service and attitude of the staff is amazing. You will find English speaking staff members, which is a breath of fresh air in Bulgaria (many places do not have them) and everything is made easy with their patience.
Do yourself a favor when in Plovdiv, and give Pizza Lab a go.
They can be found on the main pedestrian street at THIS location.
La Pasta
La Pasta has fast become known as the best pasta restaurant in town! So much so that people come all the way from Sofia just to eat there! Well, maybe not quite, but it certainly gets all the rave reviews.
La Pasta is not too far out from the center of town. Actually, it is just around the corner. Not that it would matter because people would come anyway. The word is well and truly out.
If you are craving pasta, then La Pasta will not let you down. With several choices of pasta, and pre made sauces that are simply delicious, you only have to wait 5 minutes or so for your meal. They never miss, and you are guaranteed a quality serving!
La Pasta is only a small shop, but you can actually dine in, which is a rarity in Plovdiv when it comes to budget food. Meals also come in a take away container, so perfect if you are on the go.
You can find La Pasta at THIS location.
Pirozhi
I had to actually look the name of this place up on the map, as all the signage is in Bulgarian.
Pirozhi is a bakery shop that sells their goods through the window. At first, I wasn’t even aware of it, until I began to notice the constant lines of people standing outside. They all seemed to be ordering the same food, and the turnover was incredible.
It took me a few days before I walked past during a lull in the crowd and I checked it out. And wow!
This is definitely where to eat in Plovdiv if you are looking for a sweet snack. Their specialty is actually called Pirozhi, and it is delicious. And CHEAP!
Pirozhi is sort of like a long fresh sugar covered donut, about 6 inches long, and has beautiful jam on the inside. I ordered two and nearly went back for more. They were SO nice and cheap.
The perfect treat for someone on a budget!
Pirozhi can be found right opposite the second Yogi Fast Foods shop at THIS location.
City Chef’s Bakery
This is a bakery, plain and simple, but the food is wonderful and cheap. They sell all sort of breads and pastries right out of the window, and you KNOW they are good when you see people lined up, just like across the road at Pirozhi.
There isn’t much else to say. But if you want quality Bakery goods, then this is the place!
Where to eat in Plovdiv tip – Having just come from Turkey, I am already in love with Baklava, and they make it at City Chef’s Bakery! Being on a budget, I didn’t actually try it, but if you want some, give this place a try.
Billa
If you are looking for where to eat in Plovdiv on a Budget, then this place will get you out of trouble. It certainly has for me!
Billa is the local supermarket, and they make really good, cheap and fresh food.
The first time I found them, it was their cheap bakery that pulled me in. They make really nice fresh bread rolls, croissants with sausage inside, and other great stuff. But then I found the hot food counter!
For a really decent price you can get Spaghetti Bolognaise, baked potato dishes and a lot of other foods I wouldn’t know the names of. But they are all delicious!
Summary
If you are looking for where to eat in Plovdiv on a budget, then here are plenty of places to help you out. Mostly they are located on the main street, and easy to find. Stay away from the fast food chains, unless you get desperate!
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