Romania Drink Guide
From the ancient vineyards of Dealu Mare and Cotnari to the plum orchards of Transylvania — Romania is one of Europe's oldest wine nations, and one of its best-kept secrets.
Romania has been producing wine for 6,000 years — and yet most of the world has barely heard of it. The country has eight wine regions, indigenous grape varieties found nowhere else on earth, and a winemaking tradition that survived Roman conquest, Ottoman rule, and Communist collectivisation. Today, Romania produces wines of genuine international quality, alongside a national spirit culture built on plum brandy and double-distilled fruit spirits that are treated with the reverence of Cognac in the villages of Transylvania and Maramureş.
In Bucharest, a new generation of sommeliers has built a wine bar scene to rival any European capital. In Dealu Mare, ambitious estates are crafting age-worthy reds from Feteəscə Neagrə — the grape Romania was born to grow. And in the mountains, craft brewers and historic beer halls offer a very different kind of Romanian drink story. Here are the places worth visiting in person.
This guide contains information about alcoholic beverages and is intended for adults of legal drinking age in their country.
Wine — Vineyards & Crame
Romania is the sixth-largest wine producer in Europe by vineyard area — and almost entirely unknown on the international stage. Most production is consumed domestically, which means the wines reaching the outside world are carefully selected. Come here and drink what the world is missing.
Dealu Mare — Romania's Red Wine Capital
“The Big Hills” — Dealu Mare stretches across Prahova and Buzəu counties, barely an hour from Bucharest. South-facing slopes, warm summers, and clay-limestone soils create ideal conditions for Feteəscə Neagrə, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Romania's most ambitious winemakers have built their estates here, many producing wines that benchmark favourably against Bordeaux and Brunello at a fraction of the price.
Key grapes: Feteəscə Neagrə · Merlot · Cabernet Sauvignon · Feteəscə Albə · Təmâioasə Româneascə
Davino
Ceptura, Prahova County
Founded by wine importers who fell in love with Romanian terroir, Davino has become one of the country's most admired estates. Located in Ceptura, in the heart of Dealu Mare, Davino works with old vines (35–40 years average age) of Feteəscə Neagrə, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Feteəscə Albə, and Riesling. All wines are aged in Romanian oak; the organic transition is near complete. Their flagship Flamboyant consistently ranks among Romania's finest reds. Guided vineyard and cellar visits include tastings of the full range, led in English by the winemaking team.
⏱ By appointment · 💰 From €55/person · 📍 Ceptura, Prahova County · 90 min from Bucharest
Visit Davino → Reviews and book →
Velvet Winery
Tohani Village, Prahova County
A boutique estate on 36 hectares of south-facing terraced vineyards at 400 metres altitude in Tohani — one of Dealu Mare's finest sub-zones. Velvet works with native varieties (Feteəscə Neagrə, Feteəscə Regalə, Təmâioasə Româneascə) alongside international grapes adapted to the clay-loam soils of the Subcarpathians. Wine tourism here is deliberately intimate: tastings happen in a rustic gazebo overlooking the vineyard, with the winemaker on hand to explain each wine. No large groups, no ceremony — just good wine in the place it was grown.
⏱ Mon–Sun 09:00–19:00 · 📍 Tohani Village nr. 76, Prahova County · Tastings by appointment
Visit Velvet Winery → Reviews and book →
Cramele Recaş
Recaş, Timiş County (Banat)
Romania's most successful winery and its largest wine exporter — 1,200 hectares in Banat, exporting to 35 countries. The winemaking team (Australian Hartley Smithers and Spanish Nora Iriarte, both in the global top 100 winemakers) brings the most international approach to Romanian grapes. The visitor centre hosts up to 300 guests for tours and tastings; the Curious package (120 RON/person) includes a vineyard and cellar walk plus five wines, while the premium Connoisseur experience (530 RON) covers top labels with a full food pairing. Wine can be purchased at cellar-door prices.
⏱ Mon–Fri 10:00–16:30 · 💰 120–530 RON/person · 📍 Recaş, Timiş County · Reserve 48hr ahead
Visit Cramele Recaş → Reviews and book →Transylvania & Moldova — Whites & Ancient Varieties
Romania's wine story doesn't begin in Dealu Mare. The vineyards of Transylvania's Târnave valley and the ancient estates of Moldova produce white wines and sweet wines of a completely different character — cool-climate, aromatic, often made from grapes found nowhere else on earth.
Key grapes: Feteəscə Albə · Feteəscə Regalə · Grasə de Cotnari · Təmâioasə Româneascə · Traminer
Jidvei
Jidvei, Alba County (Târnave, Transylvania)
The largest single-owned vineyard in Europe — 2,000 hectares in the Târnave DOC, in the heart of Transylvania's wine country. Winemaking here dates to Herodotus in 600 BC; today Jidvei specialises in crisp, cool-climate whites that reflect the altitude (200–500 metres) and northern exposure of the Carpathian foothills. Tastings take place in the magnificent Bethlen-Haller Castle at nearby Cetatea de Baltə — a 16th-century French Renaissance building surrounded by vines. Jidvei recently received DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) status. The annual Weinland Trails marathon runs through the vineyards for those who prefer to earn their wine.
⏱ Castle tastings by appointment · 📍 Jidvei, Alba County · Near Alba Iulia, Transylvania
Visit Jidvei → Reviews and book →
Cotnari Winery
Cotnari, Iaşi County (Moldova)
One of Romania's most historically celebrated wine regions — praised by Prince Dmitri Cantemir as “the holy vineyards of Cotnari” and served at the courts of Moldovan rulers from the 15th century. The estate covers 1,750 hectares and focuses exclusively on native white varieties, above all Grasə de Cotnari — an indigenous grape that, in the finest years, is capable of genuine noble rot, producing a sweet, golden wine of extraordinary complexity. Winery tours and tastings start from €10 per person; the most complete package includes a cellar visit, five wines, a traditional food platter, and live music.
⏱ Mon–Fri until 15:30 · 💰 €10–60/person · 📍 Cotnari, Iaşi County · Min. 10 people per session
Visit Cotnari → Reviews and book →🍷 Practical Wine Tips
- Dealu Mare is just 1–1.5 hours from Bucharest on the A3 motorway — combine two winery visits in a single day, especially in September and October during harvest
- Feteəscə Neagrə is Romania's signature red grape — found almost nowhere else on earth. Look for it in Dealu Mare; the best examples age beautifully for 10+ years
- Davino and Velvet Winery both require advance reservation — book at least a week ahead for weekends, especially September–October
- Grasə de Cotnari is best served slightly chilled as a dessert wine — pair it with aged local cheese or traditional Romanian pastries
- For Jidvei whites, try the Dry Muscat or Feteəscə Albə alongside traditional Transylvanian dishes — the cool-climate acidity makes them exceptional food wines
- Wine can be bought directly at cellar-door prices at Cramele Recaş — bring cash and a cooler bag if you're driving back to Timişoara or Bucharest
Wine Bars & Crame in Bucharest
Bucharest's wine bar scene has been transformed by a generation of Romanian sommeliers passionate about showcasing their country's underrated vineyards. The best bars carry small-producer labels you won't find in supermarkets — and the knowledge behind each glass is exceptional.
Abel's Wine Bar
Str. Nicolae Tonitza 10, Old Town, Bucharest
Mentioned in The Guardian's Bucharest city guide and consistently rated the city's best wine bar. Abel's is the essential address for Romanian wine discovery — a cosy, intimate room on one of the Old Town's most charming streets, seating just 30 people, with 200+ labels curated by a wine-obsessed team. The rotating “by the glass” selection changes weekly: 30 wines at any time, from crisp whites to age-worthy reds and rare dessert wines. Guided tasting sessions (5–8 wines with cheese and charcuterie, book in advance) are among the best wine education experiences in Romania. Abel's also runs the finest Pălincă & Țuică tasting in Bucharest.
⏱ Sun–Thu 14:30–00:00, Fri–Sat 14:30–00:00 · 📍 Str. Nicolae Tonitza 10, Old Town, Bucharest · Book tastings in advance
Visit Abel's → Reviews and book →
Lovin’ Wine Bar & Bistro
Intrarea Tudor Ștefan 26, Floreasca, Bucharest
Founded by a WSET Level 2-certified sommelier with a genuine passion for wine, Lovin’ holds one of Bucharest’s largest selections: 800+ labels from Romania, France, Italy, Spain, and beyond — many sourced directly from small producers committed to quality winemaking. The bistro menu is short but deliberately conceived: dishes that pair with wine rather than compete with it. The address is a quiet side street in the Floreasca neighbourhood, giving Lovin’ a neighbourhood feel that’s rare for a city wine bar. Regular tasting events introduce guests to new producers and appellations. Reviews from ialoc.ro and Tripadvisor consistently praise the owner’s knowledgeable, unpretentious guidance through the list.
⏱ Mon–Thu 17:00–00:00, Fri–Sat 17:00–01:00 · 📍 Intrarea Tudor Ștefan 26, Floreasca, Bucharest
Visit Lovin’ →
Corks Cozy Winebar
Strada Băcani 1, Old Town, Bucharest
Described by Vinul.ro’s founder as “the answer to a need I didn’t even know I had,” Corks is one of Bucharest’s most beloved wine bars — and its oldest in the Old Town. With 300+ labels from Romania and the world, weekly guided tastings, and an atmosphere that genuinely welcomes everyone from first-timers to serious collectors, it has built a loyal following over a decade. The format is relaxed and educational: themed evenings, producer-focused tastings, food and wine pairing events. Romanian wines feature prominently, including small-producer labels rarely seen elsewhere. Corks’ own sommelier team curates each event with care — this is a place to learn, not just to drink.
⏱ Sun–Thu 13:00–00:00, Fri–Sat 13:00–02:00 · 📍 Strada Băcani 1, Old Town, Bucharest
Visit Corks →Know Your Romanian Wine
Romania has 8 wine regions, over 100 permitted grape varieties, and a wine history stretching back 6,000 years. But it's the indigenous grapes — varieties found only here — that make Romanian wine genuinely unique on the world stage.
Romania has over 180,000 hectares of vineyards — the sixth-largest wine producer in Europe by area — yet remains one of the continent's best-kept secrets. Most production is consumed domestically, which means the wines that reach export markets are carefully selected. If you find a Romanian wine on a menu outside Romania, it's almost certainly worth ordering.
Spirits — Țuicə & Pălincə
Long before Romania made wine for export, it made spirits for the table. Țuicə — clear plum brandy — is the national welcome drink, served before every meal in homes across the country. Pălincə, its double-distilled cousin from Transylvania and Maramureş, is stronger and treated with the reverence that Cognac commands in France.
Where to Experience Romanian Spirits
The most authentic way to taste Țuicə and Pălincə is still in a Romanian home — served from an unlabelled bottle before lunch, with bread and cheese. In Bucharest, a handful of experiences bring the same warmth and knowledge to visitors.
Key spirits: Țuicə (plum brandy) · Pălincə (double-distilled fruit) · Horincə (Maramureş) · Vişinatə (sour cherry liqueur)
Abel's Pălincə & Țuicə Tasting
Str. Nicolae Tonitza 10, Old Town, Bucharest
The most structured introduction to Romanian spirits available in Bucharest — run by the team behind Abel's Wine Bar, who apply the same rigour to spirits that they bring to wine. Five carefully selected pălincə and țuicə samples, drawn from Romania's best small distilleries, are accompanied by dried fruits chosen to unlock each spirit's character. The session covers the history (first documented 1540), production methods, the difference between single and double distillation, and why Maramureş pălincə is considered the finest in the country. Book directly through Abel's or via GetYourGuide.
⏱ 2 hours · 💰 From approx. €35/person · 📍 Str. Nicolae Tonitza 10, Old Town, Bucharest · Book in advance
Book spirits tasting →
Maramureş — Pălincə Country
Maramureş County, Northern Romania
The spiritual home of pălincə — a remote, extraordinarily beautiful region in northern Romania where fruit distillation is not a craft revival but an unbroken tradition stretching back centuries. Every village has its own cazan (copper still); every family has its own recipe. Plum, pear, apricot, quince, cherry — pălincə from Maramureş carries the character of the fruit, the altitude, and the season in every glass. Multi-day tours from Bucharest or Baia Mare include village distillery visits alongside monastery tours and traditional craft experiences. The combination of scenery, culture, and spirit is unmatched anywhere in Eastern Europe.
⏱ Day trips or multi-day tours · 📍 Maramureş County, 5–6 hrs from Bucharest · Best visited May–October
Find tours →Romanian Spirits — What to Know
Before you leave Romania, you will be offered a small glass of țuicə. The correct response is to accept it.
“Noroc!” (noh-rok) is the Romanian toast — it means “luck”. Always make eye contact when you clink glasses. To decline a glass of țuicə from a Romanian host is to refuse hospitality itself — accept it, sip slowly, and it will start the most generous conversations.
Craft Beer — Breweries & Taprooms
Romania's craft beer scene emerged in 2013 and has grown to over 65 independent microbreweries — with the strongest concentration in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Braşov, and Timişoara. The style range has broadened from clean lagers to ambitious IPAs, stouts, and experimental seasonals.
Bucharest — Craft, Classic & Historic
Three of Romania's most essential beer addresses — from the taproom that helped define the city's IPA scene to the Carpathian pioneer whose beers have become symbols of the Romanian craft movement, and the 19th-century beer hall that started it all.
Styles to look for: IPA · NEIPA · Stout · India Pale Lager · Brown Ale · Seasonal Releases
Hop Hooligans
Str. Jean Louis Calderon 49, Bucharest
One of Bucharest's most respected craft breweries — a taproom in the heart of the city where bold, hop-forward beers are brewed and served fresh. Hop Hooligans built their reputation on American-style IPAs and NEIPAs (New England IPAs) with tropical and citrus notes; their seasonal and experimental releases attract serious beer enthusiasts across Romania. The taproom has a relaxed, industrial atmosphere — exposed pipes, long communal tables, beers chalked up daily — and regularly features guest taps from other Romanian and European craft producers. The definitive Bucharest craft beer experience.
⏱ Mon–Fri 17:00–00:00, Sat–Sun 15:00–00:00 · 📍 Str. Jean Louis Calderon 49, Bucharest
Visit Hop Hooligans → Reviews and book →
Zăganu Craft Beer Bar
Calea Victoriei 91–93, Bucharest
Zăganu has been brewing independently since 2013 at the foot of the Ciucaş Mountains in Măneciu-Ungureni — named after the bearded eagle, a rare Carpathian bird and symbol of freedom. Unfiltered, unpasteurised, made with only natural ingredients, Zăganu's 12 styles range from a flagship lager to NEIPAs, India Pale Lager, Imperial Stout, and limited seasonals. Their Bucharest bar on Calea Victoriei (one of the city's grandest avenues) always has 10+ Romanian craft beers on tap from independent producers. Zăganu embodies the Romanian craft ethos: unhurried, honest, and uncompromising.
⏱ Daily · 📍 Calea Victoriei 91–93, Bucharest (also Taproom Zăganu at Piața Obor)
Visit Zăganu → Reviews and book →
Caru' cu Bere
Str. Stavropoleos 5, Old Town, Bucharest
One of the most beautiful restaurant interiors in Europe — a Neo-Gothic beer hall from 1879 whose stained glass windows, carved wood panelling, and cathedral-like vaulted ceiling make it unmissable regardless of what you order. Named the 7th Most Legendary Restaurant in the World by TasteAtlas. Founded by transylvanian brothers, Caru' cu Bere (The Beer Wagon) has been pouring its house beer — an unfiltered recipe unchanged since 1879 — for nearly 150 years. The experience is as much about the architecture as the drink; but the traditional Romanian food, the house beer, and the extraordinary room combine into something genuinely irreplaceable in European culture.
⏱ Daily 10:00–00:00 · 📍 Str. Stavropoleos 5, Old Town, Bucharest · Reservations recommended
Visit Caru' cu Bere → Reviews and book →💡 Good to Know
- 🍷 “Noroc!” (noh-rok) is the Romanian toast — it means “luck”. Always make eye contact when you clink glasses with locals
- 🍷 Țuicə is served before a meal, not with it — it's an aperitif meant to “open the stomach”. Sip it slowly; never shoot it
- 🍇 Feteəscə Neagrə is Romania's answer to Pinot Noir — it can be light and aromatic in warm years or deeply structured and age-worthy. Try both styles before deciding which you prefer
- 🍻 Bucharest's wine bar scene is concentrated in and around the Old Town (Centrul Vechi) — Abel's is the best first stop, especially if you want a guided tasting with an expert
- 🍺 Romania's craft beer scene is young but serious — look for limited seasonal releases at Hop Hooligans and Zăganu, which change frequently and often sell out
- 🍸 Homemade țuicə is still the most common welcome gift in rural Romania — if offered a glass in someone's home, accept. It will be the finest țuicə you've ever had
- 🍇 Wine region visits are best combined: Davino + Velvet Winery in Dealu Mare make an excellent full day from Bucharest — book both in advance and arrange a designated driver