Crama Domneasca

Crama Domneasca is a cellar-style traditional restaurant at Strada Șelari 13-15 in the Old Town of Bucharest, Romania, close to the Princely Court (Curtea Veche) area. The term crama refers to a Romanian wine cellar, and the dining rooms reflect that with brick vaults, wooden tables and rustic decoration. The cuisine is Romanian traditional, aimed at visitors who want a recognisable national menu in a historic setting rather than an innovative kitchen. Signature dishes include mamaliga (polenta) served with cheese and sour cream, tochitura cooked and served in a clay pot, and grilled mici, the garlicky skinless sausages eaten with mustard. Soups, stuffed cabbage and grilled pork complete the standard order. The atmosphere is convivial and noisy in the evening, when a traditional taraf (folk band) plays between tables; there is no dress code, and families and tour groups are common. The beverage programme leans on Romanian house wine, draught beer and tuica, usually served in carafes that suit sharing. Prices are mid-range for the Old Town, with mains commonly between 40 and 85 RON. Reservations are not usually essential outside Friday and Saturday evenings, but arriving before 7PM secures a table without a booking, and groups of six or more should call ahead. The restaurant is open from around noon to midnight daily. Its position a few minutes from Lipscani Street, Manuc's Inn and the ruins of the Princely Court makes it a straightforward stop on a historic-centre walk, and the cellar rooms stay cooler than street level in summer, which is a practical benefit during July and August heat.