Hanu' lui Manuc

Hanu' lui Manuc is a restaurant set in the courtyard of Manuc's Inn, the best-preserved 19th-century caravanserai in Bucharest, Romania. The inn at Strada Franceză 62-64 was built in 1808 by the Armenian merchant Manuc Bei, and its two-storey galleries with wooden balustrades surround a cobbled courtyard where tables are set under awnings in warm weather. The cuisine is Romanian traditional, with an emphasis on grilled meats and slow-cooked dishes. Signature plates include mici with mustard and bread, tochitura (a pork stew served with polenta and often a fried egg) and sarmale, the cabbage rolls that appear on most Romanian festive tables. Soups, grilled pork and sweet papanasi round out the menu. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried, with live folk music in the evenings and a mixed crowd of visitors and local groups; no dress code applies, and noise stays moderate except on busy weekend nights. The kitchen stays open late, until about 2AM on Friday and Saturday, which suits a post-sightseeing dinner after exploring the Old Town. The beverage list covers Romanian wines, beer and tuica, the plum brandy served in small glasses. Prices are mid-range for the Old Town, with mains generally in the 40-90 RON range. Walk-ins are accepted, but a courtyard table for dinner is best secured ahead through the inn's website or by phone at +40 21 313 1472, particularly from May to September when the courtyard is the preferred seating. Indoor halls offer an alternative in winter or rain. The location, a few minutes' walk from the Princely Court and Lipscani Street, makes the restaurant a convenient base for a half-day around the historic centre, and the inn also contains a hotel, so the courtyard is often busy at lunch with tour groups.