Lacrimi si Sfinti

Lacrimi si Sfinti is a modern Romanian restaurant at Strada Șepcari 16 in the Old Town (Centrul Vechi) of Bucharest, Romania, known for pairing contemporary versions of national dishes with wines from the Cetate estate associated with the poet Mircea Dinescu. The name, meaning Tears and Saints, comes from a Romanian wine-related phrase, and the space leans toward a bohemian wine-bar character with a quieter tone than the folk-music halls nearby. The cuisine is Modern Romanian rather than Michelin-starred, taking familiar village dishes and refining presentation and ingredients. Signature items include sarmale, slow-cooked pork served with polenta, and the Cetate Riesling poured by the glass, which is a recommended pairing. The dining room is compact, with a calm, conversational volume suited to small groups and couples, and no formal dress code applies; smart-casual clothing is typical. The wine programme is the highlight, concentrating on Romanian producers and estate bottlings that are difficult to find elsewhere in central Bucharest, alongside tuica and craft beer. Prices fall in the upper tier of the Old Town at roughly 70-140 RON for a main course, and a wine-led meal can exceed that. Reservations are advised for dinner, especially Thursday to Saturday, and can be made through the restaurant's website; a booking one to three days ahead is usually adequate outside peak summer weekends. Opening hours are around noon to 11PM daily, but the restaurant's website should be checked before visiting, as hours may change. Its position a short walk from Lipscani Street and the Princely Court makes it a convenient stop for travellers who prefer a seated, wine-focused meal over a street-food crawl, and its menu offers a sensible introduction to Romanian wine regions.