Christmas and New Year in Bansko: a foodie special

Ohhh YES indeed there will be. Although after last week’s false hope, even I was  beginning to wonder. It’s snowing right now. See live web cam. The weather charts are looking very promising for a lot more snow over the next few days.

Yes. Absolutely everything that can be open to serve a Bansko visitor is open. Some exceptions, such as banks and utility services aside, Christmas sees Bansko in full swing. And this year is no exception.

The good news is that eating out both here in Bansko and in Sofia have moved up a gear. Greater diversity of food, improved service.A better Bansko.

With my partners at Zavedenia.com, I’m committed to providing detailed restaurant and bar listings and reviews. Zavedenia is the largest listing web site in Bulgaria.

As always, I never recommend any restaurant or bar I don’t use, and enjoy, myself. There are many new places, I can’t try them all so not only your comments are welcome but your articles too. Just send them in and get a link to your property or business for free!

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For a classic, relaxed and special Christmas lunch or dinner, or even a New Year celebrations then there’s one place that should be in your list to book.

The Kempinski Grand Arena

After a few years of not really going that much into the Kempinski, this year I am returning regularly. Apart from one occasion when a set menu meal was not so good, I have had both excellent food and service here.

I think I have turned Japanese. The Sushi and Teppanyaki bar and grill is now my favourite restaurant in Bansko. I combined a visit here with the Sing Sing piano bar. My top tip is to reserve both to guarantee a very tasty and entertaining evening. Booking usually essential for both.

This year, the Kempinski have laid on some mouth wateringly tasty sounding menus for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year in both their Galleria buffet restaurant and Come Prima restaurant. The prospect of tucking into the scallops starter is good. I’m reckon that the lamb main course, washed down with a decent Bulgarian wine will make for a fine Christmas dinner. The Garlleria Christmas lunch is €44 or 88 lev per person.

A special treat for family and loved ones.

Here are the menus and prices for download:

• Come Prima, Kempinski: Christmas Eve menu 
• Come Prima, Kempinski: Christmas Day menu
• Come Prima, Kempinski: New Year’s Eve menu
• Galleria buffet, Kempinski: Christmas Eve menu
• Galleria buffet, Kempinski: Christmas Day menu

New Bansko restaurants

The five new large restaurants opening their doors for the first time this season:

• Gastros restaurant. Dimitros and Petros serving up fresh fish and Mediterranean dishes. Recommended. Located at the entrance of town opposite the Valon supermarket.
• Queen’s pub, up from ice rink on Pirin street (large, live bands). Reports please.
• Stone Flower Barbeque located on Pirin Street by ice rink (traditional music, too noisy for me to try)
• Euphoria bar and grill right at lights before gondola, (looks nice: more upscale, Chinese restaurant upstairs — opening any day now).
• Mezze restaurant. Now in the location of  ByTheWay. Lavina complex. Reports please.

I recently took a look at sushi in Bansko, including the St Ivan Rilski, but also there’s now sushi at Vila Roka and, like last year, at the Florimont hotel.

Will Bansko soon become a gourmet and party destination? I think it already is getting very close to this. These new restaurants make a welcome change from the generally reliable Victoria restaurant (opposite the Kempinski).

Tips Of The Day

• When eating out, a gratuity on top of the bill (cheque) is much appreciated by your waiter or waitress. Wages are still low here, and the Bansko cost of living is not so low!
• Be quick to claim bonus discount for the flexible ski packages including six and thirteen day lift passes.
• Money saving coupons for all ski packages clients.

For an additional savings resource, look for a current Orbitz promotional code