Although the summer classic combination of European sprat and beer is best suited for evenings by the sea, there are also several cult places under the hills where this specialty can be enjoyed. This tasty food is most often complemented by French fries and we assume that there is no one who is not tempted by this summer combination.
Today we won’t stop at the swanky restaurants, but we will look for those small places, which always carry the aroma of freshly baked fish and the beer is poured generously.
So we won’t surprise you if we start with a place where your dish will surely be accompanied by a wonderful view. Rahattepe on the top of NebetTepe in Old Plovdiv is one of those restaurants that you can’t miss. Here everyone advises you not to miss the little crispy fish, and the fries are your choice - fresh or blanched. Plovdiv is in front of you and the only thing you still need is the good company.
And since most of you most likely know the above-mentioned establishment, we will now take you to Kichuka, where at the crossroads of Macedonia Street with Dame Gruev Street a red building will necessarily attract your attention. The Boro or The red one, how it is most often referred to by residents in the neighborhood, grows every year, and even in the evenings, it is difficult to find a table. A childish noise is heard from the playground, and the most common word is "cheers". The sign says "Stop 369", but hardly someone will guide you if you look for it by this name.
We go back for a moment in the central area because it appears that beginning this season small fish are also on the menu in Fish bar Summer Cinema Orpheus. At the foot of SahatTepe, amidst the shade of centuries-old trees and minutes from the main street, besides the fish menu, we offer you not to miss cocktails and shakes. After all, we can’t drink only beer, can we?
Probably there is no place to catch the goldfish in Plovdiv, but in the restaurant of the same name, the sea specialties are guaranteed to be freshly caught and deliciously prepared. The locations are two - in the Karshiyaka and the small hidden streets near the Military Hospital, but every sprat lover knows them. If there are no tables, which happens often even on business days, takeaway is always an option.
In Smirnenski, they don’t have a goldfish, but they have a place with a name of the favorite blue. The blue is right next to the Medical University dormitories, overlooking the Youth Hill and with a varied fish menu.
And a little further in the neighborhood, you can’t miss eating a portion of your favorite fish in one of the locations at the Rowing Channel. Here probably the atmosphere is the closest to the one at the sea and wherever you sit, the feeling will be a bit more summery and vacationy.
We can’t help but mention the Plovdiv ship of culinary - Vodolaza. Instead of shiny surroundings and renowned chefs, the fryers for sprat and French fries work there, and prices are scandalously low. If you are lucky, you can even come across the traditional Sprat Fair, where you can eat fish and drink beer as much as you like.
And since we are not pretending to be exhaustive, and the whole summer season is ahead of us for experiments, we look forward to your recommendations for hidden places where you can eat sprats with a crispy crust.
