Aubergine is a stylish Old Town Mediterranean restaurant with unusually broad vegan and vegetarian cooking, generally excellent food and atmosphere, but uneven service, occasional portion complaints, and prices that require deliberate ordering.
Aubergine earns its standing through flavorful food quality, with standout vegan dishes, duck, and kebabs drawing repeat visits to its central Smârdan Street setting. Execution wobbles at times, with occasional dry pasta and forgotten orders keeping it just short of the very top tier. Pricing and small portions also temper the experience for some diners.
Aubergine is an inviting Old Town find: a converted-home-style restaurant with a characterful upstairs room, rustic eclectic decoration, background music, and a terrace for watching Bucharest go by. Diners often describe the atmosphere as warm and relaxed, summed up by one recurring impression: it feels like a cozy place where you can actually talk. Service is usually friendly and helpful, though busy periods have produced forgotten dishes and frustrating waits. The cooking is colorful, fresh, and deliberately cross-cultural rather than narrowly traditional. Hummus, falafel, eggplant, shakshuka, duck, fish, and desserts all attract praise, while the menu folds in harissa, za’atar, mango-ginger sauces, truffle, tofu, and other contemporary touches. It is particularly rewarding for vegetarians, vegans, and mixed groups, although the premium Old Town pricing means value depends on choosing filling mains rather than assuming every beautifully presented plate will eat like one. Families can dine comfortably here, especially because the menu includes familiar pasta, rice, chicken, potatoes, bread, chocolate desserts, and mild shakshuka alongside more adventurous dishes. There is no dedicated children’s menu documented, and the flavor combinations may challenge very cautious eaters, so parents should choose simply and order strategically. Reservations are sensible at busy times.
Area vibe: Historic, tourist-focused central district with lively nightlife and many eateries.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit at night though pickpocketing and rowdy crowds are common on weekend evenings.
What's nearby: Close to Lipscani pedestrian streets, Hanul lui Manuc, Calea Victoriei, and Unirea metro/major tram stops.
The safest ordering strategy is to share hummus or falafel, then choose between standout duck, seafood, or vegan mains
Expect attractive food and friendly service, but budget carefully because bread is extra, portions can feel modest, and busy periods may be slow
Aubergine feels more like a cozy Old Town house than a formal restaurant, with an appealing upstairs room and a terrace that trades calm for street life