Best Seaside Restaurant in Varna with Unique Black Sea Views
If you're searching for a memorable dinner in Varna that comes with a view, look no further than Staria Chinar at the Port of Varna. While it’s located right in the bustling harbour area rather than directly on a sandy beach, don’t let that fool you. This restaurant offers some of the most dynamic and unique seaside views in the city. With a perfect vantage point over Varna’s active port, it’s the ideal spot to wind down after a day in the sun.
A hidden gem right on the water
Located right on the waterfront of the Port of Varna, Staria Chinar has an unbeatable location. Because the restaurant features a gorgeous outdoor terrace, you get unobstructed views that many typical beach-strip spots can’t offer. It’s not right on the sand, but that works in its favour. No flying sand in your food, just a lively yet relaxing setting where you can watch local fishermen casting their lines off the docks while the fresh Black Sea breeze washes over you. It’s authentic, vibrant, and absolutely unforgettable.
And if you get incredibly lucky like we did on our very last day, literally just a few hours before our flight, you might even spot a wild dolphin playing near the harbour (we didn’t manage to get a picture in time, unfortunately). The locals told us it's quite rare to see them right at the port, so keep your eyes peeled on the horizon.
Everything you need to plan your Varna trip!
We’ve gathered top-rated recommendations for transport, accommodation, services, and tours below:
- Best all-around: Astor Garden Hotel (9.4/10)
- Exclusive beachfront: GRIFID Noa (9.1/10)
- Boutique design: HVD Boutique Hotel Oasis (8.8/10)
Traditional Bulgarian dishes and Black Sea favourites
Staria Chinar doesn’t just offer the views, it delivers massive on flavour too, which is the most important part. While they are known for their traditional Bulgarian recipes and perfectly grilled meats, they also serve up incredible fresh catches from the sea.
We weren’t expecting to be blown away, but wow, the food here was something else. We started our meal the true Bulgarian way: with a classic, crisp salad piled high with finely grated cheese. And of course, tradition dictates that you have a cold cup of Rakia (Bulgaria's famous fruit brandy, here we tried the plum one) right alongside your salad. Let’s just say Rakia has a reputation for warming you up instantly, and it definitely kicked off the evening with a fun vibe!
To go with the salad and drinks, we loaded up on some incredible starters:
The winter platter: This came loaded with classic local dips and spreads, including Katak (a rich, tangy strained yoghurt and cheese spread), Snezhanka (the famous Bulgarian garlic and cucumber "Snow White" salad), Liutenitsa (a sweet roasted pepper relish), hummus topped with pumpkin seeds, savoury Tarama fish roe dip, and a mix of olives.
Freshly baked grizini: The most surprising side was the doughy yet crispy breadsticks (called grizini). They had this unbelievably fresh bread flavour that made it impossible to stop eating them (no jokes, I probably had about 5 pieces, we were so mesmerised by them, we forgot to take pictures).
For our mains, we shared:
Safrid (fried horse mackerel): These small, crispy fried fish are incredibly popular along the Black Sea coast. Max literally just picked them up by the tail and ate them whole, which is exactly how you're supposed to do it since they're fried perfectly and the bones are tiny!
Juicy beef medallions: Incredibly tender, succulent, and cooked to perfection. The beef medallions also came with a buttery, crispy bread soaked in the beef juice that was out of this world.
Lamb brain with spinach risotto: This might sound unusual to some, but it was actually incredibly rich, buttery, and packed with flavour. Don't knock it until you try it!
But make sure you save room for dessert because they are absolutely to die for. We tried both the cake Rafaelo and the rich cake with Belgian chocolate and mascarpone, and wow, so tasty. Pair all of that with a cold drink and port views? Absolute perfection.
Why we recommend it
Perfect for foodies: Ideal for anyone wanting to try authentic Bulgarian cuisine alongside fresh Black Sea seafood. Check out their menus to see more options available.
Lively port atmosphere: Watch the boats, local fishermen, and maybe even catch a rare dolphin sighting.
Incredible value: Very generous portion sizes, top-tier service, and reasonable prices for a premium waterfront location.
Friendly and welcoming: The staff makes you feel right at home, whether you're trying Rakia for the first time or ordering adventurous dishes.
How to get there
Staria Chinar is located at the Port of Varna. It is a very easy, flat walk from the southern end of the main Sea Garden or the pedestrianised city centre. If you are staying further out, it's a quick and affordable taxi ride straight to the harbour entrance.
If you opt to rent a car, there is a large parking lot offered right at the port area, costing around €1.50 (3.00 lv) per hour, making it super convenient to drive yourself.
Car rental tip: If you're looking for the absolute best deals on transport for your Bulgarian trip, we highly recommend booking through QEEQ. We love using this platform because it compares all the top rental companies at once to find the lowest prices and has an awesome price-drop protector tool. Plus, you can use our exclusive discount code QRCARMA5 at checkout to benefit from 5% OFF your total booking!
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Have you been to Staria Chinar? We’d love to hear about your favourite dishes or if you managed to spot any dolphins too! Drop a comment below and share your recommendations. We’re always looking for new spots to try next time we visit.
