Pavazh Restaurant — Restaurant in Plovdiv

When some friends from Sofia suggested a trip to Plovdiv to dine at Pavaj, I was sceptical. Driving 90 minutes for food requires a certain level of culinary magic—preferably the kind that makes you hear a choir of angels with every bite. But they were insistent, and who am I to turn down free transportation and good company? So off we went, chasing what I was assured would be an unforgettable meal. Spoiler alert: it was memorable, just not in the life-changing way I’d hoped.

Pavaj is tucked into Plovdiv’s Kapana district, which is the kind of charming, cobbled paradise that makes you want to throw on a scarf, grab a camera, and pretend you’re starring in a European travel documentary. The restaurant itself spans three floors, each narrower than a catwalk and connected by 40-odd steps that seem designed to make you earn your dinner. If you’re in a wheelchair or have knees that groan like old floorboards, this is not your place. Outside, the tables are set with mini fires to keep you warm on chilly evenings—a romantic touch, as long as you don’t accidentally flambé your sleeves.

Inside, Pavaj radiates intimacy, like a small-town coffee shop that somehow moonlights as a chic bistro. The menu came in English, a rare and welcome luxury in Bulgaria, where deciphering Cyrillic menus often feels like solving a riddle from an escape room. With options that cater to almost every taste, it’s clear Pavaj knows its audience—tourists, locals, and anyone looking for a cozy meal that doesn’t involve pointing at pictures and hoping for the best.

I started with the "spicy" prawns, which arrived looking like the poster child for Instagram food porn. The combination of garlic, spice, and mayonnaise was a delight, though the prawns themselves had spent just a little too much time in the pan. They were the culinary equivalent of a party guest who overstays their welcome—almost perfect, but not quite. Larger prawns might have added more grandeur, but the flavours were well-balanced and reminiscent of Spanish classics like gambas al pil pil. Not a bad start, I thought, as I eagerly awaited the main course.

And then the main arrived, bringing with it a wave of disappointment. The pork sausages with fried potatoes sounded like a comforting hug on a plate, but what landed on the table felt more like a shrug. The potatoes were limp, like they’d been fried hours before and then left to contemplate their mediocrity. The sausage, sliced into rounds, resembled a chorizo impersonator that forgot to practice. To make matters worse, the condiments—a jarred lutenitsa and pickled vegetables—added no excitement. I wanted something fresh and homemade, but instead got supermarket chic.

Thankfully, dessert came to the rescue. My friends ordered a cake so moist and rich, it felt like it had been baked with love, poetry, and a dash of fairy dust. One spoonful was enough to remind me why dessert is the best part of any meal. My companions devoured it with such gusto that I briefly considered ordering another round just to savour it properly.

The service at Pavaj deserves applause. The staff were friendly, efficient, and spoke excellent English, which is always a relief when you’re a foreigner trying to avoid accidentally ordering tripe. The ambience is warm and welcoming, even if the narrowness of the space occasionally makes you feel like you’re dining in a very stylish hallway.

So, would I drive another 90 minutes for Pavaj? Absolutely not. But if I lived in Plovdiv, I could see myself dropping by for a casual dinner or a dessert fix. Pavaj is like that dependable friend who isn’t perfect but always makes you feel at home. It’s good, sometimes very good, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights that justify a long journey. Still, for an evening of decent food, cozy vibes, and good company, it hits the mark. Just don’t expect fireworks—unless you sit too close to the outdoor...

After reading several recommendations and consulting with our tour guide, we decided to have dinner at Pavazh, and it turned out to be a wonderful choice. The restaurant is centrally located and has a very warm and cozy atmosphere, both inside and in the outdoor seating area, where they even have a heating flame that adds a special touch on cooler evenings.

The staff was extremely welcoming and spoke excellent English, making communication easy. They also provide an English menu, which was very helpful. Service was attentive and efficient — tables were cleaned quickly, drinks were served promptly, and small details like pouring Coke into freezer-cold glasses made the experience feel even more thoughtful.

The food was definitely a highlight. We ordered meatballs and horse sausage, both of which were served in generous portions and were absolutely delicious. The flavors were authentic and hearty, and it was clear that a lot of care went into the preparation. We also tried a few traditional Bulgarian dishes like Tarator (cold yogurt and cucumber soup) and stuffed grape leaves with duck meat and rice. The presentation was beautiful, and everything tasted fresh and well-seasoned. My personal favorite was the Sarma — it was flavorful and comforting.

Prices are slightly above average for the area (BGN 20-30 per person), but considering the quality of the food, service, and overall experience, it is absolutely worth it. They also have a surprising number of vegetarian options, so it's a great spot even if you're dining with a mixed group.

One small downside is parking — it's nearly impossible to find a space close by, so be prepared to walk a bit if you're driving.

Overall, Pavazh offered a fantastic experience from start to finish. Delicious food, friendly service, and a beautiful cozy setting — I would definitely recommend it to anyone...

Guess this is hit or miss spot. So take your chance. We took ours and unfortunately had the bad experience. Thursday night around 6:10pm. It wasn't busy yet from what I can tell and we got seated upstairs. There was a table leaving upstairs shortly after we got seated. That left us as the only table of 2. After 20 minutes (maybe more) we still did not receive any service. Not even a water order. After going down - one of the managers asked if we needed something. I stated we've been upstairs for at least 20 minutes without service. He wasn't even apologetic and responded someone will be there. I said its ok and we got ready to leave. On the way out we passed by at least 6 staff members so they seemed sufficiently staffed. The manager said they are on a "break time", which I don't buy since this should be peak service time. Unless things are different in Plovdiv. After leaving - we ran into the person that sat us who didn't think it was a problem we were leaving. Even after I politely mentioned you sat us upstairs and we received no service this whole time. The owner/maybe another manager was nearby outside and did seem confused why we were leaving. I briefly explained the situation to him and he did seem apologetic and surprised. At that point it was too late and we weren't going back. We ended up going to another restaurant and immediately had a better service experience and the meal was real good. I don't want to promote it here but it starts with Smo and ends with a i. Try the pork ribs!

To the manager/owner of Pavag - take reviews left from your patrons to improve...