At this chic brasserie, pastry chef Ana Consulea revisits historic Romanian cake and gateau recipes, as well as devising her own contemporary creations. It’s tough to choose which sweet treat to start with, but a good bet is the Carmen Sylva cake, named after the literary pen name of Queen Elisabeth of Romania. It was created in 1893 for the royal’s 50th birthday, but Consulea’s version features the additions of amaretto and hazelnuts in the mousse filling, along with the original coffee and chocolate flavours.

Zexe aims to redefine Romanian cuisine by adapting it to an increasingly curious and demanding audience. What makes it even more impressive is that it does so with skill and grace. Here you will be greeted by fresh renditions of all the classic Romanian dishes, such as sarmale (cabbage rolls), salads, soups and popular desserts with twists.

Cele două aşa-numite “zahanale” Zexe, Zahanaua Zexe Icoanei şi Zahanaua Zexe Aviatorilor, sunt printre foarte puţinele restaurante din Bucureşti care mai fac bucătărie românească boiereasca, adică acea bucătărie aristocratică ce a dispărut odată cu cei care o făceau şi o şi mâncau. Doar la Locanta Jaristea am mai găsit, şi am apreciat eforturile pe care le fac atât Alexandu Consulea, cât şi Kera Calita (Aurora Nicolau) spre a readuce la lumină reţetele şi stilul de viaţă boiereşti, din alte vremuri. Aşadar, “fineţea” lor e foarte diferită de cea a lui MAIZE, de pildă, însă tot bucătărie fină o putem numi, până la urmă, dacă e să o diferenţiem astfel de cu restul bucătăriei româneşti, cea tradiţională, ţărănească, şi cea urbana.

Zexe first caught my attention with the uniqueness of the menu, showcasing specialties such as turkey jelly with quail eggs, pike roe, calf brain, and veal spinal marrow. Although the restaurant’s tables are lined with white cloths and proper silverware, it’s still a casual eatery for every occasion. We opted to try a variety of small meat portions, sampling the veal sweetbread (the thymus gland), pizdulice (a unique cut of pork from the inner thigh), and mititei (a grilled meatball made from a special house blend of meats and spices).

The boyars formed in the past the most important social and political class in Romania and they had a quite interesting way of living. Originating from a mixture between old Romanian noble families and other nationalities, especially Greek and Macedonian, the boyars were known for their Oriental-Western habits in terms of fashion, interior design and, of course, food. At Zexe restaurant, in an authentic interwar atmosphere, the owners thought to revive the old, long-forgotten boyar's recipes.

Zexe Zahana is renowned for its unwavering dedication to the culinary heritage of Romania. This restaurant offers an authentic taste of the country’s diverse regions, serving up rustic dishes in a welcoming, traditionally decorated setting that feels like stepping into a bygone era. From hearty soups and stews to homemade bread and pickles, Zexe Zahana is a celebration of Romanian comfort food at its finest.

If you want delicious, classic Romanian food at a classy restaurant, we would recommend stopping in here!. It looks old fashioned on the inside, and if you are walking in from the center of town, you will pass by plenty of beautiful mansions before walking into this restaurant. There is live piano music but most importantly, this is some of the best Romanian food in town!

Tucked away in the neighbourhood of Dorobanți, Zexe Zahana offers a cozy dining experience with a focus on farm-to-table cuisine. The menu features seasonal dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, with a contemporary flair. Be sure to try the zacuscă (vegetable spread) and smoked trout salad for an authentic Romanian taste.

Seen as a true symbol of Romanian culinary refinement, Zexe reinterprets old aristocratic recipes in an elegant and sophisticated way. Dishes are inspired by old-school gastronomy, with local ingredients like Mangalitsa pork, guinea fowl, or Pleșcoi sausages. The setting has an interwar charm — elegant and intimate.

Zexe offers a classy dining experience with a focus on traditional Romanian cuisine. The interior features an old-fashioned charm, and the live piano music enhances the atmosphere. Signature dishes include homemade mice and Patricieni sausages, making them a top choice for those seeking authentic flavours.

Este un restaurant frumos, destul de popular printre bucureștenii gurmanzi, dar și cu prețuri ceva mai piperate. Însă, date fiind preparatele bucătăriei boierești de aici, e ușor de înțeles de ce sunt așa. Unde mai poți găsi rara supă clară din coadă de bou sau pulpe de bibilică de curte?

First of all, Romanian food is seriously underrated, so make sure you cross that off your list when visiting – you can try out either 100% traditional restaurants like Ciorbarie or Zexe Zahana, or restaurants like Maize which combine Romanian traditions with modern fine dining.

Zexe Zahana is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the art of Romanian zahana (inn). With a focus on dishes from different historical regions of Romania, this restaurant offers a culinary tour of the country’s diverse flavors.

This location is one of the restaurant located near my accommodation. Find all their locations on their website. This location also spoke to me, cause of the romantic interior.

The food is ok, not as tasty as the one serving at Zexe, but the atmosphere and its position in the Old City makes it the no.1 choice for foreigners.