General style Genshtab (General Staff) was once exclusive to members of the Sofiyskiy fitness center. But the restaurant recently opened its doors to the public willing to pay upscale prices for a high-end dining experience. Arranged like a den where army generals would retire for an evening’s rest, Genshtab is equipped with billiard tables (Hr 200 per hour) and a fireplace in the Winter Garden hall, providing great dinner ambiance.

The chefs researched lost recipes and experimented to create a unique seafood menu that includes a crab soup, based on an oyster soup recipe from a 1912 cookbook that is served in a glass with crab meat and red caviar on the side (Hr 80); crab salad with avocado, cheese, strawberries, decorated with seaweed and red caviar (Hr 103); crab cooked in milk with Dutch sauce with capers (Hr 259). A grill menu, including game, is expected to be introduced at Gentshtab soon.

As a special feature, you can enjoy a genuine old-fashioned Samovar tea ceremony. The wonderful coal-heated Samovar will arrive at your table with tea accompanied by jam, honey, dry biscuits and sweet bagels. A gramophone can be turned on to create an appropriate mood, costing Hr 93 regardless of the number of guests. After dinner you can enjoy a cup of coffee like a General prepared in an ibrik (a small metal pan with a long handle) and served with a glass of cognac of your own choice. However, don’t expect to enjoy the after dinner drink with your favorite cigar or cigarette – smoking is strictly off limits at Genshtab.


Genshtab (4 Chapayeva, 230-8692). Open Mon-Fri 9 a.m. till 11 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m. till 11 p.m.

Average meal: Hr 250

English menu: No

English-speaking staff: Yes