Café & Drinks

1. Чаша ракия, моля

   CHA-sha ra-KI-ya, MOL-ya

   A glass of rakiya, please

   Usage

   Used to order rakiya, Bulgaria's national fruit brandy

   Grammar Note

   Rakiya is made from grapes or plums (сливова ракия). "Сливова" means plum. It is typically 40–50% alcohol.

2. Едно кафе, моля

   ED-no ka-FE, MOL-ya

   One coffee, please

   Usage

   Used to order a coffee at a café or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   Espresso is dominant in Bulgaria. "Двойно кафе" = double espresso. Coffee culture is strong.

3. Чаша студена вода, моля

   CHA-sha STU-de-na VO-da, MOL-ya

   A glass of cold water, please

   Usage

   Used to request a glass of cold water at a restaurant or outdoors

   Grammar Note

   "Вода" is feminine, so the adjective "студена" takes the feminine form. Tap water is drinkable in most of Bulgaria.

4. Чаша бяло/червено вино, моля

   CHA-sha BYA-lo/cher-VE-no VI-no, MOL-ya

   A glass of white/red wine, please

   Usage

   Used to order Bulgarian wine. The Rose Valley region is also renowned for its wines

   Grammar Note

   "Вино" is neuter, so adjectives take neuter forms. Мавруд (Mavrud) is Bulgaria's signature red wine grape.

5. Студена бира, моля

   STU-de-na BI-ra, MOL-ya

   A cold beer, please

   Usage

   Used to order a cold beer at Black Sea resorts or outdoor terraces

   Grammar Note

   "Бира" is feminine. Popular Bulgarian brands include Каменица (Kamenitsa) and Столичен (Stolichen).

6. Боза, моля

   BO-za, MOL-ya

   Boza, please

   Usage

   Used to order boza, a traditional fermented wheat drink popular in Bulgaria

   Grammar Note

   Boza is a traditional Balkan drink with very low alcohol (0.5–1%) and a sweet-sour taste. Common in Sofia.

7. Айран, моля

   ay-RAN, MOL-ya

   Ayran, please

   Usage

   Used to order ayran, a chilled yogurt-based drink popular in summer

   Grammar Note

   Bulgaria is considered the birthplace of yogurt. "Кисело мляко" = yogurt (lit. "sour milk").

8. Без захар, моля

   bez za-HAR, MOL-ya

   Without sugar, please

   Usage

   Used when ordering coffee or tea without sugar

   Grammar Note

   "Без" (without) takes the noun base form. Also useful: "с мляко" (with milk), "без мляко" (without milk).

9. Чай с лимон, моля

   chay s li-MON, MOL-ya

   Tea with lemon, please

   Usage

   Used to order tea with lemon. Herbal teas are also popular in Bulgaria

   Grammar Note

   "С" means "with." "Билков чай" = herbal tea (bil-kov chay). Rose tea is a Bulgarian specialty.

10. Менюто за напитките, моля

    me-NYU-to za na-PIT-ki-te, MOL-ya

    The drinks menu, please

    Usage

    Used at a restaurant or bar to request the drinks menu

    Grammar Note

    "Напитка" (drink) → plural "напитки" + definite "-те" = "напитките." Plural definite article in Bulgarian is "-те."

11. Без лед

    Bez led

    No ice

    Usage

    Point to this when ordering a drink without ice

12. Минерална вода

    Mi-ne-ral-na vo-da

    Mineral water

    Usage

    The standard word for bottled water in Bulgaria; add "негазирана" for still and "газирана" for sparkling

13. Гореща вода

    Go-resh-ta vo-da

    Hot water

    Usage

    Ask for hot water for medicine, instant noodles or baby formula

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