Address: Lozenets Area, 19 Lubotrun Str.
Tel:  088 771 43 32
Working hours: 9 am - midnight
Credit cards - not accepted

PUZZLE is situated in a bit of a puzzling place; indeed it is somewhat of a riddle to find. Even though it is located in one of the best areas in Sofia, near the Kempinski Zografski Hotel and the US embassy, it is hidden among the new residential and office buildings there. 

In order to locate it, the best landmark to go by is probably the RUM, the supermarket on Cherni Vrah Boulevard, near the vegetable market. When you reach the RUM, turn right in the direction of South Park; you will bump into Puzzle after a hundred metres or so. It is slightly to your right, in a small playground and garden area, with a school further to the left.

The restaurant itself is in a good spot. Foremost, because of the fact that it is in a detached one-storey building, quite peacefully nestled in a small garden, well protected from the busy and polluted boulevard close behind.

Secondly, on entering the place, one feels it is neither too big, nor too small; neither too urbane and ultra cold, nor too cosy and folk-mehana style. It is something in the middle. The clientele is too; it seems to be of all ages and occupations, probably because there are many offices nearby, as well as the school and marketplace. Another plus is the fact that there are designated smoking and non-smoking areas.

As for the decor, the main thing that first attracts one's attention is the huge painting on the central wall of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam. This is in the form of a jigsaw puzzle - hence the restaurant's name. The unusual presentation is quite pleasant and approachable and not pretentious. The colours match the orange interior and brown seating and bar area.

On our particular midweek, winter lunchtime visit, we were seated at a table for two, near the window. We felt we were very well situated indeed, we were granted some privacy without being secluded.

To our surprise, there was a lunch menu, which looked very tempting. We had lingered many times in the nice sitting area outside during summertime, but had never sat inside. On previous visits, we had focused mainly on light things such as a cup of coffee, a glass of beer or a gazpacho soup, so we were not aware of the fact that there was a lunch menu. 

The lunchtime menu consisted of minced meat rolls with carrots and onion (Stephanie's roll), and cream of carrot soup. I ordered the soup tentatively, due to the fact that cream soups - my favourite - are rarely what they should be - sometimes they are totally artificial and sometimes they are ridiculously thin. But this time, I assure you, the cream of carrot soup was fantastic, a verdict shared by my companion.

We noticed that the regular menu was quite extensive. It included a range of dishes and beverages from salads, pizzas and chicken to veal, cocktails and desserts. Other customers were ordering pizzas and salads, which looked very appetising. We made up our minds to come back again for sure to sample some of the other dishes on offer.

When our food arrived, the minced meat roll was very fresh, well presented, and tasty too. They were not sparing when it came to garnish; the roll came accompanied by tomatoes and mashed potatoes - a big portion I must say. After all, it was only lunchtime and we were not starving. The mashed potatoes again seemed real - tasty stuff. And the ayran (yoghurt drink) I ordered complimented them nicely. My companion ordered cappuccino as a finishing touch.

As for the service, the waitresses were fairly swift, considering the fact that the restaurant was full. They were dressed well - casually, but not carelessly, in jeans and a t-shirt.

Hence, in about an hour, we were totally fed and nourished. Our bill came to about 12 leva. We felt this to be good value for money considering the size of the portions.
Put simply, Puzzle is the perfect place for a casual weekday lunch.