Few cafes in Sofia serve really good cakes and desserts, but one of the exceptions is Villa Rosiche, occupying a side street off Vitosha Blvd in central Sofia. 

Go through a door at number 26 (a prominent blue plaque decorates the wall with the name in Cyrillic) walk down a long pathway and you'll find yourself in a leafy garden. This is a secluded setting where, if in full sun, you could sit outside on one of those delightful "gypsy summer" afternoons we've been enjoying recently. 

Go inside and the downstairs space if fairly – shall we say? – intimate. This is a no-smoking zone. Upstairs there are a couple of quiet alcoves where smoking is allowed. The downstairs can get quite noisy on a weekend but on a weekday it's usually much quieter and stress-free, ideal for lunch with a friend. 

A good range of coffees is available: espresso, filter, Viennese and cappuccino at about two to three leva, cheaper than can be found in the city's celebrated self-service coffee chains. A very thick and satisfying hot chocolate costs just 3.30 leva.

All cakes and desserts are homemade on site in the downstairs basement. The flaky soft croissants are recommended – including almond, cheese, brie and broccoli, mozzarella and tomato, mushroom and blue cheese – costing between 1.50 leva (for a plain crossant) through to 3.30 leva for the savoury varieties. There's also a good choice of alcoholic cocktails, all at seven leva. 

The cafe truly comes into its own with its sumptuous cakes, most of which cost 4.90 leva. Choices include chestnut cake (with chocolate ganache, chestnut cream and almonds), white chocolate mousse and hazelnut cake (with meringue and chocolate mousse) but my favourite cake so far is the Swedish Princess – a mixture of pastry, sponge cake and raspberries, topped with green marzipan. A full range of spirits is also available behind the bar. 

Service friendly but not too in your face. English menu available. Outside orders can be accepted at the number below. 

Villa Rosiche
26 Neofit Rilski Str.
Open 8am to 9pm
Orders available on 02/ 954 30 72