The Northern district or better known among the citizens of Plovdiv with its Turkish name Karşıyaka is located on the northern bank of the Maritsa River.
Historical data indicates that it was formed in the early 16th century. The great influx of the Bulgarian population was in the 18th and 19th centuries when the Bulgarian character of the neighborhood was shaped. The population of Karshiyaka was engaged in crafts related to the maintenance of horses and camels, with innkeeping, with sailing, but mainly with vegetable production. By the middle of the twentieth-century middle-income vegetable growers lived in the neighborhood, using the river for watering, as well as river carriers, small merchants and craftspeople.
Today the area is characterized by a rather expansive construction and a population of about 60,000.
The team of the only digital guide under the hills took a walk through the neighborhood and selected three places that, although a little farther from the center, have a lot to offer their visitors.
Family Restaurant is an establishment with over 10 years of history, which has gradually grown into a restaurant with about 600 seats - 380 indoor and 250 in the summer garden. The restaurant works at full speed, no day off! For fans of the party and Bulgarian music every Friday and Saturday night there is an interesting show program, live music, and a DJ. The cuisine is national, available to the clients is a varied lunch menu, as well as deliveries to the home and office.
"Somewhere in Karshiyaka" is our next discovery - the Mexican-Italian restaurant Poco Loco. Ricardo and his partner Maria have been managing their family restaurant for years. It's a bit out of the center, but Ricardo's pasta is worth paying attention to. Ricardo supplies all the specific products for his dishes from his homeland. In fact, one of his fantastic antipasti can feed you, too. But you have to continue after it. Try either Ricardo's meat specialties or typical Italian dishes or his pizza. To finish your culinary feast, you must also find some strength for Ricardo and Maria's homemade desserts. If you are lucky, they will tell you that today they have prepared pannacotta. Otherwise, Maria makes her own ice cream. For him, Ricardo will serve you his limoncello. In addition, Poco Loco is the place where you can practice your Italian - Ricardo welcomes and sends people in his own language.
Our last stop in this neighborhood journey is Restaurant 44, which is very close to Gerdzhika Bridge. The restaurant offers Mediterranean, Greek and Italian cuisine. At guests' disposal, there is an indoor space and a garden for the warmer days to come. One of those unpretentious locations that will surprise you with delicious food and cozy atmosphere.
And what is your preferred place in Karshiyaka?