One of the oldest restaurants in Plovdiv resumed operations at the very end of last year after a short break. A family of designers and hobby chefs took on the task of reviving the establishment, which had closed following the pandemic. They decided to focus on fusion cuisine and a minimalist interior to restore The Golden Pear's former glory.
The restaurant operates every day except Monday and offers a variety of interesting dishes, as well as a daily lunch menu with options under 10 leva—a great price for a centrally located venue.
On weekends, between 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM, they also serve a brunch menu, with many food enthusiasts recommending the "English Breakfast”.
The Golden Pear first opened its doors in 1929. The building was designed by the renowned architect Boyan Chinkov at the request of owner Dimitar Kozhuharov. In the past, it was a favorite spot for Plovdiv's bohemians and intellectuals, carrying the aesthetics and history of the aristocratic Plovdiv of the 1930s.
Photo: Archive/National Library Ivan Vazov Plovdiv
In one of the popular Facebook groups dedicated to the history of the city under the hills, members recall that in its early days, The Golden Pear was one of the more affordable taverns in Plovdiv, yet known for some of the tastiest appetizers. Dishes like pig’s ears, liver, kidneys, and tripe soup were among the culinary highlights of that time. A portion of pig’s ears cost 1.15 leva, while 100 grams of rakia was 70 stotinki. Actors such as Nikola Anastasov, Dimitar Manchev, Todor Kolev, Georgi Mamalev, and Kiril Gospodinov were frequent visitors, and sometimes people even had to wait in line to get a table.
Next to it, on the corner, was "Ribkata" (The Little Fish), whose facade was decorated with broken pieces of ceramic plates and pitchers.
After the transition from socialism to democracy, the restaurant became one of the most famous pizzerias in the city, but it closed in the early 2000s. It reopened in 2019 with new owners and a new concept, but after the COVID crisis, it struggled to remain on Plovdiv’s culinary scene.
