Grape Central artfully combines a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a local mission. Its bare brick interior, walls stacked with wine bottles and designer lighting could be in any world capital and yet Sofia's favourite wine bar is an ambassador for small, independent Bulgarian vineyards and wine projects. Which doesn't take anything away from the offering of more than 300 wines, many of them imported from lands near and far, just that owners Yana and Effi want to help you discover the delights of Bulgarian wine and show there's more than the bland offerings on the supermarket shelves.

Regular wine tastings are held every Tuesday evening, giving you the chance to chill and chat while you try new wines, meet the producer and take a bottle home.

Besides great wines, Grape Central also offers great food. There's a short but tempting menu of salads, fish, seafood and pasta, a daily lunch menu with two dishes, plus Grape Central is one of the few places in Sofia for Saturday brunch. From lunchtime onwards you can enjoy Eggs Benedict, English scones, Mediterranean, Healthy or Continental breakfast, eggs and doughnuts. To get yourself into the weekend mood why not order a glass of bubbly or a Bloody Mary or, if you're feeling really adventurous, a fresh Mimosa?