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The Culinary Temptations of Summer at “St. St. Constantine and Helena”

We arrive at the seaside resort “St. St. Constantine and Helena” on a June Saturday afternoon. Summer is already in full swing here, the sea water is warm, and the feeling of a well-deserved vacation embraces you right from the parking lot. Although we’re here for work, it’s the most enjoyable kind – we’re embarking on a culinary tour of the resort’s dining establishments. As enthusiasts of fine food and excellent service, we’re eager to discover what delights Bulgaria’s oldest Black Sea resort, renowned as a premium spa destination, has to offer.

By the Beach

The Bay

The culinary journey begins with The Bay – undoubtedly an iconic spot on the Northern Black Sea coast, boasting a decade-long reputation and fully booked tables every summer day.

The relaxed ambiance, perfectly prepared classic oriental dishes, and the pastel hues of the sea at sunset will captivate you.

Be sure to try the lamb meatballs and a guilt-free dessert: The Bay – crispy pastry layers, pistachio praline, soft cheese, and vanilla ice cream. If seafood is your choice, go for the tagine with grilled vegetables, basmati rice, Black Sea mussels, sea bass fillet, and giant tiger prawns.

Restaurant "Pechkata"

Do you have a favorite dish made by your grandmother? You’ll likely find one or two of them on the menu of the newest restaurant in the resort – "Pechkata". It’s cozy here, like a family villa by the shore, spacious, elegant, and modern. The artistic accents in the interior will catch your eye, though you’ll likely be engrossed by the delicious food.

The restaurant offers a vacation-friendly formula – from beach to table and back. Many guests come for the homemade meat specialties made from clean, locally-sourced ingredients. The grilled mackerel is exceptional.

Imagine telling your grandmother during a vacation that you’re on a gluten-free diet – you’ll have to indulge in the crispy, warm flatbread that perfectly complements the shop cheese and roasted peppers in tomato sauce.

Restaurant More

Here, the food is so delightful you might forget to return to the beach or wish for lunch to extend into a late-night digestif. The wordplay in the name says it all – there’s the sea, and so much more to enjoy.

You could easily fill up on just the salad – generous slices of pink tomatoes, freshly roasted peppers, crispy pickles, and a chunk of fresh cheese. Or only the starters – anchovies marinated on-site (you’ll taste the difference), excellent guacamole, and a zucchini dip. All this before surrendering to the sea’s flavors – octopus, calamari, Black Sea oysters, and whelks you’ll rave about for weeks.

The open wooden structure of the restaurant is a 100-year-old Rhodope farm, disassembled and reassembled in the resort by imaginative people with a knack for creating special experiences.

Don’t leave without exploring the wine list, sampling the naturally fermented sun-aged cucumbers, spreading a slice of bread with homemade taramasalata, and consciously indulging in tiramisu served in a retro coffee pot.

Lena Pavilion

The Lena Pavilion is situated next to the mineral pool at the Astor Garden Hotel and operates daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s like a midway station – a spot for snacks and drinks between main meals. You can order from the QR code menu directly from your lounge chair.

There’s something fresh for every taste and hour. The cold avocado and cucumber soup is an excellent choice, as is the hearty Vitamin Salad. The lemonade is made with coconut water and vegan syrups (organic, sweetened with stevia).

Cocktails come in alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, while the desserts are a tempting mix of healthy ingredients and irresistible flavors.

Year-Round Haute Cuisine

Monty Restaurant

Another institution in St. St. Constantine and Helena and the entire region. The restaurant is open year-round, but in summer, it’s particularly charming with its terrace overlooking the pool and the scent of the sea.

Be sure to try the tasting menu to fully enjoy the skills of Chef Stanislav Petkov. An exquisite culinary experience awaits, with terroir cuisine, a wealth of techniques, textures, flavors, and emotions.

The smoked bonito is outstanding – salted and marinated on-site. The salad with fennel and smoked duck is beautifully arranged and a burst of flavors. Delight for all the senses.

The Trio Mosaic (with fresh salmon, tuna, and butterfish) makes for a perfect starter, as do the homemade spinach and ricotta ravioli with a mushroom mix. The grilled fagri showcases the best of this fish, complemented by a rich garnish – parsnip and orange puree, sautéed zucchini, Kenyan beans, fennel with samphire, and Soubise sauce.

The "Queen Eleanor" Crème Brûlée would be a fittingly beautiful end to the evening, especially paired with an ice Riesling from the “Tsarev Brod” winery.

Villa Chinka

While there’s no strict dress code, ladies might consider an elegant evening dress for dining here. The setting is eclectically beautiful, with violin melodies, a sea view, carved stone, high arches, and excellent service.

The wine list deserves attention for its well-balanced selection of Bulgarian wines from all regions, as well as Old and New World offerings. Opting for a tasting menu ensures you won’t miss anything remarkable. Highlights include octopus carpaccio, foie gras with Marsala sauce and forest fruits, and crispy tiger prawns with coconut sauce, kimchi, lime, and chili threads.

The red tuna steak with purple potato gnocchi and Parmesan and black truffle sauce pairs equally well with rosé and red wine. If you have a special occasion, Villa Chinka is your place – for its romance, spaciousness, privacy, and exquisite food.

Kampai

Special selection by Chef Petrov – 10 dishes to share that will take you on an unforgettable journey through Asia. The graphite gray of the garden’s tables and chairs is framed by the park’s splendor and contrasted by the explosion of colors in the dishes.

If you haven’t tried Japanese cocktails, you’ll be enchanted by their spicy, memorable, and sense-awakening stories.

The food is incredibly colorful and flavorful. The kimchi is elegantly presented, and the ginger sauce accompanying the crispy shrimp tempura is divine.

The sushi strays far from standard combo sets – it’s arranged like artwork, original, and abundant. Many ingredients on the menu are imported from Japan.

This, combined with Chef Svetoslav Petrov’s incredible skills, makes Kampai one of the best Asian restaurants in Bulgaria.

Ensana Aquahouse Hotel

The Ensana Aquahouse Hotel is one of the newest locations in the resort, and under its wing, there are several very charming spots for food and drinks.

Cactus Beach Bar

Cactus beach bar is a place for people who appreciate the joy of life and seek it during their summer vacation. It offers a beach, a bar, comfortable loungers, tables, poufs, swings, original cocktails, and cool music.

Attention to detail and a personal touch are not clichés here, but part of the menu. Ladies are recommended the “Velvet Carpet” cocktail with violet aroma and beautiful presentation. For a laid-back afternoon, a Campari spritz with Campari, tonic, and mango will do. And for a lasting effect, try the iconic cocktail “Prickly like a cactus” with Aperitivo Verde, limoncello, Bitter Bianco, Thomas Henry ginger, and rosemary. It’s not prickly, but very, very fresh, green in color and flavor, with a herbal-ginger kick.

The music is fresh, and so are the people on the team. In the evening, the bar is a preferred spot for live music with guitars and peaceful fun – no discos or noisy parties in the resort. During the day, to not interrupt your hedonistic conversation with the sea, the bartender, and cocktails, you can order food from the comfort of your lounger – there’s a QR code on the umbrellas linking to the menu of The Grill.

The Grill

The Grill is right above Cactus beach, so your order will arrive quickly at the beach (unless you prefer to go up to eat under the trees at the restaurant). The beach menu is well thought out, featuring iconic dishes (and drinks, alcoholic ones, of course) from Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, and the USA.

Beef ribs for very hungry people, hot dogs or burgers for grab & go, crispy calamari if you miss the Aegean Sea, fresh tabbouleh, and a few unexpectedly good desserts.

We go for the Bulgarian option – cake with white beans, apricot jam, and carrot candy. There are soups, salads, and even orange pie.

Restaurant Salvia, Ensana Hotel

At Salvia, the scent of wood-fired pizza welcomes you, and that says it all. The food is authentic and delicious, the interior is modern, and the garden offers a beautiful sea view.

A place for lunch with kids or friends, a candlelit dinner, or a glass of fine wine – they have Lis Neris, Minuty, and excellent Bulgarian labels.

The pizzas have a slightly burnt crust, made with special Italian flour, fresh products, and spices. They are made in an open kitchen, which makes your mouth water even more.

“Italy” salad is made with baby spinach, arugula, zucchini, eggplant, tomato, baby mozzarella, and honey-mustard dressing – simply wonderful.

The desserts are excellent, especially the homemade lasagna with roasted hazelnuts and two types of chocolate mousse, and the limoncello variation (Mamma mia!).