[Last Updated Nov 2024]

Rooftop restaurants are not that common in Sofia, which is a shame, because there are some amazing views to be had. Luckily, several have sprung up over the years. Long gone are the days where the only place you could get a bird’s eye view of the city was from the top of the National Palace of Culture. Because I can’t decide which rooftop bar has the best view, I’ve listed them in the order of their opening.

Sense Rooftop Bar at Sense Hotel

Sense Hotel opened in 2013. Its prime location means that the rooftop bar has incredible views of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral as well as the National Assembly and the Monument of the Tsar Liberator. I didn’t become aware of it until 2018 (!) but ever since, I try to return to this fabulous place on ever trip. This is a very popular spot, so be sure to arrive early or make a reservation. I would say it’s the busiest of the bars listed here and the vibe is younger/trendy.

The Scene at Hyatt Regency Sofia

The Hyatt Regency Sofia opened in September 2020, the first hotel of the brand to open in Southeast Europe. The prime location at Vassil Levsky square is near and dear to me. For years in my childhood, there was a cinema here that I frequented quite a bit. The building sat empty for a long time in the 2000s, so I am glad that the new Hyatt has replaced the quickly deteriorating structure. You can still spot the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral from here, although the view is not as good as from Sense. However, I do like the ambiance here a lot better, and the dedicated outdoor space is a big differentiator from Sense. The Scene feels more like a proper hotel bar and the vibe is more mature/upscale compared to Sense. The cocktails are fantastic and the whole experience reminds me more of what an luxury hotel bar in the US would feel like.

The Ozone Skybar and Lounge at the Grand Millennium Hotel

The Grand Hotel Millennium also opened in 2020. Whereas the other two hotels are right in the city center, the Grand Millennium is a bit further out, behind the National Palace of Culture. It’s also the biggest, at 30 stories high with 10 restaurants and a dedicated conference center. The Ozone Skybar and lounge is on the 29th floor and provides fantastic views of the city, albeit most landmarks will be a little farther away. If you’re familiar with the city though, you can get your bearings very easily. Because of its location, this bar also has really good views of Vitosha Mountain. There is no outdoor space though.

Hotel Kitchen59

Open since 2022, Kitchen59 is the newest addition to Sofia’s list of upscale hotels and it also features a conference center. Due to its location, this rooftop’s best feature are the mountain views. No major landmarks are visible since the hotel is a little bit away from the city center in a residential area. The pool is one level up from the rooftop bar but is open to hotel guests only. My high school reunion in May 2024 was here and it was a fantastic space for a special occasion. I especially loved that the music did not bleed into the outside and we could actually have conversations!

Looking for more Sofia tips? Check my list of 9 instagrammable spots in the city!